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

The world tilted on its axis when he saw a familiar set of broad shoulders in the last pew.


Without the light from the candles, he couldn’t see very well, but he’d spent too much time here at this hour not to move around easily. He kept his steps light, fearful of startling Sullivan, and walked the length of the row to slide onto the pew from the farthest side. Sullivan’s head was bent, his hands folded in his lap, and as Rafe edged closer, Sullivan sighed.


“I didn’t know where else to go.” His voice was barely a whisper, but it carried like the clearest song.


“My home.” He was in touching distance now. The rich scent of sweat and fresh earth permeated the air, like Sullivan had spent the day working as hard as he always did. “You know you’re welcome there.”


Sullivan shook his head. “I’m not putting anyone else in danger.”


Chapter 47