It’s been over a month and a half since I’ve been at work. Our office, which is a payroll service, has pared down to only two employees—usually there are six of us--just to keep things operational. I only had one month of paid leave, and now I’ve been using my accumulated sick days. I think I had about three month’s worth because I haven’t been sick that often in the nine years I’ve been working there. With all the free time I’ve had, you’d think I’d visit with friends more, but I’ve been reclusive. I’ve been overtired and stressed from my “marital conflict”.
On the weekend, I went over to Grace’s instead of the coffee shop. I decided it would be nicer to see her away from work, plus we could visit longer than just her 15 minute break. She offered to come over to my place when I called to invite myself over for coffee, but I made up a lame-o excuse that Joel was still home from work because of his leg being infected. I told her he was grouchy and I’d like to just get out of the house for a while, if it was okay with her. Being the good friend she is, she welcomed me over for coffee and butter tarts.
Grace and her husband Corey are considering taking their sons, Mitchell (age 6) and Sammy (age 3), to where they have a cabin by Bonnet Lake, an hour east of Bromley. Her and Corey would just take time off work and get out of town. I told her about Jamie Robinson and her family staying at their cabin in the mountains, and Grace agreed that it’s probably a good idea.
“I’m terrified for my family,” she said with tears. “This is not just the flu we’re dealing with anymore. This is bullshit is what it is!” She suddenly yelled and jumped up and stared out the window. She sat back down after she rinsed her face in cold water at the kitchen sink. “I’m sorry, Katherine, but this seems unreal and I don’t know if I can handle it. I know you’ve believed it all along, but I just couldn’t! I saw Paul Mennings yesterday.” That made me almost choke on my coffee.
“What? Where?” I asked.
“After work I took the garbage out to the big bin behind the building. I went to huck the trash bag over the edge when I heard something moving inside the bin. It took a lot of courage, but expecting a cat or something, I took a quick peek and almost shit myself when I saw Paul sitting on a pile of bags at the bottom of the bin. He was tearing them open and when he heard me gasp, he got up and tried to get out, but the bin was empty enough that he couldn’t reach the top. That’s the first time I’ve seen one of them, Katherine. I believe it now. I really didn’t believe it before yesterday.”
“What did you do?” I asked her.
“Called the cops. What else? I sat in my car with the doors locked until they got there, which was only about five minutes. Four cops in these weird rain suit things showed up in a van, and used one of those things with the loop on the end that dog catchers use... you know.”
I nodded yes, urging her to continue.
“They put it on him, then literally pulled him out of the bin by his neck, then dragged him to the back of the van and lifted him again by his neck to put him into it.” She looked haunted. “One of them slammed the bin shut and put a padlock on it and slapped on one of those biohazard stickers, and then they just drove away.”
“They never even got a statement from you or anything? I guess what difference would it make?” My stomach was starting to reject the coffee and tart.
Quickly changing the subject, Grace said, “You and Joel come with us. We’ll all just stock up on a shit-load of groceries and stuff, lock up our houses and just get the hell out of here!” Grace pleaded.
I explained that Joel was not well enough to travel. I couldn’t bring myself to tell even my best friend that I had my zombie husband locked in my basement. Everyone thought he was just healing up from the dog bite and couldn’t walk well so that’s why he wasn’t back at work yet. His boss didn’t mind him taking extra time off.
“Well, when Joel goes back to work, you come out to the cabin and stay with us. I think we’re going to leave this Friday, right after work.”
Oh, Grace. You don’t know how badly I wish I could go with you.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Poll #5 Results
If you had friend/family that was a zombie, you would:
1) Keep them locked up in a basement or attic;
2) Put them out of their misery;
3) Muzzle them and let them go free;
4) Shut the lights off and hide when they come knocking.
1) 50% 2) 50% 3) 0% 4) 0%
So you’re 50/50 on how to deal with the infected ones you love. Interesting. I’m torn between both too, but just can’t bring myself to lose hope that there’s a cure.
1) Keep them locked up in a basement or attic;
2) Put them out of their misery;
3) Muzzle them and let them go free;
4) Shut the lights off and hide when they come knocking.
1) 50% 2) 50% 3) 0% 4) 0%
So you’re 50/50 on how to deal with the infected ones you love. Interesting. I’m torn between both too, but just can’t bring myself to lose hope that there’s a cure.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Breaking News
It finally happened. The local news made an announcement last night that as important as it is to get your H1N1 shot next month, staying home and safe from "the reanimated" was even more important (how vague is that?). They said that becoming "reanimated" is not a normal side effect of the flu, and may not even be related to it at all. People are to call the police immediately if they see one of "them" wandering or menacing.
I haven't seen too many of the undead around town yet. They're not very fast, so I'm not too worried. I wouldn't want to be caught in a mob of them, though.
Joel stopped eating yesterday. I dropped a chicken down the hole and he didn't even look at it. He just kept staring up at me with those unblinking blood-filled eyes. He used to have such friendly blue eyes. Now they send chills into my soul. And his breathing sounds horrible, wheezy, like he has fluid in his lungs. I have to cover the hole with plastic now, because the smell is horrible in the living room.
I haven't been out much this week, so I think I'll go down to the Tim Horton's and catch up with Grace.
I haven't seen too many of the undead around town yet. They're not very fast, so I'm not too worried. I wouldn't want to be caught in a mob of them, though.
Joel stopped eating yesterday. I dropped a chicken down the hole and he didn't even look at it. He just kept staring up at me with those unblinking blood-filled eyes. He used to have such friendly blue eyes. Now they send chills into my soul. And his breathing sounds horrible, wheezy, like he has fluid in his lungs. I have to cover the hole with plastic now, because the smell is horrible in the living room.
I haven't been out much this week, so I think I'll go down to the Tim Horton's and catch up with Grace.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Cause of Death
I know I’m not a doctor or a scientist, but I didn’t have to be to determine that the Martin’s dog was infected with the same virus as Joel. With the eye (s) and condition of the body like that, it was repulsively obvious.
I’ve been thinking. The way I write my story comes off as cold, like I don’t care that my husband is a zombie. I killed a dog with a baseball bat, and I’ve never killed anything in my life. Please don’t think I’m heartless or have no conscience. This is all too stressful for my brain to compute, and I think I’m just numb right now. It’s my mind’s way of staying sane.
On Saturday morning after I had a good chance to examine the dog in good light (with tripled latex gloves, of course), I fed the dog to Joel to sustain him and to get rid of the corpse. Is that wrong? Our living room has an old vent in the floor, about one foot by one foot. There’s no chance that Joel could ever get through it, but it allows me to watch and feed him (or try to, but he’s picky and will only eat meat—raw or cooked) because it’s straight into the basement. I dropped the dog down the hole and quickly shut the vent grill again then pushed the couch back over it.
The dog is still there today, dammit. That’ll start to stink eventually. Actually, Joel will start to stink, too. Hmmmm.
I’ve been thinking. The way I write my story comes off as cold, like I don’t care that my husband is a zombie. I killed a dog with a baseball bat, and I’ve never killed anything in my life. Please don’t think I’m heartless or have no conscience. This is all too stressful for my brain to compute, and I think I’m just numb right now. It’s my mind’s way of staying sane.
On Saturday morning after I had a good chance to examine the dog in good light (with tripled latex gloves, of course), I fed the dog to Joel to sustain him and to get rid of the corpse. Is that wrong? Our living room has an old vent in the floor, about one foot by one foot. There’s no chance that Joel could ever get through it, but it allows me to watch and feed him (or try to, but he’s picky and will only eat meat—raw or cooked) because it’s straight into the basement. I dropped the dog down the hole and quickly shut the vent grill again then pushed the couch back over it.
The dog is still there today, dammit. That’ll start to stink eventually. Actually, Joel will start to stink, too. Hmmmm.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Poll #4
Do you think cold weather will slow down the infection?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure
Results:
1. 50%
2. 50%
3. 0%
So we're 50/50 on this one. I guess we’ll soon find out.
1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not sure
Results:
1. 50%
2. 50%
3. 0%
So we're 50/50 on this one. I guess we’ll soon find out.
Bad Dog!
Apparently even when undead, dogs still have the instinct to protect their owner’s homes. Last night I made sure the dog that bit Joel wouldn’t hurt or infect anyone else. First I called over to their house (for about the 10th time since Joel got bit--the first 9 times were to tell them to keep their damn dog in their yard) to see if they were home, but no one answered. I decided that if they weren’t home, then they wouldn’t see or hear me when I solved the neighbourhood problem.
I think I must have been half out of my mind with revenge when I stomped over there at almost midnight. I went down the back alley to their house, which is about three blocks north of where we (I?) live. I prayed that the neighbours were sleeping and wouldn’t look out their windows and see me lurking. It was pretty dark, but some backyards had their own little lights and in some places the street lights shone in between the houses. Thankfully our early-October snow was all melted, and that made the ground darker and therefore easier for me to hide, plus the Martins didn’t have a light in their backyard. I didn’t bother with a flashlight because I didn’t want to attract attention. Instead, I used a pair of Joel’s night-vision goggles that he used for night paintballing in the summer. I put them on right as I walked up to the back fence.
It wasn’t long after I opened the gate, when I heard the little dog growling. He stood up from where he’d been sleeping on the back doorstep and staggered toward me, his little body emaciated and his once-fluffy white hair clotted with what appeared to be blood. It was hard to tell with the goggles on what exactly it was. I choked back a sob of pity and just stood there, frozen and confused. This couldn’t possibly be the dog that bit Joel. The poor thing’s probably just starving because his family abandoned him, I thought. If it was this tiny mutt that bit him, is it possible his wound got infected afterward from a different source—water, air, soil?
My thoughts were cut short when the dog got closer and I could see him clearly. The left side of his head was dented in (where Joel punched him?) and the eyeball was ruptured and leaking. He smelled horrifically rotten and his saliva was thick and slimy, dripping from his mouth in globs.
It only took one quick blow with my bat to finish his pathetic life. In a very sanitary manner, I double-bagged him in heavy duty yard bags and hurried home. I really shouldn’t have taken his body home with me, but instead thrown it into the nearest garbage barrel.
I just had to see him in the light. I needed to see if his eyes looked like Joel’s and Mr. Mennings’. Until I examined his body, I could not be certain that he was actually infected or just some pathetic, deserted dog.
I think I must have been half out of my mind with revenge when I stomped over there at almost midnight. I went down the back alley to their house, which is about three blocks north of where we (I?) live. I prayed that the neighbours were sleeping and wouldn’t look out their windows and see me lurking. It was pretty dark, but some backyards had their own little lights and in some places the street lights shone in between the houses. Thankfully our early-October snow was all melted, and that made the ground darker and therefore easier for me to hide, plus the Martins didn’t have a light in their backyard. I didn’t bother with a flashlight because I didn’t want to attract attention. Instead, I used a pair of Joel’s night-vision goggles that he used for night paintballing in the summer. I put them on right as I walked up to the back fence.
It wasn’t long after I opened the gate, when I heard the little dog growling. He stood up from where he’d been sleeping on the back doorstep and staggered toward me, his little body emaciated and his once-fluffy white hair clotted with what appeared to be blood. It was hard to tell with the goggles on what exactly it was. I choked back a sob of pity and just stood there, frozen and confused. This couldn’t possibly be the dog that bit Joel. The poor thing’s probably just starving because his family abandoned him, I thought. If it was this tiny mutt that bit him, is it possible his wound got infected afterward from a different source—water, air, soil?
My thoughts were cut short when the dog got closer and I could see him clearly. The left side of his head was dented in (where Joel punched him?) and the eyeball was ruptured and leaking. He smelled horrifically rotten and his saliva was thick and slimy, dripping from his mouth in globs.
It only took one quick blow with my bat to finish his pathetic life. In a very sanitary manner, I double-bagged him in heavy duty yard bags and hurried home. I really shouldn’t have taken his body home with me, but instead thrown it into the nearest garbage barrel.
I just had to see him in the light. I needed to see if his eyes looked like Joel’s and Mr. Mennings’. Until I examined his body, I could not be certain that he was actually infected or just some pathetic, deserted dog.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Latest Info from Jamie Robinson
Katherine! I’m so sorry I haven’t written forever. Again things have been horrible for me. My parents decided to go to our cabin out in the mountains, a.k.a. the middle of nowhere. We’re just in town picking up supplies again, and then they’re forcing me to stay out “where it’s safe”, a.k.a. where there’s no cell service. :( So I guess good news is I’m healthy and alive, bad news is, you won’t be hearing from me often. Hang in there, Katherine!
Jamie Robinson
I wrote:
Jamie! Thank goodness! You don’t know how worried I was about you. Things are worse here than before. My husband, Joel, was bitten by an infected dog (I realize the dog was infected now), and after two weeks, he became one of them. I think your parents made a wise choice to get out of town and stay away from other people.
Take care, Jamie, and please keep me posted.
Katherine
I think I’ll go doggie hunting tomorrow. I have a score to settle.
Jamie Robinson
I wrote:
Jamie! Thank goodness! You don’t know how worried I was about you. Things are worse here than before. My husband, Joel, was bitten by an infected dog (I realize the dog was infected now), and after two weeks, he became one of them. I think your parents made a wise choice to get out of town and stay away from other people.
Take care, Jamie, and please keep me posted.
Katherine
I think I’ll go doggie hunting tomorrow. I have a score to settle.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Woe is Me
Oh, Edward. I shouldn’t complain about my situation because yours is ever so much more tragic. Bromley is not overrun with zombies yet, but here I sit tonight: cocktail in hand, tears on my cheeks and feeling sorry for myself, trying to document the last few days’ events. I’ve lost only one person dear to me to the infection, yet it seems you have no one. Please don’t think less of me for sounding weak, and thank you for your concern.
Last Thursday: a blur in my memory. Joel’s haunting, hungry stare chilling me to the bones. Me being lonely and thinking maybe there’s a cure for this infection. A magic potion that reverses the effects of rotting flesh and demented brain. My hands opening the basement door across from the front door, then unlocking and opening the front door too. Joel reaching for me with his teeth bared, and me “directing” him with the baseball bat, propelling him down the stairs. Me blocking the basement door with a heavy wooden table and a chair. Me not sleeping since.
He’s still pounding his fists against the door. He makes noises, but his voice isn’t the same. It’s not Joel, really. He doesn’t say words or cry or anything. He just growls, moans and snarls like... I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like it. I need to try to sleep again.
Good luck at your new home, Edward. Keep me posted.
Last Thursday: a blur in my memory. Joel’s haunting, hungry stare chilling me to the bones. Me being lonely and thinking maybe there’s a cure for this infection. A magic potion that reverses the effects of rotting flesh and demented brain. My hands opening the basement door across from the front door, then unlocking and opening the front door too. Joel reaching for me with his teeth bared, and me “directing” him with the baseball bat, propelling him down the stairs. Me blocking the basement door with a heavy wooden table and a chair. Me not sleeping since.
He’s still pounding his fists against the door. He makes noises, but his voice isn’t the same. It’s not Joel, really. He doesn’t say words or cry or anything. He just growls, moans and snarls like... I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like it. I need to try to sleep again.
Good luck at your new home, Edward. Keep me posted.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Purgatory Update III
Hello Katherine,
As always, things are hell out here. I've been out of fuel for some time and all I can do is search. I found some, but I don't know how long it will last. It's starting to get quite cold now, and surviving is starting to become a fight instead of a struggle, but finding things to burn isn't all that hard.
Yesterday, I found a beautiful, large house with a very grand concrete wall around it. I hope it works out as a great refuge, because I'm taking a gamble and moving there. It's close to a gas station with a confectionary.
Wish me luck Katherine, and keep in touch,
Edward Kingston.
P.S.
I am very sorry to hear about your husband.
As always, things are hell out here. I've been out of fuel for some time and all I can do is search. I found some, but I don't know how long it will last. It's starting to get quite cold now, and surviving is starting to become a fight instead of a struggle, but finding things to burn isn't all that hard.
Yesterday, I found a beautiful, large house with a very grand concrete wall around it. I hope it works out as a great refuge, because I'm taking a gamble and moving there. It's close to a gas station with a confectionary.
Wish me luck Katherine, and keep in touch,
Edward Kingston.
P.S.
I am very sorry to hear about your husband.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bad News
I finally phoned around to Joel’s friends last night, but none of them have seen him. I drove around town all day today looking for him, and nothing. It’s been four days since he left. That’s not the bad news.
Tonight Joel is back. He’s standing outside under the kitchen window looking up at our home with the same blood-filled eyes that Mr. Mennings had. When he notices me looking out at him between the blinds, his eyes fill with something I can only call lust. Not hunger for my body in the way that he used to as my husband, but a blood lust like he wants to tear his teeth into my soft muscles and devour me.
My husband is home.
Tonight Joel is back. He’s standing outside under the kitchen window looking up at our home with the same blood-filled eyes that Mr. Mennings had. When he notices me looking out at him between the blinds, his eyes fill with something I can only call lust. Not hunger for my body in the way that he used to as my husband, but a blood lust like he wants to tear his teeth into my soft muscles and devour me.
My husband is home.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Results for Poll #3
What is the result of the infection in your community:
1) They just had flu symptoms and got better;
2) They were very sick then died;
3) They were very sick, died then came back to life;
4) I don’t know anyone who had the infection.
Results:
1) 0%
2) 0%
3) 100%
4) 0%
Okay, so we've established that everyone who's known someone that's had the infection has died and returned as a zombie. Crap.
1) They just had flu symptoms and got better;
2) They were very sick then died;
3) They were very sick, died then came back to life;
4) I don’t know anyone who had the infection.
Results:
1) 0%
2) 0%
3) 100%
4) 0%
Okay, so we've established that everyone who's known someone that's had the infection has died and returned as a zombie. Crap.
Joel?
Just a quick entry tonight. Joel is still missing. I’ve made an official police report, but I still haven’t heard anything from them. It’s like he disappeared into thin air. I’m so worried about him! The early snow we got is melting, so I assume he’s not laying dead under the snow somewhere, but where the hell did he go? Is he at a friend’s house? Is he laying behind a shed in someone’s yard and they don’t realize he’s there? Did he wander out of town into the country and now he’s lost?
I’ve been waiting right here, and he doesn’t come home. Why doesn’t anyone let me know where he is??? He needs his antibiotics for his leg. Joel, please come home!
I’ve been waiting right here, and he doesn’t come home. Why doesn’t anyone let me know where he is??? He needs his antibiotics for his leg. Joel, please come home!
Monday, October 12, 2009
MIA
Things are not good here. Joel (who was still fevered and having troubles with his leg) decided to go for a walk after we had our dinner last night. I begged him to stay home where he could rest and stay warm, but he just wouldn’t listen. It’s been cold at night and we have a bit of snow now, so being out there is one of the worst things he could do! He seemed anxious and confused when he was going out the door so I grabbed his hand and tried to hold him back, but he yanked away so hard that I lost my balance and fell onto the floor. When I got over my shock and hurt (and anger) I got back up and went to the door, but he was already gone.
That was at 7:30 last night. He hasn’t been home since. I don’t think I can report him missing until he’s been gone for a full 48 hours, so last night and this morning I drove around town looking for him. I would’ve tried following his footprints in the snow, but there are lots of people that walk and jog in our town, so it would be impossible to find his prints among the others.
I phoned his mother this morning to tell her, and she didn’t have a clue where he’d go either. I don’t know if he’s just still mad at me for making him go to the doctor of if the fever is making him act irrational. I’m too embarrassed to call any of his friends to see if he’s there. Maybe I’ll call around if he’s still gone by tonight, but for now I don’t need the whole town thinking that we had a fight and he ran out on me.
That was at 7:30 last night. He hasn’t been home since. I don’t think I can report him missing until he’s been gone for a full 48 hours, so last night and this morning I drove around town looking for him. I would’ve tried following his footprints in the snow, but there are lots of people that walk and jog in our town, so it would be impossible to find his prints among the others.
I phoned his mother this morning to tell her, and she didn’t have a clue where he’d go either. I don’t know if he’s just still mad at me for making him go to the doctor of if the fever is making him act irrational. I’m too embarrassed to call any of his friends to see if he’s there. Maybe I’ll call around if he’s still gone by tonight, but for now I don’t need the whole town thinking that we had a fight and he ran out on me.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Back Home
I’m back in Bromley--finally! Joel guilted (forced) me into going to visit Stan and Rita on Monday. Since it’s his right leg that is hurt, he argued that I had to drive him down there. Surprisingly, his father was completely over whatever he’d been sick with, and his mother only had the sniffles. I still kept an eye on the in-laws for symptoms. I asked them in detail how they were feeling, and it seems they’re good. I was actually surprised at how quiet Regina is right now. I think the fear of getting the infection is finally sinking into people and they’re being smart and staying home, out of the public.
Joel, however, was getting carried away with staying out of public places. He still refused to go to the hospital and get his leg checked, even though his leg has repulsive, smelly green pus coming out of it. I even worried about blood poisoning with the leg being so hot to the touch and him having a fever. Either way, it looked horrible, so I stopped at the hospital on the way home last night. He was so angry that I forced him to go, but the doctor reprimanded him for leaving it for so long (10 days from when he was bitten until he went to the hospital). He got put on strong antibiotics and has to go back for a recheck on Tuesday.
Now Joel’s moping on the couch and grumbling. He said, “hopefully being at the hospital didn’t make us come in contact with that damn flu”. I couldn’t believe he had the gall to say that after dragging me down to Stan and Rita’s.
Nothing we’ve tried will bring Mr. Hypocrite’s fever down, so hopefully the medicine will kick in fast. Monday is Thanksgiving, so I picked up a small turkey and some instant stuffing, along with some canned peas and beans. I hope that his appetite will be okay so that we can have a nice meal together. He’s been so cranky this last week. We had an early turkey meal with his parents on Thursday and he barely ate anything. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that he gets better.
Joel, however, was getting carried away with staying out of public places. He still refused to go to the hospital and get his leg checked, even though his leg has repulsive, smelly green pus coming out of it. I even worried about blood poisoning with the leg being so hot to the touch and him having a fever. Either way, it looked horrible, so I stopped at the hospital on the way home last night. He was so angry that I forced him to go, but the doctor reprimanded him for leaving it for so long (10 days from when he was bitten until he went to the hospital). He got put on strong antibiotics and has to go back for a recheck on Tuesday.
Now Joel’s moping on the couch and grumbling. He said, “hopefully being at the hospital didn’t make us come in contact with that damn flu”. I couldn’t believe he had the gall to say that after dragging me down to Stan and Rita’s.
Nothing we’ve tried will bring Mr. Hypocrite’s fever down, so hopefully the medicine will kick in fast. Monday is Thanksgiving, so I picked up a small turkey and some instant stuffing, along with some canned peas and beans. I hope that his appetite will be okay so that we can have a nice meal together. He’s been so cranky this last week. We had an early turkey meal with his parents on Thursday and he barely ate anything. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that he gets better.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Trip?
Holy crap, Edward! Things sound rough there. I think the cops are even more to worry about than zombies are. I hope I can survive if things get that scary here.
Now I have other worries, though. Joel’s leg is not good. It’s been five days since that damn dog snuck up on him, and his leg feels hot to the touch and is red. He even had a bit of bloody pus come out of it this morning. He refuses to go to the doctor and keeps changing the dressing on it twice a day and smothering it with antibiotic cream.
He wants to go down to Regina to see his parents (and now his mother is under the weather), but I keep arguing with him that it’s stupid to be around them when they’re sick. Joel wants to check up on them and make sure they’re okay and they don't need anything, but I’ve been trying to convince him to give it a few days and see if his leg heals. This would also give the in-laws time to get better. He won’t listen to me, though. He insists on going down there and he’s leaving this afternoon. Without me. With everything that’s going on in Bromley, what’s Regina going to be like? There’re about 180,000 people that live there. NOT INTERESTED in that trip.
Now I have other worries, though. Joel’s leg is not good. It’s been five days since that damn dog snuck up on him, and his leg feels hot to the touch and is red. He even had a bit of bloody pus come out of it this morning. He refuses to go to the doctor and keeps changing the dressing on it twice a day and smothering it with antibiotic cream.
He wants to go down to Regina to see his parents (and now his mother is under the weather), but I keep arguing with him that it’s stupid to be around them when they’re sick. Joel wants to check up on them and make sure they’re okay and they don't need anything, but I’ve been trying to convince him to give it a few days and see if his leg heals. This would also give the in-laws time to get better. He won’t listen to me, though. He insists on going down there and he’s leaving this afternoon. Without me. With everything that’s going on in Bromley, what’s Regina going to be like? There’re about 180,000 people that live there. NOT INTERESTED in that trip.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Purgatory Update II
Hello Katherine,
I'm sorry it has been such a long time since contact. I've had to turn off the generator for some time now, as I've been trying to keep quiet. A group of city police officers was camped out in the hotel next door, and i did not want to mess with them, as they'd gone rabid like the last group of people I encountered.
They arrived a while ago with their guns blazing. They cleaned up a large group of infected that I had been keeping an eye on. After that, a couple emerged from a nearby subway tunnel, hoping to find some heroes. All they found were villians. The man was gunned down right as he stepped off the sidewalk and onto the street, and his better half took a bludgeoning to the face after she went to check on him. The men with badges raided the unfortunate corpses and ran to the hotel once a thunder storm began. After a good week (I think), they left. This morning I managed to pick up some cigarettes and a drop of vodka in a bottle from their room. Maybe I can use the "coffin nails" as a currency for trade, and the bottle as an explosive component in the near future.
The police are supposed to be your ally aren't they? I guess thats only in the world that used to be "normal".
Other than that event, nothing has happened except for infection and murder in this part of purgatory.
Keep in touch Katherine,
Edward Kingston
I'm sorry it has been such a long time since contact. I've had to turn off the generator for some time now, as I've been trying to keep quiet. A group of city police officers was camped out in the hotel next door, and i did not want to mess with them, as they'd gone rabid like the last group of people I encountered.
They arrived a while ago with their guns blazing. They cleaned up a large group of infected that I had been keeping an eye on. After that, a couple emerged from a nearby subway tunnel, hoping to find some heroes. All they found were villians. The man was gunned down right as he stepped off the sidewalk and onto the street, and his better half took a bludgeoning to the face after she went to check on him. The men with badges raided the unfortunate corpses and ran to the hotel once a thunder storm began. After a good week (I think), they left. This morning I managed to pick up some cigarettes and a drop of vodka in a bottle from their room. Maybe I can use the "coffin nails" as a currency for trade, and the bottle as an explosive component in the near future.
The police are supposed to be your ally aren't they? I guess thats only in the world that used to be "normal".
Other than that event, nothing has happened except for infection and murder in this part of purgatory.
Keep in touch Katherine,
Edward Kingston
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Message 3 from Jamie Robinson
FINALLY I got an update from Jamie! It's been such a long time since I heard from her.
Hey! Quite a bit has happened since we last spoke. Yes, there was a lot of food and bottled water in the store. It was mostly junk food, but there were a few groceries like canned and frozen stuff, and sausage and cheese.
So last week in the evening, me and Bill were surfing the internet for information when we heard a large banging noise coming from the front of the store. We ran to see what it was, and a boy about my age was leaning against the door with his bloody face and pounding his fists on the glass. The boy’s eyes were all red and his lips were all cracked and gross. I panicked and even though Bill tried to stop me, I was so scared I ran out the back door and all the way home without stopping! I never saw anyone else on the way, thank goodness. I only live about five blocks from here, so it never took me long. I don’t know why I didn’t just run home in the first place. The army trucks hadn’t been around for a couple of days anyways.
It’s so good to be home!!! I’ve been keeping in contact with Bill, and he said the boy eventually went away when he shut the lights off and kept quiet for a while.
I noticed that on your blog you really DO think that it’s zombies out there!!! I think you said it wasn’t just so I wouldn’t get too scared. Is that why?
Jamie R.
I answered:
What a relief you are safe at home! I bet your parents have been worried sick about you. I’m also glad Bill is okay. I wonder where the boy ended up going. You’re very lucky he didn’t follow you home.
Things are pretty much the same here. The hospital’s full and I’m still stocking up on supplies a bit at a time. My husband still thinks this is the flu and only the flu.
You be careful, Jamie. And yes, I didn’t want you to be scared. That’s why I lied, and I’m sorry.
Katherine
Hey! Quite a bit has happened since we last spoke. Yes, there was a lot of food and bottled water in the store. It was mostly junk food, but there were a few groceries like canned and frozen stuff, and sausage and cheese.
So last week in the evening, me and Bill were surfing the internet for information when we heard a large banging noise coming from the front of the store. We ran to see what it was, and a boy about my age was leaning against the door with his bloody face and pounding his fists on the glass. The boy’s eyes were all red and his lips were all cracked and gross. I panicked and even though Bill tried to stop me, I was so scared I ran out the back door and all the way home without stopping! I never saw anyone else on the way, thank goodness. I only live about five blocks from here, so it never took me long. I don’t know why I didn’t just run home in the first place. The army trucks hadn’t been around for a couple of days anyways.
It’s so good to be home!!! I’ve been keeping in contact with Bill, and he said the boy eventually went away when he shut the lights off and kept quiet for a while.
I noticed that on your blog you really DO think that it’s zombies out there!!! I think you said it wasn’t just so I wouldn’t get too scared. Is that why?
Jamie R.
I answered:
What a relief you are safe at home! I bet your parents have been worried sick about you. I’m also glad Bill is okay. I wonder where the boy ended up going. You’re very lucky he didn’t follow you home.
Things are pretty much the same here. The hospital’s full and I’m still stocking up on supplies a bit at a time. My husband still thinks this is the flu and only the flu.
You be careful, Jamie. And yes, I didn’t want you to be scared. That’s why I lied, and I’m sorry.
Katherine
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Stupid Me
As I was trying to be calm and reasonable for Jamie Robinson--lying and saying that I didn’t think it was zombies--I had forgotten that she was also reading my blog, not just e-mailing me. I was so relieved to finally hear from her this morning. She finally e-mailed to tell us how she’s doing. She wasn’t mad that I lied, just a bit confused. I will post her e-mail later.
Things are getting a little hairy in Bromley. The hospital, which only has thirty beds, is still completely full and they recommend you stay away unless you have an emergency. Grocery stores, hardware stores and gas stations are almost the only stores open. There are some stubborn store owners that did not listen to the Provincial Health warnings and are still open. The little flower shop on the corner of Main Street is still open (I guess they figure with so many people sick, they’ll do good business with “get well” arrangements). Most of the little confectionaries in Bromley are open too, as well as a few other stores. The small mall on the edge of town is closed.
Something worrying me is that when Joel was out for his walk last night, on his way past the Martin residence, their small poodle-like dog ran up and bit him on the calf. He didn’t see the dog until it was latched on, and he had to actually punch the dog to get it to let go.
It’s very red and painful today, but he doesn’t want to go to the hospital where that damn infection is. We’ll just keep an eye on it.
Things are getting a little hairy in Bromley. The hospital, which only has thirty beds, is still completely full and they recommend you stay away unless you have an emergency. Grocery stores, hardware stores and gas stations are almost the only stores open. There are some stubborn store owners that did not listen to the Provincial Health warnings and are still open. The little flower shop on the corner of Main Street is still open (I guess they figure with so many people sick, they’ll do good business with “get well” arrangements). Most of the little confectionaries in Bromley are open too, as well as a few other stores. The small mall on the edge of town is closed.
Something worrying me is that when Joel was out for his walk last night, on his way past the Martin residence, their small poodle-like dog ran up and bit him on the calf. He didn’t see the dog until it was latched on, and he had to actually punch the dog to get it to let go.
It’s very red and painful today, but he doesn’t want to go to the hospital where that damn infection is. We’ll just keep an eye on it.
Poll #2 Results
In your opinion, what is the cause of the outbreak?
1) Mutated flu virus;
2) Evil forces—this is a real zombie apocalypse!
3) Biological warfare virus leaked into the public;
4) What outbreak? Things are just getting exaggerated.
Results:
1) 0%
2) 0%
3) 100%
4) 0%
So you all think it's a government conspiracy us, huh? I kind of wonder that too. How could this just come out of nowhere? I am completely convinced (100%) that this is not some illness, but is the "return of the living dead". I’ll tell you why in my next post.
1) Mutated flu virus;
2) Evil forces—this is a real zombie apocalypse!
3) Biological warfare virus leaked into the public;
4) What outbreak? Things are just getting exaggerated.
Results:
1) 0%
2) 0%
3) 100%
4) 0%
So you all think it's a government conspiracy us, huh? I kind of wonder that too. How could this just come out of nowhere? I am completely convinced (100%) that this is not some illness, but is the "return of the living dead". I’ll tell you why in my next post.
Monday, September 28, 2009
In-Laws
Joel's parents live in Regina, which is about three hours southwest of where we live. His mother, Rita, called last night to say that his father, Stan, has been under the weather for a couple of days. He's had a fever, a headache, a sore throat and he's exhausted. Stan never went to the doctor yet because Sask Health advises everyone with flus and bad colds to stay home and rest, drink plenty of fluids, etc. If you're having breathing problems or serious symptoms, then you can of course go to the hospital.
This news does not sit well with me. I'm glad they live far away and we won't be around them. That sounds so selfish, but as much as I love my father-in-law, I'm terrified of what this could be. I'll let you all know how it goes.
This news does not sit well with me. I'm glad they live far away and we won't be around them. That sounds so selfish, but as much as I love my father-in-law, I'm terrified of what this could be. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Denial
Joel works one month on, one month off. So now he’s home for at least a month, or maybe longer. I’m relieved. I couldn’t bear to be alone right now. During lunch yesterday, I suggested that we make a trip uptown and stock up more on canned food, bottled water, first aid supplies, beef jerky, ammo for our handguns (we both have permits to own hand guns), etc.
He gave me a look like I was crazy and said, “ammo? What for?”
Before my temper could make me say something I’d regret, I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and stepped outside for some fresh air. I cooled off while I sat out on the back deck, sipping and stewing. Why the hell was Joel being so, so... Grrrrr! I thought we needed supplies one way or the other, and the ammo was just in case. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be prepared; lots of other people were getting ready for the pandemic (outbreak?). What Grace told me about the Martin family was worrying me. Were Mr. Martin and his daughter still sick and stuck at home? Did they leave?
Remembering the haunting red eyes peering at me from my flower bed made my skin crawl. Be damned if I was going to let Joel’s denial and ignorance humiliate me into not being prepared. I was going to the store that afternoon whether he came with me or not. I was going to believe what I was hearing from Edward and Jamie, and what I saw with my own eyes.
He gave me a look like I was crazy and said, “ammo? What for?”
Before my temper could make me say something I’d regret, I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and stepped outside for some fresh air. I cooled off while I sat out on the back deck, sipping and stewing. Why the hell was Joel being so, so... Grrrrr! I thought we needed supplies one way or the other, and the ammo was just in case. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be prepared; lots of other people were getting ready for the pandemic (outbreak?). What Grace told me about the Martin family was worrying me. Were Mr. Martin and his daughter still sick and stuck at home? Did they leave?
Remembering the haunting red eyes peering at me from my flower bed made my skin crawl. Be damned if I was going to let Joel’s denial and ignorance humiliate me into not being prepared. I was going to the store that afternoon whether he came with me or not. I was going to believe what I was hearing from Edward and Jamie, and what I saw with my own eyes.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Poll #1 Results
If a zombie virus outbreak happened in your community, you would:
1) Barricade yourself at home with supplies and weapons;
2) Fuel up your vehicle, get supplies and head for the hills;
3) Run for the nearest “zombie proof” government shelter;
4) Just give up and do nothing. There’s nowhere on the planet to hide anyway.
Results are:
1) 80%
2) 20%
3) 0%
4) 0%
Remember this is all theoretical. If anyone has any other suggestions, please put them in the comments below this post.
1) Barricade yourself at home with supplies and weapons;
2) Fuel up your vehicle, get supplies and head for the hills;
3) Run for the nearest “zombie proof” government shelter;
4) Just give up and do nothing. There’s nowhere on the planet to hide anyway.
Results are:
1) 80%
2) 20%
3) 0%
4) 0%
Remember this is all theoretical. If anyone has any other suggestions, please put them in the comments below this post.
Martin Family Mystery
Thank you for the update, Edward. You sound like a true survivor. Thank you also for clarifying the Jman username confusion. Toronto is in very bad shape. As far as I’ve heard, the infection is only in the western world. I can’t pinpoint the first infection, though.
Grace came over for a visit after work yesterday. We discussed the coffee shop gossip that she’d overheard, over French Vanilla coffees and some cinnamon buns that she brought home from work. According to her, the first family that had the virus/infection in Bromley (the Martins--a wife, husband and two teenage daughters) had been vacationing in Mexico (a little over a month ago?). They’d been home for about a week before all of them started having a fever, severe headache and stiff and painful muscles and joints. The hospital tested them for H1N1, but the results for the test take a few days. They were told to stay home and stay away from other people until they were completely feeling better. Instead of picking up stuff at the stores, they were to order groceries and medications over the phone and have them delivered to their doorstep. In other words, they were unofficially quarantined.
A couple of days after the Martins holed up at home, the youngest daughter started having a seizure so an ambulance was called, and took her to the hospital (her mother went with her). The father and other daughter stayed home. The next day a caring neighbour called the Martin’s house to see how everyone was, and there was no answer. Other family and neighbours have tried to check up on the family, both at home and in the hospital, and they are told that the mother and daughter are quarantined and no visitors are allowed. The hospital does not know the status of Mr. Martin and his oldest daughter. At the Martin residence, no one answers the door or phone. There are no lights, no movement and no noises. The car is still parked in the driveway.
What has happened to the Martin family? If they were properly quarantined, why has this begun to spread around the community?
Grace came over for a visit after work yesterday. We discussed the coffee shop gossip that she’d overheard, over French Vanilla coffees and some cinnamon buns that she brought home from work. According to her, the first family that had the virus/infection in Bromley (the Martins--a wife, husband and two teenage daughters) had been vacationing in Mexico (a little over a month ago?). They’d been home for about a week before all of them started having a fever, severe headache and stiff and painful muscles and joints. The hospital tested them for H1N1, but the results for the test take a few days. They were told to stay home and stay away from other people until they were completely feeling better. Instead of picking up stuff at the stores, they were to order groceries and medications over the phone and have them delivered to their doorstep. In other words, they were unofficially quarantined.
A couple of days after the Martins holed up at home, the youngest daughter started having a seizure so an ambulance was called, and took her to the hospital (her mother went with her). The father and other daughter stayed home. The next day a caring neighbour called the Martin’s house to see how everyone was, and there was no answer. Other family and neighbours have tried to check up on the family, both at home and in the hospital, and they are told that the mother and daughter are quarantined and no visitors are allowed. The hospital does not know the status of Mr. Martin and his oldest daughter. At the Martin residence, no one answers the door or phone. There are no lights, no movement and no noises. The car is still parked in the driveway.
What has happened to the Martin family? If they were properly quarantined, why has this begun to spread around the community?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Purgatory Update I
Hello Katherine,
While searching for refuge in the Greater Toronto Area, I stumbled across a student dorm off of Young Street that I found suitable to live in. It provides great shelter, is advantageous because it is the high ground, and it gives a great view of the surrounding area. While sweeping the building, I found this computer, a generator in the basement, a small cache of supplies (food, water, etc.), and a plethora of the infected creatures that your husband denies are damned. I cleaned up, and now I have my wonderful little sanctuary with the exception of the corpses I had to dispose of.
This weekend, I was removing said corpses by throwing them from the window and a group of six survivors called to me from the street. I let them in, like anyone would do in my situation. What a stupid idea. Each survivor was equipped with exceptional weaponry, they wanted my supplies, and then I had a small fight on my hands. I dashed towards a set of fire doors that were unpenetrable by the beads of lead that they sprayed. I snuck out the back door, and came back later that night while all but one were sleeping. I'm not proud of what I did, Katherine, but I had to do it.
All is well in this part of purgatory, keep in touch,
Edward Kingston.
While searching for refuge in the Greater Toronto Area, I stumbled across a student dorm off of Young Street that I found suitable to live in. It provides great shelter, is advantageous because it is the high ground, and it gives a great view of the surrounding area. While sweeping the building, I found this computer, a generator in the basement, a small cache of supplies (food, water, etc.), and a plethora of the infected creatures that your husband denies are damned. I cleaned up, and now I have my wonderful little sanctuary with the exception of the corpses I had to dispose of.
This weekend, I was removing said corpses by throwing them from the window and a group of six survivors called to me from the street. I let them in, like anyone would do in my situation. What a stupid idea. Each survivor was equipped with exceptional weaponry, they wanted my supplies, and then I had a small fight on my hands. I dashed towards a set of fire doors that were unpenetrable by the beads of lead that they sprayed. I snuck out the back door, and came back later that night while all but one were sleeping. I'm not proud of what I did, Katherine, but I had to do it.
All is well in this part of purgatory, keep in touch,
Edward Kingston.
Paranoia
I'm having mixed feelings today. Joel always does that to me. I get my mind set on believing or having an opinion about something, and once he and I discuss it, I change my mind or second-guess myself. I was very set in thinking that Paul Mennings was a walking corpse, then Joel reasoned with me that just because I saw Paul with the red eyes, etc., that it didn't mean he was undead. Joel thinks that it's just symptoms of the virus. He's seen guys at the mine with eye injuries and eye infections, and sometimes the blood vessels/capillaries in the white of the eye do that.
According to my next-door neighbour, Grace, who works at the Tim Horton's, gossip is that the hospital is right full of patients with "flu-like" symptoms but it seems different than H1N1. The symptoms aren't severe only in the very young and very old. Anyone who's in there with it is very, very sick. Grace would've told me more, but she was just on her way to work this morning (I was outside trying to clean up the mess in the flower bed) and didn't have time. I'll try to catch her when she gets home and get her over for coffee.
So Joel's conclusion is that Paul Mennings contracted the virus at the nursing home then somehow escaped, delirious with fever and wandering the block, looking for his house. Now I don't know what to think. According to the September 17th comment from Edward Kingston (a.k.a. Jman H?), Toronto is loaded with the infected. Edward, please explain further what's happening there! I'm positive the news isn't giving us the whole picture.
According to my next-door neighbour, Grace, who works at the Tim Horton's, gossip is that the hospital is right full of patients with "flu-like" symptoms but it seems different than H1N1. The symptoms aren't severe only in the very young and very old. Anyone who's in there with it is very, very sick. Grace would've told me more, but she was just on her way to work this morning (I was outside trying to clean up the mess in the flower bed) and didn't have time. I'll try to catch her when she gets home and get her over for coffee.
So Joel's conclusion is that Paul Mennings contracted the virus at the nursing home then somehow escaped, delirious with fever and wandering the block, looking for his house. Now I don't know what to think. According to the September 17th comment from Edward Kingston (a.k.a. Jman H?), Toronto is loaded with the infected. Edward, please explain further what's happening there! I'm positive the news isn't giving us the whole picture.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Message 2 from Jamie R.
I received another e-mail from Jamie Robinson:
Hi, Katherine! Thank you for e-mailing me back. Me and Bill are STILL waiting inside the store. I finally got a hold of my mom at about 10:30 last night. They just had their cells off because they were in the movie. Right before I talked to mom, army trucks started driving all over the place and telling people to “stay inside! Only come out if you need medical assistance!” They also picked up the people that were fighting and stuff, and took them away in these big vans. So for now, I’m just keeping in touch with my parents by phone and e-mail—they know I’m safe—and we’re all obeying the law so far (by staying inside).
Bill has a computer in his little office and he’s been following the news and a TON of blogs since this stuff all started. He’s told me so much! I never really listened to the current events at school because it wasn’t happening in my town yet, so it’s all new to me! I wonder if the school will get closed for a while?
If it wasn’t for Bill showing me his list of sites, I would have never contacted you. Bill told me just to stay inside, but I wanted another opinion. I don’t even have any other close family that lives around here, or I coulda called them, I guess. I have my cell for backup in case Bill’s phone or computer stop working.
So you really think that this is a zombie outbreak like in the movies? That’s what Bill thinks. He also said that I should pay attention to how the government is trying to make it look like a flu outbreak instead. He said it’s so the public doesn’t panic.
Jamie
To which I replied:
Glad to hear you guys are still okay. Have you seen other dangerous-looking people out there since the army trucks were by? I think it’s a good idea to just remain in contact with your parents, but stay in where it’s safe.The outbreak is dangerous no matter what. It’s definitely something contagious that’s making people act that way, so it’s best to avoid it. You’re doing the right thing—be patient! It shouldn’t be long until things are under control and you can go home or your parents can pick you up.
Do you and Bill have LOTS of food and drinks in the store?
Katherine
I chose to not say, “hell YEAH, it’s zombies!” because she might freak out and run home. Not a good idea.
Hi, Katherine! Thank you for e-mailing me back. Me and Bill are STILL waiting inside the store. I finally got a hold of my mom at about 10:30 last night. They just had their cells off because they were in the movie. Right before I talked to mom, army trucks started driving all over the place and telling people to “stay inside! Only come out if you need medical assistance!” They also picked up the people that were fighting and stuff, and took them away in these big vans. So for now, I’m just keeping in touch with my parents by phone and e-mail—they know I’m safe—and we’re all obeying the law so far (by staying inside).
Bill has a computer in his little office and he’s been following the news and a TON of blogs since this stuff all started. He’s told me so much! I never really listened to the current events at school because it wasn’t happening in my town yet, so it’s all new to me! I wonder if the school will get closed for a while?
If it wasn’t for Bill showing me his list of sites, I would have never contacted you. Bill told me just to stay inside, but I wanted another opinion. I don’t even have any other close family that lives around here, or I coulda called them, I guess. I have my cell for backup in case Bill’s phone or computer stop working.
So you really think that this is a zombie outbreak like in the movies? That’s what Bill thinks. He also said that I should pay attention to how the government is trying to make it look like a flu outbreak instead. He said it’s so the public doesn’t panic.
Jamie
To which I replied:
Glad to hear you guys are still okay. Have you seen other dangerous-looking people out there since the army trucks were by? I think it’s a good idea to just remain in contact with your parents, but stay in where it’s safe.The outbreak is dangerous no matter what. It’s definitely something contagious that’s making people act that way, so it’s best to avoid it. You’re doing the right thing—be patient! It shouldn’t be long until things are under control and you can go home or your parents can pick you up.
Do you and Bill have LOTS of food and drinks in the store?
Katherine
I chose to not say, “hell YEAH, it’s zombies!” because she might freak out and run home. Not a good idea.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Post #5: Reality Check
The first thing I did this morning was check to see if the yard was empty. I grabbed a baseball bat from the closet and ran out and quickly locked the back gate. I also checked the gate on the side of the house that leads to the front yard. Lucky for Joel and I that the people we bought the house from had a Great Dane, and they had built a sturdy wooden six foot fence.
So Joel never got home by 2:00 yesterday afternoon. It was almost 11:00 last night, and if he hadn’t called me from the road on his cell, I would’ve had a heart attack with worry. He always travels home through Saskatoon because it’s the most direct route from the mine.
There was a road block set up on the north side of the city that had incoming traffic backed up for about two miles. The police stopped every single vehicle and questioned everyone about whether they’d been having flu symptoms, if they’d been in contact with any of the infected, or if they were wounded. Parked on the side of the highway was a semi with a huge trailer. People in HazMat suits were stationed outside the trailer. All cops and the HazMat people carried guns. The car in front of Joel got pulled right off into the ditch and the people were forced into the trailer. One of them had to be dragged and was kicking and trying to bite one of the HazMat guy’s hands. The biter ended up with a heavy cloth-like bag over his head.
This morning when I told Joel about Mr. Mennings being in our yard, he asked me something that made me feel like an idiot. “Why didn’t you call the cops?” Joel said, after he pulled me close and was assured I was really okay. “What if he would’ve tried to get into the house? I wonder where he went. Hopefully he never attacked anyone!”
I hadn’t thought about old Paul Mennings wandering off into someone else’s yard. Crap! It hadn’t even crossed my mind. I think that even though I believe what I’ve been seeing on the news and hearing from other people (that the dead are actually returning), my brain’s really been in denial. I really hoped that this is nothing more than an extreme flu pandemic and that it’s the high fever that makes people go crazy (or something like that).
Of course I was surprised when old Paul was eating the rose bush, but when he stopped to look around, I saw that the whites of his eyes were completely red. His expression was really what made my stomach clench. He looked furious and tortured at the same time. I’ve never seen that expression before. It was that moment where I finally realized that this is really happening. It really IS zombies. It is.
So Joel never got home by 2:00 yesterday afternoon. It was almost 11:00 last night, and if he hadn’t called me from the road on his cell, I would’ve had a heart attack with worry. He always travels home through Saskatoon because it’s the most direct route from the mine.
There was a road block set up on the north side of the city that had incoming traffic backed up for about two miles. The police stopped every single vehicle and questioned everyone about whether they’d been having flu symptoms, if they’d been in contact with any of the infected, or if they were wounded. Parked on the side of the highway was a semi with a huge trailer. People in HazMat suits were stationed outside the trailer. All cops and the HazMat people carried guns. The car in front of Joel got pulled right off into the ditch and the people were forced into the trailer. One of them had to be dragged and was kicking and trying to bite one of the HazMat guy’s hands. The biter ended up with a heavy cloth-like bag over his head.
This morning when I told Joel about Mr. Mennings being in our yard, he asked me something that made me feel like an idiot. “Why didn’t you call the cops?” Joel said, after he pulled me close and was assured I was really okay. “What if he would’ve tried to get into the house? I wonder where he went. Hopefully he never attacked anyone!”
I hadn’t thought about old Paul Mennings wandering off into someone else’s yard. Crap! It hadn’t even crossed my mind. I think that even though I believe what I’ve been seeing on the news and hearing from other people (that the dead are actually returning), my brain’s really been in denial. I really hoped that this is nothing more than an extreme flu pandemic and that it’s the high fever that makes people go crazy (or something like that).
Of course I was surprised when old Paul was eating the rose bush, but when he stopped to look around, I saw that the whites of his eyes were completely red. His expression was really what made my stomach clench. He looked furious and tortured at the same time. I’ve never seen that expression before. It was that moment where I finally realized that this is really happening. It really IS zombies. It is.
Friday, September 18, 2009
911 E-Mail
I just received this sad little e-mail from a girl who’s somehow found this blog and is in a bad situation:
My name is Jamie Robinson and I am 14. I live in Bimble Creek, California. I am hiding in a convenience store with the owner, who probably saved my life today. I went to the store to rent a movie for my girl’s night in that I was going to have with a couple of friends of mine, and the store owner (his name is Bill) locked the door and shut the lights off right when I walked in! I was so scared! He told me to stay quiet, and pointed out the gang of people that were all standing around a car parked in the middle of the street, about ½ a block away. They were banging all over the car and the people inside the car were screaming. The people attacking the car all looked banged up, like they’d been in an accident or something. They had bloody clothes and one had no shirt on and he had a huge bloody wound on his back. Yuck! Bill shoved the store shelves up against the windows and we stayed back, quietly waiting for the people to leave. And I can’t get a hold of my parents! They went out for dinner and a movie tonight, and they’re not answering their cell phones! I’m so scared, and I’ve been here for over four hours! What should I do?
Jamie Robinson
P.S. Please write back!
I answered with:
Hello, Jamie. Good to hear you’re safe for now. Did the people finally wander off and leave the other people in the car alone? You should not leave the convenience store until you have either talked to your parents or are 100% positive that the street is safe. I don’t mean to alarm you, but there have been a lot of crazy people around these last few weeks. Please let me know how you make out!
Katherine Murphy
My name is Jamie Robinson and I am 14. I live in Bimble Creek, California. I am hiding in a convenience store with the owner, who probably saved my life today. I went to the store to rent a movie for my girl’s night in that I was going to have with a couple of friends of mine, and the store owner (his name is Bill) locked the door and shut the lights off right when I walked in! I was so scared! He told me to stay quiet, and pointed out the gang of people that were all standing around a car parked in the middle of the street, about ½ a block away. They were banging all over the car and the people inside the car were screaming. The people attacking the car all looked banged up, like they’d been in an accident or something. They had bloody clothes and one had no shirt on and he had a huge bloody wound on his back. Yuck! Bill shoved the store shelves up against the windows and we stayed back, quietly waiting for the people to leave. And I can’t get a hold of my parents! They went out for dinner and a movie tonight, and they’re not answering their cell phones! I’m so scared, and I’ve been here for over four hours! What should I do?
Jamie Robinson
P.S. Please write back!
I answered with:
Hello, Jamie. Good to hear you’re safe for now. Did the people finally wander off and leave the other people in the car alone? You should not leave the convenience store until you have either talked to your parents or are 100% positive that the street is safe. I don’t mean to alarm you, but there have been a lot of crazy people around these last few weeks. Please let me know how you make out!
Katherine Murphy
Neighbours
I wanted so badly last night to go online and document the noises outside my house. I couldn’t though, because I feared that whatever it was would hear me clicking and typing, or see the light from my computer screen through the blinds. It was about 2:30 a.m. and I was having the deepest sleep--the first good sleep I’d had in over two weeks. I started dreaming there was an infestation of giant rats living in the walls and the attic, but eventually real banging and scratching noises woke me up. In panic I instantly reached for my husband, then remembered he was still on his way home from the uranium mine up north.
It’s a 15 hour drive to the mine, and Joel stopped for the night and still has about five more hours of driving today. He should be home by 2:00 p.m. if all goes well. I’m relieved, because all of this zombie crap is making me nervous.
After I got over my initial shock of being startled from sleep, I quietly padded around the house listening, trying to identify the noise. As I was just going to carefully part the curtains in my kitchen to look out into the side of our lot, there was a sudden crash from the back yard. It made me jump really hard, and I had to slap my hand over my mouth to cover a shriek. I rushed to the back door and peeked through the slats in the blind. In the security light that had blinked on, I saw a figure standing in the flower bed, staring at the bird bath it had knocked over onto the stone walk (damn, I forgot to lock the back gate). The unsteady man then stomped around on the peonies and roses. He was the first infected I’d ever seen in real life.
I watched him tear a rose bush from the ground and shove the roses--thorny stems and all--into his mouth. The corners of his mouth were torn, but no blood dripped from them, just a pale watery substance. After about five minutes, he staggered back out of the yard into the back alley. I made sure all the doors and windows were locked, then shakily drank a glass of water and crawled back into bed.
After lying under the covers for a few minutes shivering, I realized I knew who had been in our yard. It was poor old Mr. Mennings, who used to live just down the block. He’d been living in the nursing home for the last few months. I’d heard the H1N1 flu had hit the home hard, and quite a few of the residents hadn’t made it. It’s one thing to see the undead on the news, not being anyone you know, but it’s another thing to see your neighbour’s reanimated corpse stumble around your yard. It took me a long time to get back to sleep last night.
It’s a 15 hour drive to the mine, and Joel stopped for the night and still has about five more hours of driving today. He should be home by 2:00 p.m. if all goes well. I’m relieved, because all of this zombie crap is making me nervous.
After I got over my initial shock of being startled from sleep, I quietly padded around the house listening, trying to identify the noise. As I was just going to carefully part the curtains in my kitchen to look out into the side of our lot, there was a sudden crash from the back yard. It made me jump really hard, and I had to slap my hand over my mouth to cover a shriek. I rushed to the back door and peeked through the slats in the blind. In the security light that had blinked on, I saw a figure standing in the flower bed, staring at the bird bath it had knocked over onto the stone walk (damn, I forgot to lock the back gate). The unsteady man then stomped around on the peonies and roses. He was the first infected I’d ever seen in real life.
I watched him tear a rose bush from the ground and shove the roses--thorny stems and all--into his mouth. The corners of his mouth were torn, but no blood dripped from them, just a pale watery substance. After about five minutes, he staggered back out of the yard into the back alley. I made sure all the doors and windows were locked, then shakily drank a glass of water and crawled back into bed.
After lying under the covers for a few minutes shivering, I realized I knew who had been in our yard. It was poor old Mr. Mennings, who used to live just down the block. He’d been living in the nursing home for the last few months. I’d heard the H1N1 flu had hit the home hard, and quite a few of the residents hadn’t made it. It’s one thing to see the undead on the news, not being anyone you know, but it’s another thing to see your neighbour’s reanimated corpse stumble around your yard. It took me a long time to get back to sleep last night.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, Post 2
I should tell you more about my community, the Town of Bromley. I mentioned yesterday that I’ve been unemployed for about a week. This was due to the Matton Health Region declaring that this outbreak of “illness” (which they’re suspecting is somehow caused by a mutated H1N1 flu virus) is serious enough for schools and most local businesses to close temporarily. Grocery stores and gas stations are still open, but everyone is wearing face masks. It’s SARS all over again.
I hope this isn’t airborne. I’ve seen pictures of victims of brutal attacks, and they had bites, then a couple of days later they became infected. Hopefully the virus can only be spread through contact—blood, saliva. This has been going on for weeks in other towns and cities, but we finally had enough cases in Bromley that they now want people to stay locked up safe at home (unless there’s an emergency or you absolutely need supplies, then you may venture out).
Keep safe out there, fellow survivors. There are a lot of us, especially in smaller communities. Don't give up hope!
I hope this isn’t airborne. I’ve seen pictures of victims of brutal attacks, and they had bites, then a couple of days later they became infected. Hopefully the virus can only be spread through contact—blood, saliva. This has been going on for weeks in other towns and cities, but we finally had enough cases in Bromley that they now want people to stay locked up safe at home (unless there’s an emergency or you absolutely need supplies, then you may venture out).
Keep safe out there, fellow survivors. There are a lot of us, especially in smaller communities. Don't give up hope!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
It Starts...
People are born. They co-exist for a short or long while, important or parasitic, kind or cruel, and then people die. This is the natural way the world works. It is not natural for the dead to get up and wander the Earth. If you've been listening to the radio, watching TV or go online, you'll know exactly what I mean. As long as the internet holds up (and I can power my laptop), I'll be posting the outbreak happenings from my part of the world. Should we use the word "zombie"? That's exactly what they are, so let's not pretend these are living humans with “rage” issues, or that they’re a cannibalistic cult with world-wide followers.
My name is Katherine Murphy. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, on the outskirts of a small eastern town. I'm a regular office assistant (temporarily unemployed since the outbreak one week ago) with regular hobbies like video games, TV, hiking and reading. I’m not a professional writer but I want to share my situation. I’ve just set up this blog today and will be posting at least once a week, and hopefully can put stories from around the globe on here.
I wonder if the world will manage the outbreak successfully. Will the undead be contained and destroyed to end the spread of the… virus? Or is this how the living world will end?
My name is Katherine Murphy. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, on the outskirts of a small eastern town. I'm a regular office assistant (temporarily unemployed since the outbreak one week ago) with regular hobbies like video games, TV, hiking and reading. I’m not a professional writer but I want to share my situation. I’ve just set up this blog today and will be posting at least once a week, and hopefully can put stories from around the globe on here.
I wonder if the world will manage the outbreak successfully. Will the undead be contained and destroyed to end the spread of the… virus? Or is this how the living world will end?
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