{"product_id":"the-peripheral-9798995920250","title":"The Peripheral","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJake Parnell\u003c\/strong\u003e is a man who understands the permanence of steel. As a specialized welder in Sacramento, his life is defined by the steady, rhythmic craftsmanship of the MIG gun and the quiet isolation of his routine. He has spent two years meticulously building a fortress of normalcy to distance himself from a past he cannot fully escape. But the strength of that fortress is tested when a sudden, blinding equipment failure leaves him with a severe flash burn. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Jake navigates a hazy recovery, his physical reality begins to warp in terrifying ways. What begins as blurred vision and light sensitivity soon manifests as a visceral haunting. A hulking, dark shadow begins to stalk the corners of his home and his workplace, appearing as a liquid mass of black that carries the stench of decay. These flickers of darkness are not merely optical illusions; they are echoes of a horrific morning two years ago when a violent act of murder-suicide shattered his family. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe trauma of Jake's recovery acts as a sensory bridge to his repressed memories. The \"halo effect\" in his vision and the sudden, coppery taste of blood on his tongue are more than just side effects of a flash burn-they are the triggers of a mind unraveling under the weight of survivor's guilt. Jake is forced to relive the morning the sun was too bright to see the monster in front of him, a monster that wore a face he loved. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupported by his loyal friend \u003cstrong\u003eTom Woodson\u003c\/strong\u003e and Tom's wife \u003cstrong\u003eMarcy\u003c\/strong\u003e, Jake must navigate a descent into what looks like acute psychosis. To find peace, he must stop running and finally confront the \"Void\" that follows him. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Peripheral\u003c\/strong\u003e is a character-driven exploration of the human condition, focusing on the thin line between sensory trauma and psychological haunting, and the desperate, quiet hope of reclamation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Peripheral Edge Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798995920250\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 84\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.20lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.20d","brand":"Daniel Mangru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53458981421237,"sku":"9798995920250","price":13.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/9798995920250.jpg?v=1791297595","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-peripheral-9798995920250","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}