We made it.
It wasn't easy, mind you. I never imagined I'd ride in a hummer, through streets littered with verdant people, running over them like speedbumps. Completely unnerving. The kids are trying to put on their brave faces, and I can tell they are trying to pretend this is a horror movie. They will only be able to pretend for so long.
After we got to Eric's house, I started looking around, amazed that someone this age could get their hands on all of this weaponry; and then I remembered that anyone can get pretty much anything they want in this world. There is only one thing I'm not sure we can get anymore: our lives back, as they were, before this.
I ran my hands along the smoothness of the guns, felt the weight of the knives and machetes, trying to decide what my weapon of choice should be. I'm not a long-range shooter; my aim is miserable. Closer combat would have to be the way for me to go. I would have to, yet again, rely on my size and speed to be able to strike and retreat. It's a skill I've learned in what seems like a past life. But that's a story for another time.
I remember seeing this kid Hawkins in the hallways from time to time. He always looked like he was up to something, and he looks at everyone here like they are the enemy. I fear he won't make it if he doesn't learn to trust.
Last night, I heard a couple of the kids crying in their sleep, as I held Billy close. Unlike the kids, I haven't lost anyone. I've kept to myself for a long time, and any close family I had was gone a long time ago. Billy is all I have, and I have him with me. Eric seems to have taken a shining to him, and Billy looks up to Eric a great deal, I can tell. It's been a long time since Billy had a man in his life, a male role-model. I think Eric's a good kid, but I hope Billy doesn't get too attached. It was hard enough to see the dog get shot. I don't know if Billy could handle seeing someone he knows die like that.
My final thoughts for today...we must try and figure out why we are unaffected by this...whatever it is. Infection? Fungus? Parasite? Why were we left to roam the streets alone? For the affected, what is their purpose? They seem to be slowly traveling in groups in different directions. And why are there ants everywhere?
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