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Pilgrimage_A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Story Page 29


  “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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  FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR STEVEN KONKOLY

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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 24

  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 52

  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