The weird man
February, the 20th
I hate breaking down cars, and it seems I’m getting used to! Lucky enough, we had no trouble at night, but lice and bugs, but got used to those.
Anyway, so we took our bicycles and drove slowly to somewhere land, looking for the place. Then we met this guy who looked a bit like ragged, he’s like dangerous, like “trust me” and then he stabs you in the night dangerous. Well, we didn’t give him a chance, really, just pedaled away when he tried to approach us; he didn’t try to run after us, though.
Still, we are about to sleep hidden, far from the road, among trees and bushes.
19Dreams and nightmares
February, the 19th
I almost couldn’t sleep for the live of me. Good that I had my secret when nightmares and stuff don’t let me sleep, I just pretend I am; just close my eyes and start making a dream in my mind, even if I’m not really sleeping.
It works.
Real life doesn’t work that way, though. When a nightmare becomes true you can’t dream it away.
And it happened. We went driving, miles and miles, and then our pick up just threw a horrible smoke and something exploded inside and it died. I don’t know why. We’re ok, but it’s now our bikes and everything we can load on our backpacks, and we didn’t make it anywhere safe before the sun set.
Now I don’t want to sleep, don’t want at all, but I’m too sleepy and Eddy’s too young. If those noises are something bad, we’re screwed
1Back to Eddie
February, the 18th
The worst of my fears is that my fears are irreal. Nobody to haunt us, nobody to rob us, nobody to kill us, just nobody. Grow old, live and then die alone in the universe. Like if we were roses, nobody to smell us.
But I met Eddie! I drove all the way back, I almost slept on the wheel, and arrived soon enough. I like driving so much better than walking!
He’s fine! We threw a party of canned beans and candy!
Tomorrow we’re moving on, until we find the place to live… or run out of gas, whatever comes first
0Colorado
February, the 17th
4th day of my adventure
Dear Imaginary Reader,
Finally I set up for a Colorado pick up. Loaded it with fuel, then I got two jerrycans (filled up, of course). Then I went through the city and got every can I could find, and then a toolbox, and grease, and two bicycles, and a tarpaulin (to cover it all), and new boots for me and Eddy (I hope they are about their size), and new socks and undies and jumpers and a ton of outdoor gear that was rotting in the basement of a store.
I like the Colorado so much better than the Lexus!
I’m back on the road right now, night or no night. If somebody’s been watching I don’t want to stay here sleeping.
0Back to the city
February, the 16th
3rd Day of my Walk
I have arrived to the city. Now all I need to do is to find a car, fuel and supplies. This time I am getting a pick-up truck or something like that. Or maybe a mobile home, if they did not use so much fuel. I think a pick-up truck is better, because they are pretty tough, are designed for bad roads and can store loads of things.
Or maybe a ten-wheeler . No, just kidding.
But that tomorrow. Today I am too tired, I need new shoes… and new feet, and new legs and new everything.
PS: A huge nasty fly went after me. I first ignored the stupid bug, but it kept buzzing around me, so I decided to scare it away. I thought it would bite me, or tried to, but just flew away. Was because I was wearing all-black and the bugger thought I was a super-huge-giant fly? Did I smell funny?
Yes, must be that, two weeks without a shower. Mom would shout at me, if only she lived, that is.
57Peaceful night
February, the 15th
2nd Day of my walk
Dear Imaginary Friend
I found some walls which used to be a house, and slept there, in a corner. Very peaceful. I spent a wonderful night, in my sleeping bag, by a fire. I don’t know, I made myself just as I finished with my diary, I felt peace. Like if Dad was by my side. I mean Dad like Jesus said Dad: God.
OK, bye, it’s a long walk
41Back to hope?
February, the 14th
Dear Imaginary Friend,
I have had a long time to think along the road. Thinking about life, meditating about death and considering why suicide is a mortal sin.
Besides it makes you quite dead, of course.
Half a year ago there were many people committing suicide, and “mercy killing” their loved ones. They had lost hope and could not bear the waiting for the virus, so they spared it the trouble. Still, we made funeral Masses for them, cause Father said they were so distressed they could not think clear enough and like God would understand, or some like that, he said.
Maybe it’s about Hope. Maybe that’s why God isn’t telling me anything. Because I have lost Hope in Him, haven’t I?
See you in Heaven, maybe.
40Car kaputt
February, the 12th,
Dear Imaginary Friend,
We can’t start the car and that’s big trouble! Nor Eddie nor me knows why.
Eddie says maybe it’s a message from God for us to stay here, but I doubt it. We are 60 miles from the city and this house lacks almost everything but rats and lice, or whatever is biting us crazy. We can’t walk 60 miles in one day, and in the car we have food for 3 weeks at best.
I decided to walk back alone to the city to find another car, with a backpack and leave Eddie and Hop here. It is going to pretty tough and I think Eddie is too young to endure the night in the open. There are quite a number of houses left, I know, but most are ruined. Some people tend to think that it is a good idea to vandalize when you may have like a few days left to live. It’s stupid but, as mom said, you only need one vandal to destroy a museum but need tens of artists. builders and workers to set up one.
But I disgress… because I’m kinda afraid. It’s not only the cold, but being alone in the dark. There are no more lights anywhere. It was so wonderful in the old good days, so full of wonders, we despised…
I convinced Eddie to stay and he conviced me to take the gun. (Let him think that) I hope it is just extra weight. I hope…
Bye.
22Baby burial
February, the 11th
Dear Imaginary Friend,
We took the rural road which, I hoped, was the first one which would lead us to a good farm. Yet, I have driven slowly, just 60 miles in the whole day (I’m guessing), because of fallen trees and stuff like rocks getting in the way. And something which really made me feel like sad.
There was a red baby carriage? in the middle of the road… I don’t know who or why left it there… A baby corpse was inside, so we had to stop to pray for the poor thing and give a decent burial. I know we can’t bury everybody, but it felt so right to bury the little kid.
Afterwards we found shelter inside a house where we are spending the night. It is, as everything else very dirty, yet it still has a working chimney.
0Treasure
February, the 10th
Dear Imaginary Friend,
Can you believe it? The reason I was not seeing Eddie was that he was playing with the computer. Well, of course you can believe it. But now I will be having to thank God that we still had just enough fuel in the generator to feed our Lexus. Can you imagine how ironic would have been not being able to use the pumps for the lack of fuel in the generator?
We went shopping and we were very lucky, because we found a shop that used to sell safe boxes, in the time they still sell things, that is. So we have put everything we could not place in the car there.
We are so excited. No, sorry, I wanted to give you an optimistic message, but I don’t know much about future. Maybe the virus get us or maybe we don’t learn to survive soon enough. I don’t know. I’d like to be like Hop, but I’m not, I don’t want to think much, but I have to, I have responsibilities, like Eddie and Hop, and maybe someone else we find. I’m biting my hand all the time, without thinking. I’m scared or something.
Anyway, we will be leaving the city tomorrow. I pray God will provide.
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