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

Disappointment rankled, but Sullivan nodded. “You’ve had a long day.”


“So have you.” He smiled. Sullivan’s stomach shocked him by lurching at how beautiful Rafe really was. “Belle’s going to kick you out if you’re too tired to do chores.”


“Can’t have that.” Though he wondered if Rafe would take him back in if he lost his place to stay. “Will I see you tomorrow?”


The answer was slow in coming, time enough for Rafe to return his tinder to a small tray beneath the rows of candles, time enough for him to stand and wait for Sullivan to join him. They walked to the front door without another word spoken, and stepped into the cool moonlight together


“I come here every night,” Rafe said. “If you can’t make it into the restaurant for a meal, we can meet here. If you want.”


Sullivan nodded. His throat was too tight to say the words he wanted to.


The corner of Rafe’s mouth lifted. “Eventually, we’ll figure out why it is you’re here.”


Chapter 27