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

Dizzy leaned on his walking stick and nodded. “At least it was a clean shot,” he said. “I have a bullet fragment in my right hip that starts up something fierce every time it’s about to rain. Doctors at the VA hospital told me to make an appointment to come in and they’d dig it out for me, but I never got around to it. Now I guess I’ll just have to live with it.”


“You’ll be fine,” Bree assured Court, as if anyone had voiced any doubt.


Turning to Ronnie, Dizzy asked, “What’s up, boss?”


If anyone other than Court noticed the way Ronnie’s lips pressed together in frustration at the term of respect, they didn’t point it out. Court could see the rest of their little congregation milling about outside the tent behind Dizzy, trying to overhear without being too obvious about it. The sun shining high overhead threw long shadows across the tent’s canvas, and Court thought maybe a few of those were people pressing as close as they dared to listen in.


Chapter 41