Last Another Day by Baileigh Higgins Page A

her. Minutes later, it passed and Elise turned to Max who hovered in the doorway.
    “How are the others?” she asked.
    “I’ve treated the girl’s wound and given her painkillers,” he replied. “She’s all right for the moment but the virus is progressing fast. It won’t be long.”
    “Poor thing. What will happen once she turns?”
    “Their leader, Ben, has assured me he will take care of it when the time comes but I’ve left Logan to guard the door.”
    Elise closed her eyes for a moment. So young to die.
    “They’re all clear? The rest of them? No bites?”
    “They’re fine.” He pointed at Joseph. “But I still need to check him.”
    Joseph, who’d been listening, stepped forward. “I am clean but you can examine me if you want to.”
    Elise left them to it, returning to Tumi. Once Max finished, he left to organize food and drink for the group while Joseph paced up and down, worry furrowing his brow.
    Elise briefly left to check on Anne and the boys. They were in the common room, playing board games with Buzz hovering over them.
    Once she was sure the kids were okay, she checked on the others. They were all sitting on the red-headed girl’s bed when she entered, faces drawn. Max must have given the girl strong stuff because she was pretty out of it, staring at the ceiling with glazed eyes.
    The man she now knew as Ben rose when she entered, extending his hand to her. “Thank you for helping us, Ma’am.”
    “Elise,” she answered. “And you’re welcome.”
    “I’m Ben or Big Ben as most like to say. This is Jacques and Armand.” He pointed to the brothers. “And that is Angie.”
    Angie nodded, her dark eyes showing no expression while the brothers each shook her hand.
    “What’s her name?” Elise asked, gesturing to the stricken girl.
    “Susan,” Big Ben answered.
    “What happened?”
    “Our shelter was overrun. In the chaos, one of them got her.” His shoulders sagged. “I should have protected her.”
    “It’s not your fault, Ben,” Armand answered. Ben did not seem comforted by the words and Elise felt her insides tighten with sorrow.
    “Your daughter?”
    “No.” He shook his head. “But as good as.”
    “I’m sorry.” Elise’s eyes traveled to Susan. Her freckles stood out against the pallor of her skin, light blue eyes swimming with the knowledge that death was coming for her. Even the drugs could not ease that.
    Elise swallowed hard, thinking of Anne.
    That could be her on the bed.
    “You’ve had something to eat? Drink?” she asked to distract herself.
    “Yes, thank you.” Ben looked at her. “How is Tumi? We've been worried about her.”
    Elise decided the group needed no more bad news and plastered on a smile. “She’s fine for now. I’m helping her to deliver the baby. In fact, I’d better get back now.”
    He nodded. “Well, thank you again.”
    She left the room, noting Logan who kept watch like a stone statue. A hard man, she was nonetheless grateful he was there. He’d make sure Susan did not turn and hurt anyone else.
    Elise returned to Tumi’s side, focusing all her attention on delivering the baby. Long hours passed during which Tumi writhed and cried. Elise sponged her brow, gave her water and juice to drink and helped her to the bathroom. There wasn’t much else she could do.
    At some point, Joseph left the room, preferring to stand outside away from her screams. Elise understood. It was hard to witness a loved one in pain.
    A little later, Max reported that Susan had passed. A muffled shot confirmed that someone had taken care of it. Elise didn’t know whether to be sad or relieved and pushed her feelings aside for the moment.
    It was mid-afternoon before the head of the baby crowned. Elise crouched between Tumi’s legs, helping the baby out of the birth canal. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck and one look at the grayish pallor of the skin was enough to confirm her worst fears. That, and the silence.
    The baby was