Book excerpt: After losing his brother in the creature-infested woods in Congo, West Africa, Noah enlists the help of his new friends, JJ and Leah. An interesting friendship is forged among the three, with each hiding personal secrets. Leah lost her best friend to a disease infecting many in the village, but that is not all she is hiding. JJ holds the most secrets, as he is deeply involved in theft and drug activity back home in the States. They cross paths for reasons beyond anything they could ever imagine. The locals in the African village remain silent about the latest happenings as a dreadful disease continues to wreak havoc. A spiritual battle is at hand as Leah seeks help from the local witch doctor, Batu. And then there are the eyespiercing, wild eyes that watch their every move and are about to become discontent with only observing from a distance. Will the trio escape the darkness both from within and without? Will the light prevail against the creeping darkness?