Date Still Unknown

I don't know how long it's been since I last wrote. The days all blur together since I have no reference to the passage of time. All I know is that I've been injected, knocked out, and awakened here in this cell several times since I last wrote.

I don't know what they're doing to me, or why. I don't know why I'm being held, or who is holding me. I see the same person every time, in that unknown military uniform. He has no distinguishing features. No hair to speak of, no scars, no tattoos... He never speaks. All I know is that his eyes are brown, and very cold. They show no emotion at all, not even hatred. Which is what I think they should show, for some reason...

They continue to feed me well, give me clean clothes and clean sheets. I have soap to wash up with, and clean towels to dry myself. Tooth brush and paste... But there is no stimulation. Nothing to look at but this gray cell and it's stainless steel fixtures. No light, other than artificial. Constant temperature, I guess around 68 degrees, which leads me to believe I'm under ground. It is slightly damp here.

I hear no sounds. No doors opening and closing, no voices, no air handlers... Only the sound of water running through pipes when I turn on the sink or flush the toilet. At no other time do I hear the water running. I only hear the footsteps of the soldier coming for me, and the door opening. It's really confounding. Disturbing. And worrisome.

What do they want? Why do they keep me here, isolated and alone? Nevermind what they're doing to me, those are the questions that haunt me.

Now it's time to go, I hear footsteps... 

Date Unknown

I don't know what time it is either, they took my watch. But for some inexplicable reason, they gave me my journal and a pen. Perhaps they want to read my thoughts when they come for me later.

I don't know where I am. It's a cell of sorts... Maybe 10 by 10... There's a cot, a toilet, a sink, and not much else. I do know there is a camera in the vent, and probably a microphone. 

I woke up in this cell. The last thing I remember was the Humvee approaching, then nothing. I guess I let my guard down, my desire to interact with another human being overwhelmed my survival instinct. And now I find myself a prisoner... I don't know what they're doing to me. Someone comes through the door, dressed in a military uniform, but with insignia which I don't recognize. They knock me out with an injection, not saying a word. Then I wake up, back in this cell. I don't know how much time passes. There are no windows. Can't even feel the walls warm up in the afternoon sun, could be underground for all I know. 

They do feed me, rather well in fact. But they mix up the meals (or so I think) in an effort to confuse me. I'll get a steak dinner, followed by a sandwich, then pancakes and sausage. Or any combination in between. Some days I get "lunch" three times. Or two breakfasts and a dinner. Or it could be that they've knocked me out again and that's just how I remember it...

I have not been beaten. "Studied" is more like it. When I wake in my cell, I usually have multiple needle marks on my arms and legs. But they do not speak to me, nor I to them. It's the same uniformed man who enters my cell each time; I've seen no one else. I've seen no where else... As far as I can tell, it's been three weeks that I've been here. I really don't know for sure, time has no meaning when you can't see the sun.

As best as I can figure, they want to know how I survived the disease. Maybe they think they can make a cure. Or maybe they want to prevent it. I have no way to know, but given the secrecy around here, I'd say it's the latter. I don't know anything beyond that, except for how I intended to finish my last entry, which was "so I'll put this aside for now." 

The sentence I didn't get to finish before the dart struck my arm. It came from behind me. The Humvee was a distraction. Damn my trusting nature... Hopefully this is not my last entry, and hopefully I find out what's going on. If not, I hope this journal winds up in somebody's hands, somebody who will pass on my story to someone else who survived. Who is free...

April 8, 2012

6:30 A.M. I was up early, anticipating my shadow's arrival. In fact, I can hear them coming now... Took a peak through the binoculars. Hard to make out in the early morning light, but it looks like a military Humvee. That makes me a bit nervous, but if they wanted to take me out, they could have done so many times over... Yes, it's definitely a Humvee. They're approaching slowly, in a non-threatening way. Still, I put my hand on my sidearm, just to make sure it's still there. My rifle is beside me.

I scanned around, nothing but the Humvee approaching. They're about a hundred yards away now, so I'll put thi

April 7, 2012

6:00 A.M. What a beautiful morning! The sun is rising over the mist amongst the trees, squirrels are chattering, and the rest of the four legged critters are stretching and yawning. I've got some spam sizzling in the frying pan, and biscuits in the oven. A little gravy from a pouch, and I got me some breakfast. Once that's done with and cleaned up, it's road time for me again. meanwhile, I'll be sitting in the camp chair outside, sopping up the gravy with some biscuits, and scarfing down some spam "bacon". Life is good, and I'll be ready to attack the day...

11:30 A.M. Stopped for some lunch. A can of ravioli and some beef jerky. Found a screw in one of the trailer tires on my walk-down, so I pulled it out and plugged the hole. Otherwise, everything looks sound. Onward...

5:30 P.M. Covered lots of ground today. The rolling hills and piney woods have passed me by, giving me a sense of calm and serenity like I've never felt before. Stopped for dinner and the night at a roadside park again. Got some beef stew simmering in the pot, and a glass of coke and rum going.

I am amazed at the progress I made today; the roads were fairly clear. Nothing much got in my way, and I ever once had to slip the truck into four wheel drive. This camping spot presented it's self with relatively little effort on my part. So now I am simply hanging out, with a full belly and a cold drink.

9:15 P.M. I saw a flicker of light of light not too far away, headed in this general direction. I flashed my light a couple times, to guide my shadow toward me. My .45 is holstered on my belt, and my 12 guage lies across my lap. But I'm not afraid, because I know the shadow is coming. I know it's been closing in ever so slowly. I'm ready for it... Hell, I welcome it. One way or the other, I've got to know who my shadow is, and what they want. It will be a meeting which was a long time coming. I'm ready...

April 6, 2012

6:30 A.M. Just finished with breakfast. I'm sitting outside right now, enjoying the cool morning for a bit before I go. It's funny, I feel a little more at ease knowing my shadow is out there. I'm waving at them now, because I know they're watching. Good morning shadow! Glad you are there. Well, I'm off. Don't want to keep them waiting...

11:30 A.M. Stopped for lunch. It's been fairly easy going now that I'm clear of the city. I've not seen a single sign of my shadow, they are very good at keeping hidden. But I know they are there. Somewhere, not too far off, they are there. They've stopped as well, to have a rest, and not get too far ahead of me. I wonder what they're having for lunch? Me, I'm having can of beef-a-roni. I don't even bother to heat the stuff up anymore, kinda makes me feel like Mad Max. At least it's not dog food, ha ha. Saddle up shadow, time to get moving.

3:00 P.M. Found a little country store that was fairly intact. Found some mayonnaise, ketchup, and salsa that haven't expired yet. Haven't had that stuff in a long while. I also picked up some lubricants, salt, pepper, and other spices. Got some batteries, and hygiene items. A bunch of beef jerky. But the best score was found in the store room out back. Sealed buckets of flour, grain, and a hand grinder. Yeast. Canned butter. I haven't had bread in so long now, but I can smell it baking. I can taste it. I think I'm going to camp right here and bake me some bread!

5:00 P.M. Ohhhhh the smell is wonderful.... I cut a slice, buttered it up.... Yeah.... Found some gallon size freezer bags in the store as well, so the bread will go in them to keep it fresh. Got some more canned ham there, and dill relish. Tomorrow for lunch I'll make ham salad sandwiches. Man, I haven't had a sandwich in months! What a treat that will be.

Heated up some beef stew for dinner, for no other reason than to sop up the gravy with another slice of bread. I left the trailer windows open, hoping that wonderful smell might draw in my shadow. No dice. Oh well, I'm going to pour me some bourbon and light up one of the cigars I found in the humidor in that back room. I'll drink a toast to my shadow, and enjoy this full feeling that can only come from fresh baked bread!

8:30 P.M. Lit me a nice fire. There is nothing better than relaxing by a fire with a glass of bourbon on ice and a good cigar. Sure wish the shadow would come down to join me, seems a shame to enjoy all this alone. But I saw them, maybe a quarter mile away. It was nothing more than a careless sweep of a flashlight across a pane of glass, but that quick flash caught my eye, even through the fire. If I had a bullhorn I'd invite them over for a cocktail! Oh well, maybe next time. They are coming closer. Before they'd keep a mile away. Then a half. Now they're a quarter. Maybe soon we'll finally meet. Guess it was a good call on my part not to go looking for them anymore, as it seems they are now comfortable coming in closer. Maybe in a few days they'll make contact. Which could be good, or could be bad. Don't know, but either way I'd like to see them just for curiosity's sake. Anyway, good night shadow, see you tomorrow...

April 5, 2012

6:00 A.M. Just finished breakfast and headed outside for a look around. All dark and quiet. I'll be heading out shortly, and I'm not stopping until Birmingham is behind me. This is likely to be a long day...

9:30 A.M. Three hours, five detours, and a flat tire later, I've covered a whopping twelve miles. The right front on the truck picked up a piece of metal, in the sidewall of course. Put the spare on, which was very low on air (naturally). The little 12 volt compressor which was in the camper when I found it is slowly chugging away, but filling a 16 inch tire to 70 PSI is going to take a while. Meanwhile, I spied a similar truck about 100 yards up the road so I think I'll go rob it of it's spare.

10:00 A.M. Spare tire retrieved. I also took a nice hydraulic floor jack from the back of that truck, much better than the crappy little bottle jack I had to use just now. That thing is dangerous... My shadow is keeping well hidden, I've seen neither hide nor hair of them. But I know they're there, I can feel them watching me. Well, daylight's wasting.

1:30 P.M. Had to stop. The road is completely blocked by a pileup of vehicles, and there's no way for me to get around. Looks like I'll have to drop the trailer and break out the chains...

3:00 P.M. After a broken tow chain, lots of tire smoking in four wheel drive, a great many profanities, and a lot of sweat, I finally managed to clear a hole just big enough to squeeze through. Please excuse the grimy fingerprints on this page, but I am too lazy to wash my hands. Just needed to sit for a minute before I push on.

7:00 P.M. I am finally on the other side of Birmingham. What a day... I've been travelling with my headlights on for the last hour, but I've seen no lights from my shadow. Anyway, it's another truck stop for the night. I'll need to refuel in the morning after today's high fuel consumption activities which left me with only 1/4 tank. But now, refueling myself takes priority.

8:00 P.M. Belly full and I'm sitting outside, waiting to see a sign from my shadow. Got a nice little camp fire going, and I'm relaxing with some bourbon and soda. What the hell, there's a soda delivery truck across from me. Threw a couple cases in the back of my truck

The next big city is Atlanta. There is no way in hell I'm going anywhere near that place, not after today's adventures. It would take me a week to get through there... Haven't decided whether to bypass it to the north or south, though I am leaning toward south. Don't want to go to Florida, but I think I'll keep my southern route until I hit the coast, then turn north. I wonder how far my shadow is willing to go? Guess I'll find out. 

9:45 P.M. No lights. Maybe they're being a little more careful? Or maybe they're just toying with me. Maybe they want me to think they've broken off the chase. But I'm not fooled, I know they're out there. It's a feeling, that one you get when you know you're being watched. Watched I am. Just waved to them. Good night shadow!

April 4, 2012

5:00 A.M. Another early morning, I've been up for an hour. Just sitting here in the dark and watching. Nothing to see but the occasional shooting star. Might as well open a can of breakfast...

6:30 A.M. I went for a stroll. Climbed up on a highway overpass for a better view. I didn't see a light, but I did see a glow, about a half mile away. There is something out there, and I am going to find it.

3:30 P.M. I set out this morning on foot with my rifle, .45, and binoculars. Crossed the highway and headed into the woods toward the glow I saw from the bridge. Once again, the area was oddly clear of any kind of tracks or disturbance. It was "too clean". I searched around for hours and found nothing. Again. So I headed back to the trailer via the "scenic route", hoping to find something. I got back to the trailer and flopped down in my camp chair. Sat there for a good half hour, just kind of dozing. I got up and went inside for some water. While filling my glass, I noticed something. I had left the can opener on the counter by the sink this morning, and for some reason I remembered it was just a few degrees from being parallel with the sink. It is now exactly parallel. Looking around, I then found two of those tiny, sticky little grass seeds on the floor up front. I haven't been up front since I came back. Those seeds are fresh and green. Someone's been in here...

I've decided to keep moving. Whoever it is that's been moving along with me doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that I know they're around. I've searched for them twice, they know I'm aware of them. Maybe they want me to be.

6:45 P.M. It's been slow going through the tangle of vehicles in the city. I've only gone 10 miles in the last 3 hours. The parking lot of a burned out strip mall is my camp site tonight. This place looks like Atilla the Hun swept through, destruction everywhere. The riots must have been massive...

8:00 P.M. There it is, a light, about a half mile away. Just briefly. Almost as if they want me to know they're nearby, whoever it is. Like they're taunting me. Maybe they are. They want me to know they're around, but they don't want to be found. They came to find out about me while I was gone, but went through great pains to hide the fact. Or maybe they were testing my powers of observation. Maybe they moved the can opener on purpose. Maybe they planted the grass seeds where I would find them. Or maybe they just got sloppy. Ugh... I think I liked it better when I was alone.

9:30 P.M. I can feel them out there. I can feel their eyes upon me. They are watching me, right now. Why? Why on earth would they follow me like this? Are they alone too? Is there more than one? Why won't they make contact? I don't understand. I can't imagine why, when everyone else is dead, a person wouldn't run with open arms to another living soul. It's beyond comprehension. Are they waiting for a sign or a signal? There, I just flashed the lights on the truck. There's your signal.

From now on, I will not try to find whoever is out there. I will show no signs of aggression, but simply continue on my journey. Maybe that will draw them in. I hope...