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...

April 3, 2012

4:00 A.M. I've been up all night, trying to find some clue or trace of the light's source. And I got nothing... No tracks, no broken branches, not a blade of grass out of place. Back at the camper now, maybe I'll try to sleep a little.

6:30 A.M. All I managed to do was toss and turn for 2 hours. Kept looking out the window for the light. Never saw it though... So I got up and have breakfast cooking. I would call it an omelette, but I think that's giving it too much credit, ha ha. Powdered eggs, thin sliced Spam "bacon", and some sauteed mixed veggies from a can. I'm so glad I found a few jars of picante sauce at the store yesterday, it'll help me choke this down...

11:00 A.M. Managed to cover 45 miles since I rolled out this morning. I'm nearing Birmingham, and the roads are starting to become more cluttered with derelict vehicles. Even the side roads. It's not like I'm on a schedule or anything, but I do like to cover some ground. And now this light thing has me wanting to keep my head on a swivel, rather than watching the road for the next obstacle. Anyway, my sleepless night is catching up to me, so I think I'll take a nap for a bit.

2:30 P.M. Woke up hungry. I want to get rolling, so I ate a can of ravioli. Didn't even bother to heat it up. A couple jerky sticks for the road, and I'm gone.

3:50 P.M. I topped a little rise, and as a small valley opened up below, a flash caught my eye. Like sunlight reflecting off of glass. I stopped and got out of the truck for a better look. Saw it one more time, maybe a mile away. Whatever it was, it was definitely in motion. I'm beginning to think I have a shadow, one which is always just a little bit ahead of me. I'm beginning to think I'm not alone after all. Which makes me wonder, if someone is shadowing me, why don't they want to make contact? Are they trying to determine if I'd be hostile or not? Or infectious? Or something else...

6:30 P.M. Pulled into a truck stop on the edge of Birmingham. As good a place as any I suppose. Here I can top off my fuel for tomorrow, which will likely be a long day winding my way through the mess of a big city. Dinner in a can awaits, then it's time to go on watch for the light.

8:45 P.M. It's really odd, being in a city, yet it's dark as pitch. I can hear dogs barking all around, and fighting. Got my .45 and my shotgun handy, along with a few boxes of buck shot. So far I've seen nothing, and the dogs seem to be keeping their distance. Interestingly, it's only big dogs I hear. No small yappers. Guess the little guys became chow for the big 'uns. They always said life in the city was "dog eat dog", ha ha ha. Yeah, I know. That wasn't very funny. But a little gallows humor never killed anyone. Ha, I did it again...

10:30 P.M. Still no light. Has me wondering if whoever it is knows they've been spotted and are being more careful, or maybe they broke off the chase. Or if I even saw the lights at all... I know I did. I know for sure I did. And I saw that something shiny in motion today. I saw them for sure.

11:45 P.M. Dammit, no light. Nothing at all. I can barely keep my eyes open now, so I guess I'm off to bed. Tomorrow will be a tough one... 

April 2, 2012

6:30 A.M. Powdered eggs and a can of hash for breakfast, yum yum... I'm going to leave today, no point in hanging around chasing lights. Though I know that strange feeling from the hill top will linger, and nag the hell out of me. Anyway, I'm off.

10:45 A.M. Stopped in a little town. Oddly, it seems as if nothing happened here. The grass is overgrown, but otherwise nothing looks disturbed. For the first time, I had to break in to a small grocery store, and it was fully stocked. The stench of rotted meat and produce was almost unbearable, but I made several "mad dash" raids on the canned food aisle. It was worth the heaving and watering eyes, because I now have at least three months' worth of canned goodies, and a ton of dry beans. Got some beef jerky too. I would have scored some rice and pasta as well, but the bugs beat me to it. Oh well, I've got plenty. As a bonus, I got a bunch of salt, spices, and cooking oil. Some toilet paper, paper towels, a few utensils, various soaps, and cleaning supplies rounded out the booty. My cupboards overfloweth...

Decided to eat since I stopped. Had me a nice early lunch of canned ham, dill pickles, and Vienna sausages. Hoo boy, I sure hope I can find some game for supper. Otherwise, it'll be some other canned conglomeration. Guess I shouldn't complain to much, all this canned bounty makes it possible for me to keep travelling.

Since I was here, I broke in and raided a doctor's office and scored some medical supplies. I also hit the hardware store for a few things. And the auto parts store. Pardon me while I change the oil and filter on the truck...

5:30 P.M. Stopped at a highway rest area for the night. After supper, I'll fill my diesel tanks from one of the semi trucks here. Looks like supper will be from cans again, but that's okay. The only critter I've seen was a skunk, and I'm not too keen on eating skunk. I'm thinking beef stew with a side of mixed veggies, with cherry pie filling for desert. Man, I'd kill for some fresh biscuits or bread to go along with it!

7:30 P.M. Diesel tanks are full, as is my belly. I gathered up some wood for a fire and broke out the camp chair. As luck would have it, I found some nice cigars in a motorhome parked here, as well as a bottle of good whiskey. Tonight will be enjoyable! I'm off to start the fire.

9:15 P.M. The fire is crackling, a cigar is smoking, and I've got a glass of fine whiskey and ice in my hand. Life is good. Except for the ever present lack of companionship... I tried to get a dog to come to me a few minutes ago, but I had to shoot him. He lunged at me, and I unloaded my .357 into him. How quickly the dogs have reverted to their instincts... That's to be expected I suppose, survival above all else. Maybe I can tame one? They're not that far gone. It sure would be nice to have a companion...

10:20 P.M. There it is again! A light, off in the distance. For a fleeting moment I saw it! Maybe a mile or two off to the north of me... I'm dropping the camper.

12:30 A.M. I've scoured the countryside and seen nothing. Dammit, nothing! I drove in the direction of the light, and all around. Covered a lot of ground, and saw no sign of anything. I'm beginning to think I'm losing my mind! No tracks, no sounds, but I KNOW I saw that light!

April 1, 2012

5:30 A.M. Something woke me a half hour ago. Not a noise or anything, I just woke and sat bolt upright. I threw my pants, boots, and jacket on quickly then headed outside. Everything was quiet. I looked all around and saw nothing unusual. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a flicker of light through the trees, far off. I stared at that spot, hoping to see it again. I did see it again, up high, and to the right of where it had been. Haven't seen it since, but I am going to drop the trailer to go investigate.

7:00 A.M. I'm about 40 miles from camp in the direction I last saw the light. If my observation was correct, the light came from the hilltop I'm currently standing on. There's nothing here...

8:30 A.M. I've covered every inch of this hilltop. Nothing. A very odd nothing. Not a single track of any kind. The soil is somewhat soft on the surface, the trees are pretty thick here, and the hill is surrounded by woods. There should be animal tracks around here. I'm going to have a look in the woods around the hill.

10:00 A.M. There were animal tracks in the surrounding woods. Deer, dogs... But nothing else. Something seems odd about that hilltop. I don't know, maybe my imagination is getting the best of me. But I swear I saw that light, and I'm pretty damn sure the hill is where it came from.

12:45 P.M. I'm back at the camper. Just finished up a quick lunch. Haven't decided if I'm going to hit the road or not, I think I'd like to stay tonight to see if I can spot the light again. In the mean time, I'm going to explore a bit, then cook the rest of that venison.

3:30 P.M. I crossed the creek on foot and wandered around through the woods. Came across a small cabin. Not much there, but I did score a cast iron frying pan and a dutch oven. A little cleanup and seasoning and they'll be good. Pretty country here, everything is waking up for spring. Lots of tall pines and hardwoods, and plenty of game around. I wouldn't mind staying here. If I decide to settle somewhere I might come back here. It's a nice little cabin...

6:00 P.M. Just finished off the venison (man was that delicious) and cleaned up. Now I'll break out my camp chair and binoculars, and wait... 

9:00 P.M. Nothing. Not a glint, not a glimmer. I would chalk it up to "seeing things" were it not for the creeped out feeling I got from that hilltop. It just wasn't.... right. A gut feeling. My gut has never steered me wrong, so I listen to it.

11:00 P.M. Still nothing. I've been scanning all around, but the only thing I've seen has been a couple rabbits. It's late, I'm tired, and I think I'll call it a day...