Before The Sky Broke, prequel

The world hasn’t ended yet. But the cracks are starting to show.

Caleb Morgan has spent the past year training under the watchful eye of his off-grid father. Hunting, fencing, water systems, solar backups—he’s learning everything… except how to stop thinking about the people he left behind. Especially Evie.

Back in Missouri, Annie is juggling 4-H, softball, and keeping peace between her mom and her too-silent stepdad. She hasn’t heard from Caleb in months—and she tells herself that’s fine. She doesn’t need him.

Evie is working nights at a care center and missing someone she pretends she’s over. She thought Caleb would come back eventually. But maybe the ones who leave don’t come back at all.

And while they try to live their lives, gas prices spike, power outages roll through rural towns, rumors spread of coordinated supply chain attacks, and militia recruitment signs show up at high schools.

No one’s panicking yet.

But the sky is already starting to break.