Deals and Strategies - Day 77 Mike's Diary

Yesterday evening, I requested two people to go and find Jack. He had been wondering around all day, and haven't seen his face in a while. The reason is that one of the representatives from the tree house village want to see us, and who is responsible for who. I told him, Moses is the leader, also is my brother. Me myself is in charge of battle plans mostly, and other stuff regarding safety and strategies, and Jack, he is responsible for creating new weapons and different strategies how to survive (farming, etc). Jack is a reader. I said. The representative, Hannah, welcomed us, though it was intense at first, later she realized that we're good people.
We were given the permission that we can stay here (not in their tree houses), but in their premises, and agree to help each other, as long as we protect their people too from bandits, and craze.

*morning*

I have never had any sleep this good before, since this is all happened. I woke up and I saw Julie was using her axe on a tree, probably practicing, or just bored or some sort. Jack is still asleep, and Victor is sitting on a bench. I got up, and unpacked my backpack:
1. 1 axe
2. 1 crowbar
3. a handgun and a hunting rifle
4. amunitions
5. liquor
6. rope
7. sunglasses
8. a compass
9. map
10. snack.

I quickly grabbed the snack and ate it. Man, I was so hungry, I might have even forgotten to eat on the way here after the battle. I finished my snack in seconds, then I drank some of the water that has been given to us last night. I then started making plans as of what we should do to help this place better (Moses is pretty much useless at this point, and let me in charge).

*afternoon*

I then proceed to find a useless table, round table, and this is going to be my new work desk.
I laid my map on it, pin it down with rocks, so it doesn't go anywhere. I took out a piece of paper and started jotting down the stuff that I want to get done for today. After I was done with all of my preparation, I started a fire, boiled some water, and prepare them for everybody. I woke them up one by one (literally, but more like ditch by ditch). I gathered everyone around. From about 160 people, we're down to 125 people because of Valors. As much as I would love to go back, and retrieve the body of our fallen, it was way too dangerous. I grouped the group into several, and divided the jobs.

I called the leaders candidates of each group to the front table, so I can tell them what the plan was.
first up, Victor.

Victor's to do list:

Once I drew a 2 miles radius circle on the map, covering our parameters, I told him to bring 15 men with him. I told him to dig a hole circling the tree house village (ours too). 5 meters deep, and 3 meters wide, and after you guys are done cover it with branches, so craze or bandits don't know that it's there. Now, you have to do this carefully, and divide the physical resources management. I suggest you to have 5 men working, 5 rest, and 5 guarding, and the cycle continues. Bring guns, and make sure they are equipped with silencers. Safety is number 1, and leave no man behind unless they asked you to leave them.

Jack's to do list:

Jack, I know I can trust you with hunting. Make sure with have enough food either meat or vegetables for the next 2/3 days. Bring 20 men with you, divide them into groups 2 each, but keep them close in case of troubles. I want you guys to be safe, don't fool around, and if the group mess up, we're all not eating. No pressure. Safety is number 1, if you guys have little food and there is trouble, signal everybody, and go back. You will be 1 mile away from Victor, so warn them if you guys see anything. One more thing, don't make too much noise.

Moses' to do list:

Moses, you and I will bring 5 men with us each and we go about another mile away from Jack. To patrol in the front line. I'll bring walkie talkie, one for each leader, and each leader must have a whistle. We patrol, if we see anything, get to safety. Bring sniper rifles, melee weapons, and shotguns.

I then said one more thing to them :

I'll contact you guys through each walkie-talkie, frequency 67.9FM. You heard warning from us, blow the whistle twice, and wait for your crew. Tell your crew if you guys can't find each other and heard the whistle, head back to the base. When these whistles are blown, every men is on his own, and head back to base IMMEDIATELY. Pick your men wisely.
Be safe all

They were all then spread out and pick their own men, and after their done, I yelled everyone who is not going, please you're our only defense. Arm yourself, and get ready for anything. Split yourselves into two groups. 1 for farming and planting, and 1 for defense. After things were finally sorted out, we all spread out, and proceed onto our quests. (p.s Julie is with me)


*Evening*

I was watching with a sniper rifle, and Julie had her binoculars. Nothing, then we circle around the perimeters, and still nothing. This is how it went. 3 people, Julie, Craig, and I were patrolling the North to West, Moses and his group were patrolling  the South to West, and two other groups were patrolling South to East, and East to North. Sometimes we see each other, but not for long because we had to keep patrolling. The sun is going down now, and our shifts should be over sooner or later. I was sitting duck with my sniper when Julie said to look 20 degrees to the left. I saw a cutter, walking towards us, but it's very far away. I took this chance to see it's weakness with my silenced sniper rifle. I shot it's face, and blown of half of it, but still nothing. It was confused as if where that (my bullet) came from. Then, I took another shot on its knee cap, and it fell, but later got back up. When it got back up, I notice something behind it's neck. It's a huge blob, yellow-ish color attached to it. I took my chance to shoot it, and it popped. The cutter didn't die, though it just stays there. Not making any moves, as if I had taken of it's nerves. I looked at it curiously through my scope, for about  15 minutes or so, but still nothing. I took this into consideration, and took notes from this. After that was done, I contacted all of the leaders of the team to head back. There was no problem so no whistles were blown.

*Night*

It was a success. The tree house village was impressed on how our group handle things. We even had dinner with them. Now, everyone is drunk, having fun (not loud fun), telling stories, and bond with each other. I have not yet told them about the weakness of the cutter, so I will make sure I will tell them tomorrow morning. I'm writting this, while Julie is right beside me, humming.
"Good shot" she said. I'm just smiling and I told her, good eye for spotting that cutter.


 
This is where we sleep at night, make sure we're not visible to anything (we still have patrols)

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Mike's diary Day 65 - Two Fuckers, We're Being Watched.

          I woke up beside Julie this morning, I saw her yawned
          "Good morning." She said. I smiled and looked at her 'hand'.
          "Do you wanna anything on that?" I asked.
          "Yes, anything would be good."
          "Knife?"
          "Sure"
          "Okay, we will get you patched up once we get back to base." I said to her.

I got up and checked the surroundings, while Julie was looting for some supplies. That morning was very sunny, breezy, all I could see UT the window was a torn flag waving in mid air, unfinished construction buildings, and some craze. Once Julie was done, I told her that we are going to a hospital near by to loot some medicine and other important stuff that we might be able to take.

            I walked outside with my iron sight aimed down, I checked if the coast is clear, and I signaled Julie to follow right behind me. We turned left back to the ally way, proceeded our way through, and turned left on the second house. The road was empty so I decided to me a run across. We did, I could see the hospital building clear from where we were at, and I couldn't wait to see what's inside. For another 35 minutes walk, we arrived on our destination. We went inside, not too many craze so far, so Julie and I handled it though sweat. We started looting the stuff, first aid kit, alcohol, bandage, painkillers, and many more. I then proceeded my way to the emergency room, and I opened the door, I was greeted by two guys. Yup, they're all dead now. I talked my way out.
             "Remember us?" One of them said
             "Nope, not a bit."
             "You destroyed our base."
             "Oh, the Valors?" I asked while taking few glances behind them.
             "Where is the girl?" The other asked
             "Or we'll kill you."
             "Oh you mean that one?" I gestured with my head to look back when Julie stabbed the guy repeatedly in the neck. I took my gun and fired at the other before he could slash Julie's other hand off. Once the gun fire went off, all I could hear was craze's scream and footsteps.
              "C'mon we gotta run." I said.
We ran away from the kitchen, trying to get out of the hospital, but we were blocked by a horde. We decided to find another way, but with no luck, we found dead ends. Our last hope was upstairs. I led the way, I pushed our way up and slashed some heads off along the way. We were terrified, I almost peed in my pants. We found a  door, I breached it open, waited for Julie to come, and closed it. I held the door with all my strength from the craze who were trying to get a piece of us. I quickly told Julie to find a metal to use the door. After a struggle, she found it, but it wasn't strong enough, so I decided to jam the door with anything we could find. We found chairs, sofas, and tables. Great, we're stuck now. Julie was breathing heavily, but was still able to throw out a smile or two. The sky is turning orange, it's getting dark, and we're stuck on the roof. Julie and I have to think of something tomorrow if we still wanna live for another day. In the other hand, I am worry that the other back at base are looking for us (well obviously). I hope everyone is still in one piece by the time we got back, especially Jack. One more thing, I hope the valors don't find their way to our base before we got back. They probably did, if they didn't, how the fuck did they know we were going to the hospital? Even more odd when they said
                  "Remember us?"

As if they were expecting our presence in the building. I am pretty sure, everyone (even the ones in our base) is being watched. Is it possible that they have an inside men, or women? I'm going to stop writing right here because Julie is telling me to eat.

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Mike's Diary, Day 64 - The Struggle

           I was awoken from my sleep this morning to bird-calls. I looked to my right, Julie was still sleeping and tied to the tree. I woke her up
           "Good morning Julie." I said to her
           "Morning. Don't we need to go back to base?"
           "Yeah, I'll walk you, then I'll go off on my way again."
           "Why?" She asked
           "The base needs some supplies."
           "4 eyes are better than 1. I'm not leaving you."
I looked at her and nodded. We untied ourselves, and we proceed our way down the tree. I packed the rope, so did Julie. I led the way into the suburbs with her, for the whole trip it was quite, until there's a horde. I could see from a distant that the stores are near, but there were too many craze around. It was too dangerous. I ducked down, and told Julie to do so too. We sneaked around the horde, through a small alley way. There was only one door, but it's locked. Julie poked me from the back
            "Mike, are you sure we're safe?"
            "As long as we don't make a loud noise." I responded
I tried to break the lock open, but it was almost impossible without beating it with my crowbar. Instead, I decided to distract the horde first.
            "Here Mike, boost me up." Julie whispered to me.
            "What? Why?"
            "So I can distract them. I'm going to throw something to the other direction so you can open the                     door."
             "Are you sure you wanna do this?" I asked.
             "Yes, hurry." She answered. I boosted her up the wall, and I ducked back down.
             "Be careful." I said
             "Huh, when am I not?"
She got up to the roof and threw bottles in the other direction. The horde followed. Once Julie gave a a signal, I started beating on the lock. I struggled, but eventually I opened the door. I told Julie to come down, I pushed a garbage bin towards the wall so she could step down and get off of the roof, when I was about to go in, Julie yelled.
             "Mike! Behind you!" I looked back, and the craze was already on top of me.I held it's had with my strength, using one hand, and using the other to grab my knife from my back pocket, but before I did so, Julie was already on its back and stabbing it's head and neck with her shank.
              "Should've stayed up the roof." I said
              "You almost got your ass eaten." She responded with attitude. Now that her scream has alerted the horde, they were rushing towards us, screaming. I went inside the room with Julie, closed the door and blocked it with whatever heavy furniture that the house had.We were panicking, Julie and I were trying to figure a way out when I remembered that I still have those molotovs. However, there's no chance for me to use it since we were surrounded by the horde. I looked at Julie
              "There's only one way." I said
              "I'm not leaving you."
              "No. I'm leaving you." I said again. I gave my uzi to her, and extra ammo.
              "You must wait here. I'll take the molotovs with me and distract them. I'll come back for you." I said.
              "You know I only have one hand right?" Julie said while smiling at me
              "Yeah, I'll come back." I chucked with her. I walked towards the window, took a double take on Julie, then she said something.
              "Mike, be careful." I think she was about to cry, I nodded. I opened the window, went outside and told Julie to lock the window again. I ran while screaming to lure the horde. Man, they were fast. I ran for at least 10 minutes, and they were still following me. I looked back, and I threw my first molotov. BOOM, set them in flames. I continued running, just to encountered more of them. I decided  to go inside a building and threw my last molotov, and I disappeared from the horde's sight. I went to the second building, the house which Julie is in is visible from my floor, and I could see Julie from there. I went outside to the roof in the evening trying to signal here that I was fine, but she didn't notice me. There were only five craze left downstairs (approximately). If I could be stealth enough, I could kill them and get out of here as soon as possible, I thought to myself. I started to make my way downstairs, every step was my chance of survival. I ducked down once I got to the bottom floor. It's weird, in the evening, some of them just stood there, especially when there's no light. They looked like someone who stand sleeping. I approached the first craze near the stairs, stabbed it right in the head twice with my knife, and the rest didn't react. I was confused for a second, maybe there are different species of mutants? I don't know. I didn't take any chances. I opened the door and ran back to where Julie is. Once I arrived, I could see that she was ready with the uzi. I knocked on the window, and Julie opened it. This night, I covered all windows with wooden planks, right before I write this journal. I also told Julie that I was on the north east building, and that I could see her from there, but her respond was
               "Of course I didn't see, I was trying my best to not get distracted. I want to live."
We didn't eat at all today, the hunger overcame me as I write, that's why I'm going to sleep now, and scavange more stuff tomorrow. We didn't even get the chance to look what goods does this house have.

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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 61 - We're Undefeated

          I woke up the next day feeling a little bit better. My wound has partially healed, my body is no longer sore. I went outside my tent, it was approximately 5 in the morning. I got on top of an RV, set a mini chair, sat down, and wait for the great star to rise. It was very quite, only a few birds chirped, dead craze, and me with my beer bottle. I popped it and took a sip. It has been a long time since I drank my last beer. As the sun slowly rises, the light overcame the darkness. The first person to got out of her tent was Jess. She looked up and said good morning, and I replied so. She went up to the RV with me and sat right beside me. We stared at the sun, quietly, cherishingthe quite and peaceful moment. You don't get this often in this kind of era. A few minutes later, more and more people went out of the tent, and there was one guy in particular that I was most interested in. The guy who we caught before we reached the valors' base. I thought he was going to leave us, but I guess he changed his mind. Though, it is not right to stay without my permission, so I decided to mess with him. I called him over, asked for his name, Brian. I told Brian to wake Jack up. He hesitated but he obeyed. I figured that he's scared of Jack. I waited, a few seconds later, all I could hear was Jack yelling at Brian. Yeah I was being a dick.
           Once everybody was awaken, I told him to wrap up because we will not stop until we reach our base. I splitted the group to 4, 8 members each. Me, Victor, Julie, and the other five were going to look for any blunt weapons in the abandoned buildings. Jack, Jess, Brian, and other 5 looked for medicine, the third group (where Ann was) looked and scavenge for gasoline, and the rest 4 were going to look for food and drinks. I told the group to come back here in 40 minutes, and the rest 4 people to guard our viechles. I gave each group 2 flares, if they're in danger, fire one, and one for reserve. Off we went in our hunt. First building, I went inside an abandoned police station. There was a basement, and were two other floors. We scavenged the basement, few craze, I told Julie to handle it, practice I thought. She did great! Julie and I proceeded to the second floor, 3 people in the first floor, another rest 3 guarding the door. I was talking to Julie, about stuff, our bond is getting stronger, yet I still think about Lexi sometime. When I looked out of the window, North east from where my position was, a flare was fired. North east, that's Jack's group, they wouldn't use that unless they're in a really deep shit because I know Jack.
           I grabbed everything I could and signalled my group to hurried up, and we rushed to the flare's position. It took us almost 10 minutes running when the second flare went off. Uh oh, I didn't have a good feeling about this. When we got there, the group was on the edge of the roof defending themselves from an unexpected horde of craze. The roof was too tall for them to jump (suicide), so I decided with 2 other males to go up there and whack and kill as many craze as possible. I rushed in, the two went to the roof to kill the horde from behind, and when  I was about to go upstairs, I heard a scream from a room beside the stairs. I busted the door, and I saw Jack getting cornered by craze. My assumption was he lured the craze in so the others can go to the roof, but I wasn't so sure myself. I took out my axe, and whacked one of the craze's head right off. Then I immediately rushed to Jack's aid. He was aalmost bitten, but I managed to grab the craze's shirt and pulled him towards me. I broke its leg and stabbed its head with my dagger. I got Jack up and we went upstairs to help. When we reached the roof, Victor and another guy had already taken care of the horde.
           That was a very close call, but let's just forget about it, though I still want to hear what happened from Jack himself. We are back in our cars, we looted stuff we needed, but didn't have the chance to talk. I might change my mind about the non-stop road trip just so I can talk and let them explain what happened, but right now, I'm just writting in the lead car, and glancing out of the passenger window. Wondering what will happen next.

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Mike's Diary Day 60 - Ah. I'm Back in Business Bitch!

           I woke up on a very comfortable, cozy, small bed. In a small room full with all surgery equipment. My vision was still blurry, but I could see what so called the 'surgeon'. I looked down to my wound, it was already patched up, thanks to him. He turned around and looked at me smiling. 

           "Where am I?" I asked

           "Valors. You were shot when you were off chasing those guys who ran with the Valors' 'package'." 

           "But, I..." Then I realized that somehow they must've confused me for one of the Valors. I started to think what happened to the others. I'm worry about them, but now it comes down to me. What should I do? I wondered.

           "That note that your friend gave you." The surgeon said, "The one that says 'Do not ruin the plan Mike. Make your way out of the base safely, or else kill everyone.'" I looked at him confused, and I became very nervous at that time. After seconds of silence, he told me that he volunteered as the 'doctor' so the Valors wouldn't do anything bad to him. He also told me that he wanted to join me if the plan was successful. I nodded to him, but I didn't promise. I told him later to tell me where the Valors keep the kids, and I asked for the key to that room. He said he didn't have it. After minutes thinking of what we should do to get out of this base, I head gun shots. Right at that second I thought Jack. I fucking knew it. I told the surgeon to follow me. I was limping, weak, and my stitches hurt like crazy, but I managed to ignore it and move on. I saw a guy running towards us and yelled "We're under attack. Here!" while handing me a shotgun (bad idea). I stopped him and said that I need to get all the kids. When he was about to hand me the key, he asked my name in suspicion. I didn't say a thing, cocked the shotgun, and blast his guts out. I grabbed the keys and rushed to the room. I opened the door and everyone was panicking. When I was busy making sure that they're fine, the room beside us exploded (kitchen plus fire. Not a good idea). The surgeon was blown up to pieces, I fell down. I managed to get up to evacuate everyone out of the building when I saw Jack. He was a bloody mess. In this situation, there's no room for anything but humour.

           "You look like shit." I said to him

           "You don't look so good either!"

We proceed our ways, I followed Jack, and the kids followed me. It was a very cruel sighting for kids to see, but we continued outside. I heard gunshots, few, and slowly faded out to one or two shots. The base was a mess. Victor and the other older kids off chasing the remaining of the Valors (Which I don't like). They could be in much deeper shit than we were. Everything went smoothly, though Victor came back with some minor bruises. Oh great. Now we have an army of kids from age 12-17. Which is good and bad at the same time. We have 32 kids on board excluding the 6 of us, and we had a convoy of cars. Me, in a mustang, the lead car, a pick-up truck, and Rv, and SUVs. On the way back, all I could see in the rear-view mirror was Jack passing out. I wouldn't so worry about him, the guy is a tough son of a bitch. Thanks to him I was saved, but thanks to him also that we all almost died. We drove for hours until we can reach the eastern part of the country, which is our original base. Few more days, man knowing this, we should've taken the high way instead of the forest. 

           We decided to take a break here, in the middle of nowhere. Craze everywhere, so I had to get the people from age 16+ to patrol in shifts. I know, kind of cruel, but hey, we're a team now. I took all of their guns away and gave each of them machetes, axes, bats, and crowbars. I just couldn't risk attracting more craze with gun shots. I set up my usual tent right beside my car. Julie is staying in my car, she wanted to sleep there. The RVs surrounded my tent, Jack's tent is on top of a pick-up truck, the others were preparing fire. Julie's head stuck out from the car and thanked me. I said no problem. I went out from my tent to approach Jack to thanked him. I said that without him, all the six of us would've been dead. When I was talking to Jack, Julie approached me and hugged me. 

            "No seriously. Thank you Mike." She said. I looked at Jack in hesitation whether I should hug her back or not, and Jack looked at me as if he was saying "C'mon, give the kid a break you fucker.", and so I hugged her back. I almost teared up, and Jack left us both (I don't know what he's thinking about Julie and me now. Who cares, Julie gives my life a whole new meaning.) Julie stopped and looked at me and said

            "C'mon old man, don't be such a pussy." Then she punched me on my stomach. Ouch... I held my stomach, and all I could see was everyone giggling at me. I went back to my tent to rest, to get all recovered for our next journey back home. Hopefully it'll be a safe and not bumpy ride for all of us. I'm done writing, I'm sleeping.

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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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Mike's Diary Day 58 - Last Day

           This is it I thought, one more day before we arrive at Valor's base. I want to keep my promise, but sat the same time I don't want Julie to go with the Valors.
            I woke up the next morning, everyone was still asleep, I went out to prepare our breakfast. Not so fancy, but filling. I cooked, and boiled some water, and Jack approached me. Yeah, he just woke up.
            "What happened last night? with Ann?"
            "I don't know."
            "Well, I think you should really find out what really happened to her before she joined us." I said. I was still boiling the water when I heard cracking noise from behind us. Jack and I turned around and saw a guy running away. So he's the one who has been watching us all this time. Jack and I looked at each other for a milisecond, and we dashed towards the man right away. We were running, and running, and running, just like what they do in the Olympics. Jack raised his hand gun and threatened the guy that he would shoot if through guy disn't stop. Bang, Jack fired and hit him right in the leg. He fell down and we caught up. Jack gave the guy a blow to the face with his fist and questioned the guy, while I gathered what he had in his backpack. After he was done, Jack came back to me and said that the guy is a lone adventurer, and that he didn't mean any harm to us. I know that Jack didn't believe him, and so did I, but I decided to give him a chance to tag along, with hands tied behind his back, and with Jack as his guard so he doesn't do anything stupid. We walked back to camp, and everybody was already awaken, and was proceeding to eat the breakfast without Jack and I. Once they saw the figure, their faces looked worried, understandable. Jack tied the guy to the tree where I tied Julie before, and Jack asked for his name (I don't know because I wasn't ear-dropping). Jack walked back to the group and told them what he told me.
           "He better not fucking things up." Julie said.
           "Oh now you're back from a whiny kid to Julie." I responded.
           "Shutup, you're not the one whose arm got chopped off."
Everyone chuckled and continued their chatting.
           "Look Julie, this is your last day with us. Do you have anything to say?" I asked her, "Thanks guys for everything." She responded. She seemed sad, everybody noticed this, and they looked at me. Even Jack stared. I didn't know what to do, I mean as much as I'd love Julie to come with us, we better have a good reason to do so. After breakfast, we decided to pack up and continue our journey. The order was me, the 'guy', Jack, Jess, Julie, Ann, and Victor, making a single fIle line. We walked for hours, stopped for minutes, then continued. The valor's place isn't that far ahead, and I started to see the opening path from the first to highways and suburbs. We walked out, and there was a road sign that has been scratched up and rewritten 'Valor's base. Can be your saviour, or your death.' I guess that's it. I continued to walk, leading the group where we stopped right beside a liquor store. The huge dorm (fortress) is visible from where we were at, and I was pretty sure that that is the base. Since everyone had no energy left, we decided to go into the liquor building. Ann, once again ran inside without noticing any danger, but thank God Julie was able to chased her down, and got the hold of her. We saw 4 craze which takes no more than a whack in he head. We unpacked, set the tent so that we are not exposed by anything that is potentially dangerous, and sat down in a circle. The guy's hands are still tied, we don't trust him just yet. Victor is re-bandaging Julie's arm, Jesse is keeping an eye on the guy, and Jack is arguing with Ann. I don't know what their deals are. I peek, only to see Jack notices me, then he looks uncomfortable. I went back into my tent, bracing myself for what is going to happen tomorrow, and writting this journal.

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Mike's Diary Day 57 - I Told You Happiness Doesn't Last Forever.

          Happy? Yes, but happiness doesn't last long. Happy but not over-happy. I'm glad that Julie is fine, though I was doubting the success of the cruel operation done to her. She's tough, I can tell you that much. I was exhausted from that operation, slept, and Jack woke me up. I saw and woke Julie up, the joy and happiness. Everyone joined in and celebrate the temporary success. I asked everyone if they'd like to continue on the journey, but they said no. Including Jack surprisingly. Even though he's always be the one who wants to get this over with, this time he's the one who said no. Yes, he has his reason, we're all tired, and Julie isn't in the best condition. There's something odd about this place though, I don't know if it's just me or there's someone watching us, but I didn't really bother. I just thought that that was my paranoia kicking in. I woke up, untied Julie from the tree, and told her to sit beside the fire place for some breakfast. She did as what I told her to do, she sat along with Victor, Jess, and Ann, while Jack is standing behind our tents as if he was looking for something. I approached him
           "Jack."
           "Huh?"
           "There's something odd about this place don't you think?" I said quietly
           "Someone's watching us."
           "You feel that too?"
           "Yeah. I'm gonna set up a traditional alarm along the perimeter, you keep everybody in place."
           "Be careful." I said as I gave him my shotgun.
He headed north, and I went back to the group. I whispered to Victor to have his gun at all time, and the others to not stay away from each other, and they obeyed.
         
            It has been roughly one and a half hour since Jack's long gone. I was still on guard, the girls were in the tent, Victor watched the back of the tent, while I watched the front with our guns. I head some footsteps, and saw Jack walking towards the tent. I asked him what has he got, but he shook his head. He said that the rope wasn't long enough for him to connect each can-filled rocks to each other, so he left it there and decided to do it tomorrow (too tired I suppose). That afternoon, we decided to pull our tents together, side by side. No, more like back to back. My tent heads towards the North, Jack's towards West, Victor's towards South, Jess's and Julie's towards the East, and Ann's towards South-West. This will keep us close to each other, and will allow us to communicate with each other without going outside our tents. After we were done, we set the fireplace, and re-positioned it so that it's right in front of my tent. We sat there for hours, mostly busy doing some checking to our gears. I looked at Julie, who sat quietly, the blood went through, so we had to re-wrap the wound. I opened the cloth that was covering her chopped-off arm and it looked very nasty. I grabbed a t-shirt from my bag, ripped it into half, and re-wrapped her wound. She flinched and groaned here and there, but she said that she was feeling better.

             Night is approaching, we were in our own tents. We were chatting inside our own tents (We've set up our tents so we were able to do so), when somebody didn't respond. It was Ann. I asked Jack where she went, but he didn't answer. We rushed outside our tents, but didn't want to yell (that's suicide). I told Jack to come with me, and told him that my best bet is that Ann is near the lake. We rushed there with our guns ready, jumped through logs, scratched by branches, and there she was. She was on the side of the lake, sobbing, and crying. I didn't know what her problem was. When I was about to approach her, Jack held my hand and said that he'd go talk to Ann. I didn't know what the deal was, but as long as everybody is safe, I'm fine. After that, I decided to left those two, and went back to where the group is. I re-assured the group is safe, and told them where Ann went. I proceeded my way back into my tent, and decided to write. Write on this diary in which I will remember once we escape from this hell.

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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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Day 55 -Mike's Diary "Lost of another"

         I wake up to the chirping of birds, the hissing of the wind, and the warmth of the sunlight. This is the moment when I actually get to relax without thinking about craze who are trying to gut me, and savages who are trying to raid and kill me, but once again the thought of the others came to my head. What if they won't make it? What if Lexi, Jack, and the others get killed? What if Rider betrays them? These unpleasant thoughts revolve around me, like planets orbiting the sun, and trapped in its orbital motion. I looked down the tree which I slept on to make sure there is no craze, or no one is around. I untie the rope from my body which later I used to climb myself down. The forest was quite after a while, and all I can hear is the sound the bugs buzzing around me. I look at the sky, while the dark cloud is approaching. I better hurry. I thought to myself. I pack my stuff and try to find my way back through the forest. ThanKS to the 6 months police academy camp, I was able to practice my sense of directions, so finding my way back to the lake wasn't a hard task.
          I walk through the bushes to reach the lake shore when I suddennly see Rider on the canoe. I approached her,and she told me to get in. I get in the canoe and say

          "Thanks. What happened to your face?" I asked

          "I fell. I want to leave. the group."

          "Why?"

          "I feel better alone."

          "Okay, and you're here because?"

          "Jack told me to find you."

Then we get on the shore, and we get off of the canoe. We continue to walk to thee group when we hear Sam's bark, followed by the appearance of Jack, Ann, Julie, and others. 

          "Thank's guys, I'm leaving."

          "Why?Julie asked

          "We all have our reasons" Rider says

          "We're going treat you first. until you feel better." I say

          "Follow Ann." Jack said

Rider follows inside the tent where she is being treated. Sam runs towards the tent and disappears. I don't what Jack is thinking right now, he's probably happy and sad at the same time to watch another comer goes. After Rider is being treated, she packs up and says her last good bye. Sam runs towards Julie as if he says his good bye to her, then runs back to Rider. All we do is just watch as Rider and Sam's appearances disappear behind the bushes, and the night goes quite. Jack is right beside the campfire along with the others. I look at Jack from a distance, and he looks back and waves as if it's a signal for me to go over there. Then I look at Ann, the mysterious figure who doesn't know anything, then Victor, Jess, and lastly Julie. I don't want her to go. I'm starting to get used to her personality considering she's similar to Lexi, but with the vulgar level over 9000.

           I walk towards the campfire, and sit right beside Jack. I look at the fire in front of me. How abstract, free but trapped. It's just like us living in a world like this. I turn my head to others who look at me weird, and I say

           "What?"

           "You need some rest." Jess says

           "Damned right you do." Jack adds

I smiled to thegroup, get up, and proceed my way into the tent where I'm right now writting this journal. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, plus we still have to deliverJulie. I have plan, if the valors' base which they said for kids doesn't turn up to be so, I'm taking Julie with me. I know there's going to be a war but... I just can't... I'm done writting.

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Mike's Diary - Day 54 "Funny Threat. How scary."

     I woke up the next day feeling exhausted and dehydrated. I needed a drink. Everyone was still sleeping, except Rider, she was a usual playing with Sam. I approached her and said
     "You failed the first test." Should I trust you?
     "What are you talking abut?"
     "Sneaking up through my diary." I responded, and she stayed quite. I proceeded, my way into a tent and looked for alcohol, a knife, heated the knife up, ripped my sleeve, poured some alcohol on my wound, and sunk the knife into my shoulder trying to get the bullet out.
     "Need help on that?" she said
     "What? You think I should trust you? No I've done this may times."
     "I could've killed you with my knife if I wanted to." She threw her knife  sunk into the tree beside me. I picked it and threw it back to her, I chuckled, and got the bullet out.
     "You got some problems lady." I said to her
     "Yeah? You're the one who almost killed us all!"
     "whatsup?" Jack asked
     "Just a little chat." I said
     "You know, you're stupid." She said to me, "Even Jack agrees." I saw Pack's jaw dropped, and I smiled and woke everybody up.
     "That's true, I'm stupid." I told her, then looked at Jack. I smiled again, to myself this time. I mean I've been having a tough week, give me a break for fuck sake.
     "let's go guys, we're going." I said while packing everything up. After we packed up, I led the way through forest, it was dead, quite, but breezy. I just simply love this mood. Julie caught up to me and said "I heard it all. I believe you Mike." I looked down to her then continue walking. Jack approached Julie and said
      "Hey do me a favour, give Mike a little space okay?"
We continued to walk, Victor was talking to Jess, Julie was talking to Ann, and Jack was arguing with Rider. I stopped walking and everyone stopped talking all at once.
      "Why the hell are we stopping?" Rider said
      "You'd be dead if you were alone." I responded. No seriously, I could hear a horde coming our way, I'm pretty sure no one notice this because they were too busy talking. I told everybody to stay where they are and proceeded my way hoping I could find a good way around. Too many people walking at the same time will just alert those craze. No way around. Great. There's a lake though, we might be able to cross it. I found a canoe that fits 3 people, so we had to make 3 trips across. Rider, Julie, and Victor, then Jack, Jess, and Victor, then of course, it's a bad luck when it came down to me. The horde was alerted because of, I dot even know what. Ughhhh..I was really frustrated at that point.
        "MIKE!" Julie yelled. I looked at her, at Victor in the water, and Jack who was too already across the lake.
        "YOU GUYS GO. Jack you're in charge." I said, I ran off to lure those craze away, but I managed to give Rider the death stare, and yelled "HAPPY NOW RIDER?!" While I disappeared into the forest. Okay now it's just me. I ran until I got far enough and found  big tree. A rope? Great! I climbed onto the tree and tied myself to it on the waist so I don't fall while I sleep. Weird enough, there's no breeze, no wind whatsoever. I'm here a lonely wanderer with his diary observing deep into the paleness of the night sky decorated with  a moon and nothing else. Once again, Lexi, no. Julie, pops up into my head, and I try not to let that attached itself to my innerself.

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Mike's Diary - Day 53 "Tis' not a Murder, More Like a Game."

     I've been sleeping for who knows how long. Sweat I thought, good, I'm feeling a bit better now. I don't know what I should do now, I don't want any trouble with the valors, yet I want Julie to stay with us.

     "Good morning Mike!" Julie said. She has been there in the tent, I didn't even know that she was there the whole time.

     "We have a new comer, name is Evelyn Rider." She adds. Wow, one day I gone unconscious, we have another new comer, Evelyn Rider? Cool name. I thought to myself

     "Huh?" I said. Just before Julie opened her mouth, this "Ms. Rider" came in.

     "So you're the leader of the group?" She said while reaching for my hand.

     "Don't, I'm sick." I responded.

     "Okay then so where are you guys heading next?"

     "First of all who let you join this group?"

     "Victor, I believe."

     "Who else is with you?" I interrogated her

     "Sam, my dog." she said.

I didn't say anything and just signaled Julie and Rider to go outside.

     "I'm Mike. Nice to meet you too." I said just before Rider exited my tent.

I gathered my thought, changed clothes, and drank some more water before I actually to go out of my tent. Man the smell. We really need to get out of this man hole as soon as possible. When I went outside my tent, I saw Jack running towards the group.

     "There... uh.. mmhmm... there are.. two guys near by. What do you guys want to do about it? Mike?" He asked.

     "Everybody pack up." I said, and they did. 

     "I'll go see them. Jack follow me, but don't let them see you. Keep a safe distance. Rider, you think you're useful?" I said

     "We'll see."

     "Okay I need you to signal the others once we confirm that these guys aren't bad." I said.

Off Jack and I went to approach these groups.

     "Who's there?" One of them asked

     "Friendly, don't shoot." I yelled

     "How many?"

     "A group. Let us pass? We want no trouble."

     "You have guns? or food?"

     "Yeah. Look we can only give you some food." I said

     "Yeah that's fine." One of them answered.

I signaled Rider to give the signal to others and we started walking towards them.

     "Hey, you didn't say you had some girls." One of them said

     "I forgot to mention that. They were talking about girls." Jack whispered to me

     "We're not letting you. They're our friends."

     "I mean we can always share." Said the other.

     "Here's your food." I said while handing them some of the food.We continued walking when BANG! They opened fire. I didn't know how to react, but the first thing that I did was turn back facing them, hid behind a tree (everyone did this), and Jack opened fire. 

     "Right in the head!" Jack yelled

     "Nice, the other one is mind." I yelled back. I don't know why but Jack and I think this as a game now, we're merciless, and then BANG, I shot the other one in the torso, then BANG-BANG, twice more, and he's dead. We took the food back, and we just casually walked pass those dead bodies. Oh, we also took the guns from them which is a bonus in our part I'd say. 

     "What.. Whatt was that?" Rider asked

     "That's how we do things around here if there's someone threatening our friends." Jack said

     "You're going to get used to it." Julie added

Rider stood there in shock, but we continued to walk. After 10 yards away, I looked back and yelled

     "You stay with us, you survive. You stay still you're dead."

Then all I could see was Rider trying to catch up with us while breathing heavily. Well I guess this is her first time witnessing this. After thirty minutes walk, my fever relapsed, I collapsed, sitting down, using a tree as my support.

     "We.. I can't. Set the tents here. I'm sorry guys." I said to the others, but they did it anyways. See I just don't want you guys to know that I have a bullet in my shoulder, and I cover it with a sling bag so you guys are not worrying about me. I thought to myself. The pain became unbearable, I tried my best to stay conscious, and not make the pain so obvious. I think this is why I have fever, infection, plus I fell into that shit hole made it worse. Just sleep it off I thought, it'd be better. The only thing I remember is my diary is opened on my lap, and I'm sleeping against a tree without anyone in the group noticing.

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Mike's diary - day 52 ''Smells like Shit, literally''

     long story short, I saw a truck (Jack's truck was parked right on the road.) and sneaked up to the driver seat and just wait for another 5 minutes also when suddenly the group reappears everybody hoped in and the rest is just a quite trip. Jack is looking outside the window, everyone else was asleep.
     "why did you come back?"
     "Don't want to be in charge of the group" he said quietly while chuckling, I chuckled too.
     "Glad you speak now."He said.
     "Me too."
I continue to drive until I see an abandoned liquor store. I told Jack to stay in the truck while I search for some beer and wine. I go back to the car with a six pack of BudLights and two red wine bottles. I gave Jack a can and we cheers to the new group, New beginning, and new year. We have forgotten about New year, I just can't believe it. We drink, then continue the journey.
      "Are you sure you don't want Julie to stay?" Jack asked, but I didn't answer. Instead, I took a deep breath, and shrugged. he then continues to look at the passenger window.
      "Glad to have you back Mike. Jack is having that time of the month thing." Julie said in a sleepy voice.
      "Knock it off, give the guy some slack Lexi." I say
      "Who?" she responded, but it goes quite.
      "Go back to sleep you little shit." Jack says
      "see Mike!" she responds and goes back in the trunk.
I swear that that was the most awkward and uncomfortable moment in my life. Jack looked at me sympathetically, but I didn't notice him. I continue to drive, thirty, fourth, sixty miles North until I get tired, then I switch with Jack. This is the first time in the history when drinking and driving is legal. he continues to drive us north until the highway is blocked and some sort. We got off, and Jack wakes everybody up.
      "There's only one way guys, the sewers." I say,
      "Awh man." Victor whines, and the others blank out in disbelief. we unpacked everything and off we go into the sewer. the smell I can't stand, smells like shit, literally. We are walking very careful and steady when I slip and go right into the puddle of 'you know what'. I get up but unable to walk, sprained my ankle I guess.
      "I'm not supporting you unless you change." Jack says, while he gives his sweater to me. I took off my shirt and put his hoodie on. Then he supports me, we decided to stop and build a camp there, yes in a sewer. I'm inside, it's Jack and Victor's turn to patrol. Worse thing is that I'm catching cold, and later fever. Ann and Jess look for medicine, and Julie looks after me in the tent. Man, the trip has to be delayed until I get better. If I get better, but from now on, we might have to try our best to live in these crappy, smelly, hot, and disgusting sewers.

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Mike's Diary Day 51 - "If I die, then let be."

     After we had all we wanted, supplies, gas, food, weapons, and most importantly, water to drink, we built our tent in the middle and we, well, I slept while the group was still talking. I had a dream, of Lexi, how her head blew up before a blink of an eye, and lied down on her side, harmlessly. I woke up gasping to this kid beside me.
     "Bad dreams huh?"
     "Yeah."
     "I hate them."
     "Me too."
I stood up, grabbed my crowbar, and when I was about to walk outside, she said,
     "Still don't want to talk to me I see." While she walks pass me. I just glanced at her and keep walking behind her. I saw the group was ready and all I could hear was
     "Did she actually wake you up?" asked Jess, I didn't say anything and shook my head. We packed up, refilled the gas in the car, and when I was about to get on the truck, Jack said
     "Hey, you had more sleep, you're driving." I switched to the driver seat, Jack is on the passenger seat, and Julie, Ann, Victor, and Jess were sitting at the back. In about three to four hours drive, Ann said
     "Guys, I need to go to the bathroom."
     "thirty more minutes and there's going to be a gas station." Jack informed her while looking at his map.
     "Are you tired bud?" Jack asked, but I shook my head.
     "Look, when you were sleeping yesterday, we were talking about Julie." He paused for a second and continued.
     "Jess, Victor, and I were talking, but then those two hooligans wanted Julie to stay with us."
I hit the break pedal, and paused for a second.
     "On the other hand, Julie also wants to stay with us."
     "No." I said,
     "Why are we stopping?" Jess asked,
     "Because we have to decide whether she's staying or not." Jack said,
     "Well can she stay? I need to go to the bathroom." Ann responded.
     "Look, the valors is one big army I will not start a war with them just for Julie, I won't risk our entire base, my brother is still there." I said,
     "Finally he speaks." Julie whispered,
     "Knock it off." Jack said to Julie. There, I guess we all know now that the vote is 3 against 2 excluding Ann.
     "Look she's not staying with us." I said, then I kept driving. thirty minutes later, we arrived at the gas station, and Ann impulsively ran towards the bathrooms without checking anything. Once she's done, she went out, and yelled "WALKERS!" I ran towards her, and managed to kill it, what a bloody mess. Then came another one, then another, and then another. We were so scattered so all the groups were scattered, and by scattered I mean Julie, Jack, and I were on the gas station's gate, and Victor, Jess, and Ann were already in the car. I looked over to Jack, then Julie.
    "I'll distract them, you and Julie head for the car." He nodded
    "We're not leaving you here." Said Jack
    "Yes, we are not." Julie added.
    "We need you to lead the squad." Jack said
    "RUN! Now Julie." She rushed towards the car
    I held Jack's arm and said, "If I don't make it alive, you're in charge, and.... keep her safe." I said, then he nodded. He took off, and hoped in to the car, and all I could heard was Julie's faint voice saying
    "How about Mike?"
At that moment, I think, well if I don't survive this one, at least they will. I then took off my shotgun and fired it into the air, distracting the craze from the car which then took off into the foggy evening. I ran backwards while firing, and since I didn't want to waste my shotgun ammo, I decided to hack and slash them with my crowbar while retreating deep into the forest until I'm finally alone. How stupid, I should've brought my tent with me. Now, I have to make a shelter, fire, and won't be able to sleep for more than 2 hours cycle. How stupid.

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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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Mike's Diary - Day 49 "Still to early."

    Nothing lasts forever, and I guess Jack was right. They were off of to burry Lexi. The girl who I been taking care of. The girl who I treated SS my sister. I got up, and walked towards them, just in time when they had finished their goodbyes. I walked towards Lexi's grave made out of rocks, and crouched down. I shed more tears, rage inside me is flaming up and I almost burst put again, but managed to calm myself down.
     "Lexi. I'm sorry." I cried even more, and yes I was thinking of wiping the clowns out. All of them, but I'm sure Jack already did so.
     "Mike." Jess called out, I didn't say anything and walked towards them.
     "Are you guys okay?" I said
     "Yes" Victor said
     "What's our next move?" Jack asked me.
     "Deliver the package. And who's this?"
     "Ann. I'm sorry for your loss." She said, but I didn't answer.
I'm becoming a very depressing person, I no longer talk a lot, barely answer questions. I feel emptiness, as if something in me is missing. I walked towards the truck that Jack and group road to this place, and sat on the passenger seat. Jack was Driving.
     "You gotta move on sometimes right?" He said, but I didn't answer. I just lost my appetite for everything, talking, food, even water. I don't feel thirsty all of the sudden. I just look out the window, thinking of what I could've done. Jack tried his best to make me let a word out, but it was all useless. I feel the breeze hitting my face, in the windy, and gloomy night. We kept driving and soon the sun rises from the east, as we reached the valor's base. I got off the truck, and met with one of the leaders. I gave him the letter, and told that we made a deal with his branch.
     "Ahhh... my postmen." Says he, then continues "you will be delivering, well not an object exactly." At the same time two vapors came out with the "package", it was a little girl.
     "You have to deliver this girl back to the kids camp that we have 400 miles from here." He said to me
     "You've got to be sitting me!"
     "I turned my back on him, and saw Pack's face." I know that look. I walked towards him and said
     "I can't."
     "It's too late now, we've made the deal. They could kill us."
     "...I."
     "We'll take it." Jack said. I looked at him and shook my head in a disappointment, and sigh. We took little girl with us, and she sits beside me.
     "Where the fuck are we going?" She asked me
     "Another base."
     "I Don't wanna go with you guys."
     "You're just gotta deal with it."
     "Can't you be anymore rude?"
     "You're the one who swore and complain about shit." I said
She looked over to Jack and said
     "What the fuck is his problem?!" Jack didn't answer.
     "What the he'll is wrong with you people?" She asked. Judging from how vulgar and young she is, reminds me to Lexi, but worse. Brunette, 5'2 feet, brown eyes, pony tail. I don't even bother to ask what her name is. There, we stopped to take a break, we unpacked and set up tents. Jess and Ann are in these tent, Victor and Jack, the girl sleeps alone, but close to Jess's tent, and I stay up. We made a campfire, I was the only one who sits with my book open on the trunk of the truck, still thinking about Lexi. This is too early for me I though to myself. I saw that vulgar girl talking with Jack, she asks too many questions and I'm not in the best mood. All I heard was
      "What the hell is that grumpy old man's problem??" She asked Jack
      "...los..breaa..." Jack said, which I couldn't hear clearly since our distance was 6 metres away. Who the fuck cares? I just wanna get this "package" delivered right away so I don't have to deal with anything complex ever again.

   

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Mike's Diary day 48 - "Merry Fucking Christmas"

Today is December 25th. The day when Jesus was born. I woke up and saw Lexi who was guarding the tent at the time.
     "Merry Christmas Kiddo" I said.
     "Hey you remember"
     "Of course I do."
I got up and I went towards her and gave her a necklace
     "Here"
     "You shouldn't have." She said to me.
     "That‘s my sister's."
I got up and told HR to pack up. I packed my things up and helped lexi to do her stuff. We are going to head towards the church and wait for Victor, jess, and Jack to catch up with us. I really wish that they are okay and none gets injured, or died.
We walked for s couple more miles, and here we are in the front gate of this magnificent building. The gates are gold, the walls are ceramics, the smell of rust overlapping the smell of dirt and corpses.
     "Let me Go in first."
     "Careful, we don't need another dead man." She said.
I walked inside when-- the wall collapse separating meandering Lexi.
     "MIKE." She almost yelled
     "Lexi, ready your gun and wait untill I come back. I'll find another way around. You wait three find some place safe, those three will be here any minutes so just sit tight and wait for them. Once you see them, tell them to find me, I'll be waiting here inside the building. Merry Christmas." I said.

I turned around leaving Lexi behind, I just keep walking until I see craze. I crouched immediately, picked up a rock and threw it across the room in order to distract the craze.I took one of them out with my crowbar, but the more I proceed my way through the church, the more craze popping out. I finally found a ladder, I thought if I could use this to go to the attic, I could make my way out of this building and reunite with the others. Plus Lexi, I just don't want anything to happen to Lexi. I climbed my way to he attic, very dust, and I fucking hate it. Oh well what else can I do right? I proceed my way out of the attic and jumped down. Finally, there Lexi just sitting down waiting for me.
    "Plan b, this place isn't safe, lets leave a note to them that say go to the building across, third floor." I said, and she nodded. I felt relieved when I saw Lexi was still alive.

We went to the building across, it was almost the same condition as the church so we decided to go together this time. We will not taking the risk of being separated again. We went onto the third floor when we saw more clowns. I decided to take 2 of them out, impulsively.
     "Alright Lexi, we'll be watching and waiting for Jack and group from through third floor. We can watch every movement from the window, and yo--"
     "You move you die" said one of the clowns who was holding Lexi as a hostage.
     "Please don't. Do anything to her."
     "You've killed my friend."
     "They were trying to kill us no LET HER GO!"
 Before I had time to say anything else, th bullet from his glock pierced through Lexi's head and she dropped dead on the floor. I rushed toward the clown, took my crowbar out and started beating him. I beat him to his death and throw him off of the building. I sat there mourning or Lexi's lifeless body. I cried, screamed, and the rage within me took over. Why the he'll did I even do this in the first place. I fell empty, as if there is no purpose to my life anymore. Just in time. Those three reached me.
      "Mike..." Jack said.
I didn't say anything and walked away from Lexi. Sitting in the corner mourning, crying, yelling, like a mad man. Merry fucking Christmas.

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Day 47

     "Are you okay?" I asked Lexi.

     "Yes, but Victor..."

     "Yeah I know. Go get some rest. You kicked ass though." I chuckled and gave her a hand gun. 

     "Now what." Said Jess who was taking care of Victor at the time. I looked to her, then glanced over to Jack. Oh I see you want revenge right Jack? Well it'd be better to do it after we deliver this thing don't you think? More guns, gather more people? Ask for Valors' help? 

     "So Jack." I asked

     "I'm going with or without you guys."

     "That's what I thought."

     "You, guys be safe. I'm going tomorrow morning"

     "No, everyone comes with you. I'll deliver this to valors myself."

     "Mike WHAT THE FUCK!" Lexi yelled from across the room.

     "Language." 

     "Don't tell me that. I'm going with you." She responded. All I could do is let her be. 

*NEXT MORNING* 

Everybody wakes up, and is packing their stuff.  

     "Jack how far is it? Their base?" I asked

     "Far enough. You two. We don't need two more dead people."

     "And I don't need three." I said, then I continued, "you see that church? The one over the mountain. We'll be there in 2 days. Try to catch up if you can. If you can't, turn back to base or go to this address." I handed him a copy o the address. Then we went on our own ways. Me and Lexi walked, far, far enough for her to collapse and just sit down in the middle of the muddy road to take a rest. It's not yet evening, but since winter is approaching, it gets pretty dark.

     "You haven't answered my question. What happened to you before you met me." I asked

     "I was with my aunt. But you know, shit went down. I try to survive, blablabla, 5 days later, you found me." She answered. "Yourself?" 

     "Me?" I asked "well, had a family once. They all dead."

     "I'm sorry." 

     "Me too."

I got her up and we continue walking. Craze here and there but they don't even bother us anymore, we tried our best to be unseen. Uzi in my right hand, a revolver in Lexi's. Lexi for some reason doesn't complain that much during the trip. You're a tough little kid for your age kiddo. We walk until it was really dark, approximately 15 miles away from the church. We set up a tent, went in it, I'm staying up and she's sleeping. We'll take turn obviously. There's nothing else to do, so I decided to write this. Hopefully those three are just fine, and can meet up with us in two days in the church. I was so stupid not telling them what the signal is when we're near by because yelling and screaming out names just doesn't cut it. It'll bring us to our own deaths. Mike, you're so dumb.

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