Without warning, the lights go out. Cars grind to a halt, and phones stop working. Amidst the chaos, Sixteen-year-old Serenity Jones is forced to flee for her life. The perilous journey out of the city becomes even more difficult when she discovers the route to safety is blocked. The young loner's years as a runaway from the foster care system and subsequent life on the streets have equipped her with survival instincts. However, this fight is different, and Serenity finds herself staring down the barrel of a toxic nightmare. The clock is ticking. In this high-stakes race against time, Serenity must escape a city that seems intent on devouring its own. Endure the Dark is the first book in bestselling author TL Payne's fast-paced Reign of Darkness series.

Serenity finds herself on a perilous journey, alongside six-year-old Finn, to find Finn’s grandparents. First, they must navigate West Dentonville's chaos to reach their destination. A tender reunion with Finn’s grandparents offers the two travelers a much-needed respite of safety and normalcy. However, the tranquility is short-lived when Finn mysteriously disappears. Serenity’s frantic search leads her straight into the snare of her father’s ruthless adversary. As Serenity fights for her life, her estranged father, Keith, battles his way through the chaos of Dentonville, searching for his daughter. Every step brings him closer to a potential reunion but also deeper into the heart of a perilous, fractured world. As the walls of civilization crumble around them, father and daughter each find themselves in the midst of destruction, where the only certainty is their unyielding will to survive.

Following a tender reunion with her father, Keith, Serenity faces a daunting new challenge. She must lead family members and fellow survivors back to Bower Township. But to survive the trip, she and the group must evade ruthless predators who want their supplies. As they arrive in their new community, trust is scarce among the wary inhabitants. Some see the newcomers as a burden—more mouths to feed, while others understand there is strength in numbers. Serenity and her group must quickly prove their worth and earn their right to stay before a former foe plans another devastating attack. Will the village pull together before there’s nothing left to save? Evade the Ruthless is the third installment in the fast-paced Reign of Darkness series.