Live Another Day

by Baileigh Higgins

  “No, never. We didn’t travel much.” Her face took on a faraway look. “My mom spent all her money on drugs and booze. We never went on holiday. Ever.”

  “We?”

  “My brother and I.”

  Logan was surprised. “You have a brother?”

  “Had.” Her lips twisted. “He died when he was five.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, wondering at the grief and anger in her voice. What kind of life did she have before all this?

  “So am I.” She sat back in her seat and stared ahead with a stark expression.

  Logan searched for something to say but came up empty. For the first time, he realized he didn’t know that much about Nadia or her past. He’d never thought to ask and now regretted it.

  “Logan, come in. Logan,” Martin’s voice crackled over the radio bringing relief from the thick atmosphere.

  “I’m here.”

  “We’re taking exit 713 and getting onto the R102 to Uitenhage. It’s no good trying to go through Port Elizabeth. The place is a deathtrap.”

  “Are you sure about that? The highways would be the fastest route.”

  “I’m sure,” came the blunt reply.

  Josh opened his eyes and nodded. “He’s right. That city is a graveyard. The highways are impassible and the streets clogged with those things. Not to mention the gangs.”

  “Gangs?” Nadia asked, sitting upright.

  “There’s plenty of them, all fighting for survival in a city rich with both supplies and the dead,” he answered.

  “So they’re dangerous?”

  “They’re some of the meanest folk I’ve ever seen,” Josh said.

  “Yeah, but Uitenhage?” Logan asked. “It’s right next to Port Elizabeth and chock full of people. Dead people.”

  “It’s the better bet.”

  Logan didn’t agree. He’d rather take a chance on the multi-lane highways in the hopes of saving time. Guess it’s not up to me, though.

  Nadia turned to him. “How long will it take us to get to your camp?”

  “If it was a straight shot on good roads with no delays, it could be done in nine hours. Now though, it’s a different story. We’ll be lucky to make it halfway by tonight. Damn lucky.”

  “Wow, okay,” she sat back with a defeated look on her face.

  He nudged her with his elbow. “Not keen on spending so much time with me?”

  She shrugged. “Nah, I guess I’m just hasty.”

  “We’ll get there soon enough.”

  “If you say so.”

  Logan turned the wheel, following after Martin, and they drove in silence for a while. In the distance, he spotted the large town, and his stomach twisted. “Look lively; we’re here.”

  Josh and Nadia perked up as the first buildings enfolded them. They passed on either side in a monotone of brick, paint, glass, and mortar. Some of them were old, relics from a previous century and well-preserved. Banks of Strelitzias, the city’s national flower, and trees lined the roadsides.

  “It’s pretty,” Nadia said. “If you ignore the zoms.”

  “Yeah, it is,” Josh agreed. “Or used to be.”

  The radio crackled, and Martin’s voice came on. “We’ve got trouble. Drive slow and follow me.”

  Up ahead, the truck slowed as a crash site came into view. A knot of cars had been involved in a pileup and now formed a wall of twisted metal and broken glass.

  Logan concentrated on navigating through the mess, but it was unnerving when the first infected spotted them and closed in. Decayed faces pressed against the window next to him, leering with yellowed teeth and questing tongues. Next to him, Nadia shuddered and huddled a bit closer.

  They made it through but had scarcely gone any distance at all before Logan spotted something. He reached for the radio. “Martin, come in.”

  “Yes?”

  “You’ve got a flat.”

  “Ah, shit. I thought she was feeling a bit sluggish.”

  “Let’s look for an open spot and change that tire pronto.”

  “Roger.”

  Martin drove a few more kilometers before he halted in the middle of a four-way intersection. It was clear except for a few straggling zombies and provided an open field of fire with three possible escape routes.

  “Right, we’re up. Nadia, you’re with me. Josh, stay here and provide backup with your gun. You’re the only one with a silencer.”

  “Sure thing,” Josh replied as he took a position half in and half out of the Land Rover.

  Logan slipped out and removed his knife from his scabbard. Nadia followed with a long screwdriver in hand, and they headed for the nearest clump of infected.

  The first turned in a slow circle to face him. It was a man, and his lips peeled back from his teeth as if in a smile. Logan aimed for the eye socket and grasped the infected by one 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 which seemed intent on destroying her peace.

  He leaned over the pot on the fire and scooped out a ladleful of stew. After jabbing in a fork, he handed it to her. “That depends.”

  “On what?” She blew on the hot food before taking a tentative bite. It tasted like shit, but Logan had never been much of a cook, and she was used to it.

  “On what we encounter along the way,” Logan said. “There might be any number of problems on the roads.”

  “Yeah, I know, but what’s next?” she persisted.

  “From here it’s a straight shot to Bloemfontein. After that, Welkom. We’re about halfway, I’d say.”

  “Why do I sense there’s a but coming?”

  “We don’t know if we can make it through Bloemfontein,” Martin said. “It’s big.”

  “So it’s bound to be nasty,” Jed finished with a dry look in her direction.

  “How big?” Donya asked. “I don’t know much about that area.”

  “Quarter of a million give or take.”

  Donya opened her mouth but closed it again after a second. Her shocked expression matched that of Caleb’s, and Nadia was sure, her own. She focussed on her plate and swallowed, sobered by the thought. A quarter of a million zombies? That’s crazy. “What if we can’t go through it?”

  “Then we go around. It’ll take much longer, though, and I don’t want us to be out in the open for too long,” Martin said. He rinsed his plate before packing it into a box next to the fire. “Get some sleep, all of you. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

  “New rule,” Jed said. “If we’re out another night or so, I’m cooking.” He pulled a face. “No offense, Logan, but this is awful.”

  Martin barked out a laugh. “Who’d have thought beans and corned beef could taste like mud?”

  Logan grinned. “It’s my signature dish. Enjoy.”

  Nadia snorted. “You should try his spaghetti. Holy crap.”

  Caleb shot her a faint smile, and despite herself, warmth stirred in her breast. It didn’t override the anger, though, when he graciously took and washed Donya’s plate along with his. The other girl’s eyes glittered when she spotted Nadia’s unhappiness, a triumphant smirk twisting her lips. Screw you, Donya.

  Nadia finished eating and took Martin’s advice to go to bed. She lay with her back to the fire and stared out into the night, wondering what the day would bring. Her body was too tired to entertain such thoughts for long, however, and soon she fell asleep.

  ***

  A rough hand shook her awake, and she sat upright with a gasp. “What? Who?”

  “Shh, it’s me, Jed.”

  Nadia dragged a hand through her mussed hair. “Yeah?”

  “It’s your watch; I’m turning in.”

  “Oh, okay.” She pushed back the bedroll covering her. “It’s three already?”

  “Yup.”

  She fumbled around for her things before getting to her feet. “Thanks, Jed.”

  “See you in the morning.”

  He turned away, and she took up her post at the edge of the camp. After the deep sleep she’d had, it took awhile to wake up properly. She yawned and stretched before staring into the night with one hand resting on her trusty screwdriver.

  The sky was patterned with millions of stars, a veritable carpet of twinkling silver lights. This time of night, even the nocturnal animals had gone to rest with only a few faint rustles and murmurs to disturb her watch.

  Behind her, the fire crackled as a log settled into the flames and faint snores emanated from Josh’s sleeping bag. It was cold outside her warm blankets, and she rubbed her arms while she stared into the darkness. “Man, this sucks.”

  Her voice sounded loud in the quiet air, and she regretted it the moment she spoke. A faint rustle caused the hair on her arms to rise. She cocked her head. It came from the right and slightly behind her. Nadia whirled in a tight circle and raised her hand in readiness to strike.

  “Whoa, there. It’s just me.”

  Caleb’s whisper reached her ears, and she relaxed with a sigh of exasperation. “Caleb? What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you.” His figure materialized out of the deep, and she regarded him with a mixture of joy, fear, and anger.

  She suppressed her emotions with an effort. “You couldn’t wait until morning?”

  “With your bodygu
ard around?” He snorted. “No way.”

  She allowed herself a small smile and turned back to her watch. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Us.”

  He moved closer until he stood next to her. Their shoulders brushed, and she sucked in a breath at his nearness. “There’s no us, Caleb.”

  “Isn’t there?” His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather. “Are you still fighting it?”

  “Fighting what? There’s nothing between us.” She ground on her teeth until her jaw ached. “Besides, shouldn’t you rather be talking to Donya?”

  “Donya? What for?” He sounded surprised, and she dared a quick glance at him. He seemed perplexed, but she wasn’t about to be mollified so quickly. “You seemed pretty cozy earlier.”

  Caleb chuckled. “Oh, that? That was nothing.”

  “It didn’t look like nothing.”

  “Are you jealous?” He turned to her with an infuriating smile.

  “No, of course not.” Her hands balled into fists, and she longed to punch him.

  “Relax. You’ve got no reason to be jealous of her.”

  “I’m not jealous!” Her voice had risen to a furious whisper, and he laid a finger across her lips.

  “Let me explain.”

  She glared at him through narrowed eyes. “You’ve got five seconds before I stick you through the eyeball like a zom.”

  “I like the new you. Or is it the old you? I always thought you were holding back, suppressing your true self.” He leaned so close to her that his breath washed over her face raising goosebumps on her arms. “Guess what? I like the real Nadia more. She’s strong, brave, and sexy.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Two seconds.”

  He turned away from her and looked into the brush. “Donya is planning something.”

  “Planning?” Nadia echoed.

  “She’s got it in for you, and I know she’s got something up her sleeve. I’m trying to gain her trust so I can prevent whatever it is from happening.”

  “You are?” Nadia cursed herself for sounding like a puppet. “I mean, why should I believe you?”