March 4, 2053
I couldn't get a wink of sleep last night. The tension and anxiety kept me up, trying to think of a way to get us out of this situation alive. Sorry, Lucky, that I had to use you as bait all day... I know you'll hate me for it, but I'll try to make it up to you. Looking at him now, he seems calm, but who really knows?
While I was trying to find a way out of the barn, my eyes landed on an old pulley hanging from the ceiling, used for lifting heavy loads. The idea hit me suddenly: I would use Lucky as bait, using the pulley to lift him just above ground level. I found some harness straps inside one of the pens and hooked the dog to the mechanism. By doing this, I could lure the zombies inside the pen while Emy and I climbed back up onto the loft. Once they were inside, I'd close the gate, free Lucky, and we'd run away as fast as possible. I know, it sounds much easier said than done, but incredibly… I managed to pull it off.
Emy's composure surprised me. I thought she'd scream or cry out of fear, but she stayed still, trembling, yes, but composed, waiting for my signal to run. She was amazing, really. It surprises me to see such a small child with so much determination. We ran into the woods and kept running for at least fifteen minutes, never stopping, our hearts pounding like crazy.
At some point, we found ourselves in front of a small lake. It looks like one of those little lakes used for sport fishing, which might mean there's a structure nearby. I really hope so, but now it's dark and thick fog has set in, making it impossible to see more than a few meters ahead. The only thing we managed to spot is a small wooden rowboat. We untied it and pushed off. Those monsters can't swim, so we should be safe for tonight… at least from them. I hope it'll all be okay.
Ah, this place it's called "PIC-LAKE" I read it on the sign posted at the entrance.
March 5, 2053
There's an eerie silence all around us. It's unsettling, like being in one of those horror movies where the suspense scenes keep you on the edge of your seat, and you never know what's waiting around the corner. I just hope it doesn't end the same way. The fog is still low; around us, there's just a white wall. We can't do much but wait a bit. In the meantime, I'll take the opportunity to reassess the situation.
Luckily, I managed to grab the backpack when we escaped from the barn, so my beloved axe is here with me. We have three apples left each; it's not much, but today we'll do our best to find more food. For now, I feel optimistic... more or less.
And then, there it is, finally some good news: on the other side of the lake, there's indeed a small structure! It looks like an old boat rental cabin, and it seems to be in decent condition! We absolutely need to get closer and take a look. I really hope it can be used as a shelter; otherwise, I don't know what we'll do.
As we were approaching the shore, two of those damned piles of flesh came out of the structure, inviting us with their usual groans to join them... probably for lunch. I hate having to face even one of them; I always prefer to run. I'm not much of a fighter; after all, the only thing I'm good at is playing video games. And I doubt these bastards would accept a PC challenge.
It took all afternoon, but I finally managed, thank goodness. I remembered that the axe has an eyelet on the handle, big enough to tie a rope through. I used the broken rope from the boat, long enough to let me throw the weapon a few meters away and then retrieve it safely. I had to throw and pull back the axe dozens of times to hit their heads, but in the end, I did it. Now my right arm hurts like hell, but those two assholes are down. I didn't think it would work, but apparently, luck is on our side today.
Now we're cautiously approaching the structure, ready to check if there are any more of them inside.
Lucky and Emy have finally fallen asleep, which gives me a bit of peace to write. We're inside. The structure is still intact and seems solid enough to withstand any threats for the moment, but getting it in order was anything but simple.
When we came in, we were greeted by a gruesome sight. Behind the reception desk, a corpse was seated in an almost unnatural position, leaning back with its head resting against the wall. It was in an advanced state of decomposition; the skin was gray and stretched tight, the eye sockets empty and black. There was a visible hole in the skull, probably caused by a bullet. My blood froze in my veins, and for a moment, I just stood there, unable to move or look away.
Next to the body, on the ground, there was a gun, probably the same one that ended his life. Lying on its legs, in a grim manner, was the carcass of an animal, either a dog or a cat; I couldn't say for sure given the condition it was in. The air was filled with the nauseating stench of death and decay, a smell so intense it rose up my throat, making me gag.
It seems some people would rather end their lives than face the brutal changes this world has undergone. And who could blame them, really? Sometimes I find myself thinking it would be easier to give up... but I can't. Not now.
I tried to make sure Emy didn't see that horrible scene, but it was too late. She stopped dead in her tracks as soon as the stench hit her, and when she focused on the bodies, she burst into tears, sobbing in a corner of the room. She curled up there, clinging to Lucky as if he were her only anchor. The dog, for his part, tried to comfort her, licking her face with his rough tongue, as if to say everything would be okay.
I didn't have a choice: I had to clean everything up. I gathered my courage, even though I didn't have any, and picked up the two bodies. It wasn't easy to drag them out; the weight, the stiffness, and the sharp smell of rot made the task almost unbearable. But I had to do it. I didn't want them to stay in there with us, continuing to decompose and contaminate the air with that smell of death. I dragged them to the lake shore and pushed them into the murky water. They slowly disappeared beneath the surface, like two stones thrown into a pond.
I don't have much experience with guns; I don't even know how to hold one properly, but I think I'll keep it with me. It might come in handy, assuming it still works. I checked the magazine, and it looks like there are a couple of bullets left. Better than nothing, I suppose. I just hope I never have to use it.
The food is almost gone. We have a few apples left; I should look for something, but today I'm completely drained. Here, at least, it seems we are safe. The doors are sturdy, and the windows are small and high up, hard to reach even for those things out there. So, I think I'll take it easy tonight.
I hope at least Emy can rest without nightmares. As for me, I don't have high hopes for sleep. But it's better to close my eyes and try to regain some energy.
Goodnight, I hope.
March 6, 2053
Finally, a proper night's sleep! For the first time in days, I managed to get some good rest. The floor of this place is wooden, which keeps away the dampness that usually builds up in spots like these. The walls are made of sturdy brick, and the ceiling is supported by thick wooden beams. It almost feels like being in a small mountain cabin. Lucky watched me as I got up, but he chose to stay curled up with his head resting on Emy's side, continuing to sleep peacefully. I try to move quietly, not making too much noise, while I start rummaging around, hoping to find something useful.
After a bit of searching, I made some interesting discoveries. At the back of the building, I found two lockers secured with padlocks. They don't seem particularly sturdy, but without a key, opening them will be tricky. I searched through the clothes of the corpse we dumped in the lake yesterday, but they were so tattered that I doubt the key was hidden there. Unless he swallowed it before dying... Under the reception counter, I found an old bag of candies and a battered radio that seems out of order. It doesn't look anything like my radio, but I'll still try to open the battery compartment and see if its batteries can fit mine. Who knows, it might come in handy.
Emy woke up looking grumpy, as I expected after yesterday's events. I let her play with Lucky outside, in the open field. I also need to get out and take a look around to better inspect the area. I want to check if the lake water is usable and see if I can further reinforce the perimeter of the cabin.
Good news: on the other side of the building, the shore of the lake is shallow and the water is only knee-deep for a few meters. This means we can easily see the bottom and spot any "marine zombies" before they reach us. After more than a month of filth, I finally managed to rinse off a bit. I feel so much better!
Now I need to focus on gathering firewood to start a fire. I want to boil some lake water to make it drinkable and fill up all the bottles we have. This way, we'll have a supply of safe water for the next few days.
March 7, 2053
Thankfully, this structure is solid and made of stone. Not long ago, I heard a scream coming from outside, not too far from here. It was anything but reassuring; in fact, there was something profoundly disturbing about that scream, something that didn't sound remotely human. We need to stay completely silent and wait for the danger, whatever it may be, to pass.
While I was exploring the back of the shop, where the locked cabinets are, I noticed a hatch in the ceiling. Based on its position, it should lead to an attic. Considering that the building isn't very tall, it might be a good vantage point. From there, I might be able to get a look outside and figure out if there's still any danger nearby.
I'm really relieved that Emy didn't follow me. Once I climbed into the attic, I was faced with a scene even more gruesome and horrific than what we saw when we entered the shop yesterday. A woman's corpse in an advanced state of decomposition was lying on the floor. On her chest, in a desperate pose, lay the body of a child, no older than three at most. Both of their throats were slit, a clean and precise cut. I tried to look away, but something inside me kept drawing my eyes back to that horrible scene. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the tragedy. The woman still held a tiny key in her decaying hand. It seems too small to open the cabinets downstairs, but it might be useful for something else.
From there, I found a way to get onto the roof through a shaky skylight. Once on top, I was able to observe the surroundings. I didn't see any trace of those horrid creatures, but this doesn't entirely reassure me. I never want to go back to that attic again, and I certainly don't want to be forced to send Emy up there.
Now I need to focus on making this place safer. I plan to reinforce the doors and check the perimeter for any weak spots. Maybe throwing myself into this work will help keep my mind off the horrors of the past few days.
Notes:
- Urgent need to find food.
- The gun is out of ammo.
- The radio needs to be checked.
- We have three full bottles of water; they should last us a while.
March 8, 2053
Finally, a wake-up that almost feels "normal" after so long. No threatening noises, no sign of imminent danger, and for the first time, no terrifying screams in the night. It feels like I'm in a dream. This morning, I even thought I heard a bird chirping outside the window. The sun is rising, clearer and brighter than ever. Maybe today will be a good day.
The afternoon was more challenging. Emy kept complaining about hunger non-stop. If I could have helped her, I would have done it a long time ago, but unfortunately, all three of us are in the same situation: the candies we had are gone, and there's nothing else to ease the gnawing hunger. I found an old ball that looks like a tennis ball. I gave it to Emy and sent her to play with Lucky at the entrance; at least this way, they'll be distracted a bit, and I can think about what to do next.
Thinking is impossible with the noise those two are making. When the ball bounces on the wooden floor, it sounds almost like a cannon shot. I understand that Emy is just a child, but I can't...
March 9, 2053
I think I've lost a piece of my sanity after what happened last night.
Inventory List:
- 3 cans of peaches in syrup
- 2 packs of pasta
- 2 jars of tomato sauce
- 23 jars of assorted pickles
- 10 boxes of canned meat
- 1 rifle
- 3 boxes of 50-round rifle ammunition
- 1 box of 100-round pistol ammunition
- 1 saw
- 1 fire axe
- 1 bolt cutter
- 1 flashlight
- 1 first aid kit
Wow...
March 10, 2053
I'm trying to piece together what happened yesterday with my mind still in a haze, so I can keep track and see if I'm missing anything.
The other day, at some point, while Emy was playing with the ball, it bounced against the wall and ended up falling behind the counter. When it landed, the sound it made was strange, muffled, different from the previous bounces. I immediately went to check and noticed a small hole near the side of the counter. It looked very much like a keyhole, but it seemed rudimentary, almost handmade. I remembered the key I found in the attic and decided to try it. To my surprise, it fit perfectly in the lock. I turned it, and there was a loud "clack" followed by a dull thud behind me.
A part of the floor had lifted, revealing an open trapdoor. I quickly told Emy to go to the back, lock herself in, and not open it until I gave her the signal. After everything we've been through, I didn't want to risk any further encounters with something traumatic. When I opened the trapdoor, a disgusting stench of death filled my nostrils, so strong and pungent that I couldn't hold back and vomited.
I took off my shirt and used it to cover my nose and mouth. I reopened the trapdoor and forced myself to look down. It was pitch black, but there seemed to be a small room at the bottom, even though the floor was very uneven. I tried dropping the old broken radio from under the counter down there to see if there were any traps, dead or alive. When it hit the floor, to my great bewilderment, it made no sound at all.
I gathered all the courage I had left and started to descend slowly, gripping the metal ladder attached to the side of the trapdoor. What I saw down there I will never forget: a pile of dead zombies covered the floor. They were definitely zombies because I could feel the texture of their rotting flesh under my boots. I felt overwhelmed with fear and decided to climb back up immediately. Just as I was about to climb back up, my foot bumped into something long and metallic. It was a damn bolt cutter. I grabbed it and, with the speed of a missile, climbed back up and locked the trapdoor immediately.
Now Emy is calling me; I'm going to see what she wants.
Finally, after so long, I have a full stomach! I had forgotten this feeling.
Okay, so to recap, I used the bolt cutter I found to break the locks on the two cabinets in the back. They snapped like butter, revealing their contents: one cabinet with a rifle, ammunition, a saw, a fire axe, and old hunting magazines. The other cabinet was full of various foods, pots, a flashlight, and, incredibly, a complete first aid kit! Disinfectant, antibiotics, and even a suture kit!
I'm too happy to keep writing. I'm going to celebrate with Emy and Lucky.