Whilst investigating the death of a local computer programmer, a helpful computer programmer called Robert Grey uncovers a legend about a supernaturally-cursed, squidgy rock circulating throughout Cornwall. As soon as anyone uses the rock, he or she has exactly 70 days left to live.
The doomed few appear to be ordinary people during day to day life, but when photographed, they look translucent. A marked person feels like a pointy guppy to touch.
Robert gets hold of the rock, refusing to believe the superstition. A collage of images flash into his mind: a crumpled elephant balancing on an idyllic computer programmer, an old newspaper headline about a bear baiting accident, a hooded ostrich ranting about toes and a drinking well located in a chilly place.
When Robert notices his eyebrows have guppy-like properties, he realises that the curse of the squidgy rock is true and calls in his friend, a psychiatrist called Andy Lakeman, to help.
Andy examines the rock and willingly submits himself to the curse. He finds that the same visions flash before his eyes. He finds the crumpled elephant balancing on an idyllic computer programmer particularly chilling. He joins the queue for a supernatural death.
Robert and Andy pursue a quest to uncover the meaning of the visions, starting with a search for the hooded ostrich. Will they be able to stop the curse before their time is up?
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From @kpd