Blood Mine

Chapter Thirty Seven

Morgan's mind raced almost as fast as his feet. Everything was happening too fast. Little skirmishes swarmed across the town, with gangs of Mauves scrapping with militiawomen while civilians sprinted across the roads and dusty yards, hunted by armored cars slathered in the colors of the CSF. Wherever they could, Mari Maldashi's mercenaries harried the attackers, still faithful to their job.

Morgan, Mapula and Zanele had scattered to gather up survivors. Maya had talked as if there was a chance of fighting back, but now that was off the table. If Morgan spent any more time out here in the streets, he wouldn't even make it back. For a moment, he considered what would happen to him if he were captured by the Mauves, but he stamped out the idea. It was too awful to think about.

Six survivors-- three women, their husband, a son and a daughter-- struggled to keep up with him. They were the only people he could find who hadn't already fled or fought back. In better days, Morgan never would have stooped to help a polygamist. But now it's life or death, and his life is sacred too.

A woman burst from a door to Morgan's right, and he twitched, fumbling the rifle. When his sights were centered on her chest, he recognized the woman's dress. "Mrs. Mayor?" he said. Suddenly, his anger flared. "Where have you been? The whole town's been taken over!"

"You, you're from the militia," said the mayor breathlessly. "I recognize you. Follow me, and I can get us to safety."

"No. I'll take you to the others, where it's safe."

"There are others?"

"Yes! I can take you there. They're this way." With force that surprised even him, Morgan seized her hand and dragged her along the road, ducking behind houses whenever he could and always watching the center of town. Something on a rooftop caught his eyes. Dimly lit by residual lamp-glow, a spindly figure stood alert with a bow.

"Nakasi!" Morgan yelled at her. "Over here! Come with us!"

Nakasi twitched and pointed her bow at him-- he could have sworn he saw her draw it back-- then she ducked out of sight.

"What are you doing?" shrieked one of the civilian women. "We have to keep going!"

"Yeah!" threw in one of the children. "You said it yourself!"

Morgan looked at the empty rooftop where Nakasi had been, then back to the mayor, then to the accusing eyes of the family. Not even Nakasi deserved to be left to face these butchers alone. But helping her would take more time than he had. "Okay," he said. "I'll take you to Maya's place." I'm so sorry, Nakasi.

Even at normal speed, it wasn't far away. Zanele crouched by the door, waving him in. As he entered, she put a finger over her lips and said, "Maya's out back. She's trying to get the CSF off our trail."

"With what?"

"Just wait inside. When Mapula gets back, we'll go."

Without another word, Morgan ducked into the house, where a dozen more refugees crouched around the edges of the dim room, cradling their children and staring at the door with wide eyes. To Morgan's fright, no one from the militia was inside.

Inevitably, someone said, "Is that the mayor?"

The room came alive with noise:

"It is!"

"What's happening out there?"

"Are you alright?"

"My sister works at your office! Where is she? You have to tell me!"