<p>Nick and the boys return from the summer's last hunting trip to find the streets empty the beachfront and park abandoned and the windows of their own homes boarded shut.</p><p>The hunters have become the hunted in an apocalyptic plague that pits man against beast--very tiny beasts. And Nick is determined to keep his strength courage and family alive during what could very well be the last winter of their lives.</p><p>Note: This is part one of a stand-alone series. The story continues in <i>The Hatch</i>.