Rick’s first words as he pulls Henry feet-first out of the rubble were an expression of such gentle concern that they melt Henry’s heart. But then Rick turns him over and realizes he’s a guy. The two are alone in the deserted underground passages of the downtown core, the city above in ruins due to a nuclear near miss that destroyed the power grid and fried all electronic equipment. Yet all Henry can think about is his burning desire to hear that tone in Rick’s voice again. He knew that isn’t likely to happen. Rick is obviously straight, a survivalist, big, obviously capable, and built. Henry, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to bring much to the table. But Rick himself acknowledges two are better than one. So they team up. Their goal is to stay alive as they try to escape the city. It isn’t going to be easy, but there’s a growing sense of connection between them, feelings that challenge the dark desperateness of their situation. Can love flower in a new and brutal world ruled by survival of the fittest?

The Man with the Big Gun

“Whatever else,” he said, “you areentertaining.”


“And that’s just the beginning,” I murmured.


He appeared to consider. “Well,” he said at last, “I guess, with the—apocalypse and all that, the rules around social niceties are bound to change.”


I nodded. “That’s right. That’s what I was trying to tell you; that before I wouldn’t have touched you, you being a bisexual person, with a ten foot pole.”


“No, wait! My point is, that now that—well, the world has gone to hell in a handbasket—I’ve decided to give you a chance.”


I smiled at him and gave him a thumbs-up. “You’ve got hope, kid. That’s gotta make you happy, right?”


He rushed at me then, his hands out, fingers spread. I fled through the rows of seats, making a thin screaming noise. The chase lasted some time, until we were both heaving for breath. I was standing twenty feet and three rows from him.


Chapter 14