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

filled with crashed car wrecks and undead, they encountered cleared highways with no signs of infected. Any cars had been pulled over to the side where they stood in neat rows. No zombies wandered about, and they saw several sites where mass graves had been dug. All had a cross with a biblical message on it commending the poor lost souls to the grave and the hereafter.

More than that, they’d come across something that was meant as a safe house. The small building was both clean and supplied with food, medicine, and water. There were even blankets. A message on the wall had told them to take what they needed and leave what they didn’t while a map provided directions to a sanctuary. They left everything the way it was except the map. That they took.

Finally, on the way out of town, they’d seen a giant billboard announcing that a safe haven was nearby and to follow the directions. It had all come as a considerable surprise to Logan who hadn’t seen anything like that before in all his travels.

“We have to tell Max,” Martin said.

“Of course,” Logan replied. “It’s a big deal.”

“We should send a group there to check it out,” Josh suggested.

“Maybe,” Martin said. “But in the meantime, we’ve got plenty to do here.”

They finished the rest of their sweep in silence, and Logan paused to take his leave. “I’m going to the infirmary. Check you guys later.”

He made his way there and stepped into a space bustling with activity. The air was warm and the people brisk. In the rush, he spotted Julianne’s blonde hair and blue eyes and called her closer. “Hi, Julianne. How’s Breytenbach?”

She pulled him aside and smiled. “He’s doing all right. Jonathan gave him something for his heart, and he’s resting now.”

“His heart?” Logan wondered if he’d heard wrong.

“Yes, it came as quite a shock to me also. He’s been keeping it a secret all this time.” She shook her head with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. He had a rough few days which taxed his heart, but Jonathan said as long as he takes it easy from now on and looks after himself, he’ll be fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Do you know what happened to him in Hennenman? And Mike? He hasn’t said much himself,” she asked.

“Not really. I heard there was a gas explosion. Mike got the worst of it, and they were stuck there for most of the night and following day. We found them on the road on the way here and patched Mike up with what we had in the truck.”

“Well, I’m glad.” Julianne laid a soft hand on his arm. “Jonathan said his injuries aren’t too bad, just painful.”

“What about everyone else?”

“Lonny is better, and Nombali’s doing fine. The bullet passed right through, and Lenka’s with her right now.”

“Lenka?” Logan frowned. “The Lenka? Big Lenka?”

“Oh, yes. The one and only. He’s got quite a thing for Nombali, you know.” Julianne laughed. “You’ve been gone awhile. It’ll take time to catch up.”

“I know. You and Breytenbach, Max and Kirstin, and who’s that Michael guy? He’s quite the fighter.”

“That he is.” Julianne shook her head, and sadness filled her eyes. “It’s too bad about Ben, though. That’s a real loss for us. And you’ve heard about Joanna?”

Logan nodded, his mood turned somber.

“Perhaps, it’s better. Ben never really recovered after...you know.”

“After Angie,” Logan said. “I guess it was hard for him.”

“It was. At least, Sean is okay, and Elise is recovering from the shock.”

“It will take time, but we always rebuild,” he said.

“Julianne?” a deep voice interrupted. “Who are you talking to?”

“It’s Logan,” Julianne replied.

“Well, bring him in.”

Julianne led Logan behind a curtain where he found a pale but otherwise healthy-looking Breytenbach lying in bed. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Don’t need to be here; I can tell you that,” Breytenbach said with a gruff look in Jonathan’s direction. “The doc’s just overreacting.”

Logan chuckled. “If you say so. Do what he says anyway.”

Julianne shook her head and sidled closer until Breytenbach pulled her down next to him on the bed. “I’ll tell you one thing, though. I don’t mind using this as an excuse to take it easy for a while. I’m tired of fighting.”

Logan nodded. “I get that. I'm tired of running. Why don’t you let Ronnie take over from you for a bit?”

Breytenbach nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. Besides, the team could use some fresh blood. Lisa’s a mean one. She’ll fit right in.”

“Christo,” Julianne admonished with a pump in the ribs.

“I mean it in the best possible way, love.” Breytenbach shot Logan a sharp look. “You seem all better. Did you find what you were looking for?”

“In a way.” Logan laughed. “It came in the form of a rebellious teen called Nadia.”

“Nadia?” Julianne asked with a frown.

“Nothing like that,” Logan hastened to reassure her. “She’s just a friend. We saved each other.”

“I see,” Julianne replied. “I’d like to meet her.”

“I’ll bring her over as soon as I can,” he said. “But I’d better get going now. Max needs me.”

“See you soon, Logan. It was good seeing you,” Breytenbach said.

Logan prepared to leave, but a shrill scream froze him in place. He bounded for the exit and followed the sounds of a struggle. There, not far from the clinic, a girl struggled against a snarling figure that snapped at air.

Zombie.

The girl whom he now saw was Donya, had it by the throat and was barely holding it at bay. The next moment, the thing slipped from her grasp and was about to bite down on her face when Nadia barrelled in from the side. Without hesitating, she pushed her arm into its mouth.

Logan went cold as the infected sank its teeth into her flesh and ripped a chunk right out. Blood spurted, and Nadia screamed in agony. With a yell of fury, Logan launched himself at the zombie with his bare hands extended.

He ripped the thing away from Nadia and threw it to the ground. With one