In "Dead Winter," the second gripping chapter of an unforgettable Mad Swine trilogy, the community of Randall Oaks faces its greatest challenge yet. Three months post-outbreak, with supplies nearly gone and threats on all sides, survival seems more like a slow march towards extinction. The arrival of new allies and an old friend brings a sliver of hope: a perilous journey towards a promised sanctuary, away from the starvation and siege within their own walls.

Forced to choose between the deceptive safety of Randall Oaks and the unknown dangers of the world outside, the survivors must confront not just the infected and hostile neighbors but an unseen enemy more treacherous than any they've faced before. As they embark on a quest for salvation, their courage, loyalty, and the human spirit are tested in ways unimaginable.

"Dead Winter" weaves a tale of desperation, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of hope in the bleakest of times. Will the survivors find their promised land, or will the harsh winter spell the end for Randall Oaks? The journey they undertake will determine the fate of their community and their very essence of what it means to be human in a world reclaimed by chaos.

Previously published as Mad Swine: Dead Winter (2012)