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

shoulder to steady it. The man’s jacket slid beneath his fingers as the rotten flesh sloughed off the bone, the rank smell of decay following soon after.

Clenching his teeth against the stench, Logan stabbed his blade into the brain and twisted. The infected man slumped down, and he pulled his weapon free. Nadia took care of the remaining two, her movements a graceful ballet of death as she whirled and stabbed.

“Hey,” he said. “You’re making me look bad.”

She grinned and flipped her hair. “Keep up, slowpoke.”

Muted pops sounded and two more infected dropped to the ground courtesy of Josh. He was a good shot, Logan noted and filed that information away for the future. Martin and Caleb changed the wheel while Jed and Donya took care of the last three zombies.

Jed was every bit as capable as he looked, but Logan had to give it to Donya too. The girl could handle herself, even though he didn’t trust her. He noted the nasty look she shot Nadia as she bent to wipe her blade clean, and he made a mental note to watch her at all times. I won't be surprised if she tries something.

Nadia hefted her screwdriver before pointing back the way they'd come. “We’ve got company.”

Logan looked over his shoulder. A wall of infected was moving toward them, faster than he’d have thought possible. They came in all shapes and sizes, every gender and nationality. A wave of humanity. “Move your ass, Caleb.”

“I’m almost done.” The younger man grunted as he lifted the new wheel into place before fitting the nuts. Martin hovered over him, while the rest shifted restlessly.

“There’s more,” Donya said. Her eyes had picked up movement from a different direction.

Logan watched the approaching swarm. This group was closer. So close he could make out individual features. His feet carried him to the Landie. “Nadia, get in the car. Now.”

She shot him a startled look but obeyed. Josh remained in his position inside the passenger door. With calm precision, he began picking off a few of the frontrunners.

“Caleb,” Logan said with urgency coloring his tone, though he tried to remain calm.

“I’m almost done. One more.” Caleb fit the final nut and spun the wheel spanner with rapid haste. Sweat beaded his forehead, and his face had gone a pasty white.

“Donya, Jed, get ready,” Martin commanded.

They backtracked to their truck as Caleb pulled the final piece tight. He jumped up with a cry. “Done.”

“Let’s go!” Martin shouted to all before slipping behind the wheel. Logan followed suit, and they pulled away just as the first infected reached the intersection. A few more seconds and they’d have been surrounded.

“Man, that was close,” Josh said.

“Too close,” Logan agreed. “Nice shooting, though.”

“Thanks.”

Once more, they navigated with careful precision through the streets, though it was anything but easy. At times, they got mobbed, and at others, they had to turn back, but at last, they were clear of the town and its undead inhabitants.

“Oh, man, that was awful,” Nadia said with a groan. “I’m glad it’s over.”

Logan flexed his stiff shoulders. “You and me both, sunshine.”

The radio came to life with the voice of Martin. “That took longer than expected. We’ve lost a lot of time.”

“So what's our plan of action?” Logan asked.

“We carry on for as long as we can, then we find a secluded spot to camp for the night before we hit Colesberg. That way we'll be fresh tomorrow when we hit the populated areas again. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Logan replied. It was a smart suggestion. The road ahead was known for being quiet with just a few scattered hamlets in between. They’d be able to camp in peace out there. “Ready?”

Nadia lay her head against his shoulder. “Wake me when we get there.”

He looked down at her face and felt a surge of affection well up inside his chest. Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.

Chapter 14 - Nadia

That night, they set up camp in a clearing by the side of the road. Logan’s old can alarm system had been strung around while one of them stood guard at all times. Currently, it was Josh’s turn.

Stunted brush and trees dotted the flat, dusty expanse that stretched as far as the eye could see, lit by a moon that was close to full. The orb seemed to stare down at them with cold indifference, and Nadia shivered under its baleful influence.

The moon wasn’t the only cold thing in the area. Donya made a point of fixing her with a glare every time their eyes met which seemed to happen every five seconds.

Then there was Caleb. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. Despite his earlier assertion that her infection changed nothing, she had to wonder. He’d yet to say a word to her and appeared to be avoiding all contact. Has reality set in? Has he decided I’m a freak, after all?

Nadia watched as he fixed his bedroll next to Donya's and sat down with graceful ease. The other girl leaned over and whispered something to him. This prompted a smile from him, and a surge of jealousy caught Nadia by surprise. Miserably, she folded her arms around her legs and tried not to notice the way the flames gleamed on his blue-black hair and cast his mouth into sharp relief.

“You okay?” Logan asked.

“I’m cool,” she replied with studied indifference.

“You sure? You seem a little off.”

“No, I’m good. It’s been a long day, that’s all.” A giggle from Donya cut her to the quick, and she pressed her lips together. It’s none of your business, Nadia. He can talk to whomever he likes.

She shifted in her spot and eased her folded legs out straight. They’d gone numb and now prickled as the blood circulation returned in a rush. Her fingers curled around the hot cup of coffee Logan passed her, and she drew comfort from it.

“So where to tomorrow?” she asked in a bid to distract herself from the duo across the fire