Silent Tide
This novel tells the story of two university students and their survival journey after a sudden zombie crisis erupts in Bristol, England.
The protagonists, Jack and Emma, are a couple at the University of Bristol who have been dating for four years. Jack is a philosophy student with ADHD who loves outdoor activities and radio communications. Emma is a computer science genius with an introverted personality and exceptional programming and hacking skills.
The story begins when Jack captures secret military communications with his modified radio equipment, codenamed "Silent Wave," while Emma's data analysis system detects abnormal hospital data. They witness the first zombie attack through Emma's electric car monitoring system and realize the city is facing a serious crisis.
The zombie virus originated from a military experiment leak at Bristol Port and rapidly spread throughout the city. The government and military publicly claim it's a "chemical leak" but quickly deploy large numbers of troops to implement lockdown and "cleansing" operations. As the situation deteriorates, the government cuts off Bristol's electricity, water, and communications, but Emma gathers information through hacking and discovers the military's plan for a destructive strike codenamed "Scorched Earth."
Facing the city's collapse, Jack and Emma decide to escape. They abandon using a motorcycle because roads are blocked by numerous abandoned vehicles, opting instead to travel on foot through the perilous city. Along the way, they encounter infected attackers, dangerous survivors, and witness the complete breakdown of urban order.
Eventually, they successfully reach the observation tower at Clifton Cliff, from where they witness the military's devastating midnight bombing of Bristol, reducing the entire city to ashes in an attempt to control the infection. Faced with this disaster, Jack and Emma decide to head toward Wales in search of a safer refuge.
The story's ending suggests that despite the government's extreme measures, the real threat—the "Silent Wave Zero Subject"—has already left Bristol under military escort and is en route to an unknown destination, indicating the crisis is far from over.
The novel portrays society's rapid collapse in the face of disaster through a personal perspective, as well as human survival instincts and moral struggles in desperate situations. Jack and Emma's professional skills and psychological resilience are tested during the crisis, while their romantic relationship becomes a crucial force supporting them through the catastrophe.
