My name is Chris, Ive lost track of time. It feels like years since I first started running, but I think its only been a few months. Days turn to weeks, and the weeks drags on, such is the new way of life. And yet, despite the violence and chaos, I dont really miss the old world...

Saturday, January 22, 2011

déjà vu

    Upon entering the warehouse I am greeted by a sight I have seen several times over.  Humanity making a struggle to survive.  Although the warehouse is spacious, It is a prison to the free willed people within.  Walking past a group in the middle of the area, Brock informs me that introductions will be made after the tour.  The bottom floor of the warehouse is what I can only describe as the common grounds of this fortress like building.  Those not out scavenging for supplies or fortifying the grounds congregate here and try to live as nothing outside is going on.  The second floor once held several offices and have now been converted into sleeping quarters, makeshift beds are scattered over the floor.  Cubicle walls have been rearranged for privacy, and the roof is split into two different sections.  The inner area has been walled off to make a shower area, the outer half is used for lookout posts.  After receiving the grand tour the only thing on my mind is the shower area.  Its been a long time since I took a shower.  Brock starts heading back downstairs, but I remain in place.  The last time I had taken a shower was in St. Louis, back when I was part of another group.  Although so much has happened, I can still see Carmen's face like it was yesterday. Those dark locks of curly hair covering her beautiful face, so full of fear.  I wonder if she is still alive, providing medical attention to those still in that apartment building.  If they are still....  "Hey, you gonna stand there and stare at your feet?  Or are ya gonna meet everybody?"  Brock's voice was loud, but there was a trace of worry in his voice.  Looking up, Carmen's face fading from memory, "Yeah, I'm fine.  Just...kind of trailed off there.  I'm right behind ya."  I say I'm fine, but I don't know if I can convince myself.  But for now, all I need to do is convince everyone else.  I can work on me later.
        Coming back down to the first floor, I see nine people in the center.  A family with a young child.  No younger than that kid...  Again I am haunted by ghosts of my past, someone else I couldn't save.  Mentally shaking it off, I continue down the stairs to meet the others.  "There's a few of them out right now, we have been running out of tools and perishables.  Been meaning to get a farm of sorts going."  Brock says as he heads into the center, waving me to join him.  Continuing to the crowd, his voice is considerably more lighthearted than earlier.  "We have a new guest everybody.  His name is Chris, but I think he could do a better job of introducing himself than I could."  Laughing as he steps back into the crowd.  Looking amongst the faces, many of them seem to be relieved, several looking at me like they should know me.  Suddenly my stomach clenches and I cant find my voice.  I know this feeling, I'm nervous.  A million thoughts come rushing to my head at once.  Where Ive been, what I  have done to make it this far.  The people I have met along the way.  But I don't want to ramble on for hours, so I take a moment and start with what I think is the most important and start from there.
      I'm not one for speeches, but the most important thing for these people is to know the severity of the outbreak.  But I'm sure some, if not all of them, know its quite severe"Well, like Brock said, my name is Chris.  I...Well, I'm not really good with public speaking so ill keep it short.  I don't know if you know, but whatever is happening, its national.  I come from Tennessee.  I met up with a group from Boston.  Ive seen military checkpoints in ruin, but there's still hope.  Ive come across several fortified locations, it means were making a stand. It means what you are doing, its working.  While I'm here Ill do whatever I can to help you all make this place run smoothly."  Standing there for a moment, nobody says a word, they merely stare ahead.  Taking in a new face.  As I come head towards Brock to ask what I can do, an elderly woman approaches me.  "You say you are from Tennessee right?  What part?"  Her voice has a hint of hope, as if she hopes to get information from me.  "Yes ma'am, I'm from Maury county, do you know of it?"  Eyes lighting up she grabs my hand, her frail grip suddenly intensifies.  "I had...have family in Davidson, Do you know if anyone held out there?  I received a call from them saying there was some kind of quarantine, but that's all I got.  I haven't heard from them since..."  Tears begin to well in her eyes, The pain of losing family is intense, I should know.  "Honestly ma'am, I do not know.  Those things attacked while I was at work, I didn't even have time...."  Its my turn to trail off.  I have to take a moment to recollect myself, or I just may have broken down.  Suddenly she had wrapped her arms around me, patting my back.  "Its okay honey, you did what you could, nobody could have prepared for this."
I need a shower.

2 comments:

  1. wow not bad your not at world war Z level but this is written well.

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  2. Fuck Yeah Bro!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm going to have to read all of it but otherwise I think it was quite fabulous. I Love it!

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