Worth the Ruin

<p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)><em>Melody Morales</em></strong></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>It's been almost a decade since the world ended and zombies started roaming the earth. The beginning was dark and desperate but my best friend Jonah and I managed to survive. We've found relative safety and a real community now but when a dangerous situation threatens everything I do what I have to in order to protect the ones I love: I offer myself up as a hostage to the leader of Haven Austin Traeger.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>He's psychotic sadistic and rules with an iron fist and a penchant for bloodshed-or at least that's what we're to believe. The truth is far more complicated. I promised myself that I would never let anyone in again but no matter how hard I fight to hate him my walls keep crumbling...</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)><em>Austin Traeger</em></strong></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>I do what has to be done. Always have. Always will. I'll shoulder the burdens and permanently stain my hands red if it means keeping people safe. Let them think whatever the hell they want about me I couldn't care less.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>At least that's what I thought until Melody Morales walked into my life. With her I need things to be different. I want her to know the truth. I want her to know the real me. I want to finally put this mask down for good and grab a chance at actual happiness in this screwed up world. But can she possibly love the monster I've had to become?</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>God I hope so because I would burn what's left of this world down for her...</span></p><p></p>