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We start with Bella, a somewhat reluctant, yet kick­ass survivor in the present day; but through well­placed flashbacks we can piece together what has happened in the previous weeks and months. A deadly virus had spread and quickly killed a majority of people and animals in her town. After this virus reached pandemic levels, Bella one by one buried her loved ones in the backyard, including at the end, her beloved twin sister. She is clueless regarding the whereabouts of her parents as well, Renee having left her family when she was just ten, and Charlie yet to come back from work days ago. Deciding that there is nothing and no one else left for her except for the rotting scent of decaying bodies, she packs some food along with survival supplies and leaves. After several harrowing adventures of trying to find a place, she wakes up on the side of a cliff, not remembering how she got there, and befriends a German shepherd - whom she names Grace - lying nearby. She spots a village at the bottom of the cliff, which seems unusually vacant, and seeks refuge there temporarily along with Grace in order to catch some food supplies. But when she wakes up again after a full stomach, she is unable to find traces of the food she and Grace ate not long ago. In fact, Grace herself seems to be missing... 

As she runs outside calling for Grace, she collides with a dark, dangerous, arrogant, and militant type man who is really angry. Meet Edward, aka "Max". He orders her to leave upon their first meeting, but when he won't tell her why, she refuses to comply. She discretely observes the tattoos running up his arms and his well-muscled body as he regards her with anger and indifference. She wonders what mysteries he is hiding behind those flashing sea green eyes. Just when she couldn't be more confused, he approached her in the middle of the night and orders her to stay "quiet and low" while something terrifying happens outside. The following day, "Max" suddenly leaves without giving her further information except that he would be back at some point. What Bella does in the meantime is nothing short of amazing. Does he come back? What is going on - is there some kind of conspiracy? Are there others? And what exactly is she developing for this mysterious man?

As many fics as I read through, it is truly a joy to discover a pure gem. A Measure of Grace is brilliantly written, both in vivid imagery that makes you feel through your mind's eye that you are right there, front row, watching all the mystery and intrigue unfold like it's on a big screen, and it has a plot-line that is unique and extraordinary. The pacing is aggressive, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and it will keep you hitting next to find out wth is going on. The story is a work in progress but Saritadreaming updates every other Tuesday. Be sure to check out this nail-biting fic! 

A Measure of Grace has 21 chapters so far with 76,520 words. It is rated M for violence, language, and sexual situations.

WORK IN PROGRESS

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