Martin Milton

Spring 2020 and a fragile yet determined Mandarin duckling emerges into the world. From the nest to Middledown Pond, each step is fraught with danger, as rustles in the underbrush and ripples on the water pose potential threats. Above, a young squirrel tests her instincts, leaping confidently from branch to branch. Below, swans shepherd their cygnets, scanning the shoreline for danger. A wild-eyed dog races across the pond’s edge, scattering waterfowl like leaves in a storm. Summer arrives and the pandemic empties cities and floods the commons. Wildlife, accustomed to human absence, now faces new chaos. Birds of prey adjust their hunts as unfamiliar feet flatten the ground. The woods become both refuge and trap. Autumn calls for mating, and the deer rut begins with hooves pounding and antlers clashing. However, the ritual is disrupted by crowds and phones, causing a proud stag to falter and his harem to scatter, breaking the old order. Winter descends, and the squirrel slows, forming an alliance with crows to adapt to human presence. Foxes evolve rapidly, thriving in urban sprawl, rewriting territory and the rules of success. With the old ways broken, how will the common recover?

In the summer of 1995, South African Jack Parker arrives in New York City, ready for a year of adventure, and discovery. But as he settles into his new life, Jack’s world begins to unravel. Nightmares, panic attacks, and haunting déja vu moments disturb him, hinting at a dark past he’s long buried. In different ways, a chance encounter, and a growing relationship with Cal, his neighbour, force Jack to confront his inner turmoil, he embarks on a harrowing process to uncover the truth about his childhood. As memories of trauma and loss resurface, Jack must grapple with who he is—and who he fears he might become. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1990s New York, this poignant tale explores repressed memories, identity, and love in the face of immense fear and pain. Will Jack find the strength to reclaim his life, or will the shadows of his past consume him?