The ZONE

An extensive 'fan-fiction' by Psynexus, set in the universe of GSC Gameworld's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. Having already proved popular with the hardcore fans, a sequel is already nearing completion.
Later this year, the first GRAPHICALLY ENHANCED edition will be released - with illustration and layouts by Cyrus Crashtest.

An ecological disaster zone in the Ukraine presents the last hope for a young man struggling to provide for his family. His journey will takes him through the 30 kilometer zone of alienation around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant known as “The Zone”. Radiation, cultists and unspeakable horrors are just some of the lesser perils he faces on his journey as he discovers more about himself than he could wish.


I can see the Zone’s perimeter fence approaching quickly – the old barbed wire stretches around a vast area that holds things I can’t even imagine from the safety of the civilized world I am about to leave behind me. The area around it doesn’t look as abnormal as the rumors about the constantly-changing landscape would suggest; fields of tall grass and rolling hills lead all the way to the perimeter, giving off a peaceful calm as they wave blissfully in the breeze. But there is a change in the air; an overwhelming sense of dread passes over me as I begin to make out small details beyond the barbed wire. Old, abandoned houses, a long, abandoned road whose faded lines and cracks remind me that no vehicles have traveled it on over two decades, and an overgrowth of plants that conceal the rest of the area in mystery.

I can already sense the voice in my head telling me to turn back now or be prepared to never return. The feeling of death and decay is strong around me; even though visually the landscape is lush and overgrown with new plant life since the removal of mankind. But my primal instincts are telling me that this place is death and that I’m walking willingly towards my doom...