Rework - Inside Apocalypse

Hello,

I recently have been thinking of re-working our story. For some of you are late comers to this blog, the original content of this blog was actually a collaborative story with another writer with a post-apocalyptic plot. Go ahead and search it. It is a day-to-day journal of 2 different survivors that took place at the same generation. (Just different perspectives). I have now a friend of mine who will be re-working the story, editing it with me and we will possibly turning it into a graphics novel. For more updates, just bookmark this blog, and this will be where I post the updates regarding this "book".


Best Regards,
Me.

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EMP: The End of The Grid As We Know It

Blog Post For Inside Apocalypse
August 16, 2016
By Cal Wilson


I just wrote and published a book about the phenomenon of the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, known as EMP, and the disastrous effects it would have on the United States and Canada if an EMP was ever unleashed.  My book is now available on Kindle, at the American Amazon website here, and on the Canadian Amazon website here.

EMP is caused by a nuclear explosion at a high altitude.  While the early days of the nuclear age focused on the damage that could be done to targets on the ground by a near-ground-level nuclear explosion, a much more crippling method of damaging a target would be to detonate a nuclear bomb high in the atmosphere above the target.  Such a high-level nuclear detonation would cause a cascade of electrons downward that would instantly and irreparably destroy all of the electronics on the ground below.

EMP has not been very well-studied and has many mysteries surrounding it.  It is almost as if the EMP feature of nuclear bombs was discovered by accident, and by the time the EMP potential was realized by the defense community in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, an atmospheric test ban treaty was signed, which caused all EMP tests to stop abruptly.  All of our current knowledge of EMPs is based upon the few high-altitude nuclear tests that were conducted in the 1950’s and 1960’s by the United States and the Soviet Union, and some mathematical models.

What we do know about EMPs should alarm everyone.  Whereas a typical lightning strike would produce an isolated, instantaneous electrical burst on a tiny area, of several hundred thousand volts per meter, an EMP attack above the United States or Canada would produce a country-wide electrical wave of 35 – 60,000 volts per meter.  This is enough to destroy the country’s entire electrical system and infrastructure.  All communications, the power grid, engines that use electronic circuitry, electrically-based medical devices; almost everything electrical would be permanently destroyed by a precise EMP attack.

A prominent government scientist who has studied EMPs has estimated that because of the resulting starvation, disease, and societal breakdown, at least 90% of the American population would die within one year of an EMP attack.  At one time, a congressional commission, set up to study the effects of EMPs, estimated a two-thirds mortality rate, but whatever the true mortality rate of an EMP attack, it would be such a catastrophic figure that the United States would probably not remain intact.

I started the book with an educational Introduction that goes into a lot of the science involved in an EMP, and some info on small nuclear bombs, including the now-lost Soviet suitcase bombs.  Then I wrote a story of a man stuck in a far-away town when the EMP happens.  He spends the rest of the book trying to get home alive.  Along the way, he must battle prison breaks, food riots, criminal gangs, looters, cannibals, terrorist sleeper cells, nuclear fallout, and otherwise total anarchy in his quest to get home.

There is an Afterword at the end of the book, in which I advise the reader on how to survive an EMP.  I include a lot of tips I had in a book I wrote last year, entitled Dirt Cheap Valuable Prepping.  But in the Afterword of the EMP book, I go into detail on the idea of a Faraday Cage.

A Faraday Cage is important, and let me explain why: it is possible to have a ham radio, or any electrical device, survive an EMP attack if the electrical item is inside a Faraday cage.  A Faraday cage is an ammo can or metal trash can that is sealed up, so that electrical waves go around and not through the items inside.  When the EMP is over, the person with a Faraday cage can get the items out and still use them.  In chapter 16 of my book, there is a high-school aged kid who charges food and water to use his still-working ham radio to report news that he has heard across the globe, and he even offers to try and locate family across the country with his ham radio.

The book is doing well, and I hope it educates people on EMP.  Check it out.

Thanks,

--Cal Wilson
Author

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Mike's Diary 137 - 1 Last Request

Since we separated from Jack, everyone stayed silent. No one talked, they just couldn't believe that Jack decided to leave us, that is until Julie told me what she heard. Man, it really is fucked up, humanity is destroyed, and we are left with nothing. Victor, Moses, and Jess are cooking something in the bonfire right now, it's been too long that I haven't heard from Jack. Is he still alive? I was sitting there just playing around with the walkie-talkie hoping that a static from Jack would come up. We are not yet at the cave that I have been talking about. Still a long way from that, and when we were all eating, chatting, and drinking, a noise shut us up. It was a static from the walkie-talkie that I've rested right beside the log that Julie and I were sitting on. Everyone looked at me, then the walkie. There were a lot of static but I still did make out a word or two "Mike, if you're still there say something, copy."



I quickly grabbed the walkie and mashed the side button to talk back
"Jack?"
"Hey Mike, it's been a while bud. Sorry that I didn't tell you about what Julie has probably told you."
"It's alright, at least now I know why you want to do your shit so bad, heh.."
"Yeah, it's fine. It's all good, and hey! Good news is I got another person who might be willing to do this with me. Name's Kathy"

"Yeah? That's great Jack, that really is. Glad you checked back on us."
"About that, I just want to tell you guys to go back to the river where we stayed and lost Mike last time. Remember?"

"Yeah, crystal clear. Why?"

"Just go there, you'll see my sign. Oh and I left something for you under a tree trunk, dig it out, about 2 feet deep. The only evergreen tree with white paint on it."

"Oh okay, so where are you?"

"Nice Mike, you're not coming over. Well, I wish you all the best. Good-bye for now, tell me when you're there!"
"10-4" I said.

I couldn't sleep that night, and we all decided to do what Jack has requested. We packed up, and travel as fast as we can the next morning.

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Last Destination - Mike's Diary Day 95

Morning

It's been a while, since grant's accident. Jack's recovery shows signs of improvements, and for all you know, you are already seeing him walking around again. It's as the usual morning, some people are preparing breakfast, some keeping watch of the premises, and some doing whatever they need to do. We have to leave today. Everyone, including Jack, my next plan is to establish the cave that we found before we got where we are right now. Make a base, stay there, explore, and probably die there. The more people staying in there not the better because jealousy and conflicts will arise. I have been plotting what we will be doing to the cave for a while now, but I have not yet talked to anyone just yet. Just not the time I guess, until this afternoon. I will tell them what I was thinking during lunch.

Afternoon

Julie, Victor, and Moses were there, busy preparing our lunches, Jack and I were talking in the corner about the plan. I told him everything, that after we left the mine, we should go back and establish our long live out of conflicts place to live (the cave). He disagreed. He has a plan of his own, and that is "Operation Inferno". He rambles about not being able to go on  and live to survive like this. He feels like he has to do something. To make an attempt to get rid of as my craze as possible. As crazy as this sounds, I will have to pass on this one. I still have someone to take care of, to love, to protect, unlike Jack (no offense), but he has nothing to lose, and moreover, he's a genetically improved fighter. Though he's now like a brother to me, it is still hard hearing this from him. I tried to convince me to stay with us, and he tried to convince me to make a difference in the world. After the talk, I told him to tell everyone what you're going to do after we leave this place. He agreed and we sat down right across on  the same table. We didn't talk at all, until we all have finished lunch, he stood up and called out for our group's (Julie, Victor, Jess, Moses, and I) attention. He told us a little speech about how great full he is to be meeting with survivors, who would die for someone else, to protect, he did a speech about me, Julie, and most importantly, he mention about HOPE and COURAGE. It's his goodbye message.

Evening

We are leaving tomorrow, I have begin repacking everything, to go and build a new future. I gave Jack a walkie-talkie in case he changed his mind or need help. I told him to always keep the frequency at 98.9 just in case. Jack has his sword, weapons, supplies, everything that he will need to do his mission. I looked at him, and think, this might be the last time I'll see him. I walked up to him, and thanked him for everything that he has done for the group, we shook hands, no we bro-hugged and I gave him my dog-tag (AGAIN TRYING TO CONVINCE HIM TO STAY).  He said thanks, then Julie came, the chatted (whatever they were chatting about).

Night

I couldn't sleep, I drank some beer, smoked some cigarettes, but still nothing. Of course, we are losing another valuable asset from our group. How can I not worry about it?

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Is This it? - Day 92 Mike's Diary

We've arrived, another abandoned town where we could re-supply all of the things that we are missing. There's not much really in this town I'd say, some thugs, or survivors like us were already been here way before us probably. Still though, no one gave up, and we still try to look for any signs of food, supplies, or anything really that we can use to hold us up a little bit longer. When we got here, Jack was eager to unpack his stuff, to finally get back to his work-bench to create more greatness, more weapons, and more equipments for all of us to use. Right now, it feels like everything has come to an end, we can reach nothing, and we all have no more goals. We got all we wanted, but now what? That's the question that has been pondering in my head for a while now. We have everyone, well almost everyone that we love with us right now. No troubles except for craze and more thugs, but other than that, what's the point of living? What is there to chase? Dreams have burnt down to pieces, money is worthless, and the stuff that you wanted when everything was normal is gone. The lust of relaxation, money, vacation, love, everything is gone and now it's all up to us what we want to do with the rest of this.

Moses and Julie are currently setting up the tents for us to stay for the night, I'm here watching the surroundings from on top of a tree, Victor is on the other side of the road, in an abandoned pharmacy looking for any signs of medicine, or a first aid kit, while Jack is hammering away, making more weapons and all. I was still thinking about Jack's conversation with himself during his sleep. I've never mentioned it before, but he said something along the line of leaving the group. "Operation Inferno", those are his two favourite words. He still insists in saving the world, killing all the craze in the world, though I'm sure that there will be no ending to that since more and more and more and most people are getting infected each day. Jack could kill himself if he actually decides in doing this idea of his. I don't even know whether we should all go with him, and help him "SAVE THE WORLD", or should we stay, and travel, looking for a great hidden place to start fresh from zero. I've lost too many people who I consider close to me, hope I won't lose Jack too, but if it is his decision, then I'd try my best to let it go.

Night is approaching, we started a fire, no one really watch the premises, since again we don't care what will happen next anymore. Maybe for once we can be happy without worrying our surroundings. I hope Jack will actually talk to us if he meant to be leaving the group to do his whole operation thing, though at the same time, I don't want him to bring it up, so we can just stick together and avoid arguments within the group.

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Singled Out - Mike's Diary Day 87

*Morning*

I lost all sorts of hope. I don't know whether we will find Jess and Victor again. If God allows (not sure if he really does exist), we will meet again in no time. No doubt about that. This is our second day at the Grand Oak river, and hopefully Victor and Jess can reach us tomorrow right before we leave. The morning was really gloomy, quiet, and very foggy. I've never seen a fog this thick since that thunderstorm that hit 3 years before this happen. The river was calm, nothing was really going on, so I just sat there on a rock staring straight down the river, keeping watch of the camp. I have plan for today, that is to see if there is any suburbs or town around. Probably gonna take Moses, or Jack, or Julie with me. Julie most likely. I'm pretty sure this is one of the best sleeps that those three have had since forever. In fact, they're still on their own spot, snoring. I got lost in thought, and wasn't paying attention of what behind me, and there they were. There were 2 craze and 1 cutter. I didn't wanna wake the others up, and alerting the craze that they were there, so I decided to lure them away. Away from those three. I thought they weren't able to go across the river, but they did with ease. I knew I was screwed at that moment.

*Afternoon*

I have successfully lured those craze away, killed two of them, but spared the cutter since I don't have any good weapons to kill it. I lured it even further, but now the fog is really thickened out. I don't know where I came from; therefore I don't know how to get back to them. I'm starting to think that what if they decided to wait for me for another day, then something bad happen to them. That would suck and just kinda defeat the whole purpose of trying to survive. As if for now though, I have no where to go, and it's all just a waiting game. I bumped to several craze, but the good thing about this fog is that you can't really see 2 metres beyond your position, so when I sat down, all I can see were craze legs that are wandering about. Again, they can see me due to the thickness of the fog. That fog saves my life.

*Evening*

I'm hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. I didn't even think about Jack, Moses, and Julie. I just try to find some water, but I came out short. No food, no water, so I guess I have to go through the night without those things. It's getting dark, and I wouldn't risk my life trying to find a way back. It's just going to complicate the situation, and I would've gotten lost even more than  I already am. I just hope that one of those three try the flares. It's very risky, but it's a chance that they might have to take if I can't find my way back to the shore of Grand Oak River. God help me.


*Night*

I walked about half a mile away from where I was from. Stupid idea I know,  but hey taking chances right? I don't know where to sleep since there is no one keeping watch for me. I didn't bring any ropes whatsoever, so sleeping in a tree is a choice that I have to pass. Digging a ditch? well I could do that, but I'd probably pass out of dehydration before I even finish digging the whole thing. One way to do it I guess. I don't sleep. I am right now proping my back on a tree trunk. Watching the stars, listening to all kind of creatures' noises. Getting creeped out, scared, no food, water, or weapons. I'm really tired and can passed out anytime, and hopefully I can wake up healthy the next day.

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Day 81 Mike's Diary - Good Karma

*Morning 10:20 AM*

I still couldn't processed what is going on with those people who attacked us yesterday. It's driving me nuts, and it's driving my curiousity even more toward Ann and her puppets. Everyone is still asleep, but soon I will wake Jack and Julie all at once. About 2 hours ago during my shift, I'm pretty sure Jack had a nightmare. He almost yelled, so I had to cover his mouth with a piece of a clothing, just in case if one of those people hear it. It's either Ann is just his imagination, and that Jack is crazy about her, or she really is a psychopath. No way though, those people are like Ann's own red-eyed army. Which is very insane if you think about it. I don't even know where to go today, so I will for sure let Jack to lead the way for the whole day. Whole mission even.

*Afternoon 2:30 PM*

We're on top of a tree right now taking a break. Eating snacks, Jack still anxiously scouting using my binoculars, Julie nervously holding my rifle just in case if there is another attack. Surprisingly enough, on our way here, we didn't see a thing that indicates an attack. It was very odd if you ask me. The weather is also weird, no wind, no rain, no sound, no nothing. It is also very humid, I'm very lazy to even do anything in this weather. Now Jack is packing up ready to hit the road once more. I don't know what we will even encounter along the way. Hopefully something good. Something that can possibly end this search because I'm really tired of this thing.

*Evening 4:55 PM*

Several more attacks. We were attacked for about 4 times during that 3 hours period of traveling. This time, it's more severe, why? They actually aim and shoot. I got hit on my arm, though the bullets only barely hitting us rather than penetrating our skins. It sucks really, though every single time we were attacked, we managed to take 4-6 people out. I yelled at Jack once, "until when will we keep trying to find this bitch? You don't even know where to go Jack." He only said "I know where I'm going." We ended the conversation there. Now, we're not doing anything, taking another major break, Jack is sharpening his knives while Julie is keeping a look out.

*Night 7:35 PM*

We decided to look for another shelter for us to stay for the night, nothing. It's late and it's very dangerous to even blink our eyes. Those fuckers are everywhere, and we can't see at night. The only thing that we have is just my thermal scope. I don't even know how we're going to survive in this situation. Jack is getting stressed out, walking back and forth for about 5 minutes now. Looks like he's trying to figure something out. Right at this point, I have no idea what we're even looking for anymore. All I know is that Jack needs to do his business with Ann. That's all. I'm just returning the favour by helping Jack to find Ann because Jack has helped us a lot. I believe in good karma.

*11:56 PM*

We were ambushed, again, I don't know how those fuckers keep finding our hideouts. It seems like they have cameras on every trees in the forest. It's freaky. Very freaky. Being watched on your every moves. You can't even take a very short nap. In the last ambushed, Julie is wounded, 1 shot barely misses her hip. I patched her up with a piece of clothing that I have, and poured some alcohol onto it. She screamed, though I put my hand over her mouth, so her scream can't be heard from a mile over. Then again, no matter how hard we try to hide, those fuckers always find their ways to us. Now, everybody is just resting, nothing to do, we've almost given up. Jack, please find Ann ASAP.

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Mike's Diary day 72 - Unfinished, I'm in Danger

*Morning*

I woke up from a nightmare just to enter another.Yeaup, the reality is  nightmare. I woke up pretty early, and just when I thought about leaving, I remember Julie. Then I was like "mehhhh" better not. I then went back to my room and just stared at the hallway until I fell asleep again.

*Afternoon*

the twins, Victor, and I got back to the vertical farming technology that I have came up with. Everyone who passed by asked us what it is, but I demanded the others to keep their mouth shut until we finish the project. Frist Julie, then Jack, then Jess. Still even when my brother passed by, we just teased him to make him even more curious. We took a break for a second, just chatting with my brother and Jack. After a while, "Where's your girlfriend? Ann or whatever?" My brother said. I then signalled my brother to not mention her name. We all got back to work then, as Jack left.

*Mid Evening*

I stopped from all the work, it's almost finish anyways. I went to visit Jack and long story short, I asked him to test the silencer out to hunt. We walked, talked, about Ann, but he didn't say a thing except for "uhum" and "I don't know". Well I don't know what's going on, and I'm starting to get worried. We then saw a doe, munching on grass in the middle of the road and we hurried and took cover. Jack said we must get closer, and so we did. We waited, and when we took the shot, the gun backfires, the silencer broke making a huge bang, and my ears are numb, and they rang. Craze approached us, we got separated. He went ontop of a truck, and I ran to an alley, not knowing what's going on. I couldn't hear anything at all.

*Pesent*
I am right now inside a house with a door, don't know what happened to Jack. I need to find him, but i have no flares, only my hunting knives. I need to survive tonight if not I wi

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Mike's Diary Day 71 - Best Inventions Come At the Worst Era

*Morning*

I woke up earlier than usual today. Took a little walk around the base (not too far this time). After a good 30 to 35minutes or so, I decided to go back into the gate, but then I saw Jack, so I followed him. He headed towards the weaponry storage, then to his work-bench which he later used to fiddle around with his new project. He did some target practice, and it was impressive. Not so much noise created from that thing, but it has still some weaknesses. I surprised him, he turned around and almost press the trigger, but he didn't. I told him that his innovation is pretty impressive, but he works more than he rests, so I told him to catch a break sometimes.

*Afternoon*

I was fiddling and doodling around on my sketch book (originally trying to come up with a battle plan, but nothing just comes in today). Instead, I was sketching soe architectural stuff that I think would be really cool if we make one. After hours, I finnally got it. A vertical farming method. We build an opened building without ceilings, only stairs and 5 floors of dirt (not tiles) so we can plant stuff on, without wasting our backyard space. It will take at least 3 men to do this, so I assigned the twins and Victor to do the construction (Victor was a bachelor graduate in engineering). After we finished some calculations, it came down to a conclusion that it'll take 1 week to make it with 3 men, and we are short on wood (I need to work on that). We took a break, and this was when Julie nwas reported missinh.

*Evening*

I spent the rest of the evening trying to look for Julie. Finally decided to get Jack and Victor to come with me to the city to find Julie. Long story short, we met Julie at an arcade. I don't know why she went there. She said that she wished everything was working like it used to because she misses the old games. Then we went "shopping", she was really happy. Never seen that happy face anywhere else before. We got tp the dolls and girly stuff and I clerly remember what she said "Man, that's gay." Anyways, later I told her not to travel alone again (ironically). She made a deal with me that she won't do with unless I do it again. "Jack? Victor? back me up here? well fuck you guys." I said. Clearly they agreed and support the deal. hmmmm what can I do right?

We proceeded our way back to the base, and during the trip, I askwd Jack about Ann. Where she is and all, and Jack looked disturbed by those questions. Crazy thought, Jack killed her? but why? Anyways,we spent the rest of the trip with silence.

*Night*

We arrived at base, had some dinner. beans today just FYI. It tasted pretty good I'd say, well then again, everything is good when ypur food shortage is kinda low. Jack seemed morebothered than before, fiddling around with his invention, his work is more sloppy this time, so I told him to get a major break (maybe he's boyhered by my questions aout Ann.) We're in front of a fireplace. Julie, Jess, Victor and I. Jess and Victor are playing cards, whereas Julie is busy reading the comic books that she has found at the arcade. I'm exhausted because I haven't recovered fully from the gun shot wounds. I'm gonna get some rest now.

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Mike's Diary Day 63 - The Reason why I go alone?

           I passed out yesterday, in my office, with the door open. I thought about what I said yesterday to my brother, about the war. I right away took out sheets of paper and started drawing strategies, movements, and things that we could possibly do to win the war. I drew bunch of escape routes, what we would do if we are defending, and what we would do when we are advancing. We have reinforcements, with 267 people, but it's best for us to not lose a soul. I planned every detail of it, sketched it, and thought about it. Most of them would cost a life or two, which I do not want to risk at all. I walked outside, my first destination this morning was Moses's office. I asked him the right to take care of the base, well at least the bases' walls, 'soldiers', and other little things. He granted my wish, now, I'm basically the Vice-owner of the base along with my brother, except he doesn't understand the things that I do, and I have more experience than him. I went back into my office, but before I stepped into the room, I thought of Jack. Instead, I changed my course of direction towards the hallway where Jack's room is placed. I knocked on the door, no-one answered, so I decided to open it. I could see from the little slit between the door and the wall, Jack is lying down, sleeping probably. I haven't encountered him since then. I looked out of my office window, Julie is walking towards the entrance, towards my office. I wondered why.
            "What's up?" I asked her, right after she entered my office
            "Jess asked me to see how you're doing"
            "Never better."
            "You look stress, what's up with you?"
            "Just trying to plan some things to improve the base." I said
            "I have an idea, why don't we decorate the kids' rooms?"
            "Ummm,, that's going on my sixth list."
            "Hell, what's the first to fifth then?" She asked
            "Some other improvements."
            "Alright, if you need help just call me. I'll probably at the shooting range."
            "Don't waste too much ammunition."
            "Hey, I'm a better shoot that you." She said as she left the room.
After she left, I locked the door, at this point, I forgot about the meeting so I told some kids to tell Moses that I have cancelled the meeting. I was too busy making lists of stuff that I should do to this base.

List of Improvements:
1. Check gates, and make holes behind the wall so patrols can see, aim, and shoot what's behind the wall
2. Food shortage is running low with more people coming in (Scavange, tell Jack to farm after he has healed)
3. Medicine shortage is running low
4. Amunition (Stop using guns, invent our own weapons)
5. Emergency, attack, and escape drills
6. Decorate kids' rooms, and hallways.

After I'm done, I rushed outside my office, and ordered at least 15 people to go around the base to check and make the holes in the walls (trying out new things). They did, I re-wrote the list twice, and I tried to find a huge billboard for the lists to be posted. I did, I nailed it onto the main hallways' wall of rooms so people can see, and realize what is happening to the base. I didn't want to stay in the base in the evening (it was so dead and boring), so at 8 o'clock sharp, I decided to pack my stuff, a handgun, molotovs, and blunt weapons, and go for a scavenge walk. When I was about to exit the gates however, Julie spotted me.
              "Going somewhere?" She asked
              "Just for a walk."
              "Man, you gotta stop going alone." She started to raise her voice
              "Sshhh.. you want to come with me? I'm going to show you something cool."
              "This better be good." she responded.
I waited for her to pack up her stuff in front of the gate
              "Ready?" I asked
              "Tottaly" Julie said
I opened the gate, and off we go. I led the way this time through alleys full of craze, spiked plantation, and other dangerous stuff which I wont mention right now. I stopped riget in front of the tree, climbed it, I attached my body to a rope, then the rope to the tree. From the tree, there's another rope for Julie to hold to help her climb. After minutes of struggle, she understood oh it is all being well paid of. This is the largest, tallest tree. Right in front of us is the ocean with the moon, making a good and harmonious combination.
              "This is the reason why I go alone. To relax, and get away from everything for once." I said to her, she nodded. Now she's asleep with the rope tied to her body and the tree, and I'm just here staring at the moonlight.

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Mike's Diary Day 59 - Oh no. Is this it? No!

          I got up very early in the morning, I woke the new guy up. He looked panic, and tired when I shook him from his sleep. I put my hand over his mouth so he didn't scream, well I also told him not to.
          "We're going to get you patched up okay?" I said to him calmly. He nodded as I looked through my bag for a knife and alcohol. I told him to bite on a cloth, and do the usual routine. Pour, stab, dig, wrap. He screamed like a dying pig. After we were done, the sun has already risen from its sleep. I woke everybody up and told them to pack up. I went into Julie's tent, and sat right beside her while the others wait outside.
            "You ready kiddo?"
            "Yes. Mike. Don't worry about me. I'm not, her. I can take care of myself." She responded. I was shocked.
             "What do you mean?"
             "I'm not Lexi. I can take care of my damn self." She said again.
I stood up, told her to pack up, then went outside. I packed my backpack, meds, painkillers, molotovs, Uzi, and a knife. I put my hoodie on, jeans, and we were off our ways towards the Valors. Jack was quietly guarding the new guy, the others to were quite. Jack told Victor to look after the wounded guy, and Jack approached me.
              "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked
              "No."
              "Then?"
              "We'll see." I responded.
We walked for another hour or so, and here we are. 50 yards from the huge concrete gate. My palms were sweating,I was nervous. Very, especially in Julie's condition. A missing right hand. Oh this is just great. We walked until we're face to face to the gate's lock, then I called out.
               "Package is here!" I said while looking back to Julie.
The door opened, 3 guys came out. They were no taller than 5 foot 9. 
               "Great, your weapons are ready." Said one, while the others whispered to each other.
               "Bye guys." Julie said sadly while she hugged each one of us. I couldn't let go but I had to. Julie went in with the three guys, but I managed to held one of their hands and asked
                "Where are the other kids?" I asked
                "Inside."
                "How can I know for sure?" Everyone went silent. The three guys looked at each other. One of them told the other to get several kids from inside. I looked each of their faces. Little terrified faces, and then they went back in. It was Julie's turn, they way these guys handle these kids is suspicious if you ask me. When me and the group were about to walked away, one of the three guys said
                 "A little girl with one hand gives no pleasure." he chuckled.
                 "What the fuck did you just say?" Julie said, I froze while the group kept walking. I turned, walked up to them and said
                 "Yeah. What the fuck did you just say?"
The three guys looked at each other, and at an instant I disarmed my Uzi, and just fired at those three. They let go of Julie, she ran to me, the group was prepared, valors rushing out of their bases, we made a run. We run, and run until we saw a full sized van. I told Jack to hurry and hot wire the car. I told him to drive through highways, get away from that valors' base. I told him to drive us to the previous base. Great, I just started a fucking war. The valors fired, they missed, fired again, penetrated the door, I'm hit. I'm dizzy. I want to sleep. The others were yelling, Jack was saying something that I couldn't understand, Julie told me 'stay with her'. I couldn't bear the pain, this is it. This is the end for. is it? No! I have something to fight for. The group. Julie, Jess, Victor, Jack, Ann, that random dude. Oh no. I need a rest. Oh no I've gone unconscious.

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Day 56 - Mike's Diary "Safe? Think again!"

      Last night without the others noticing, I was secretly watching from inside my tent, the group. One person in particular, Ann, the new comer. She had been staring at Jack all night long. it makes me wonder what is up with this girl.
      The next morning is raining, sucks I know. I get out of my tent to see the others were already packing their stuff. Jack is checking the weapon supplies, Julie, Ann, and Victor checking the food and water supplies, and Jess is checking the medical supplies. Everything goes smoothly without any distractions or challenges. Once we are all done, we decide to proceed our way to our destination.
       "Alright you guys good?" I ask
       "Aye sir" some shout
       "Never better." Jack yells with a grin on his face. He seems up today, happy, I don't know what is going on inside his head, but iit's a good sign. I too smile. We proceed our way to a dark forest with our flashlights in one hand and weapon in the other. We are taking this trip slow and steady. I am trying my best to keep everybody safe, but just when I think we are, a horde of craze swarms us. Jack is about to shoot, but I told him to use his crowbar so that he won't attract more hordes. The struggle lasted for 15 minutes or so, no-one is injured, or so I think. We continue our long trip when  I hear Julie groans.
         "Are you okay?" I ask, she lifts her right sleeve a wee bit.       

        "Holy shit, you're bitten." Says Victor. Jack raises his gun, and points it on her head, but I manage to block it with my body and I told him to lower the gun. He hesitates, and yes I understand, he cares about the group, I get it, but I can't stand seeing a little girl, Julie, is shot in the head. I told Jack to calm down.

          "I'm immune." Julie says
          "Have you ever been bitten before?" Jack asks
          "No, but I would feel the fever by now if I wasn't immune."
          "Stop it you two. I'll tie her on a tree beside my tent. If she turns, I'll kill her." say I. Everyone seems okay with this, but not me. We unpack and make our own tents. Everyone is busy, I see Jack is chatting with Ann, but decided not to go and bother them. Instead, I decide to approach Julie and sit beside her. Long silence.
          "You're gonna kill me?" She asks
          "Not if you really are immune. I hope you are."
          "Mike..." she reaches for her bag and hands me a ring. It was Lexi's. "Jess took it, back at Lexi, before you met me. I don't know why she chose me to do this." I stare at her, I almost weep, but look away and said "Wear it. We'll continue our trip tomorrow." I stand up but Julie holds my leg.
          "But what if.." she asks
          "I said we continue OUR trip tomorrow." she stays quite. Jack seems to notice this, so he walks towards me and asks what's wrong. I said nothing, and I give Jess a disappointment look. I know she cares, but reminding me to Lexi isn't going to help. I decided to make fire since the night is approaching.
           At night, we eat, feat and drink, with Julie staring at us from 5 feet away. I walk to her and give her a cup of hot chocolate, then she thanks me. I was about to walk away, but I stop. I turn my head halfway to the right, and whisper
           "Please don't turn."
She doesn't respond to me, but stares at me. I walk back to her and give her a crowbar as a weapon, and walk back to the group. I chat a little while more, then look over to Julie who's already asleep. I walk towards her, take her cup away, and cover her with a blanket, and notice that the group is watching me, but I ignore them. After I'm done, I drink some water, write this diary, and now I'm done.

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Mike's Diary - day 50 "Old Childish Group Leader"

Life, life, life. It is indeed the most beautiful, yet tragic thing. It's hard to live without something to fight for, but now I guess I have people on my side who support me, but Lexi... 
    That is all I've been thinking since last night. I heard Jack said good night to me, I didn't say anything, yet I smiled without him realizing, I just can't believe how much I was needed by others. He went into his tent to sleep while I thought in my head If I die, let it be now. I then fell asleep outside for a couple hours then woke up to a scream,
     "FUCKKKK! HELP ME!"
It came from the little girl's tent. I rushed inside her tent and saw a craze on top of her body trying together a piece of her. Then, that instinct, to protect her just came to me. I pulled the craze out of the tent and hit its head with my crowbar several times to make sure that it's dead. I was breathing heavily, and came back to her.
     "Thanks."
     "mhmmm... no sweat." I was hesitated to respond, but I didn't want to be rude. Jack came, then the others.
     "You gu--" Jack was about to ask me, but I cut his words by pointing at the little girl, and whispered,
     "I'm okay. Get the little girl."
     "Name is FUCKING JULIE by the way! And I'm fine thank you very much!" Said the little girl. I ignored it (so obvious). I went back outside on the top of the trunk, drink some water, adjust watch the landscape, feel the breeze of the wind, and the smell of wild weed. Again, I just can't keep Lexi out of my damn mind.
     "What's our next step?" Jack asked
     "Deliver the package." I said
     "I'm a person old man!"
     "Either you shutup or you don't call me that."
     "Man fuck you too."
     "Shut it you both, or I'm gonna put you on these car for the whole trip and the others including me in the trunk." Jack said. I gave Jack the "You fucking kidding me" look while she did the same to Jack.
     "NO!" Julie and I said it at the same time.
     "Mike you're ffucking 24 years old, stop acting like that, you guys make the perfect siblings." Jack said, I didn't respond, especially when he knows what happened to Lexi, he really shouldn't have said that.
     "Pack up! We're going." I said
     "You're driving, Julie! Take the passenger seat." Jack said, fuck this I thought. We packed up and I drove the car. Julie and I didn't talk, yet didn't bother to attempt a conversation.
     "Sorry, you lost her." She said
     "Who." I said, then she had that were look, and didn't say anything else. It's not that I don't like Julie, I do. I just don't want accept the fact that she has to go with th vapors later on (once I'm attached to her like I was to Lexi, there's no turning back). No one has noticed this however, but I think Jack might be able to tell myfeeling, since he's pretty experienced in life. I just kept driving the truck, avoiding several craze, humm some songs, and all that boring stuff. Until the truck ran out of gas. Oh how great I thought, thank God we're in a city now, many cars, buildings, houses, stores, perhaps we can loot some good stuff.
     "You actually don't mind Julie to be with don't you?" Jack said (how surprising.) I didn't answer that of course, and continue unpacking. We set up the tent in the middle of the road. Julie went by herself into a store to gather some stuff, while we were busy looking for her. I saw her came back with some painkillers, I right away yelled at her,
     "What do you think you're doing? It's dangerous to go alone. You don't do stuff like that unless I say so understand?"
     "But?!"
     "Do you understand!!"
     "Yes. Old man."
     "D-dd-don't call me that. Argh..." while I point my finger at her.
Jack and the others just chuckled, I don't see why it's funny. After that incident, Jack whispered to me,
     "See, you care."
Again, I didn't't answer. I went back to the truck to keep a look out, while the others were in a circle chatting. I don't gather with te group that much anymore so I wouldn't know what they are chatting about, or secrets that they're not telling me. Oh well, I've changed. I don't know why, I'm mourning, yet I am happy with the group safe for now. Now, I'm just that childish old group leader who cares about others but don't wanna show it. I'm falling asleep, Julie was chatting with Jack about something, then to Jess, then back to Jack... oh my... why the hell do I care so fucking much, then I fell asleep as the group was still chatting.

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