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

Well, no, that wasn’t right—Ronnie and Adam had gone back to the homes set down aways off the other side of the road and brought back enough canned and boxed goods to keep the four of them from getting hungry any time soon. And Bree had really stretched the chicken—at first, they ate the meat roasted with canned vegetables and rice, then it was torn little pieces worked into pasta sauce, then finally she boiled down the bones to make a tasty stock. She really knew her way around food. Court thought it was funny, then, that she was so damn skinny. Beside her, Adam seemed to swell up larger than life. Court hoped she was on top when they had sex, or one of these days, Adam might just squash her by mistake.


He snickered at the thought, and opened his mouth to share it with Ronnie, but the look his friend shot his way sobered him up. He knew he talked too much, but really, what elsewas there to do?


Chapter 54