"A fast-paced Sci-Fi novel of adventure, suspense and romance on a post-apocalyptic earth. Trapped in a web of deceit and danger, two young women make dangerous alliances with the local Militia." The end of the world had come and gone. Those who remained after the apocalypse did whatever it took to keep themselves alive, and to preserve what civilization survived. Sometimes they broke laws and defied the will of the draconian government agencies who were supposed to keep anarchy at bay. Lacey Delaney, head of Laughing Mountain's Portal committee, flouted government edicts by helping Portal Runners smuggle desperately needed goods, services and people to the Forbidden Colonies. Joyce Higgins has a stalker who is terrorizing her and her young sisters. When she and her sisters are accused of being clones by the Parallel Genetic Agency, they take refuge in Laughing Mountain. A Clone isn't considered a human being with rights under the law, but the property of whoever created it. Deputy Mark Connors says he can protect them, but can he? Malachi Sullivan, sub-commander of the free militia, is one of those who hold the line against the tyranny of an overbearing government aided and abetted by powerful industrial giants. Lacey and Malachi had been in love once, but a treacherous woman broke them apart. Now they must put the past behind them and work together to save their town and preserve the secret of the Portal to the Forbidden Colonies.