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

Court felt his own face flush, and he tucked into the Thermos to keep from looking at anyone. This soup was much warmer than the last, almost hot, but he savored the heat and hoped the steam would mask the color rising in his cheeks. Go now,he thought at Bree, but he didn’t want to put it into words and seem ungrateful. Still, he shouldn’t have said what he had about Ronnie. Those words had been meant for Court alone, and they should’ve stayed in him. The memory of Ronnie cradling Court’s head in his lap was too dear to spread around like yesterday’s headlines.


After an awkward moment of silence, Court wiped his mouth with his arm and asked, “So when’s everyone leaving?”


Bree shrugged. “No one’s left yet. I mean, they all want to, but they don’t want to go on alone. Someoneneeds to get out there and organize things, if you ask me—”


Chapter 40