In the year 2184, the US is divided. Half the country has moved on with the rest of the world, while in middle America, the survivors of the terrorist biological attack that split the country struggle just to stay alive. Though a century has passed, few people brave going behind the borders meant to contain the danger. Even the privatized military is reluctant to do so.<br><br>But that doesn’t stop recently discharged Sullivan Eberle. Only one thing drives him anymore -- the need to find Raphael Hamada. He doesn’t know why. He only knows he must. If that means a lifetime behind the borders, then so be it.<br><br>Rafe Hamada ran away from the real world when he was still a kid. The last thing he wants is to be found, especially by a soldier who can’t even tell him why it was so important to locate him in the first place. He’d like nothing more than for Sullivan to leave, but turning his back on a man alone and friendless is against everything Rafe stands for ...

Penny Candles

“Because I’m not interested in going back. People seem nice here. It’s as good a place as any.”


Luther’s eyes narrowed, and he harrumphed under his breath. Sullivan couldn’t really blame him. It wasn’t that great of a reason, even if it was most of what he had to offer.


“You’ll need a place to hang your hat up, then.” He grinned. “Even if it’s just your turban jacket.”


He let Luther make the jab, smiling a little to show it didn’t bother him. “You have a suggestion on how I do that when I don’t know anybody and don’t have any money?”


“You know Maria. And me and Joe.” Whether leaving out Rafe was deliberate or not, he had no idea. “That’s enough to get you started.”


“I didn’t know you were the welcoming committee.”


“I’m not. But I know we’ll all be better off, the sooner we see you settled. And I know how we can go about getting you a room and putting you to work, all at the same time.”


Chapter 20