“We’ll figure it out,” James added. “How’s everybody else? We’ve all retreated into our private quarters the last week.”
“The Gilberts came over last night,” Sonny said. “We talked about setting up a neighborhood watch.”
“Really?” James asked.
“Yeah.” Sonny nodded. “I already talked about it with Grant and Emma Wood. They’re game.”
“So we’re the final vote, then.” James laughed.
“Not really,” Sonny admitted. “It’s already a done deal. Majority rules. But we do want you to be the captain.”
“No way.” James shook his head. “You’re the cop. You’re the one with the experience.”
“True,” Sonny acknowledged. “But I’m not you.”
“What does that mean?” James asked.
“I saw you in action, James,” Sonny said, a sadness in his eyes. “Something happened to you. Or something came out of you, something buried deep inside. I don’t know what it was. But this is, somehow, your world. This dystopia…you were meant for it. It’s like this was your fate.”
“I’m not sure—”
“There was a look in your eyes when you stood over that woman’s body, James,” Sonny interrupted. “I’m not judging you. Don’t get me wrong. But there was something unearthly about you. You’re a survivor. You’ll do whatever it takes to survive.”
“What’s wrong with that?” James asked, sensing Sonny’s discomfort with a conversation he must have felt was necessary.
“There’s nothing wrong with it, James,” Sonny answered, “when the world has gone to hell. Nothing wrong with it at all.”
James clenched his jaw. He didn’t like what Sonny was telling him. He didn’t want to be who he’d become. But maybe Sonny was right. Maybe it’s what he was always meant to be.
He would protect his family and the ones he loved regardless of the cost to himself. He was unafraid of the personal consequence if it meant saving others.
James Rockwell was home the moment he awoke to the burning glow two weeks ago. He was home the instant the power died and his world was cast into uncertainty. He was home every time he pulled the trigger, threw a punch, or lit a fuse.
It was a revelation he only now understood.
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Table of Contents
Author’s Note
PART 1 CROSSING
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
PART 2 REFUGE
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
PART 3 ADVENT
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
CHAPTER 61
CHAPTER 62
CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 64
CHAPTER 65
CHAPTER 66
CHAPTER 67
CHAPTER 68
CHAPTER 69
CHAPTER 70
CHAPTER 71
CHAPTER 72
CHAPTER 73
CHAPTER 74
CHAPTER 75