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

“So, if I—uh—agree to—uh—not require your key, you’ll tell me where to find the keys of the other cars?”


Henry considered, shrugged. “Okay,” he said. “I’ve always considered you a friend, Rick. I agree.”


“So, how do we do this?” Henry continued.


“You ease around, let us out of the office. Once we’re in the display area, I’ll give you the low-down. Then we go our own ways.”


Henry considered again and nodded. He stepped into the office, along with his two companions, and moved to the left. We moved the other way, and in this fashion our two groups rotated until Rick and I stood in the doorway.


“Now,” said Rick, “hand me a piece of paper. I will write down the answer. That pad of Post-it notes will do, and a pen.”


Henry nodded to one of his followers, who came forward hesitantly with the items he’d gathered from the desk. Rick took them and motioned the man back. Then he put the paper on the glass of the office wall and wrote—on two post-its.


Chapter 17