Free Red Winter by Drew Montgomery Page B

yet. Maybe I'll write again when I do, but for now, I'll leave with this: be careful, anyone who may be reading this. There's something going on out there, something big.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

    Safety?

    There! On the TV! Finally the authorities give me something of substance.

I almost missed it, having gone to the restroom for a moment, but I was able to quickly spot the change in the screen and with some difficulty, grab the remote and turn up the volume.

The report went something like this (I'm obviously paraphrasing, don't remember it exactly):

"...no exact reasoning for this phenomena, although it seemed to be brought on by the flu.

"We repeat for all those still alive out there. If you are in a safe place, remain there. Barricade the doors and arm yourself with whatever means available. The authorities will arrive shortly. Do not, repeat, DO NOT approach anyone on the street unless they can give a verbal confirmation of being of sound mind.

"Safe zones are currently being organized by the United States Military, but it is not advised to attempt to travel. The army will be conducting organized sweeps of major cities to rescue any survivors. If you are, however, close to one of the safe zones marked on this map, attempt to devise a signal and help will come.

"We ask that you do not panic. If any of your party is bitten or contracts flu-like symptoms, they should be quarantined immediately. If a person begins to turn, they should be put down quickly with a blow to the brain."

I tuned out the rest, it was very obvious that it was quickly contrived and given by someone with little experience addressing people. Of course, me giving the gist of it didn't help. The map was most important to me, showing that the nearest safe zone was miles away, some base outside the city. Well, guess that means I'm stuck here.

I'm already beginning to run low on food. Sooner or later, I'll have to leave my apartment to search for some. Not sure how I'll be able to do it, but hey, maybe the army will have its act together and I'll be able to get out before I run out.

Friday, December 14, 2012

    Venturing Out

    I left my apartment today for the first time since Ben's death.

I guess you could say it went well. Or, well as in I'm not dead, and didn't get bitten. I did run into one of them, but I'll get to that.

I used up my last can of food this morning, some canned cherries that were more meant for a pie and not terribly appetizing without being baked in one, but at least they were somewhat filling. Luckily the water and electricity is still working for the moment.

It took a while for me to get up the courage to leave my apartment. That all started with looking for some kind of weapon. I finally decided that the best I could do was an aluminum baseball bat I had from playing in high school. Not quite sure why I've kept it for so long, but I wasn't about to complain.

The next hour or so was me standing by my thick wooden door, splitting the time between my ear pressed against it and my eye looking through the peep hole, hearing and seeing nothing. I probably would have been able to go sooner, except I had made the mistake of looking out my window to the outside world.

Yes, I finally gained enough courage to look outside and what I saw scared me shitless. The streets were covered with people aimlessly walking around, or well, shuffling I guess. They made no noise, at least none that was discernible from the ninth floor, but they were there. I backed away from the window slowly, shutting the blinds and turning away.

When I finally found the strength to leave my apartment, I did so slowly. It seemed to take hours to turn each deadbolt, but in reality, it only took seconds. Each one emitted a deafening click as it slid away from the wall. I stared at the knob for a moment before finally reaching out and turning it slowly. The door creaked as it opened and I cringed, hoping no one heard it.

There I was, the door finally open,