The Setting

The opening is Hudson, Florida at a limestone mine. Surrounding the mine is nothing but scrub brush and swamps. The Gulf of Mexico sits at the edge of the mine. I use the flight of the Osprey in the opening scene to give the reader a feel for the setting.

Because this land in nearly uninhabitable, it's the perfect place for people who can't afford more comfortable arrangements. Thus, the Kracker, people who must somehow try to cope with this rather harsh setting. And because they have struggled with the environment for so long, they have rather good coping skills. Therefore, aren't impacted by the hurricane a whole lot, because, how could life be any worse?