Journal:St James

St James
Name: "Saint" James Smith Age: 27 Place of birth: Portland OR Occupation: Emergency medical technician Rank: EMT-P Years of service: 1999 - 2004 Awards: Henry Dunant Medal Current Status: Alive Location: Earletown suburb, Malton Current Level: 8 Heals: 311 (As of 05th May 08) Deaths: 1 Group: Malton Red Cross Character Details: Urban Dead profile Journal: Journal:St James

Searching Clare General Hospital you find a black book. You almost toss it aside, mistaking it to be another medical text book or journal, then you notice something unusual.

Opening the book you notice a medal pinned to the inside front cover. On closer inspection it appears to the Henry Dunant Medal, awarded to International Red Cross workers. Underneath this is a faded picture of a young woman.

You open the book to the first page. It appears to be journal chronicling the life of a medic working in middle eastern countries. You skip ahead to the year of the outbreak.

This is the journal of User:St james

09. James' Diary, 2005

July

6

I have no money left for drink and I was sacked from work today. I suppose it’s a good thing. I didn’t go to University to do hard labor.

Still it stung to be called an alcoholic. I’ll move town in the morning.

You flip through entry after entry. There is no mention of the outbreak, in fact most of the diary seems to be a running total of an alcoholics meager earnings. You wonder to yourself how a decorated serviceman could sink to such lows and how his journal wound up in Malton. You are about to throw the book aside when an entry catches your eye.

10. Medic’s Diary, 2006

August

14

I spoke to an old friend today. Rebecca. I hardly remember what she looks like. I do remember pulling her out of that burning truck back in Darfur. There was so much blood. It turns out she’s been looking for me, she left her number and my description with every bar-tender in the county.

Hearing her voice was both painful and comforting. I haven’t heard a kind word for, I guess, at least two years. I almost cried my way through the rest of that nights drinking.

File:RebeccaChambers.jpg

29

Met up with Rebecca today. I haven't seen her in three years.

I considered shaving or even washing, in the end I couldn’t be bothered. Sadly it was the first thing she commented on. Despite that she was pleased to see me. We drank coffees in a seven eleven whilst the rain poured down. It would have been romantic if things had been different between us.

Turns out that the injury she got in Darfur eventually prevented her working. She had to retire in 2004. Most of the group got wiped out later that year, so she's lucky to be alive.

She went back to working as a Paramedic, but, she said it wasn't the same. So now she does the teaches, its a tough life apparently.

Eventually she got to the reason we met up. Obviously I was wrong, it wasn't the romantic meeting I had expected. Apparently the remaining members of the team have started to get in contact with her, asking for help. Some of them had been drafted into a situation occurring in America. A siege of some kind. It sounded serious, like a lot of the team was dead already. It seemed ridiculous though, what kind of an army could take over a whole American city? I hadn't heard anything about it either. The whole thing sounded suspicious.

On some stupid whim I decided to go along with her plan anyway. We're both bored of our lives right now anyway, its like the danger of battle is drawing us back. She wants to find Malton. get inside and help those members of the team that are still alive. We leave tomorrow.

30

We bought a cheap car using what money we had. She didn't like my idea of bringing alcohol along. It seems like she wants to me sober up. Which I guess is the right thing if im going to be working as a medic again. On the other hand I can't seem to see the point, firstly I need alcohol to get me through all the horror that appears whilst working in field hospitals. Secondly I seem to be taking this opportunity of getting back to the battlefield as an excuse to be in danger, with the hope of being killed.

The only thread we have to follow to find Malton are the radio messages from our old team mates. Rebecca has one of those huge receiving units, run by battery power to pick up messages. Apparently it was a gift from the team when she left. They didn't need it, its far out of date.

So while she drives, she doesn’t trust me with wheel. I sit in the back and bite my nails waiting for a call. Nothing yet.

We slept in the car tonight, as I expect we will for the next few weeks. The tension between us was kind of embarrassing.

September

20

There hasn’t been anything to write about recently. We’ve been heading South the last few weeks. We’ve had no activity on the radio though. Me and Rebecca have solved all our differences and we’re as close as we ever were.

November

19

Me and Rebecca have decided to settle down for now. Driving around without a clue doesn’t agree with us anymore. We’ve grown so much closer…

We picked a cheap house in Duncanville, Texas. We’ve been so busy I haven’t bothered to write much.

You skip through the next few months. Most of them seem to detail the bliss of new love, and the experience of living as a couple. Then a different style of entry catches your eye…

11. James's Diary 2007

February

25

WE GOT A MESSAGE!

FINALLY!

We were just about to go out for the evening when the radio flickered into life! I couldn’t believe it! I totally forgot about why me and Rebecca had got together. Then it all came back. Nights of heavy drinking in empty bars. Lack of companionship. Suicidal tendencies…

It wasn’t the guys though. It was a strangers voice. He was making a test call. He was surprised when we interrupted him with our message. He was even more surprised when he realized that our transmition was coming from outside the city. Then he began rambling, crying even. Yelling. Screaming for help…

We managed to calm him down, we asked for his location, how he had found our teams second radio, and the whereabouts of the team. He was shocked that we hadn’t heard anything about Malton. He even made us read today’s newspaper to him!

When we told him we wished to help he gave us Malton’s location. Its just outside of [place name removed]. As we were asking what was happening there static separated us. Then another voice came over the air.

He told us to turn off our set. That we were in breech of US Army protocol regarding the use of radios. Asked us where we had got the set from and how we knew about Malton. We explained our position, the loss of our friends, and our desire to help. He told us that there was no situation occurring in or near Malton. In fact Malton didn’t even exist. The voices we had heard were pranksters who had stolen Army equipment. He requested we return the set to our local Army barrack, or we would face prosecution.

When I turned the set off, me and Rebecca both looked at each other. We knew we were going to find out what was happening in Malton whatever the cost.

28

We left for Malton today. We all the kit we could afford. But no fire arms. Neither of us like them…

Despite our relationship, we still want to do this. Risk our lives I mean…

April

20

We’ve arrived as close as we can get to Malton. Most of the places we’ve stopped at have never heard of the place. In fact it doesn’t even appear on the newest version of most maps that we’ve seen at the garages we’ve refueled at.

When we got closer we were stopped by US Army men. Looking at the map it seems that all the towns around Malton are protected by the US Army too. Probably to prevent anyone from getting anywhere near Malton. They weren’t interested in any medical help we could offer.

21

After a day of planning me and Rebecca have decided to try and sneak past the US Army men and get close to Malton.

22

Everything is going ok. I don’t think the US Army expect anyone to want to sneak in. It seems like this situation has been going on for some time now.

24

Me and Rebecca have had to cross borders and protected zones before, but, well this has to be the most heavily defended place either of us has ever seen. It resembles a quarantine zone more than anything else.

So far we’ve seen spotting towers, machine-gun posts, razor wire, land mines, anti-vehicle barriers, and napalm trenches. Luckily they seemed to set up for people attempting to leave not enter.

As you turn the page a newpaper cutting falls from the journal. You retrieve it from the floor and study it.

26

Me and Rebecca have become separated. We did a stupid thing. Tried to cross the boarder in a jeep we stole.

Obviously we came under fire, the jeep crashed. I crawled out. The whole thing blew up behind me…

I’m certain Rebecca got out in time…

I’m sure she did…

After I came to there was no sign of her. I walked through a mile of rumble, burnt out buildings and past some of the strangest corpses I’ve ever seen.

I hardly knew I had reached Malton until I started seeing the street signs again. All the streets are empty. What has occurred here? This is unlike no war zone I’ve been to.

I found no signs of life what so ever until I stumbled upon Clare General Hospital. I was totally unprepared for what I saw.

At least 30 patients suffering the most unusual sorts of injuries. Most disturbingly, some had bite lesions. These marks do not suggest canine made wounds. At the sight of this I immediately offered my assistance, though the doctor in charge was too tired to tell me anymore than where I could find First Aid Supplies.

I’ll start my search for Rebecca tomorrow.

28

One of the patients told me today that Malton is infested with the undead. What a ridiculous story, he’s obviously suffering so sort of Post Traumatic Stress related disorder.

Though I want to look for Rebecca I have plenty of patients to see to. She can look after herself.

29

I spoke to a man today on the Hospitals only Radio system. He hadn’t met anyone by the name of Rebecca, but he offered to keep his eyes open. He was recruiting for the Malton Red Cross. I immediately offered my services. He wished me “the best of luck”.

May

2

Words cannot explain. Its true. The dead really have returned.

Rebecca ….

Too sick to write anymore.

7

More patients flood in everyday. The doctor has gone missing. The great realization I experienced on Wednesday has finally sunk in. Thank god there was only one of them outside the hospital. I may not be so lucky next time.

Hopefully drink will help me through this.

12

I discovered a map of the city today. Its size is immense. At least 100 suburbs, I seem to be in Earletown in the northeast. No clues as it where Rebecca might be. I know for sure she is here though. I mustn’t worry too much about her…

14

I have decided on a course of action. I’m relocating to Santlerville to help in a Mall siege. A helpful patient taught me the basics of free running, a technique which seems popular amongst the survivors here.

I’m really hoping Rebecca will be there too

15

I’ve arrived at the mall. Free running is an incredibly effective technique. There was no sign of Rebecca amongst the survivors. The place is large with many stores. I was encouraged to loot the stores in search of supplies and began healing the multitudes of saviors I found there.

16

I took my first look at the horde besieging the mall today. It made my brain hurt. Hundreds of walking dead. Its not right. What has gone wrong here?? I didn’t receive much information from the survivors. I have decided to stay until the situation resolves one way or the other.

20

I have become obsessed with observing the horde for sight of Rebecca. A survivor pointed out to me that I have become emaciated. I’ve been forced to stop drinking due to the lack of alcohol in the city. It seems people have already had this idea. He suggested I rested more often. I was assured that the siege would soon be over.

22

They broke in today. The smell was overpowering. I did all I could to reinforce the barricades along with other survivors. There are hundreds more out there. The look in their eyes stops me from sleeping most nights.

24

I discovered more medical text books today. Though they are hardly professional level pieces of literature I am fairly confident with most medical procedures now. The tides have also turned in the siege. We are now close to victory.

26

Victory has been declared! Though the mall grounds still have many zombies shambling around. I have decided to stay to continue to treat wounds and help survivor efforts.

29

I have been in this city for a month now. I am still no closer to finding Rebecca. I have tried to keep my spirits up, but it seems more likely that if she is here, she will not be in human form.

June

10

I am still using the mall as my base of operations. However I now plan to return to Clare General. Hopefully I can help maintain the building to help the survivor effort. My goal really should be to help the remaining population.

14

I arrived at Clare General today. The building is in a poor state of repair compared to other hospitals I have visited since. I installed a Generator to provide light to building and to assist medical operations.

15

The hospital is under attack. A group of at least 13 zombies is attempting to break through the small barricade erected in the main hallway.

This is different to the mall siege; it’s only me and a few helpful survivors keeping the barricades up this time. I have used the radio to call for reinforcements from the local survivor group. I’m not sure if they will arrive in time.

22

What happened.....?

I remember the barricades falling and then nothing. It seems I blacked out. Or something.

Most disturbingly are the numerous deep scratches and cuts all over my arms and neck. I guess I was attacked by those things. There's blood under my finger nails, and all over my hands. Some of that must have come from myself, some of my nails have been ripped off.

The pain is unbearable, but I’ve got to keep moving. What was I doing for the last seven days?? I dare not think that I may have been one of "them". I’m heading back to the hospital to recover from my wounds.

29

I've taken some time out to recover from that experience. Its true, I was zombified. As ridiculous as it sounds. It seems I never strayed from the hospital though. Despite what happened here I’m beginning to love this hospital. I expect I defended it even whilst I was dead, or undead. I’m in talks with the local defense force, the BOW, to turn this in a Red Cross institution.

July

17

I have not had the time or motivation to write much recently. The dread and despair of the city has sunk in now. I am but another survivor clinging onto life in this forgotten place. For the second time this week I am at Dulston’s mall, restocking my supplies of First Aid Kits.

23

I have remained at Dulston mall. This life is getting too difficult to bear. I have considered taking the easy way out on a number of occasions. All that has stopped me is the thought that Rebecca is still alive somewhere. After I have had a significant rest at this location I plan to move further into the city, in search of more dangerous suburbs, where my expertise will be greater demand. For now I will find a safe place to hide and rest.

09. James' Diary, 2008

The pages between July of 2007 and April of 2008 are mostly blank. Here and there are lists of places with crosses next to them, and lists of items, mostly food and esstential survival equipment.

April

29

I found this diary again today. Reading the old entries almost makes me laugh. I was so different then. It’s been a year since I moved into my hide out in Dulston’s Mall. I have such a great set up, it’s almost like the plague isn't happening. I have plenty of food and water, sound proof walls and all the entertainment I could wish for with the help of the wind up generator I built.

File:Henry dunant medal.jpg

I’ve been so out of the whole situation in the city that I didn’t even notice the break in that occurred in February. The creatures raided the whole of the mall. They didn’t find my hiding place though. I guess that’s a testament to my building and supply gathering skills.

I guess I became resigned to the fact that the plague was probably elsewhere by now so I might as well make myself comfortable. In the rush to set up this home from home I totally forgot about the diary. Seeing it again reminds me of what I put to the back of my mind. The search for Rebecca is over. She's dead. I’m all over it now. But I can't live like this any longer. There are other people to help. And I have the power to help them and I’m not using it.

I’ve got back into contact with the Malton Red Cross again. They assumed I was dead, rightly so. I haven't really spoken to anyone properly for almost a year. I’m waiting for orders. When I get them I'll leave this place behind.

30

It’s nice to go free running and be helping the injured after all this time. It gives me reason to go on.

May

2

I healed my 300drth person today. Its just like me to remeber things like that.

5

Ive made plans to move into St Ninian's Hospital (Pescodside) while I wait for news from The Malton Red Cross. I went over and inspected it today, its certainly in much better condition than Clare General.

13

After waiting 8 days for fellow Red Cross memmbers to arive, I have decied to move again since the undead presence in Dulston is too high. I am now relocating to Ridleybank.