The Survivors (Book 2): Autumn Read Online Free PDF

settled in the chair by the window, adjusting her clothing about her to get comfortable .  “The good doctor has removed the pellet, and given him some antibiotics to ensure it doesn’t get infected.” Her lips twisted into an appreciative smile.  “It seems we owe you gifts once again.”
    “Oh, there’s no need for that.” Michael shook his head and gave her a smile in return.  “Friends help friends, that’s all that matters.  I’m sure you’d do the same for us if we needed help.”
    “Absolutely,” she agreed amicably, then shifted her gaze to me .  “I spoke with your sister.”
    My heart leapt into my throat .  “How is she?”
    “She’s in a great deal of pain, but she is healing.” Anahera sighed heavily.  “It will take time and support, and the love of the people around her.  She told me that her man left her as well, and I fear that has only compounded her grief.”
    I felt an arm creep around me and turned to look at Michael; the expression on his face was one of deep anger .  Anahera seemed to notice it as well, but she said nothing.
    “I don’t know how to help her,” I admitted, turning my attention back to our visitor .  “I’ve forgotten how to be a sister.  We were separated for a long time, and only found one another recently.”
    Anahera nodded understandingly .  “This is a strange world we live in, but I think there is more to your bond than just time spent together as adults.  Just knowing that you’re here for her is enough.”
    “How do you know?” I looked down at my hands, feeling helplessness hit me in the gut all over again.  “I don’t know what she needs.”
    “I know because she told me as much,” Anahera said .  I looked up to find her regarding me with an expression that spoke of fondness.  “She told me that if it weren’t for you, she would have nothing left to live for.”
    “Oh.” I looked back down and leaned against Michael for support.  “But I haven’t even done anything.”
    “You don’t need to, dear .  You’re her sister.  That’s all that matters.” I could hear the smile in her voice without looking up, and found it reassuring somehow.
    “Is there anything we can do to help her through the grieving process?” Michael asked.
    “Perhaps.” I heard her shift in her seat, and glanced up to find her staring out the window at the raging storm.  “I was going to suggest that some time away from the place where her baby died might help her.  Of course, it is difficult to find somewhere safe in this world, so I thought some of you might like to come and visit my group for a few days.  After the storm passes, that is.”
    “That sounds like an interesting idea.” Michael gave me a squeeze.  I looked up at him, staring deep into those kind eyes of his.  “What do you think, Sandy? Shall we go for a visit?”
    I stayed silent for a moment to consider the question, then looked back at Anahera, regarding her profile thoughtfully as she watched the weather.
    My first instinct would have been to say no, to stay safely holed up in our little fortress with the people I knew I could trust, but I knew that feeling stemmed from cowardice.  Anahera was a good person, as was her son Hemi.  I liked them both and felt that I could trust them, especially after I had seen the way Anahera reacted to finding out one of her brethren had been preying on women and girls for years before he’d joined her tribe.
    She had evicted him from her tribe without hesitation, mutilated him and thrown him out into the wilds as punishment for his crime .  I didn’t have to go through a lengthy trial, recount my ordeal in great detail, and suffer through the horror of being judged by a jury.  Nobody had tried to tell me that I’d been asking for it because of my gender or my state of dress, and nobody tried to pass it off as a misunderstanding.  She had listened to me and confronted him, and when he was found guilty, her punishment had been