Ryan Bingham

“I was to make myself a killer.” In 1865, a man calling himself Septimus Whitehall slashed, shot, and burned his way from New York to California in a frenzy of violence. This is his own story, told in his own words. Seven names were on the doctor’s list. Seven men and women scattered all over the United States and its western territories. Seven souls judged guilty by a mysterious man with no past apart from the loss for which his enemies are blamed. The War Between the States is over, but Septimus Whitehall intends to wage a bloody war of his own and he is willing to cut down almost anyone who stands in his way.

For the past 12 years, the Foundation has used an army of programmed child soldiers, the Young Ones, to protect its reign. As one of those soldiers, 17-year-old August does whatever is asked of him, even if it means doing terrible things to his own people. August, like the rest of the children, is completely unaware of what he's doing. But when one small accident leads to a major awakening for August and three other Young Ones, including the beautiful and fierce Elisa, submission is the last thing on their minds, and they soon find themselves at the front of a growing rebellion.