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

Ronnie’s eyes widened—Court stared his friend down. Go on,he thought, hoping his friend could read the dare shining in his face. Pull them down. See what you find. Maybe you’ll like it. Maybe you’re just as hard as me.


But Ronnie released Court’s swimming trunks and backpedaled in the water, pulling away. For one, shocked moment, the emotion in his eyes mirrored Court’s own. I knew it!Court thought in triumph. I knew—


Then Ronnie jumped up, bringing both hands out of the water, and clasped them over the top of Court’s head. With all his might, he pushed Court into the creek, out of sight. Ronnie held him underwater until Court thought his lungs would burst. He struck Ronnie’s chest, tried to tug down Ronnie’s shorts in retaliation, kicked and struggled and probably would’ve drowned if Ronnie didn’t finally let go. By the time Court sputtered to the surface, Ronnie was on the bank, drying himself off with one of his mother’s bath towels.


Chapter 9