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

But if you stick to the back roads and the small towns, it can be done.” Logan allowed his eyes travel around the table, resting on each person before moving on. “I was searching for something.”

“Something?” Thys asked with the quirk of an eyebrow.

“Yes, but that doesn't concern you. While I won't go into detail of what I was looking for, I will tell you what I didn't find.”

“What's that?”

“Survivors.”

Thick silence enveloped the table, broken only when a skeptical Thys asked, “You found no survivors? None? I find that hard to believe.”

“Oh, I found a few. Loners like myself, moving from place to place. Hell, I even found a few groups clinging to existence by the skin of their teeth. They never numbered more than a handful, and I'm willing to bet most of them are dead by now.”

“There have to be others. People like us. It stands to reason we're not the only ones.”

“Probably. I've seen evidence of larger groups in the cities. Those I avoided for obvious reasons. Not only are the undead more abundant there, but the people are not all friendly. You'd be shocked at some of the things I've seen.”

“What's your point exactly?” Thys asked.

“My point is, with so few survivors left, especially good ones, can we afford to sit back and do nothing?” Logan asked. “Here we have a camp, forty strong and well-fortified. Why not make contact? Why not establish some co-operation? Together, we are strong. Separate, I don't give much for any of our chances in the long run.”

The two men Logan had pegged as raiders earlier, now surprised him by agreeing. The older of the two said, “He speaks the truth, Thys. We go out there almost every day looking for supplies. We hardly ever see anyone, and when we do, they're not all good people. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and if this other group could join us or even just work with us, we'd be that much better off.”

His younger companion nodded. “I say we go. It can't hurt to have allies.”

“You make a good point. Both of you,” Thys said before he turned to Martin. “What do you think?”

Martin nodded. “They're right. Which is why I've decided to let Logan have his wish.”

“Already?” Thys asked, surprise evident in his face. “We're not discussing this?”

Martin shook his head. “No, in this regard my mind is quite made up. I was simply waiting for the right opportunity.”

“Then what was the point of this meeting?” Ada asked.

“So that you can hear what he has to say and understand why I must go.”

“You?” Ada sputtered. “You can't go.”

“Certainly not,” Thys agreed with a vehement shake of the head. “We need you.”

“You don't need me, Thys. Neither do you, Ada. You are both perfectly capable of taking over in my absence.”

“But what about Kimberley?” Marie asked, speaking for the first time.

“She will be quite safe with you, my dear. I know you'll look after her like she's your own.”

“Of course, but she'll be distraught.”

“She'll understand,” Martin replied. “Besides, I have every intention of coming back. This is my home.”

“This is quite unorthodox,” Dr. Barnard said. “Why do you need to go? Why not send someone else in your place?”

“Because I know Max. He's my friend, but more than that, he's the reason I'm here,” Martin replied. “He's the reason we're all here. If it weren't for him, I'd have died in the streets of some distant town with my fellow soldiers, fighting a losing battle against an enemy we didn't understand. I owe him, and so do you.”

Dr. Barnard gave a slow nod. “In that case, I have no option but to support your decision.”

“Who will go with you?” Adam asked. “I cannot spare anyone from the boats.”

“Neither can I,” Ada added. “We are spread too thinly as it is.”

“I understand,” Martin said. “I don't intend leaving you shorthanded.”

“I'll go,” the younger raider said. “Dirk here can spare me for a while.”

“Josh,” Dirk protested. “Are you sure?”

“I'm sure.”

“Thanks, Josh,” Martin replied. “That brings our party up to four.”

“Four is not enough for a journey of this magnitude,” Ada said. “I'll spread the word that you're looking for more people.”

“Volunteers only, Ada,” Martin said.

“Understood.” She gave a stiff nod. “When do you wish to leave?”

Martin looked at Logan before replying. “Tomorrow at dawn.”

“So soon?”

“Yes.”

“I will take my leave then,” Ada said. “There is much to arrange before then. I will see to it that your party is fully equipped.”

“Thank you, Ada.”

The older woman left the room, followed soon after by the rest as the meeting wound down to a natural end. Each member had a task to perform before the morrow, and finally, it was just Logan and Nadia left at the table.

“Is it just me, or is this all happening a little too fast?” Nadia asked.

“Too fast? We've been waiting for this for a month.”

“I know, but...”

“Don't you want to go?” Logan asked.

“I do. It's just...we're leaving tomorrow morning, and I feel like it's not enough time to say goodbye.”

“I'm not complaining. The sooner, the better.” Logan scooped up another apple and an orange, casually juggling the fruit as he walked out of the room.

Nadia trailed behind him, her face uncertain. “We're doing the right thing, aren't we, Logan?”

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving this place, and more, taking their leader with us. They'll be okay, won't they? Kimberley...”

Logan paused and eyed her with somber patience. “These people don't need Martin. They're strong enough without him, and it's time they realized it. As for Kim, she'll see her father again.”

“I hope so,” Nadia replied as they stepped out into the sunshine.

“We each have to make our own choices. Martin, Josh, me, and especially you.”

“Me?” Nadia looked up at him with surprise.

“Yes, you,” Logan replied. “You need to decide what you want, Nadia. What's right for you. Not what I think is right for you, or what anyone else thinks is right for you.”

“But I've already decided to go with you,” she