The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

The man holding Katie's hand finally came into view as she stopped looking around. He was taller than she was, sturdy in his build, with curly brown hair and the warmest hazel eyes she'd ever seen. He radiated warmth, power, and kindness and his height and build spoke of a man used to hard work.

"You, okay?" he finally asked.

"Yeah," she nodded and looked at his hand. It was dirty, caked with dirt and bits of cement. "That was scary. "

"Only way to get people in right now," he answered in a voice that would lead men into battle, not because they feared him, but loved him. "I'm Travis. "

"Katie," she answered and slowly drew her hand away. He was like her father. One of those quietly strong men who inspired people to great things.

Instinctively, she knew Travis was behind the rapid building of this fortress.

Jenni stood next to her staring at the handsome man. "Hi, I'm Jenni and this is my son, Jason. "

Travis greeted them both with a gentle hello and a warm handshake. He kneeled down to greet Jack. "I saw what you did. You're a good pup defending your Mama. "

Jack grinned in response and licked his hand.

Travis stood up again, tall and imposing, yet his presence was amazingly comforting.

Kate realized, much to her surprise, that she felt safe.

Travis smiled at them and said, "Give me a moment and I'll show you around. " He turned to talk to the man who had manned the machine that had brought them over and a few other men who ran over to check in.

"He's not black," Katie joked under her breath to Jenni.

"But I'll kiss him anyway," Jenni said dreamily.

Katie lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Well, you won't!"

Kate just gave her a sly smile and shook her head slightly.

Travis glanced over at them and Kate had to look away. She felt unnerved by his gaze and she had trouble understanding why. Something had happened when she had first looked at him. A knowledge had sprung strong and sure into her mind. This was now home. And Travis, somehow, was going to play a very important role in her life. That knowledge was almost too much to comprehend or sift through. She didn't even want to pick it apart and examine it.

She looked back toward him and again she saw him looking at her.

He knows, too, she thought.

The wheels of destiny had turned and a new reality was already being spun into existence.

She looked at Jenni to see that she was in crush city.

Katie smiled at that.

Jason, meanwhile, was playing with Jack, looking relieved, looking like he, too, felt safe.

"We're secure," someone said through a bullhorn and those in the "fort" cheered.

Travis smiled at Kate and she smiled back.

War buddies, her father's voice whispered through her mind.

We're going to fight this war together, Kate thought. You and me, Travis.

We're important and now that we're both here things are going to happen. Do you feel it?

It didn't surprise her when Travis looked her way again and something strong and i