The Randoms/Zoo Trip
The Randoms go to the Zoo
What follows is a truthful account of a journey undertaken by The Randoms. None of the names have been changed, sue me! - Eldredix, 21/02/2025
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Day 1 - 08/02
I made a late start by myself from Buckley Mall. Some of the Randoms had gone ahead and I left some others behind me. I could've spent more time gathering supplies, but I was itching to get going and so set off with some space left in my pack. My first stop was Rather Library in Kinch Heights, their stock wasn't great but better than you'd think. After a short rest, I popped into a nearby hospital for a FAK. Ran into a survivor called Maybe Tomorrow.' there, who I've seen around Buttonville before. They seemed occupied so I left them to it. I felt refreshed enough push north into Tapton and bedded down for the night in St Emelia's Church [46,77].
The aisles of the church have been been decorated with two stuffed eagles, a stuffed alligator, a stuffed lion head, a stuffed crocodile, two impressionist sculptures, a stuffed fish, an African painting and two European sculptures.
Day 2 - 09/02
I woke late after a warm and restful sleep in the church; tidied up the pew that had been my bed and set off. Walking north-northeast, I crossed over into Mockridge Heights. The difference was stark; Tapton was a charming and well maintained suburb, whereas Mockridge was like the first day of the outbreak. Every building in ruins, crowds of zombies unlike anything we've seen in Buttonville for months. I got as far north as I could before midday and ducked into a dilapidated building with a sign that I think said 'Naper' [48,63].
You are inside the Naper Building. The building has been completely ransacked, and has fallen into ruin. Mould and fungus bloom across the crumbling walls, and the building's fittings are buried beneath dust and fallen plaster. The doors to the street have been secured.
After lunch I made good time getting out of Mockridge Heights, straight through Galbraith Hills and into Barrville. I visited Floyde Stadium, it wasn't a game day so there was just a single zombie tending to the fields. Not wanting to disturb it, I set up camp in the nearby Gaston Building [47, 46]. Not used to sleeping in such an unsecure location, I added some chairs to the barricade before sleeping, just in case. There was some graffiti next to a first floor window:
I can't remember why I came here, but I made it.
Fortunately I still recall the purpose of my journey but I share the satisfaction of survival. It will be a tense night in Barrville, the undead are more active here than anywhere else on my journey so far. I hope this will not be my last entry!
(I sent Samitefan a text to let him know my whereabouts just in case. Also Gideon because I don't think anyone had told him about the trip in the first place..)
Day 3 - 10/02
I slept well despite the conditions in Barrville and woke to a crisp and misty morning. The streets looked surprisingly clear from the cracks in barricade. I took my chance and exited Barrville swiftly, not wanting to spend any longer there than I had to.
Ketchelbank was warm and inviting by comparison. Heading to the north of the 'burb, I spotted my goal - City Zoo.
The Malton Zookeepers welcomed me in and ushered me over to The Giraffe House. I was curious but apprehensive at the thought of seeing a zombified giraffe. Upon entering the building I spied something much worse - six Randoms!Cheeseman, Medico, Samitefan, Flaming Pie, Odiepoes and Chickerific were all there to greet me. They looked well fed and rested, part of me wondered if the Zookeepers eyed us up as a new exhibit... We caught up, celebrated and started to explore the zoo. Kiali arrived in the late afternoon. dudemeister sent word she was still in Tapton.
Nothing back from Gideon on my phone, but I did get a message I was not expecting.
When I was texting yesterday, I noticed the name of a thug who killed me a few months ago, provocative dancing.
I'd added them to my contacts for obvious reasons. Their name appearing in my mobile contacts meant they also had a phone. I sent a short message regarding my intentions of revenge and such. Odie had advised me that you could only send messages to someone who also had you in their contacts. So I prepared myself for that to be the end of it.
However, this evening I received a message back from the assassin. Their response was as provocative as their dancing:
The Gravy Brothers send their regards
Day 4 - 11/02
We've been having a lovely time at the zoo, dressing up and getting to know the Zookeepers. I picked up a Malton Zoo T-shirt and some snazzy khaki trousers. Our new zookeeping friends warned us of some local dangers such as survivors impersonating Zookeepers and some zombie hordes that turn up periodically. They've even named one, they call it the Ridleybank Resistance Front. We took note but I personally didn't take those warnings as seriously as I should have.
In the afternoon, a group of four zombies broke into the Giraffe House. They managed to get a few hits on most of the group but we quickly responded to take them down. I got one and almost had another before running out of ammo. Samitefan finished off that one and another. Odie executed the last with a flare gun, which was as awesome as it sounds. We had enough FAKs to cure all the infections but supplies are now low.
Gideon finally got back to me! He's on his way to the zoo, currently in nearby Shore Hills. We'll need the back up since there's another 13 zombies in the Bear Hut...
Day 5 - 12/02
Well. I didn't wake up this morning. It's all very fuzzy actually. During the night the zombies got in somehow and devoured almost all of us. I spent most of the day as a corpse, motionless or shambling outside the zoo looking for a revive.
Oh, and another message from my nemesis, the dancing person: I was always told that if I ain't gon' be part of the greatest I gotta be the greatest myself
This has not been my day! Considering inviting pd to the zoo for a showdown. Let them and the zombies take care of each other.
Anyway, Samitefan stuck me with the make-alive juice and I slowly regained my mind. Once my cravings for brains had gone, I in turn revived Odie and then ran off to hid in the nearby Hepton Hotel. Dying and undying is exhausting, hopefully I'm safe here for the night.
Day 6 - 13/02
We spent the day regrouping. Everyone's almost back to full strength after raiding St. Eusebius's Hospital for FAKs. Patched up myself and some comrades and had just about enough energy to head to the Horder Motel, a pretty foul establishment but hopefully there's safety in that.
Getting restless in the evening, I went for a walk. I tried to text pd and more importantly Gideon but there was no signal. That was worrying so I made my way carefully across the top of the buildings. Unfortunately I slipped while trying to jump to the factory housing the mast (according to my map). I suffered a minor injury in my fall but the sight was worse. A couple of zombies on the street, barricades non-existent and another small group inside chewing on the mast in the dark. Still in recovery I turned around and headed back up to the rooftops. Tonight's inn is the Club Lazenbury, well barricaded and lit - hopefully not too enticing to the horde.
Coloured spotlights highlight an empty stage, and distorted music echoes over the speakers. The building has been extremely heavily barricaded.
A portable generator has been set up here. It is running.
Tomorrow I will make my way East, to Roachtown for guns and ammo at their many police departments. Maybe they've got a working mast over there.
Got nervous and moved to the dark and only strongly barricaded Huggins Tower.
Day 7 - 14/02
Happy Valentine's Day, I guess. Don't get me wrong, the Randoms have been sharing the love in patching each other up. But there wasn't much love in what those RRF zombies did to us.
I got restless last night and moved around a bit, don't even remember where I ended up crashing. It didn't feel safe in Ketchelbank. As soon as I had enough energy I hightailed it to Roachtown.
First problem, no mobile signal here either. Second problem was my fault. I don't know why but I just didn't bother looking at my map. It led to a nice tour of Roachtown but I missed all of the supposed four police departments (my best opportunities for rearming).
Then again, it ended well as I found a way into the extremely heavily barricaded Alner Mansion. Now this is the way to survive. There's no power but it's safe, spacious and - Wearing: a monocle, a black top hat, an emerald necklace, a Malton Zoo T-shirt, a dark green jacket, a black tailcoat, a pair of black trousers and a pair of red slippers - there are some rare supplies.
As I prepared to retire to the my bedchambers, I spotted, from the drawing room window, a familiar corpse shambling towards my grounds. There was no answer at the call bell (you just can't get good help these days) so I hopped the fences to get a closer look. The only-mildly rotted corpse turned out to be my Random comrade, Samitefan. He almost looked like he recognised me, but still made a few swipes at my new top hat - or rather what was under it. Unsheathing my glittery DIY-NecroTech syringe, I slipped behind my dead friend and slammed the needle into the base of his neck. He dropped to the ground instantly for the repair and resurrection.
Spying a route into a nearby building that might get me back to the life of luxury, I dashed away from the warming body. I can see him lying in the street from the window now. Sam will find his way in when he's feeling better I'm sure. But the master bedroom is mine.
Tomorrow I will go to one of the constabularies and peruse the firearms. Then I will seek to repair this locale's telephonic antennae. So that I may send my missives to Sir Gideon Coxall and the curr provocative dancing. And kill the latter.
Day 8 - 15/02
Entering my second week away from the Butt. Getting a little bit homesick. I miss Buckley Mall, always lit and the gun stores are wonderfully stocked.
At the same time, I'm getting used to life at the Alner residence. The grand setting suits me and it's just about enough space for me.
I awoke in the Billiards Room, a bit bewildered - must have drunk too much, of what I'm pretending is brandy, last night. As my eyes cleared, I noticed someone slumped in a chair in the corner. Drawing the curtains back stirred them and I recognised my Random friend Chickerific. I offered him some of the 'brandy' but he asked me to shut the curtains again and let him rest.
By the evening I felt strong enough to take a walk. I snuck out of the mansion and crept north. Finding myself outside the Traves Lane Police Department, I pushed the front door open. It was dark but in better condition than the surrounding buildings. Evidence locker is always the first and best place to check. Seized weapons obviously, but the other items can be helpful too if you test little bits first.
Day 9 - 19/02
I've not been well so haven't been keeping up diary, it was probably the Alner 'brandy'... We've decided to end our zoo trip. Saw Cheeseman and Gideon (hooray!) in the Giraffe House. Captain Testicles reported a zombie being naughty in the Bear Pit so I went to take some shots. Hardly had any ammo so only took one down by half, made a Shoebill Stork noise to give them an extra scare. I started south back towards that beautiful Butt.
Once I hit Barrville, a message pinged:
provocative dancing: What is soul
I've suggested we meet to discuss philosophy...
Overnighting in the Brendon Library.
Day 10 - 20/02
After a full night's rest, I power-walked south. Straight out of Barrville, through Galbraith Hills and Mockridge Heights. Got as far as Tapton before I began to run out of steam. I'll leave Kinch Heights for tomorrow.
Looking for a place to stay the night, I passed St Emelia's Church but wanted to try out something new. So I snuck behind the barricades of St Piran's Church just across the road. It's a lot more austere than St Emelia's, no dioramas or statues or stuffed animals this time.
There was a funny noise coming from near the organ, I was hoping it might be game of some kind for a little snack. I readied my trusty fireaxe to bring down on whatever it was, but to my pleasant surprise it was my good friend Gideon Coxall! We had a little debrief on the zoo excursion and settled down to an evening meal. All being well, we should make it back to Buttonville tomorrow.
The End, for now.
