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

After dinner, Court took the first watch so he could listen to the radio while the others slept. Out in the hallway, his back against the door to the storage room, he sat on the floor with Ronnie’s gun within reach beside him and fiddled with the radio dials. He kept the sound down low, just in case it carried into the room behind him. There wasn’t much to hear anyway but bursts of static and the occasional clip far down near the end of the band which he couldn’t seem to tune in properly. After a while, he gave up and set the radio aside. Standing, he stretched his arms up towards the ceiling, then hefted the gun in one hand as he took a quick look around. The place was quiet around him, almost dead, and he returned to the storage room door to wait out his shift.


Chapter 78