In the near future, a deadly flu-like virus decimates the Earth's population. The few who remain struggle to survive without electricity, fresh food, or any other amenities they once took for granted. John “Court” Courtland and his best friend Ronnie Densch are two such survivors. Court has never known a time when Ronnie wasn't in his life. They grew up together. But it's only as they begin to move forward in the post-apocalyptic chaos of Virginia that Court realizes he's in love with Ronnie. Always has been, and always will be, even if he never lets himself admit it out loud. Ronnie is a private, inscrutable man who lets no one close to him except Court. With winter coming on, Ronnie wants to move farther south to warmer weather, and Court follows without question. Along the way, they're joined by other survivors, a ragtag bunch all looking for guidance. As they travel, they hear faint radio signals from Fort Sumter, South Carolina, where a rebuild effort is underway. The world Court once knew has changed, leaving behind a dangerous and lawless landscape. But come whatever storms, he knows he can weather them with Ronnie by his side. Will Sumter turn out to be everything Court hopes for and more? And will he find the courage to tell Ronnie how he really feels before it’s too late?

Come Whatever Storms

She was contagious the entire length of her illness.


Soon others fell sick with the virus—those who’d sat beside her in the waiting room at her physician’s office, the doctors themselves, the technicians who ran her lab results, the ambulance workers who had rushed her to the hospital that one last time. Each person thought it was just a little cold, or they were feeling rundown, under the weather, and they managed to transmit the disease to hundreds—no, thousands—before anyone realized an epidemic was underway. The few who didn’t catch it nursed those who did. Soon the hospitals were overwhelmed, and people were told to stay at home no matter how sick they were. Then the morgues grew crowded, and no one came to retrieve the corpses of those who died. Rioting began, and looting.


Chapter 4