Us Dark Few by Alexis Patton

Here is a summary with spoilers for Us Dark Few by Alexis Patton

Khalani Kanes is arrested by the Apollo regime for hiding a forbidden book of poetry, accused of betraying the system. Her only friend, Douglas, the elderly archivist who entrusted her with the book, is executed publicly, while Khalani is sentenced to life in Braderhelm Prison. Stripped of her name and identity, she is branded 317, forced into a filthy cell, and subjected to constant humiliation, violence, and the merciless control of guards and inmates. Memories of her parents’ murder by Apollo haunt her, and the oppressive isolation and cruelty threaten to crush her completely. In defiance, she writes poetry on the walls of her cell, reclaiming a small measure of agency and using her art as a lifeline to the person she still wants to be, even as Braderhelm systematically strips away her humanity.

Her first days in Braderhelm introduce her to the prison’s brutal realities: backbreaking labor in the tunnels, pervasive hunger, and a rigid hierarchy where survival demands silence, obedience, and cunning. She narrowly avoids death and injury on several occasions, often witnessing the violent consequences of defiance among prisoners and guards alike. Early encounters with the prison captain, Takeshi Steele, are terrifying and complex. He asserts absolute authority, punishes transgressions, and demonstrates a mix of cruelty and strategic guidance. Despite the danger, Khalani is drawn to him, sensing both a threat and a source of survival, which sparks a complicated tension that evolves over time.

Amid the brutality, Khalani begins forming fragile bonds with other prisoners, including Derek (Prisoner 189), Serene, Adan, and Winnie, the eccentric long-term inmate who secretly maintains a hidden library. Winnie becomes Khalani’s guide to knowledge and history, offering insight into Apollo’s propaganda, the lies that suppress humanity, and the truths about the irradiated surface world. The library provides Khalani with a rare sanctuary, a place to think, create, and plan, and becomes the foundation of her growing hope and sense of purpose. Through these relationships, she begins to understand that survival in Braderhelm is not just about enduring pain but about alliances, intelligence, and moral strategy.

Khalani faces repeated dangers, including predatory guards, aggressive inmates, and life-threatening labor, forcing her to act with courage and restraint. A particularly traumatic encounter with Guard Barron tests her will, with Takeshi intervening to prevent serious harm while underscoring the consequences of defiance. In the aftermath, she channels fear, grief, and anger into writing and reflection, recognizing that her survival depends on understanding both herself and the violent, hierarchical world around her. Her growing resilience is tempered by the lessons of Braderhelm: mercy is rare, trust is fragile, and power is wielded violently.

Training under Takeshi becomes a turning point for Khalani. Grueling physical and mental exercises teach her combat techniques, self-control, and strategic thinking, forcing her to confront her weaknesses, grief, and fears. Their interactions are fraught with tension, hostility, and a complicated attraction, blending mutual respect with unspoken emotion. Takeshi’s relentless guidance challenges Khalani to master her body and mind, turning her from a vulnerable, grief-stricken prisoner into a disciplined, capable fighter, capable of defending herself and others.

Khalani’s opportunity to experience the surface comes when she is selected by the Warden, under Governor Huxley’s orders, to serve at a high-profile dinner and later at the Tenth Anniversary Ball in Genesis. She confronts the city’s deceptive beauty, opulence, and subtle brutality, witnessing public executions, the Governor’s manipulation of elites, and the moral decay masked by luxury. These experiences deepen her awareness of Apollo’s corruption and the stakes of resistance, while also giving her a chance to coordinate secretly with her allies to contact the neighboring city of Hermes, a possible lifeline for survival.

Through a stolen walkie-talkie and careful planning, Khalani learns that Hermes cannot officially intervene but that a resistance network exists. Brock confirms the surface is survivable and hints at a secret exit from Braderhelm, but they will need inside help. Khalani takes the bold step of enlisting Takeshi’s aid, navigating the tension and danger of their growing trust and complex feelings. Their collaboration is risky, blending strategy with emotion as Khalani balances her desire for survival with the unresolved trauma and attraction she feels toward the Captain.

The escape from Braderhelm is tense, precise, and harrowing. Khalani and her group incapacitate guards, move through dark tunnels, and evade detection, guided by Takeshi’s knowledge of the prison’s layout and routines. Upon reaching the surface, they are confronted with the shocking truth that Governor Alexander Huxley, the architect of their suffering, is not human but a machine designed to manipulate and control humanity. This revelation shatters their assumptions about power and reality, leaving them to grapple with relief, horror, and the enormity of their newfound freedom. Standing amidst the desolate, ruined surface, Khalani and her companions realize that the path to Hermes and survival will demand courage, ingenuity, and unyielding determination.