Nightfall by Ellen Connor Read Free Book Online Page B

better you’re going to handle this one.”
    The new people spoke all at once, too many shrill questions, too much fear. His head felt like it would split in two. He didn’t need this. He’d gladly go back to the waiting and boredom.
    â€œYou need food and sleep,” Mason shouted over the clamor.
    He turned from the small, noisy rabble and rubbed his temples. Later, when no one was looking, he’d down a few aspirin. No sense in showing weakness. Strength and order would get them through.
    â€œHow did you know I listened to the radio?” Jenna stood at his elbow, her expression a tangle of questions. Her posture and the way she touched his forearm said she might be back on his side.
    â€œDoesn’t matter,” he said.
    â€œSeriously, did Mitch tell you? Or did you spy on me?”
    He placed both hands on her shoulders and gave a little shake. “It was Mitch. I’m not a stalker, for God’s sake. Now are you with me or not?”
    â€œAnswer me something first. Did you listen to the radio?”
    â€œNo,” he said tightly. “I alphabetized my CDs by artist, then title. DVDs and books too. My time in the military never wore off.”
    She glanced at where he still gripped her shoulders. “So what does that mean?”
    â€œI’m not very good at ... at adapting.” He held her gaze. Mitch had spotted that weakness almost from the start. Not for the first time, Mason wondered if the promise to protect Jenna had been intended for his survival too. “I soak up the damage, not roll with the punches. Which means I need you as much as you need me.”
    â€œHello? You two? Can we get some help?” The big man knelt beside the woman with horn-rims. “Edna’s been bit.”

SEVEN
    The plump woman trembled where she sprawled on the floor. She wore a gray-flowered dress. Dirty layers of fluffy chiffon had been ripped and snarled, like a Sunday school teacher fallen on hard times. Behind the lenses of her glasses, one of which was fractured, her eyes appeared odd and filmy. She leaned down to rub her calf, then hesitated.
    Mason just looked pissed. “Anyone have a medical background?”
    â€œI do,” the redhead said. “I was a nurse’s aide, but I have basic EMT training as well. There just wasn’t any work near Penny’s school, and I didn’t want to uproot her.”
    His expression said he wasn’t interested in her life story. “Check her out. See how bad it is.” He turned away, but not before Jenna glimpsed the sick dismay in his eyes.
    Whatever happened to a bite victim would be bad.
    The aide knelt and said softly, “Let me take a look, all right? Here, loosen your fingers.”
    Edna bent her head, studying her injured calf with remarkable dispassion. “It doesn’t feel right.”
    â€œThe skin is broken.” The redhead spoke as if she were instructing a class of interns. “Puncture wounds consistent with an animal bite. Are you in much pain?”
    â€œIt burns.”
    Despite herself, Jenna stepped closer. She wanted to see what a bite would mean. The skin circling the wound had darkened, turning ash gray. The holes themselves were an unwholesome purple, as if a bruise had slid inward, eating through muscle. The thought made Jenna shiver.
    â€œIs your tetanus shot current?” the redhead asked.
    â€œThat’s the least of her worries,” Mason muttered.
    Jenna leveled a look that said he better not scare the kids. Damn . Now they had children to worry about, thanks to her. But she couldn’t have left them to die.
    A cold feeling crept into her bones. What if she’d sentenced them to a slower death? With so many extra mouths to feed, how long would the canned goods last? And what would happen to Edna? Jenna wondered if she’d done wrong in opening the door, even if it had been the compassionate choice.
    No. Think logically. More people mean a