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

Bandages had been wrapped around his torso. Jonathan was sure he had a few cracked and broken ribs. The last hurt she addressed was his left hand. Every single nail had been yanked out with pliers, leaving the tips exposed and glistening.

“You poor boy. I’m so glad I got there in time.” Then she bit her lips when she realized he likely wouldn’t see it that way. In time for what? To prevent further torture? Death?

The hard knot of rage that Lisa carried around in her breast on a permanent basis grew more prominent when she thought of his pain. Ruby’s pain. My pain. “As long as men like Ke Tau walk the earth, there will be no peace.”

“Agreed,” the rumble of Michael’s voice intoned from the entrance.

Lisa turned and saw him supporting the fragile form of a young woman. “Who’s this?”

“This is Mpho, the girl I told you about earlier. Rebecca's granddaughter.” He looked down at the girl in question and frowned. “She’s hurt. Where’s Jonathan?”

“He’s on guard duty, but I’ll see if I can help.”

“Please.” Michael helped Mpho onto a bed and pointed at her feet. “There."

Lisa examined Mpho’s swollen and cut feet and clucked while she cleaned them. “What did you do? This must hurt a bunch.”

“It’s not so bad,” Mpho demurred.

“She came to warn us,” Michael said.

Lisa glanced up at him. “Oh? Do tell.”

He relayed the story in simple terms and Lisa’s eyes narrowed when he got to the bit about Kabelo.

“Kabelo? So he’s alive? That son of a bitch, I’ll kill him with my bare hands, I swear.”

“You won’t have to,” Mpho replied. “Ke Tau took care of him.”

“How so?”

“He was fed to the infected. Alive.”

Lisa waited for a feeling of satisfaction, even triumph, to take hold. Neither did. Instead, she felt nothing but mild sorrow for the boy. “Why?”

“He was a coward, allowing himself to be held captive by a mere woman.”

Lisa’s eyebrows lifted. “Mere woman?”

Mpho grinned. “Ke Tau’s words, not mine. I’d never underestimate someone like you.”

Lisa found herself smiling back. “You’re not so bad yourself. Running all the way here in the middle of the night with no shoes and only a steak knife to defend yourself? That took guts.”

“We’ll need it when he attacks tonight,” Mpho said, wincing when Lisa pulled a thorn from her soles with a pair of tweezers.

“So he’s coming?” Lisa asked. “Today’s the day?”

Michael nodded. “Max has called a meeting in the common room. Everyone has to attend.”

Lisa nodded as she finished wrapping Mpho’s feet in bandages. “I’ll be there. I just need to make sure Lonny is settled.”

“How’s he doing?” Michael asked.

“Not too good. He’s hurt, and it’ll take a while for him to heal. He won’t be fighting with us tonight.”

Mpho got onto her feet, and gingerly stepped on her dressed feet. “Thank you, Lisa. See you at the meeting?”

“Five minutes,” Lisa agreed.

The duo left, and Lisa stood for a long moment, thinking of the day to come. She was scared, no doubt about it. The thought of losing and falling into the hands of Ke Tau and his men churned her stomach. I won’t let them take me alive. I won’t.

This resolution calmed her somewhat, and she thought of the children. Megan, Anne, Mark, and Jenny. Even Ruby and Michelle. I can’t, no, I won’t, let them be captured. Before it gets to that, I’ll take care of them myself.

After checking one final time that Lonny was sleeping soundly, she let herself out and walked toward the dining area. She stepped inside and paused when she surveyed the crowded room.

A queue lined the serving counter, and her stomach rumbled when a whiff of eggs and sausage hit her nostrils. She picked up a plate and cutlery, joining the row behind Sharyn.

“Hi,” she greeted.

“Hello,” Sharyn replied with a smile.

“Food smells good,” Lisa said, attempting to make conversation with a woman she knew little about. They’d never had the occasion to talk before. Naturally, she’d seen Sharyn and her husband Nick around, but that was the extent of her knowledge.

“Yes, it does.”

“Elise sure knows how to cook.”

“Indeed.”

Sharyn’s smile seemed forced, and Lisa dropped the subject. Instead, she averted her gaze and looked at everyone assembled. They were all there. The entire camp. Even the children and dogs. All except for Abe and Joseph who kept watch during the meal, and Michael, Mpho, and Max. I wonder where they are?

Even as she thought this, Max entered, followed by a freshly washed and dressed couple in the form of Michael and Mpho. They took their place in line, and for the next few minutes, everybody seemed intent on one task only: Breakfast.

Lisa reached the head of the queue and was faced with a harassed looking Elise. The woman’s blonde hair was scraped back in a bun and her apron stained with who knows what. Still, Lisa was glad to see her. “Morning, Elise. Do you need any help?”

“Oh, no, dear. Thank you for asking, but I’ll manage.” Elise dished up a spoonful of scrambled eggs, followed by fried tomato and onions, maize porridge, and a homemade venison sausage. “Coffee and tea are over there. I put out the last of the powdered milk and sugar as well, so help yourself.”

“Thanks, but what’s the occasion?” Lisa asked as she eyed her plate. It was the kind of food they hadn’t had in ages. Eggs were scarce, as was fresh vegetables, and the last sugar and powdered milk? Wow.

“I’d rather not say. Don’t want to ruin the surprise,” Elise replied. “Max will fill you in soon enough.”

Lisa realized the feast was in honor of the forthcoming fight, probably to boost morale. More like she doesn’t want to ruin my appetite.

She forced a smile, and said, “Thank you, Elise, and I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Elise looked perplexed at the apology.

“For being such a bitch to you.”

Elise shook her head with sadness stamped all over her features. “Don’t be silly. You were right. I should’ve listened to you.”

Lisa shook