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

By the time they were ready to set out again, the few people who had been leading their entourage had noticed they were no longer being followed and doubled back. Two of the guys were college age, and Court remembered a time not too long ago when he’d been as quick to hurry along as they were now. But married life had a way of settling him into routine—eating dinner with Ronnie and Melissa every Sunday, meeting Ronnie for lunch during the week, spending Friday evenings at the movies on a double date. Jeanine and Melissa in the middle, Court and Ronnie flanking them, each with an arm around the back of their wife’s seat. During the show, the two men would thumb-wrestle or finger-fight to pass the time, particularly if it were a chick flick neither wanted to see.


Chapter 22