I Stand Alone
After so many false predictions of the end of the world, an enormous asteroid has struck the planet and in its wake, it has caused quakes, volcanic eruptions, and massive tidal waves. The devastation from this series of disasters was so epic that it forever changed the landscape of the planet, killing billions of people, in the process. The few scattered remaining survivors have come to remember the culmination of these events as the "Big Apocalyptic Event."
Almost 30 years have gone by since that time. Deadly barbaric "Nomads" now roam the destroyed ruins of the abandoned cities during the daylight. However, when the sun goes down even they hide from the mysterious aerial hunters of the night, who threaten to snatch them up and take them away.
It seems the last civilized person in this post-apocalyptic future is a none other than a teenage girl named Evangelina, but can she survive on her own, while not being fully aware of the dangers that threaten her very existence?
Almost 30 years have gone by since that time. Deadly barbaric "Nomads" now roam the destroyed ruins of the abandoned cities during the daylight. However, when the sun goes down even they hide from the mysterious aerial hunters of the night, who threaten to snatch them up and take them away.
It seems the last civilized person in this post-apocalyptic future is a none other than a teenage girl named Evangelina, but can she survive on her own, while not being fully aware of the dangers that threaten her very existence?
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Interesting Facts & Trivia
The title of the book came to me while I was listening to a Godsmack song by the same name. It's a pretty cool song. Look it up. ("I Stand Alone" by Godsmack) Once I knew what the main plot would be, their song was nice enough to provide me with my title.
In the photo used for the book cover, I've actually used photos of my ex-wife, Jo-Ann, walking around at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center power plant area from around 2012. At the time, there were still structures that had not been demolished, yet, such as the metal coal storage tank at the far end and the coal train supports. I used the image to create my first wrap around book cover, which I think came out rather nice. I edited in a few buildings in the distance from photos of Manhattan.
As a bit of trivia, I changed Evangelina's name a few times, before the book was completed. Originally her name was Larrah, but I changed it in October of 2013 because I didn't want her to be compared to Lara Croft of the "Tomb Raider" franchise. The new name became Alarra, which I liked better. However, as the story was developed her name was changed once more to the current name. The reason for the final change has to do with the new ending I decided upon.
I actually changed the entire plot back at the beginning of 2024 when I actually sat down to write the book. If I told you the original plot, it would contain too many spoilers. Maybe someday, I will mention it somewhere. Suffice it to say, the new plot was far better than the original, which resulted in a much more profound ending.
Since the story was shorter than my usual long novels, I added 4 short bonus stories that are each about a chapter long. These stories ended up being a great addition because they fill in the blanks and solve mysteries left behind by the main story. Their time spans range from the beginning of the apocalypse to the end of the main story, while also expanding the story as a whole. I even threw in a bunch of Easter eggs that are totally unrelated to the book. I will give you one major hint - "The Fab Four."
In the photo used for the book cover, I've actually used photos of my ex-wife, Jo-Ann, walking around at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center power plant area from around 2012. At the time, there were still structures that had not been demolished, yet, such as the metal coal storage tank at the far end and the coal train supports. I used the image to create my first wrap around book cover, which I think came out rather nice. I edited in a few buildings in the distance from photos of Manhattan.
As a bit of trivia, I changed Evangelina's name a few times, before the book was completed. Originally her name was Larrah, but I changed it in October of 2013 because I didn't want her to be compared to Lara Croft of the "Tomb Raider" franchise. The new name became Alarra, which I liked better. However, as the story was developed her name was changed once more to the current name. The reason for the final change has to do with the new ending I decided upon.
I actually changed the entire plot back at the beginning of 2024 when I actually sat down to write the book. If I told you the original plot, it would contain too many spoilers. Maybe someday, I will mention it somewhere. Suffice it to say, the new plot was far better than the original, which resulted in a much more profound ending.
Since the story was shorter than my usual long novels, I added 4 short bonus stories that are each about a chapter long. These stories ended up being a great addition because they fill in the blanks and solve mysteries left behind by the main story. Their time spans range from the beginning of the apocalypse to the end of the main story, while also expanding the story as a whole. I even threw in a bunch of Easter eggs that are totally unrelated to the book. I will give you one major hint - "The Fab Four."
Tales from the Ruins: Bonus Stories & Easter Eggs
(WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS!)
I will tell you some Easter eggs in this section because you may never find them or figure them out. I do not want to give them all away, though. Do NOT read this section until you finish the book, if you do NOT want spoilers!
"A WORLD GONE MAD" - In the first bonus story, I decided to go back to the time right before the Big Apocalyptic Event. This gives the reader a chance to see firsthand how hectic things were from the point of view of a young couple named Brendon and Jakayla. There are numerous Easter eggs in this story that pay homage to several shows and movies that I enjoyed watching when I was younger, which include "Star Wars: A New Hope" and "Night of the Living Dead."
Near the end of the story, a news report describes the asteroid, indicating how it looks like a small moon, and then states, “That’s no moon,” which is a line borrowed from “Star Wars: A New Hope” when they first see the Death Star.
"TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS" - In the second bonus story, the four hunters are based on The Beatles. Len is John Lennon, Mac is Paul McCartney, Harris is George Harrison, and Stark is Richard Starkey aka Ringo. Their descriptions match The Beatles as they looked during the late 1960s, since a lot of time has gone by since the asteroid struck.
Early on, it is mentioned that their clan has twenty-six survivors remaining. For the record, almost every time I mention a number in one of my stories, it has a significance to me. In this case, the number twenty-six represents the precinct where I worked.
I tried throwing in a few song titles, too, including the main title of this story, which is an Easter egg, as well. That will be explained at the end of this story, if you've been paying attention. Near the beginning of this story, Mac states, “I’ve Got a Feeling,” which was a popular Beatles tune from the later years sung by Paul. At the end of that part, Harris says, “My Sweet Lord,” which was one of George’s solo songs. There are quite a few other songs strategically thrown into the story's dialogue, such as “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Run for Your Life,” “Two of Us,” and the not so subtle “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
"THE HUNTING PARTY" - The third bonus story tells the mysterious tale of a group of hunters from the main story, who are mentioned near the beginning of the book. The character of Abram was largely inspired by Abraham from “The Walking Dead.” I even imagined him looking like actor, Michael Cudlitz, as I wrote this story. I couldn't help myself.
At one point, Abram tells Seth and Abby that together they are stronger, which was an homage to the newer “Planet of the Apes” movie series from the 2010s, in which the apes say they are strong together. I had been re-watching those movies around this time, so that line was in my head.
"THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE WORLD" - The fourth bonus story fills in a few other blanks regarding a mysterious creature from the main story and ties a few things together, leaving no loose ends. The story is mostly told from the point of view of this creature. The title is a twist on the old adage, “And the meek shall inherit the Earth.”
"A WORLD GONE MAD" - In the first bonus story, I decided to go back to the time right before the Big Apocalyptic Event. This gives the reader a chance to see firsthand how hectic things were from the point of view of a young couple named Brendon and Jakayla. There are numerous Easter eggs in this story that pay homage to several shows and movies that I enjoyed watching when I was younger, which include "Star Wars: A New Hope" and "Night of the Living Dead."
Near the end of the story, a news report describes the asteroid, indicating how it looks like a small moon, and then states, “That’s no moon,” which is a line borrowed from “Star Wars: A New Hope” when they first see the Death Star.
"TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS" - In the second bonus story, the four hunters are based on The Beatles. Len is John Lennon, Mac is Paul McCartney, Harris is George Harrison, and Stark is Richard Starkey aka Ringo. Their descriptions match The Beatles as they looked during the late 1960s, since a lot of time has gone by since the asteroid struck.
Early on, it is mentioned that their clan has twenty-six survivors remaining. For the record, almost every time I mention a number in one of my stories, it has a significance to me. In this case, the number twenty-six represents the precinct where I worked.
I tried throwing in a few song titles, too, including the main title of this story, which is an Easter egg, as well. That will be explained at the end of this story, if you've been paying attention. Near the beginning of this story, Mac states, “I’ve Got a Feeling,” which was a popular Beatles tune from the later years sung by Paul. At the end of that part, Harris says, “My Sweet Lord,” which was one of George’s solo songs. There are quite a few other songs strategically thrown into the story's dialogue, such as “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Run for Your Life,” “Two of Us,” and the not so subtle “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
"THE HUNTING PARTY" - The third bonus story tells the mysterious tale of a group of hunters from the main story, who are mentioned near the beginning of the book. The character of Abram was largely inspired by Abraham from “The Walking Dead.” I even imagined him looking like actor, Michael Cudlitz, as I wrote this story. I couldn't help myself.
At one point, Abram tells Seth and Abby that together they are stronger, which was an homage to the newer “Planet of the Apes” movie series from the 2010s, in which the apes say they are strong together. I had been re-watching those movies around this time, so that line was in my head.
"THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE WORLD" - The fourth bonus story fills in a few other blanks regarding a mysterious creature from the main story and ties a few things together, leaving no loose ends. The story is mostly told from the point of view of this creature. The title is a twist on the old adage, “And the meek shall inherit the Earth.”