Chapter 5

Across the shelter, Nathan was inspecting the Pioneer rifle with practiced hands. Firelight danced across his profile and traced the hard line of his jaw. He was the man I'd loved for three years, the only family I had left in this wasteland.

Now he was the thing I feared most.

My stomach lurched, and I dug my nails into my palms to fight back the urge to vomit. The sharp pain cut through the fog in my head, keeping me present.

I couldn't panic. I couldn't let him see it.

He said, "You're up? Go back to sleep. It's…