Live Another Day by Baileigh Higgins (reading in the dark .txt) 📗

and the buck in the game reserve, but we can't kill too many of them, not if we're looking at a future here. Same with the chickens.”

“You want me to go out?”

Max nodded. “If you're willing. I know it's dangerous.”

“I'm willing. Question is. Where do I go?” Breytenbach asked. “Ke Tau runs Welkom now. He's appropriated anything of worth there, and Riebeeckstad's tapped out.”

“Hennenman?”

Breytenbach nodded. “It's a distance, but we've been there before. The problem is, with us gone you'll be vulnerable here, and short-handed. I don't like leaving while knowing Ke Tau's back on the offensive.”

“I've thought of that. I'm pulling everyone in except the fence team. No guards on the outer walls and everybody off non-essential duties. We'll man the inner walls and sit tight until you're back.”

“When I return, we'll have to make a decision. We can't sit here while Ke Tau is out there making plans. He has the advantage right now and can attack at his leisure. Last night was just a taster.”

“I agree. I'll have Tallulah and our people ready when you get back. Just hurry back and bring us what we need. More ammo would be great too.”

“I'll do my best,” Breytenbach replied, already mapping out a likely route in his head for a quick supply run.

“When do you leave?”

“Now,” Breytenbach replied. “Tell Kirstin, won't you? She can meet me at the lot.”

“Will do, Captain,” Max replied. He strode off, leaving Breytenbach with a head full of problems with no likely answers in sight.

He directed his feet toward the wall where he knew Ronnie stood guard. “Hey, Ronnie. We're going on a raid. Gather Mike and Lenka.”

“Who's taking over my watch?”

“Max will send someone. Get your gear and meet me at the lot in ten.”

“See you there, Captain.”

Breytenbach made his way to the rooms he now shared with Julianne and Meghan. His path carried him past the schoolroom where he spied the kids playing together on the swings. As ever, Meghan was bossing everyone around, prompting a smile from him. She was a real little firecracker and caused Julianne sleepless nights with her escapades.

After gearing up, he forced his feet to carry him to the kitchens. He did not look forward to confronting Julianne with the news. She'd be less than thrilled at the thought of him leaving during such a time, but he knew there wasn't any choice. Needs must.

He found her peeling onions from the garden along with a somber Elise who prepared pickle jars for the peeled vegetables. Julianne gave him one look, and her lips thinned into a strict line. “What's going on?”

“I'm going out.”

“Now? With everything That has happened?” She slammed her hands onto the counter. “What if you don't come back? What if you die out there?”

“I won't, I promise. I'll be cautious.”

“You don't know that.” She stabbed the peeler in his direction for emphasis, and he stepped back as he contemplated that zombies weren't the most dangerous things out there.

“We need supplies, love. The camp needs it.” He raised his hands to ward off the incoming kitchen utensil.

“I don't care. Meghan needs you. Sam needs you. I need you.”

“I know, but―”

“But nothing. Your place is here.” Suddenly, her angry face dissolved into tears. “I couldn't stand it if I lost you. Not you too.”

“Ah, love.” He gathered her into his arms while she cried onto his shoulder. “You won't lose me, I promise.”

Elise cast him a sympathetic look but kept out of it, much to his chagrin. It took ten minutes before Julianne calmed down enough for him to say goodbye, and after a tearful farewell, he made his way to the parking lot.

His team was already assembled, geared up and ready to go. He eyed their grim faces one after the other and reflected once more how fortunate he was. Never have I seen a stronger unit, not even among the elite.

“No Tallulah?” Ronnie asked.

“Not today. We'll need more than one vehicle anyway. You take the Ranger with Mike, and I'll take the minibus with Kirstin and Lenka.”

“Done.”

They split into two groups and piled into their respective vehicles. No one had much to say. Not even Mike had a funny comment or a weird quirk for them. They can all feel it, Breytenbach surmised.

The events of the past few weeks had built up to last night, and now a storm loomed on the horizon. One far bigger than the previous night's one had been. This one would break over them like a tsunami, destructive in its power, and it would determine all their futures.

We'd better not lose.

Chapter 7 - Nadia

After Logan left, Nadia stood for a long time, rooted to the spot. His words rang harsh in her ears, and his retreating back felt like a slap in the face. Tears pricked at her eyes, stinging her lids with bitter recriminations. Doesn't he want me with him? Doesn't he care whether I stay or go?

She turned in the opposite direction and followed the sidewalk. Her left hand picked at the surface of her right forearm in an unconscious gesture, her nails scratching the delicate skin until it was raw. She knew she was unfair toward Logan, but her conflicting thoughts allowed no room for rational thinking.

“Nadia? Is that you?”

A voice cut through her thoughts, and she swung around. Her eyes fell on the tall, slender figure that strode toward her with determined strides, and her heart stuttered. “Donya?”

“It is you!” The girl in question halted a short distance away and regarded Nadia with deep blue eyes from a tanned face. Her hair was scraped back into a tight ponytail which cast her square jaw into sharp relief. “I can't believe it. After all this time.”

“Donya,” Nadia uttered once more, her mind unable to comprehend what it saw. Of all the faces from her past, this was one she'd never expected to see again. “You're here.”

“In the flesh.”

“You survived. How?” Nadia reached out to the other girl with a tentative hand but stopped