Journal:Jessica Norwood
| Jessica Norwood | ||||||||||
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You stumble upon a woman in a midnight blue cocktail dress, asleep among the rubble on the street with a tan jacket spread over her bare shoulders as a makeshift blanket. Clutched in her hand is a Mead notebook. You dislodge the notebook and flip through it.
On closer inspection, you realize she's dead. You quickly back off before she rises.
March 2008
March 3rd
The last few days have been hell. I don't know what's happening, and nobody I've asked seems to have any ideas, but it's just so... so unreal, you know? This can't be happening.
Okay. Maybe I should start from the beginning. Something happened. I don't know what. The government announced some state of emergency or something, and... well, there was a report on Channel 4 about zombies - I know, what the hell? - all over Monroeville. After a week or so (I guess), the military arrived and escorted the whole street away. There were twenty or thirty of us, crowded in that little truck.
And then - I don't know - we must have met resistance or something, only not zombies, cause we could hear gunfire. The soldiers hurriedly pulled up and ordered everybody to enter a building - a warehouse, I think. Or maybe a factory. I don't remember exactly - but not everybody made it. There was this woman and her daughter, they got caught up and went the wrong way or something, and I saw a man get hit in the crossfire. The soldiers didn't return. Those who made it inside safely, we had no idea what to do. Most of us didn't have anything - I only brought my phone, the latest issue of a newspaper I had and a crowbar that I grabbed when I left home. And a video camera. I don't even know why I have it.
Somebody noticed we were in West Monroeville, near the mall, so we decided to get over there. It took the whole day for us to walk across those few blocks - most of us were tired, and there were zombies all over the place, and this one guy was shooting at somebody alive. Like I said, it was hell. Periodically, these flares would shoot up the night sky, looking like fireworks or something. I caught one on my tape - instinctively, I guess. Anyway, the whole trip exhausted me so much that I camped at another nearby building. Again, not sure which one. There was this other guy whose gun discharged accidentally and shot me - nothing serious, really, just grazed my arm. A flesh wound - but he healed me straight after, so that was alright. But the whole time I was fiddling with the camera. Roger (I think that was his name) didn't looked too pleased to be caught on tape.
And then I reached Monroeville Mall the next day. There weren't really any zombies there yet - the mall was kind of barricaded, and survivors on the upper floors were shooting at those who wandered nearby. Some others stood guard, waving axes and baseball bats. I camped there for - oh, I don't know, two or three days? - gathering supplies. I found a kitchen knife, which I found more useful than the crowbar (which I kept anyway), a couple of spray cans and flare guns, and more first aid kits than I could ever used. Grabbed a few, and healed some of the survivors (who nicely volunteered - okay, they didn't exactly volunteer - to act as a target practice for my kitchen knife). Also found a couple of toolboxes, but only brought along one.
Found a manual at the tech store too - figured out how to use the video camera. Filmed a brief introduction (I look like a guy in that clip, what with all the grime and sweat), a couple of shots of the generator, the radio transmitter, the survivor crowds and some graffiti over the wall.
Anyway - you won't believe this - someone named Marilyn contacted me, and told me about several survivors gathering all over Monroeville and the nearby suburbs (I heard from the others that Newtown was deserted. A ghost town). Didn't take me long to decide to join them. They were heading towards Drummond Mall, which was to the north. I told Marilyn what I saw near Monroeville, and fell asleep.
Started heading towards Drummond the following day. I got sidetracked a bit by a faulty compass - went SN instead and saw some woodland (which I filmed too, to use as a rudimentary landmark or something) and a lone zombie (my first undead sighting since I reached Monroeville Mall! Filmed that too.) and finally corrected my path after reaching the woods. Got to a cemetery and saw the unearthed graves. Sick. Didn't feel like making any more progress, so requested a couple of survivors (Captured them on film too. Hope they make it out alive.) in a police department in help me out. Slept. Woke up later in the night and finally reached Drummond, where I found this empty journal in a bookstore.
So today, after I woke up, I searched around for some more first aid kits, fiddled with my knife a bit (I'm getting the hang of it) and headed out for a brief trip round the nearby blocks. Saw some dead bodies. Nobody - no pun intended - I recognize though, thank God. Filmed them and asked the guys inside if they knew who they were. Nobody did.
And you wouldn't believe this. I was getting tired, so I went back to the mall, clambered over the weak barricades and stayed a while. I was filming this barricader who stuffed a lead pipe in between the door handles - that's when I realized that was the only barrier between us and the zombies outside. What's worse, there was one undead fellow that got in!
I don't know why, but I went up to him and stabbed him twice. Well, once actually, cause I missed the first time. Then this officer (Goldman. I checked his name tag.) blew the thing's head off. Which I apparently captured on tape, since the camera was on the whole time. And I dumped the body outside.
I'm still kinda tired. The lead pipe's keeping us safe. Actually, not that safe. But I guess it's somewhat kinda sorta safe. I guess. We need more barricaders here. Nobody here has any idea how to push a couple of vending machines or mannequins over to the doors. Sad, I know. The generator's also badly damaged. We'll need to find some way to make it run, or else the radio won't work and we'll miss any potential rescues/ updates. Anyway. Tired. Night, diary.
I hope the others arrive soon.
March 4th
Someone named Jamie fixed the generator and barricaded the place for us. Thank God. Jamie's in Marilyn's group, and from what I heard we'll be mobilizing to Oak Hill soon. So I stabbed someone a bit and wrapped them up in first aid kits. I bet if I do this a couple more times, I can get better accuracy at melee fighting. Just a hunch, I guess.
Running low on first aid kits. Only three so far, and I've used eight on Alfons (that's who I practiced on. He returned the favour last night).
March 5th
Dear diary,
I'm at Samuel's farm now. That's right, I left Drummond Mall. I don't even really know why, it just feels like this calling or something. Kinda creepy, now that I think about it, because I traveled across half the zombie infested city just to hide in this stinking barn? It's not even safe here. But at least I brought this notebook (and a ballpoint pen) with me. So I just took a video survey of the blood-stained barn, and I'm out of here the next thing tomorrow morning.
I found a map of the city, too, which is more than I could hope for. I'm going to head towards the Uni - where the dorms are - see if any of my friends are alive. I don't know whether I should travel across the fields (where less people and zombies are, but open sky) or the urban area (more survivors and zombies, but more safehouses). I guess I'll worry about it tomorrow.
Already used up half the memory on my video clip. Great.
Update: Just got through the fields. I'm hiding at a factory now - saw lights from the window and some minimal barricades. Thought there'd be people inside. Guess I was wrong. It's an empty building. I hope the light doesn't attract the zombies outside - like it obviously attracted me.
I should've hid in that other factory. But I'm too tired to move now. If I try, I might just fall asleep halfway.
Okay. Took a brief rest, and moved south-east for a bit. I'm hiding in a hotel right now, which I guess is a comparatively less conspicuous place. More comfortable, too, though I'm probably going to sleep on one of these sofas in the lobby. You never know who's been asleep - or worse - on those beds.
I'm making slow (but steady) progress! Not far away from the dorms now.
March 6th
Oh God oh God oh God. I am so screwed.
So I was on my way here to the dorms. Left Sigmond Hotel this morning, and reached Spaulding Mall. Didn't stop though, except I went a bit out of my way to film a pile of bodies - fifteen. Must have been a hell of a siege, or something. Then I saw three zombies around a club, and filmed a bit too. So then I got through the woodland and reached the area - only I got lost a bit and found only libraries and the stadium. Finally found Engler Dorm - and headed in, avoiding a lone zombie outside. Only to run into another lone zombie inside. And the doors are opened.
Great. I don't think I have the strength to fight it. What am I going to do?
And anyway, Debra's not here. I took a couple of shots of the dorm - just to be sure. And in case we have to come back or anything.
Update: I'm saved!
No, seriously! I'm at the railway station next door. One of Marilyn's friends helped me hold off the zombie while I gather the energy to get to the station. There are quite a few others here, and the place is decently barricaded. Once I rest enough, I'll set off for Hamilton Mansion. Heard there's a good hiding place at the pool there.
March 7th
Made it to the pool. Didn't see anything interesting on the way, except two zombies and a survivor standing near a police station. Waited for a bit to see if they'd attack, but no. They must be asleep or something. If zombies sleep.
The poolhouse isn't barricaded, but we closed the doors. This place is kind of out of the way, so hopefully no zombies are coming here, and even if there are, they don't retain enough memory to open the doors. I think I'm going towards Spearing Mall tomorrow - the others are meeting near Oak Hill. I'll have to scavenge more supplies at Spearing. I'm running out of food, and a pair of binoculars or a generator always helps.
March 8th
I'm back at a mall. Spearing, not Drummond or Monroeville. Though there doesn't seem to be much difference; the situation is just as dire. Survivor numbers appear to be dwindling though, and every now and then people head out but never come back. Freaky. I don't even want to think about it.
Spent my entire morning looking for stuff in the sports store, but didn't find anything except two hunting knives (which I discarded, since I already have one) and a pool cue.
Woke up at around twelve. Looked around some more, found a ski pole, another knife (which I discarded too) and a pair of binoculars. Now if I can find a tall building...
Just walked out at evening for a quick breath of fresh air. I understand it's risky under these situations, but... what is there to live for if we're just cooped up in a safehouse like chickens or something? How sad is it that we won't be able to watch the sunset, or listen to the rustling leaves, or even smell the grass-and-soil scent?
But there WAS a minor... inconvenience. There was a zombie waiting outside, and it scratched my arm. The wound doesn't look infectious, thank God, but I almost dropped my camera after that. I don't think I can live without it now. The little gadget is my sole motivation - besides that whole nature thing.
Jeez. I don't even know what I'm rambling on about. Must be the stress. And trauma. Can't forget the trauma.
March 9th
Some idiot took down our barricades last night - didn't notice that until I checked my camera. This woman started freaking out and striking the guy with a knife, but a little old lady wrapped him up in first aid bandages, for some reason. The barricades looked a little shifty, so I moved to the other section of the mall.
Set off at noon, and stopped for a while at the Spillman Motel. There was this bunch of people ganging up on somebody named Simon. Each of those freaks shot him repeatedly until he died. Hid behind the counter, so they didn't notice me, but I had video evidence of them. Hope I don't run into them again.
After they left, I sneaked up to the roof and surveyed the north with my newly found pair of binoculars. There was a factory complex there, which is where I went. Found a generator in a powered factory, but no fuel cans. Hooked it up in another factory nearby - somebody else will have to contribute the fuel.
A mild blood splatter is on the next page.
Goddamnit! Clyde Ashcroft - yes, that's the cop that lived just down the street - just blasted me with a shotgun for no reason. Bastard got my side. Hurts like hell.
I'm just quickly scribbling this down. I'm moving to Monroeville Mall - back where I started out. Camera memory is almost full, at 80%. I reckon another 6 clips or so would deplete the whole memory card. I hope I last that long.
Later - I'm at the mall. Somebody named Brian just wrapped me up. Still itches, but at least it doesn't send eye-watering spasms of pain down my side whenever I overstrain myself.
March 10th
Note to self: Pool cues do not work well as kung fu stick things.
Running out of first aid kits. Quite a few people injured here, so I helped them to the best of my ability, and when I'm not doing anything, I start practicing with my knife and pool cue. At least, before it splintered. I'm quite adept at hand-to-hand combat now.
Crap. A zombie just broke in. Jammed a length of pipe into the door handles. Don't know how long it will hold for, but I hope SON OF A BITCH!
Damn zombie swiped at me, almost gouged out an eyeball. Jesus Christ, it hurts! I hope it's not infectious...
March 11th
After finally settling down at Monroeville Mall (for the time being), the boredom is getting to me. Spent most of my time looking for first aid kits to patch up people who got hurt and practicing my knifing skills. I should leave for Oak Hill soon - but staying here has its attractions. The supplies here are almost endless.
Oh my God this is so boring.
March 12th
Be careful what you wish for.
We had a break-in today. A couple of zombies got into the mall while most people were asleep. I'm hiding now, but there are still some of them inside. Damn, I hope nobody has been killed...
March 15th
Whoa. After several consecutive days of nothing to do, I finally decided to wander across the woodland into Oak Hill. Stopped at St. Seraphim's Hospital - met several members of the Till Death crew there, including a doctor named Jeffreys and a police officer who had a brother in Malton.
Later: There was this little kid who warned us about a zombie horde at a hotel. I was awake then - guess I'm still used to Asian timezones - and went southward to check it out. Took a clip to show the others. Creepy. And here we were, thinking Oak Hill was safe.
Five-sixths of my memory card used up.
March 16th
Well, technically March 16th since it's past midnight. Just got back from McKey Grove School. Back at St. Seraphim's now. Gathered some medical supplies. Still kind of bored. I'm supposedly better at knife combat now, but you wouldn't know it. Took me six hits to actually strike my target just now.
March 17th
Went to St. Emma's. Saw a zombie drag a private out the open door. Scary. Filmed.
Is it just me, or are my journal entries getting... simpler and simpler? Is this a direct reflection on my mental state? Am I disassociating myself with normality as we know it so much that I'm entirely... I don't know. Out of it?
Also - heard from the guys that Beya is dead, killed by this other Roman guy. Eeeeeep. I hope nobody kills me.
Anyway, I'm going to head down to another hospital soon. Wonder if I'll see some ruins on the way, what with the whole zombie outbreak and breakdown of society thing.
March 18th
After midnight. Went south. Inside McGrew Library. Tired. Will resume moving tomorrow.
Went back to St. Emma's. Couple of zombies still inside this building, but I don't know where to go now. Also running short on first aid kits - I had around twenty, but used most up once I left the malls or hospitals. Seven left, and I'll need to patch up myself. A zombie almost got me back then.
March 19th
Left the church after witnessing someone die from a zombie bite. If it's like the movies, he should stand back up pretty soon, so it's probably a good idea to hightail out of there. I made a trip to the farm between Oak Hill and Newtown, but it was completely ruined and occupied by zombies. Barely made it out of there. I'm hiding in a cornfield now, and I don't know if I can make it to the city. Oh, God, please let me be safe-
At McKittrick Road Police Dept. I'll head to Parkdale soon.
March 20th
Got to Parkdale yesterday and saw an old friend there. He's off to head towards Monroeville Mall, but I heard it's under siege right now, with hordes of zombies attacking the place.
What to do now?
March 21th
Back at Oak Hill. In St Pachal's Hospital. What to do now?
March 26th
Il n'y a rien à faire. Je suis très ennuyé. Oh yay.
Aussi - j'ai vingt-cinq FAKs maintenant. Que le heck.
March 29th
After days of having NOTHING to do, we finally ran out of fuel. Went to a neighboring factory to find some, which freaks me out, actually, because isn't that how all those people in zombie movies die? When they leave their safehouses? Anyway, the factory must have been looted earlier or something. I only found a couple pipes - which I discarded - a toolbox - which I hurled against a wall - and a crowbar. No fuel.
I'm going to sleep now. Too tired.
March 31st
Wow. End of the month. I could barely believe I survived that long.
Headed south. Stopped at a barn yesterday, but it wasn't safe enough (seeing how the farm is stranded in the middle of fields), so I went to Newtown, which, according to the stuff I made out from the radio transmissions, didn't have many zombies. I'm in... Kidd Road Police Department, I think? Hopefully the others will be joining me soon.
April 2008
Blood splatters soak into this month's pages...
The rest of the pages are blank.
