Live Another Day by Baileigh Higgins (finding audrey .txt) 📕

Clarity cut through the confusion that had clouded her judgment for the longest time. This wasn't her. It had never been. Neither was the cookie-cutter image she'd adopted to convince people she was ordinary.

“I’m not like them, and I can’t stay here. But I’m still me, still Nadia. That hasn't changed. I just lost me for a while.”

Maybe she didn't belong anywhere, but she'd never find out as long as she kept lying to herself and everyone else. Relief flowed through her at the realization, the comfort that comes with acceptance.

With a determined push, Nadia got to her feet. It was time to stop pretending. Time to be who she really was. She brushed stray bits of grass from her clothes and turned back toward the town. “Time to visit Marie. I'll need a few things for the journey.”

She strode toward the line of shops that held the bulk of the town’s supplies. Each shop carried something different and was managed by a different person. The largest was run by Marie who oversaw the general store. But first, she stopped at the pharmacy.

The doorbell dinged when she entered, and the air was warm after the brisk breeze outside. Her fingers tingled as she made her way to the counter where the pharmacist greeted her with a smile.

“Morning, young lady. How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a plaster.” Nadia proffered her cut arm with a rueful smile. “I’m so clumsy. I cut myself on the rocks at the beach.”

He peered over his glasses at the smooth line and tut-tutted. “Oh, that looks painful. Here, let me fix it for you. When did you last have a Tetanus shot?”

“Um, never.”

He shook his head. “Well, better safe than sorry.”

Ignoring her protests that she could do it herself, he disinfected and taped up the wound, but only after subjecting her to the painful shot. He then handed her a leaf of painkillers.

“Thank you,” Nadia said as she headed back out.

“Keep it dry and clean, and it should heal without problems. If you see any signs of infection, however, you need to come right back.”

“Will do.”

She stepped out into the cool air and made her way to the general shop. It smelled of incense and mint, a product of the incense burner Marie was so fond of and the bowl of sweets she doled out to the kids.

After a warm greeting, Nadia browsed among the racks for what she needed. The store was large, the aisles overflowing with items. One half was dedicated to food and led to more storerooms in the back. This was strictly rationed.

After lengthy deliberation, Nadia chose a bottle of water, a packet of electrolytes, and a handful of protein bars. While the expedition would have food, she liked being prepared. “Are these okay, Marie? Not too much?”

“It’s fine, Nadia. Excited about leaving tomorrow?”

“I guess.”

“I’ll be sad to see you go, though.” Marie’s kind eyes crinkled at the corners.

“I’ll miss you too,” Nadia said, realizing it was the truth.

“Anything else you need while you’re here?”

“Could I have some clothes, please? I’ll send my other things back after washing them tonight.”

“Sure, help yourself, honey.”

There was an unspoken rule among the inhabitants that you only took what was needed, and if you no longer wanted something, you returned it. Other than that, the stores were open to everyone.

“Looking for something specific, hun?” Marie asked after Nadia went through half the available stuff.

“Kind of. I’ll know when I see it,” Nadia replied with a smile.

After several minutes of searching, she emerged with two pairs of sturdy jeans, socks, sports underwear, a couple of tank tops, and a beautiful leather jacket and belt.

She completed the selection with a long screwdriver, a small hatchet, black eyeliner which she found in a bin full of dusty makeup, and a box which caused Marie to raise an eyebrow.

“This color, hun? You’re sure about that?”

“I’m sure, thanks, Marie.” Nadia looked around. “Have you got any earrings? You know like studs and so on.”

“Well, I don’t know, I think so.” Marie rummaged around underneath the counter before coming up with a wrinkled box. “There’s a few costume jewelry things in there. Have a look.”

Nadia picked out a few items before the quizzical gaze of Marie. “That should do it. Thank you so much for everything. I'll never forget it.”

Marie's eyes shone with unshed tears. “It's all right, honey. Now run along before I break down and cry.”

Nadia left and walked back to the house she shared Logan, carrying her latest acquisitions in her arms. Along the way, a huge grin broke out on her face. It felt good to be back. “Time for a change.”

Chapter 8 - Logan

Logan got up early, as he usually did, and had a long hot shower. He lingered under the stream of water, knowing full well it might be the last one he got in a long time. Unlike some of the town residents, he knew what lay outside the walls, and it was not pretty.

After brushing his teeth, he got dressed in what he termed his field clothes. It was a basic combo of jeans, jacket, t-shirt, and boots coupled with a knife and gun that rode on his hips in their holsters.

He tossed the remainder of his belongings into a backpack, pocketed the keys to his Land Rover, and slung his rifle across his back. That concluded his preparations for the trip, and he made his way to the kitchen.

To his surprise, Nadia was already there, which did not happen often. At the sight of her, he froze in his tracks. “Nadia? Is that you?”

She looked up from her steaming cup of coffee and winked. “Yup.”

Her blonde hair had been colored a deep purple-black, and the vivid aquamarine shade of her eyes was shocking against the dark backdrop. They were further enhanced by black eyeliner and mascara.

To top it off, she wore her old biker boots over jeans, a