Page 87 of Calico Descending

Through more tears, I shake my head, and it’s only the pain bleeding through Cadmus’s words that keeps me from taking my frustrations out on him.

“I want to see for myself. I promised him I’d never leave him behind, Cadmus. And I won’t.”

A clamor from comes from behind, as Titus tears the head off a Rager stumbling toward us.

Swinging my attention back to Cadmus, I tighten my jaw, resolute with the new plan coming into clear focus. “We find the rebels. We find Kenny. And we kill anyone who tries to get in our way.”

Looking over his shoulder, Cadmus nods. “We’ll find him.”

What little hope is left in me shines bright enough to give me the courage to face whatever possibilities lie ahead. It gives me reason to wake in the morning, when I know reality will only tear me apart.

It gives me direction when the world has spun me out of control.

And I pray, in the end, it’ll give me the strength to endure, if I fail.