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 if there’s anybody in this town who knows what it’s like for people to think something untrue about you just because of the way you look, it’s me.” Her eyes twinkled. “And maybe Rafe Hamada. But I’m the one with the extra room, so looks like I get the prize.”


There was no doubt she was referring to him, but Sullivan didn’t think he was any sort of prize, not here in Chadwick where his past would likely never be forgotten. But Belle offered him a real chance to survive here, and damn if he didn’t like the old woman’s attitude. Murmuring his thanks, he began the ascent to his new home. 6


Chapter 22