Amid the ruins, they forge a fragile bond that could mean salvation—or destruction—as they struggle to survive and uncover the secrets that tie them to a greater purpose. But survival comes with sacrifice, and their journey will challenge everything they believe about hope, trust, and what it truly means to keep going when all seems lost.
Table of Contents
The End or...the Beginning?
Prologue: The End or…the Beginning?
Warm sunlight glints off cracked glass, streaked with dried blood. Thankfully, not m... Read Chapter
ETHEN
1 | ETHEN
The inside of Happy Days Mart has certainly seen better days. Dust blankets every surface, and shadows creep in ... Read Chapter
ETHEN
3 | ETHEN
The warmth of sunlight hits my face, dragging me out of a haze. My eyes flutter open, and for a momen... Read Chapter
LEVI
4 | LEVI
As we move deeper into the woods, the sound of the Chattooga fades, swallowed by the trees. Not that I could hear... Read Chapter
ETHEN
5 | ETHEN
That all-too-familiar sound—the whimpering—hits me like a bullet. Like the one that grazed my arm.
I’m... Read Chapter
ETHEN
7 | ETHEN
A large wooden board covers the door we’re all standing in front of, but that’s not what makes me do a doubl... Read Chapter
LEVI
8 | LEVI
Sunlight floods through the cracked blinds, bathing the schoolroom in golden fire. I’m nine years old again, si... Read Chapter
LEAH
10 | LEAH
Shadows stretch long and rippling across the treeline ahead, the golden afternoon sun peeking through the branch... Read Chapter
ETHEN
11 | ETHEN
“Hold still. This won’t take long.”
I wince as Sal dabs antiseptic on my side, the sting sharp agains... Read Chapter
LEAH
12 | LEAH
When we reach Karlos’ camp, the night sky drapes over us, cloudless and velvety, stars scattered like shattere... Read Chapter
ETHEN
13 | ETHEN
Kasi doesn’t return until much later that night, long past curfew for all us non-military folk here. Her boot... Read Chapter
15 | ETHEN
15 | ETHEN
Levi's rescue—it all runs together. Everything that happened up until I saw him chained in that barn, clingin... Read Chapter
ETHEN...AGAIN
16 | ETHEN…AGAIN
As we step into the room where Sal is supposedly being held, Jigs lazily lifts his head and glances tow... Read Chapter
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Secret Geek
I really like the personal style you've achieved with this book. It almost feels like I'm hearing the characters voicing over the action.
Thu, January 16th, 2025 12:39pmAuthor
Reply
Thank you! I appreciate that. Character authenticity is important to me. IMO, it helps writing come alive. :)
Thu, January 16th, 2025 5:26am