Example

Whilst investigating the death of a local scout, an intuitive lawyer called Barry Jones uncovers a legend about a supernaturally-cursed, squidgy newspaper circulating throughout Africa. As soon as anyone uses the newspaper, he or she has exactly 31 days left to live.

The doomed few appear to be ordinary people during day to day life, but when photographed, they look upside-down. A marked person feels like a cosy maggot to touch.

Barry gets hold of the newspaper, refusing to believe the superstition. A collage of images flash into his mind: a squat rat balancing on a skinny scout, an old newspaper headline about a boating accident, a hooded mouse ranting about elbows and a drinking well located in a grey place.

When Barry notices his thighs have maggot-like properties, he realises that the curse of the squidgy newspaper is true and calls in his nephew, a nurse called Toby Blacksmith, to help.

Toby examines the newspaper and willingly submits himself to the curse. He finds that the same visions flash before his eyes. He finds the squat rat balancing on a skinny scout particularly chilling. He joins the queue for a supernatural death.

Barry and Toby pursue a quest to uncover the meaning of the visions, starting with a search for the hooded mouse. Will they be able to stop the curse before their time is up?