Tranquility

        Today we had a service for Anne. We built a memorial to her in the garden. We all had something nice to say. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that she's gone. She wasn't the first person we had lost. We lost Paladino a few days prior. We barely knew him and yet we were distraught. You can imagine how much worse we are after losing her. We had become family. Sure we never got along, but who ever gets along with all of their family. The fact that she was taken from us just as we had all reconciled makes it so much worse. I keep hoping that I'll turn around and see her walking down that road, but I know it will never happen. I'm sure someday we'll come to terms with this. I'm sure she won't be the last we'll lose. This is a new world of violence and death. Humanity must now come to grips with how little we control our fates.

        Even though we lost someone, today was a nice rest from the month of Psychs we've had to deal with. Before the phones went down Brian received a call from his mother that people were leaving town to be with family. So, this means we don't have to worry about to many Psychs. I saw on roaming the field behind Brian's house, this morning. He was probably attracted by the helicopter. I went out to took care of it, but when I got there I hesitated in killing it. I had recognized it's face. It was Brian's brother. I had seen pictures of him on Facebook. When I got back to the house I was going to tell Brian, but I saw how happy everyone was. He and Nicky were sitting in the couch watching a movie, Luna had found a drawing pad and was sketching Zoey, who talking to Raito about some video game they both like. Everyone had spent the morning, well mourning, so I decided not to add anymore heartbreak to the mix. Everyone deserved a day off from the apocalypse.

      I spent a couple hours watching TV with Brian and Nicky. We only watched DVDs because most channel stopped working, and for those still up, they were only broadcasting updates on the outbreaks. Afterwards I went and talked to Luna while she continued to sketch people. she even did one of me. She added a silly hat. As I talked to Luna I noticed that Zoey and Raito had disappeared. I wondered where the had gone so I tracked them down. I walked down stairs, and saw out them out the window on the front porch. They were sitting on the swinging chair that hung from the canopy. they were just sitting in silence watching the stars, and I saw her lean in and lay her head on his shoulder. At first I felt jealous because she and I had gone on a couple dates, but then i realized they were an adorable couple and I just went back up stairs and watched Star Wars with Brian and Nicky. Tomorrow we're gonna take bikes into town and get some more food.

We're Off

       Right now I write from the second floor of house in a little town called Tranquility. This is Brian's home town and our refuge for a few day until we push on to Concord. As you can tell, we made it, but not without loss. While we were in the warehouse I was filling plastic bottles with excess amounts of air from the air tanks, and a few bolts. I then taped thumb tacks facing inwards at the bottles so that when they hit the ground the thumbtacks will pop the bottle creating a loud back. I was doing this because our plan was to throw them as far as we could from the warehouse so that we could draw them away. So far we had avoided drawing their attention, but then Anne came up and starting chewing me out about our plans to use weapon against the Psychs. She rambled on and I zoned out until the air pressure in the bottle was to much and it exploded. It sounded like a gun shot. and ended up being as deadly as one.

      Everyone in the ware house heard it, and so did the Psychs almost immediately they began banging on the big metal roll-up door. We had to act fast or else the whole campus would be baring down on us. I gave the bag of about thirty noise makers to Raito, Nicky, and Zoey. We all grabbed one of out bladed staffs, and the gas cans. We all headed up to the roof, all except Anne. She refused to take part in our violence. As we got to the roof we saw the extent of our problem about a hundred strong Pyschs surrounded the warehouse. I grabbed a noise maker and threw it off the back the following explosion pulled sixteen Pyschs away from the gas pumps. I threw another even farther and twenty more followed suit there were no Psychs within a hundred feet of the pumps, and besides a few stragglers we had a clear path to them.

       Brian, Luna, and I proceeded down the ladder, and quickly dispatched the straggling Psychs quietly. Raito, Nicky, and Zoey continued throwing the noise makers to draw away the Psychs. We filled up the ten gallon cans and brought them to the ladder. The previous night we had set up a rope system to pull the gas cans up to the roof. Brian was the first to climb the ladder the me then Luna, but as we ascended a Psych grabbed onto Luna's leg and bit her ankle.  When I heard her scream I looked down and saw the Psych gnawing on her. I jumped straight down of the ladder and landed on the Psych and it let go of her. she and Brian climbed up the ladder and I grappled with the Psych. On the fall I dropped my staff. it was about twenty feet away. Finally I got the Pysch off me and ran for my Staff. Then I noticed five more coming for me. I grabbed my staff, and swung it lopping off the psychs head. Before I knew it I was surrounded, and began a struggle that lasted several moments, but all I could think, was how Luna was. I couldn't stand losing a friend right now. Eventualy i fought off the Psychs, and made my way up the ladder. there stood everyone around Luna. She sat on a air conditioning unit with her bare foot, and I immediately noticed the lack of blood.  Luckily She was wearing a pair of boots thick enough to keep Psychs teeth at bay.

      We all headed inside except Brian he stayed on the roof to trow noise makers so we could get the copter outside. When we got inside Anne was sitting filing her nails. When she saw me covered in blood, she immediately ran up to me and asked, "did you kill any people?!". "No of course not", I responded. "Then where'd all this blood come from?" she asked in a grating voice and I said. "well, we were attacked by some re-animated corpses which I dispatched in self-defense." Anne began yelling at me about how evil I was, and that i was a barbarian that should be left to die here. This was the final straw.

        I snapped and yelled at her, "You whining pathetic excuse for a human being. We are under attack, and we are just trying to survive. These people are already dead, and trying to EAT US!  We all just risked our lives to save you. So, show some gratitude. We are getting in this helicopter, we're going out side, and guess what I'm gonna kill more Psychs if i have to. Because I will do whatever it takes to keep my family safe, and that includes you.  All we have is each other and your attitude will tear a rift in that. This is war, and there is no room for self-righteousness, only family, love, and compassion. I don't enjoy having to mangle the bodies of my fellow students, every time I kill one I die a little with them, the only way I get through this is that I know they are already dead, and I think of it as avenging them. I would never ask you to fight, but beg you please stop making this harder for those of us who do."

          Anne looked me in the eyes, threw her arms around me and wept these words. "I'm sorry. I've been so wrong. You're right you all have done so much and I've just sat back and judged you won't hear another judgmental word from me. The reason I've been  so angry with those who kill these creature is because in one news report I saw my home on fire, and father running out of the house not caring about the flames. He started attacking people. I knew he had got the virus, and I felt that if I accepted these people as dead then I would officially lose my family. Please forgive me." Luna walked up to her and hugged her. Telling her, "We forgive you, and we'll always be here for you."

       After a some more heartfelt words from everyone the sound of the Psychs snapped us back to reality. We all hurried to get the gas in the copter and load up a few things. I went up and told Brian to start throwing the noise makers. At the third bang I looked out the windows and noticed the Psychs were clearing out. Leaving only a few out side. While Raito, Zoey, and Anne pushed the copter Luna and I opened the rolling door slowly and quietly, and cleared out the area. We got the copter out where we needed it and we knew that the noise of the rotters would bring the Psychs back so I waved down Brian, but he Yelled, "I'll jump on when you start ascending." I tried to get him come down but he refused. So, we got in and Started up the engines immediately the Psychs began making there way back, and of course the copter decided to stall. I got out to defend the copter, and Anne got out as well. She had grabbed Raito's staff. "You sure?", I asked. She responded "Of course. It's time I avenge my family.

       So together we fought the Psychs and Brian threw noise makers to ward of the father ones. Zoey scrambled to fix the helicopter, but we were quickly getting over run. I had already killed six or seven, and Anne had destroyed just as many. I could see though that she wasn't handling it very well. Tears were streaming down her face. Just then the rotters started up we were 30 seconds from being air born. One Psych pulled my staff from me, so I grabbed him and decapitated him with the helicopter blades. While I was doing this Ann got on the Copter and I followed. We were now airborne three feet, but a Psych grabbed Anne's staff, and pulled her down. I yelled at Raito t go back down, but she yelled even louder to keep going. Anne turned into a warrior she killed a good 15 before they overran her. I yelled for her, and the other had to hold me in.

        As we ascended to the roof Brian got a running start and jumped ten feet across to the copter. Zoey Nicky said, "you could have just met us down stairs". Brian was out of breath and said "Yeah, but I've always wanted to do that. Hey, where's Anne?" He could tell from our expressions what had happened. "Oh, that's awful. I'm going to miss her." He said. I could tell we were all thinking the same thing. After about an hour of silence, Brian yelled out, "there it is Tranquility. My beautiful home. Over there is my house put her down in that field. We don't have to worry about Psychs. The town is pretty isolated and there is barely any one who lives here." When we got to his house the cars were gone and there was no one inside. We figure they high tailed it out a long time before. So, here we sit glad we're alive, and yet mourning the loss of dear, dear friend. Goodbye Anne we'll miss you.

Getting Ready To Go

        I spent most of the day with Zoey. Her fever is beginning to drop, but she's still very weak. Today we tested the copter. We rolled it out to the big open space in front of the warehouse and fired up the engines. The simulator has really come in handy between me and Raito we know the workings of this pretty well. and the rotters spun we got 3 feet off the air then we ran out of gas. the helicopter came crashing down. luckily nothing was damaged. So we considered it a success. We're gonna have to get gas from the pumps behind the warehouse. The only problem is that the Psychs heard us. They came from all around campus. I have a feeling there sight is no good. Eyes rot so fast. My theory is sound. I saw one with no eyes at all, but she was able to chase us. Now that we made a ruckus they're swarming by the dozens. Right now we're making a plan to get out. We going to forge some good weapons to get the gas.

       Luckily they don't know we're in the warehouse. there are only three ways in and out. There is a ladder to the roof and a door they, but I doubt the would find their way up that, Then there's the back door, which is firmly braced, and the large metal rolling door which is locked. we should be safe in hear as long as we stay quiet. We're found some air canisters. we're going to make noise makers we can throw away from the warehouse from the roof . that should draw them away far enough for us to slide down the ladder get the gas and climb back up. We're also taking sheets of metal and fastening them to metal pole we've found. Of course Anne is getting mad that we're make . We're packing the copter now so we can just hop in and go. We've stocked it with weapons, noise makers, and some canned goods we found in the office on the second floor. We're gonna let the mob die down over night and go out in the morning for gas.

Zoey and Luna

            Today Zoey finished the helicopter, we haven't tested it yet. We want to give Zoey some time to rest her fever is peaking right now at 106 degrees. I'm giving her as many anti biotice as I can without risking killing her. The weird thing is she hasn't begun showing signs of the virus yet. I think since it was just a scratch the only thing that got in was bacteria. I was able to bring some equipment with me, just enough to run simple tests. I've tested the bacteria in her blood and it has decreased since this morning. Hopefully this trend continues, we can't lose her she means too much to all of us. We're a family now I don't think I could stand losing any of them.

            Speaking of family my concern for my family back home is growing. My father can fight, but my mother is on immuno-suppressant drugs, due to her heart transplant. he would not be able to survive the infection alone. I'm sure my father is doing his best to take care of her. The first stop on our little helicopter ride will be Brian's home we need to pick up guns. Then we'll go to my home, and stay hold up there I live in a valley which mean limited access for Pyschs. Today I also had a talk with Luna. I tthink it's time I learn more about her.

             Her mother was passed away when she was only 3. She doesn't know much about her mother because her father was an introverted man, and still has a hard time talking about her. When she was only 9 she had found an old tape of her mother dancing at a national competition. Her father found her watching it so he went into the attic and brought down a box of DVDs. they were here moms dance videos. her mother had been a professional dancer. Luna's father told her that her mother was the greatest dancer he had ever seen, and that she was never happier than when she was dancing. He told Luna her mother gave up dancing to have her, and dreamed of the day she would teach Luna to dance he gave her a necklace her mom used to wear while dancing. Luna says she only took it off when she was practicing a new move.

            That day Luna devoted her life to the art. She mostly learned from watching the videos of her mother, and then came here to get a degree. She told me, that is why she was so good at fighting. She just turned her dance into a martial art. This is also how she got her nick name Looney Luna. Luna went to the same high school as Quentin, and he would see her practicing by herself in the gym. one day he and another guy were harassing her and one guy held her while Quentin dumped her gym bag on the ground. He found the necklace, and began taunting her with it, saying "wow this is beautiful. I bet it would look great on my pit bull's collar." she told me she snapped and that was the only other time she fought any one. She took them both down took her necklace and ran out. Ever since Quentin called her Looney Luna. I never knew she had such a sad past.

The Expedition

        Today we made our way to the auto shop to get the computer system. It was Me, and Brian escorted Zoe, we armed ourselves with giant wrenches and a aluminum pole we found. We really didn't want to bring her, but she was worried we'd get the wrong part, and then Luna noticed I left my phone so as we were about half way to the shop here come Luna running with my phone. We couldn't let her go back by herself so she had to stay with us. I was so mad, but it's hard to stay angry at her. Especially when we passed an overlook down on the rest of campus. The grief filled my heart when I saw over a thousand of my fellow student roaming the campus, all dead now. we have to find a cure. After about 20 minutes of walking we got to the auto-shop. Brian stayed with the girls and I went to clear the building. I checked all the doors, and windows. Most of them were locked, and I braced some with chairs. after I secured the main garage I waved the rest of them in.

        When in the garage we watched the door while Zoey removed the computer. Brian went and looked out the window. He came running back, and told us there was a horde of about 50 Psychs headed straight for us. There no way we can fight through that many. Physically Zoey is your average girl she could probably handle a few Psychs, but Luna is so small and weak, or so we thought. When the Zoey had finally gotten the part out she grabbed a soldering gun and some other supplies for the copter, the Psych had surrounded the building. We had to make a plan.

         The Psychs had been spread thin. They had heard us and were now banging at every door. We decided to go out the door we had come in. there were about ten Psychs there and it was the most isolated group of them. we would then run like crazy back to the warehouse, and hope they can't follow us.  most of them are rotting corpses so they shouldn't be able to run to fast, but those who died only a couple days ago could possibly still run, and without the problem of tiring out, or the worry of ripping muscles. So we made our way to the door we could here them moaning and scratching at the door. we braced ourselves and gave the girls the better weapons. Just as we open the door I noticed a baseball bat. I looked to Brian and, said "play ball".

       We Sparta kicked open the door which knocked half of them down. I took out a Psych right of and Brian curb-stomped one. I heard Zoey scream behind me, and I turned around but all I saw was a dead Psych laying at my feet, and a shaking Zoey. Brain took another down, but one jumped on his back. I hit the psych repeatedly, but it was to preoccupied with trying to bite Brian. finally I whacked it in the head, and i had to pry it of him. he was covered in Psych goo, but not bitten. Before the five we knocked over could regain footing we scurried off. To my horror I had been right about the ones that were newly dead they could run, and run fast they were catching up to us there were four on our tale and our only option was to isolate them and fight.

               We turned a corner into a construction site, and spun around to fight. one came right at me. I swung my bat and knocked his head clean off. The second ran for Brian and knocked down and a third jumped me and I rolled fighting it. The last one went for Zoey. I thought we were done for until suddenly the Psych is was fighting lost it's head I pushed it off me in time to see Luna ram a piece of re-bar into the head of the one that knocked Brian over, and in one swift move she threw it into the last Psych. She then ran over and administered the final blow. We all just stood there with our jaws on the ground. Luna said, " Come on let's go". so we did. As we ran back we got jumped by another Psych and it scratched Zoey. Right now she's coughing and has a 104 degree fever, but is still pushing forward on the copter. I hope that she didn't catch the virus Everyone I know that caught it, got it through a bite, maybe this will just be an infection. either way she has my prayers, and if any of you out there could pray for her that would be amazing.

Part Needed

Today while we were fixing the copter we realized we needed a command computer for it. It's not something we can build from the limited resources in the warehouse. So tomorrow we're gonna go to the auto shop and get one from a 1996 corolla Zoey had been previously working on. She says it might work, so it's worth a shot.

So today I want to talk more about Raito. My roommate is from Tokyo Japan. He was raised by a computer
programmer and a writer. He always talks about how his family is so perfectly balanced with the logical calculating father, and the creative free spirit mother. After the hurricane that devastated Japan Raito knew he wanted to study philosophy. He had a desire to find answers as to why this world spins on, lately we've been talking about my faith. He's been very interested in it. He always wonders how I can be so optimistic even in a time like this, and I just tell him that Christ sustains me, and as long as I breath I'm blessed. Raito and Have become fast friends we would stay up late talking about our two cultures. I look forward to having more talks in the future.

Well hopefully tomorrow will be our last day in this warehouse. I peaked out the door yesterday and saw a couple Psychs milling about. I think tomorrow's little expedition might make us come to grips with an act we'll have to get used to. Destroying Psychs to defend ourselves.

Aaaaaaaw Yeah

      This morning's light blessed us with a beautiful sight. Remember a couple weeks ago when I posted about veterans appreciation week, well the Psychs began their attack before they could pick up the helicopter from campus. Now it sits in front of me as I type this. When I said Zoey could fix one of these the other day I was serious. Her father was in Vietnam and was a mechanic on these bad boys. She used to study the schematics for them. So, Zoey, Brian, and I have been working hard to get it working were having to improvise a bit. The helicopter had been decommissioned, so we have to rebuild most of the engine from part around the warehouse. Luckily all the wiring is still good. Today I downloaded Helicopter Simulator from Steam, they were having an apocalypse sale. Raito and I will be practicing as much as we can hopefully it's accurate enough to get us ready to fly a real one.

       So, Every once in a while I wanna post about the people in our group. This way, you can get to know us all better. Today I'll talk about Brian and Nicky. Brian and Nicky are an odd couple. They are so different, but somehow it seems perfect. Brian is a very vocal person. He shares his opinions and doesn't care who's listening. It makes for very interesting conversations. Especially because when he says somethin offensive it roll offf everyones back, but Anne get's so mad at him. As for Nicky she's really sweet I've never seen her be mean to anyone. Although, she's no pushover. If you were to get her mad she will not hold back, or so we've all been told. None of us have actually seen her mad not even Brian. It's a good thing both of her parents were in the medical field. That will come in handy. She was very knowledgable about medicine before college, but there's a difference between knowledge and experience. we'll see how she does in real life situations.

         I bet it's nice to have someone like that at a time like this. I know it sucks to be alone. Ever since this whole thing started whatever might have been going on between Zoey has come to an abrupt halt. Hopefully we can pick things back up soon. Plagues really through wrenchs into the works don't they?