Maria, it turns out, is a natural. Nate had to scold Isaac on numerous occasions early on due to bad habits from video games and movies he thought applied to real life. He was very soon corrected and - as Isaac is obviously terrified of incurring Nate’s displeasure - he soon knuckled down to be a model student. He’s a clever guy, and quickly learned that when it comes to combat, Nate knows best.
Alicia has upgraded to the rifle. Nate has given her one of the variants that has semi and burst, like I carry. Pooh Bear himself has switched his scope to one that has semi and full, as he can handle that muzzle ride. Sometimes, dumping out a thirty-round magazine in about three seconds might be needed, and if that situation ever does arise then only Nate has the chops to handle that kind of rate of fire at the minute. I did it once when we hit Bancroft’s house to liberate our new friends and it shocked the shit out of me just how fast the rifle dumps them out. I felt like a cartoon character holding on to a high-pressure hosepipe as it just ran away with me.
That’s been the order of things the past few days. Nate schooling Alicia, Maria, and Isaac, while Mark constructs the outhouse for the generators in preparation of wiring them in ready for winter. Norah looks after us all, and while I’ve been recovering from my injury, Particles has hung out with me and Charlie while we play video games.
I am officially Charlie’s new favourite person, by the way. Since bringing his dad home safe, the kid has become my handsome little shadow. It feels like I’ve inherited a little brother and you know what? I like it. Having someone look up to me like that will keep me on the straight and narrow, I think. Mark’s done such a great job of raising the kid I feel it’s my duty to continue that, and not make a mess of all his hard work in shaping such a smart, good-hearted boy. I have officially adopted Charlie Reynolds as my honorary kid brother.
It occurs to me that children are the future of our new world, and I can’t help but wonder how many are out there. It’s been four months since our reality shifted and with winter creeping ever closer, I’m concerned for how many survivors will make it through. We’ve seen evidence of fires - in both nearby towns - that consumed numerous houses, and with no widely available central heating, burning natural fuel like wood is the only way any survivors will make it through the winter. I’m worried there are people out there we could potentially help that will fall foul of the cold weather and make fatal mistakes.
I worry a lot these days it seems.
What was it Norah said to me? “Don’t be bound in the chains of things you can’t change.” That was it. Good advice, but hard to follow.
We have space here at the lodge for some more people. We have fuel, warmth, food, fresh water, clothing (from raiding houses), and a major advantage of well-stocked security with an ex-special forces operator as our guardian and tutor. I mean, shit, we’ve probably got it as good as it gets in this bullshit world, I think. Let’s face it, I doubt there are many survivors like Charlie and I at this time, sat here playing Mario Kart while the dead roam and hunt the living.
I think about how good we have it right now, and I am bound in the chains of this thing I can’t change, because I want to change it for others. The thought of a family unit shivering in the cold, terrified of venturing out, and nothing but makeshift melee weapons to take on the undead with if they do… well, that just makes me uncomfortable. There have to be other survivors out there and I desperately want to find and help them.
I think I’ll chat to Nate about that later on. When I’m ready to head out beyond the gate again, I think that’s what I’d like to do. I don’t really know how we go about locating survivors, as anyone with any sense is holed up tight and suspicious as all hell, especially if their only other human contact since the end has been with the likes of Bancroft’s lunatic crew.
I don’t know. Food for thought. All I know is that we have it pretty good, and we should look to share that good fortune with others. There are eight humans and a pug living here. We could conceivably double that. It wouldn’t leave much in terms of personal space, but if we could give even one family safety and shelter, then we should. Every human life saved is a big middle finger to whatever monstrosity planned this uprising. Flipping the finger to assholes is one of my favourite hobbies, even if they are divine cosmic entities.
I’m purposefully not thinking about all the weird zombie bullshit at the moment. I’ll come back to that in a day or two when I’ve considered it all. Right now, I can hear Norah booming out dinner is ready, so I’m going to eat my fill and while away the evening in a highly competitive tournament of Mario Kart with my new little bro.
OCTOBER 14th, 2010
WHY ME?
Feeling much better today, Freya. My back is most definitely on the mend and I’m not scoffing ibuprofen anymore, just dealing with a bit of soreness and lingering stiffness, but my mojo is coming back. I am so happy about that, as I’m a hands-on kind of girl. I don’t like lazing about when everyone else is busy doing stuff.
Nate rolled out heavy today,
