The sift

What if the end of the world was engineered—not to destroy humanity, but to judge it? In a near-future society obsessed with genetic perfection, Dr. Alistair Finch unleashes The Sift—a molecular algorithm designed to collapse civilization and elevate the elite. But when he realizes the cost, he sends out a secret signal: a chance for humanity to fight back. As cities fall and winter grips the world, a quiet resistance forms in Northwood. Led by Dr. Lena Sharma, a community rises not through strength, but through trust, compassion, and radical inclusion. But survival is only the beginning. When the architects of The Sift return, humanity must face its final test: will the inheritors of Earth be synthetic perfection—or flawed, beautiful humanity? A gripping sci-fi novella blending dystopian tension with human resilience, The Sift is a story of collapse, connection, and the quiet power of hope.