I risked my life to retrieve this note, and for what. It's just a bunch of illegible scribbles and marks. I don't know what I was thinking, and in my haste to get the note I ran into a bit of trouble. I've been circling the neighborhood trying to throw a few zombies of my track so they didn't realize I was staying right here in thier own neighborhood.

But it was all for not. Why was I so foolish to think that would amount to anything... and at such a risk. Useless.

All I can say is the anticipation is killing me.

I've waited up all night, but finally he's left the house and when he did the note on the front door stopped him dead in his tracks. He paused staring at it for a minute or two. It was hard to be sure he was comprehending what he was seeing, but he was at least seeing it. He even looked over his shoulder at some point. Eventually he tore the note down and went back inside.

After a few minutes he returned and stuck another note to the front of the door. Although it didn't stick and just fell to porch, he clearly understood the note and has left some sort of response. There's no way it would be safe to retrieve it right now, I'll most likely have to wait until dark for it to be safe... But I can hardly wait.

Success!

The note is in place. I ran into no problem, although it took me a good 1/2 hour to make it happen because I needed to be positive there was no activity in the house, and the coast was clear.

I have a perfect view of the front door, which the guide leaves through everyday. Now I just wait

Dear Zombie,

I apologize that I do not have a better way of referencing you. Perhaps if you understand this note you could give me something better to use. None the less, consider this note a reaching out for communication from a live human being who wonders whether you can understand what is written here.

If any of this makes sense please leave a note in response. You can leave said note exactly where you found this one and I will manage to retrieve it.

Your friend (hopefully),
Larry

This is the exact note which I intend on leaving taped to the guides front door. I'll have to wait until late tonight when the zombie activity is fairly low, but I will obviously need to watch my step.

A New Home

Ha.... How ridiculous of me. It took me all day to realize it and be 100% positive, but one of the houses only doors down from where I've been hiding out is completely vacant. It was hard to tell for sure, as all the houses on this block seem pretty empty but constantly have zombies coming and going, but I've been in here for the better part of the day and haven't seen or heard a thing.

I've got my phone plugged in and charging, so the electricity is still working. Of course I'm keeping the lights off to not disturb the neighborhood. And what's more is I've found a work desk abandoned with a paper, pens, and all the tape I could hope for.

I still have a pretty good vantage point on the guides house, so I will enact my "leave a note" plan starting tomorrow.

For now I sleep in my new home.

As I said in my last post, contemplating how I could possibly safely attempt to communicate with these zombies would keep me up all night. Which it did. I am only now waking up. But it was worth sleeping in, although sleeping in an alley in streets occupied by zombies is probably not such a great idea. I am still, at least at the moment, breathing.

It was worth the lack of sleep because I've come up with an idea. Quite honestly it seems so obvious I'm embarrassed it took me a whole night to come up with it.

I'll leave a written note on the front door. I know for a fact they leave everyday, so I'll write them a note and leave it taped to the front door... of course I don't have anything to write with or write on and I definitely don't have any way to tape it to the front door. But these are all minor challenges. Though it's funny that I've stocked up on food and camping gear and the such and the obvious everyday items that I needed back before the world was.... well dead, I haven't seen any of those things in months.

Mission one is to get the tools I need...

As I write the little girl just came out into the front yard to play... she seems so innocent I find it hard to believe that she would be so ruthless as to kill me just for my flesh.

Damn.... My battery is running low. I haven't been paying attention to it....

I've finally made it back to the guides neighborhood. It took a lot longer for that office building to empty out than I expected. I had little trouble finding my way back, but I did more slow.

From where I sit I can see several zombies moving behind curtains and through lit rooms, in what appears to be a happy and comfortable life.

How to communicate with them safely? It is a question that will keep me up most of the night.

I've held out until 5pm and just as I thought there has been a horde of zombies exiting the building. I caught a glimpse of the guide, but it was far too risky to follow. Right now I'm just laying low watching the show. There are still quite a few moving around the building and wandering the streets, but the biggest movement was right around the 5 o'clock hour. I guess they are still using a similar schedule as was in place before the world died off.

I've spent the majority of the day observing these creatures go through an everyday working routine, and I can't help but wonder how conscious and aware they are. Every time I've ever approached one in any fashion they appear to get hostile, but the fact of the matter is I've avoided them more often than not. And really I've spent the passed yeah observing them from a far making assumptions based off of what I thought I knew. But perhaps I knew nothing... perhaps they are truly just like we were as human beings, and they just fear me as being something different.

Deep down I know it's unsafe and insane, but I truly am starting to wonder what would happen if I tried to communicate with them... I know it's unrealistic, but I can't help but wonder.

Zombie Work

Things got quiet a lot quicker than I anticipated and I was able to get close enough to the building to see what was going on, and it turns out that zombies work. Yeah, you read that right. It doesn't make much sense to me either, but it's the only logical explanation.

Fortunately, there are some pretty large windows that I could see into with my binoculars, so I didn't have to get too close in order to see what is going on, but there are rows and rows of cubicles with zombies sitting behind the desks of almost all of them. I can't even imagine what they are working on, but there is no mistake they are working. I even saw one of them xeroxing something. My first thought was that they are just following old and learned behavior, but at the front desk on the first floor there is a sign that reads Flesh and B--- the later part of the sign is obscured from my vantage point, but it proves to me that they consciously changed the sign in order to facilitate there own purposes. So I can only imagine that all that paperwork is for their own purposes, not for some past memory of what they once were. But what could zombies need so much paper work for? It's mind blowing.

I'm going to continue to observe, although I am afraid that at roughly 5pm there will be a mass exodus, and I don't want to get stuck in the middle of that.

If nothing else, I at least understand now why the zombies some to move on such a rigid schedule. Because, just like humans, they obviously don't like to be late for work, but also don't want to stay any later than they need to.

Holy Crap!!!

I've followed the guide and I have come upon a large office building in which hordes of zombies are funneling into. I can't even begin to imagine why they flock here everyday.

Needless to say I'm hidden about two blocks away, and I've lost sight of the guide since he entered the building, but there are far too many of them for me to get any closer. My hope is that their numbers will thin and I'll get a chance to get closer and see what's going on.

Finally! He's come out doors.

I think I'm going to follow and see where it is that the guide goes when he leaves his house.

I've finally seen some movement within the house. I've seen the guide as well as the other zombies who live here pass by the windows.

Yet none of them has emerged from the house itself. Which still strikes me as odd, but I can at least confirm everything is alright.

Perhaps this change of habit will lead to new revelations about the life of the zombie. I'll be keeping a keen eye and report anything of note as soon as possible.

I have been awake for hours now waiting for the guide to reveal himself, so I could follow him on his daily journey, yet he has yet to show himself. What I've noticed more than anything up to this point is zombies seem to be creatures of habit. Yet I find it strange he has yet to leave the house. I don't think it is possible that I would have missed him. I've kept an eye on the house since 6:30ish this morning.

I hope everything is ok with him.

The guide has now returned home and there seems to be activity similar to what I noted last time I was here. It looks like they are preparing a meal to sit down and eat. Despite the fact that they are made up of decomposing flesh, it looks like a very homey and loving household, and it's making the fact that I am outside in the increasingly cold night eating canned beans on a good night that much more depressing.

Perhaps there is a chance I will find more of my kind of people and could one day enjoy such a sight for myself. Although at this point I've grown very very skeptical of that. For now I will just open up my can and raise a fork and eat at the same time they eat and in some twisted way it's like I'm a part of a family again.

I'm not sure how, but I've found myself by in the zombie neighborhood I visited only a few weeks ago. Right now I am hidden across the street from the guides house. He departed only minutes ago and now a small zombie girl, I can only assume it is his child, is playing out in the front yard.

I hope to return to the office sometime soon, but I figure while I am away I will continue my observations from a close proximity.

I think tomorrow I will follow the guide and see where it is he is going to every day.

Back to sleeping in small closet spaces in run down buildings.

I miss the office building already.

It's hard to explain, but here seems to be more zombies than usual wandering the streets. It's making it much harder to get around than previously.

Something bad has happened.

I'm not sure how, but a few zombies have seemed to figure out that I am up here. I've always been very careful about being seen especially coming and going and standing in the windows, but I must have slipped up.

Fortunately there are only a handful, maybe 5 or 6 trying to knock down the front doors, and even once they get through that they need to fight through the several locked doors to get all the way up here. It will take them quite some time.

However I think it would be wise for me to leave. That way I can either lure them away, or once they manage to get inside they'll find I'm gone and hopefully they'll move on. I've got enough stuff packed to last me at least a week. But I'll return for the rest once everything seems clear.

I'm off and I'll keep you posted via my phone.

I know it's been quite some time sense I last posted anything, but I've found it hard to be motivated to do much lately.

The sight of those grocery stores and in turn the futility of my existence... Well it's just depressing. How can I continue to go on without any other human beings. It all seems pointless.

And to top it off the nights are starting to get cold and I don't think the heat still works in this place.

A Newly Remodeled Grocery Store

I've only just now returned from my trip out to get more food. Fortunately I can consider it a success, although it was very stressful, and it makes me worried of my ability to find food in the near future.

As I reported earlier a few zombies destroyed the closest grocery store that I knew of, so I spent the better part of the day seeking out a new source of food. I fortunately found a very large supermarket still well stocked. Although it is a good two hour trek from my current location. I took my time and brought back plenty to eat, but I may need to consider moving closer in the long run.

This, however, is secondary to what I found to be a way more fascinating discovery. On my way back I happened to take a few streets which took me passed the old "destroyed" grocery store. And low and behold it is a working flesh and brains store. They weren't destroying it at all, they were renovating it. There were new shelves lined with rows and rows of brains and a few zombies walking around dropping body parts in grocery carts. It was really quite interesting.

Now of course for the bad news. Part of the reason that I had to go so far for food was because so many of the other grocery stores were stripped bear from the initial outbreak or were destroyed much like my old food store was. It would seem they are slowly turning all of these places in to zombie grocery stores. Again, fascinating, but I'm just not sure where that leaves me. It would seem they are trying to turn the world over to themselves which in turn could drive me and the human race extinct. As I said earlier I brought back plenty of food, perhaps enough to last me months if I ration it correctly. But I'm going to need to come up with a more long term plan.... If that's even possible.

I have officially arrived at my last meal. Mmmmmm canned beans. I have to make a trip back outside in order to get more. I only just remembered this morning that a few zombies destroyed the grocery store down the street. I will have to see if I can find a new stock.

I'll set out within the hour.

On a side note I've been spending a great deal of time observing the neighborhood from the roof of the office building. All seems to be normal. Zombies coming and going on a schedule. Perhaps next time I head out I'll see if I can follow one and see where they are going everyday.

Last night I dreamed of the guide and his family, and when I woke up I found myself lonelier than ever. Having seen a life with others of their kind has reminded me of what I lost. For so long just trying to survive has preoccupied any desire I have to interact with other people.

Perhaps I can figure out how to communicate with them... No that's a crazy thought. I must come to terms that I am the last of my kind.....

I've made it back. It was difficult journey. Not because of length or terrain or any of the typical reasons a journey would be difficult, but because I found a world of zombies out there and it took every bit of energy and time to not get eaten. There were a few close calls, but fortunately nothing that I didn't overcome. I spent a great deal of time hiding to avoid conflict, but the following is a record of everything I saw.

I made my way to a small suburban community, just on the outskirts of town. No more than 1 or 2 miles from the office building I currently call home. As I made my way there I found the population getting thicker and thicker, although not any thicker than anything I've experienced to date. When I arrived to the area, things seemed pretty dead. A few zombies wandering here and there in a small downtown commercial area, nothing that proved to me that they were anything more than mindless wanderers. I took a look around the area. Many of the homes seemed quite, but I didn't venture into them, mostly because I don't like walking into small cramped spaces that I'm unfamiliar with. Perhaps it is by product of a zombie apocalypse, but I think I may be a little claustrophobic.

I'm not sure the exact time, my guess would be somewhere in the vicinity of 3pm, is when I arrived. I was ready to call the trip a failure when suddenly the streets started getting swamped with zombies. After a moment of panic I found a hiding spot in a dumpster down an alley. It took me awhile to have the guts to peak out, but when I did I saw hordes and hordes of them wandering the streets. I'm still not positive where they came from, but it's almost as if they were all just coming home. Casually walking the streets moaning and waving to one another as if they recognized some zombies but not others. Needless to say the social interactions surprised me, but what surprised me even more was when I caught site of the guide.

I recognized him at once, and was even more confused and surprised to watch him pick up a small zombie girl and hug her. I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that zombies are social creatures who communicate and acknowledge the existence of their fellow zombies. It's something that I hope would be true, or at least crossed my mind now and again, but until this point I saw no proof.

After what was roughly and hour or so the groups thinned and by late evening the streets were quiet again. I spent the night in my hiding place and witnessed another surge of activity in the morning. I have noted in previous posts that they are creatures of habit, and that seemed to hold true with everything I was witnessing, but roughly the same time that afternoon another surge of activity hit, and I once again saw the guide again. He met the small child zombie again and walked off with her and an older female zombie. They looked as if they were a family. I can't say for sure if they were just acting on older leaned behavior, or if they had some type of zombie social contract worked out, but I can confidently say they had some form of bond.

The next day I emerged from my hiding place and found a new and better place to hide that would allow me to follow the guide and his family after their meeting. It was tough to pursue them while avoiding contact with other zombies, but somehow I managed to follow them to a small single story house in the middle of a quaint residential street. There I observed the guide come and go at approximately the same time every day. And each night I was there the three of them sat at a table and consumed human flesh. It was gross, but I found it hard to turn my eyes due to the awe of watching them sit down to a family meal every night. I even witnessed the girl out in the front yard playing with dolls.

Of course I saw all of this from a far, but it was clear to me that they were communicating with groans and signals, which although meant very little to me, obviously were things that they each understood themselves. I never saw them lay down to sleep, but nights were always very quiet, and I can only presume it is because they were in bed. All in all they functioned exactly as humans did before apocalypse, aside from the need to eat human flesh and brains and they seemed not to care about keeping anything clean or neat. There cloths were always tattered and stained in blood and they didn't do much more than throw the bones of their meals in the back yard.

To be honest I found the whole thing fascinating and in a strange way comforting. Even though I was not interacting with them, it was good to see that some social interaction was occurring in a world where humans no longer lived. I would have liked to stay longer, but I was running out of food and the nights outside were getting colder and colder. I set out of a food run while I was there, but I was unsuccessful.

I had little trouble returning and have enough food here at the office for a few days. So for now I will rest and set out in a few days to restock. And then I will plan another trip to my friends new house. I think there is still more I can learn.

I am currently posting from my cell phone. I do not have the time to explain all that I have seen since arriving to what I can only really describe as a community of zombies clearly living a "normal" life.

I plan to stay at least another day, as dangerous as a trip that it has been. But I will tell you that I have found the "the guide". The initial zombie which began me on this whole journey resides here, with a family. To be honest I'm a little surprised I could recognize him in the horde, but I am certain it is him.

For now I have to save my time and energy in order to survive here, but I will write more once I return to the safety of office building.

I spent the morning scouting the see able area from the roof of the building.

There appears to be a neighborhood, not more than I'd guess 2 or 3 miles away that was extremely active. It's appeared to have quieted down at this point, but it was flooded with zombies earlier. I can't even imagine where they have gone at this point.

Of course this idea is a very risky one. The area is right on the out skirts of the city and is mostly one and two story houses. There will be few places to hide, and I am, in a manner of speaking, headed into the belly of the beast. Hopefully that will remain a metaphor and not a reality.

But at this point I need to find out what these creatures are all about. I have little else to live for at this point. It's been months, if not over a year that I have not had contact with another human being. I don't have much to lose.

I'll spend the rest of the day gathering supplies for traveling. Although it is close I feel as though I'll have to move slowly to be safe and it could turn into a multiple day trip. I'll plan to leave around this time tomorrow, when it appears their numbers are more thin.

I'm off. It's is approximately 10:30am. I've been watching the neighborhood all morning and the crowds have appeared to dissipate. I think now will be the safest time to move.

I'll keep you posted.

Arrrggggg!!!! The confusion continues.

I've spent the last few days accepting there was nothing more to understand about the zombie than what every Hollywood movie has lead me to believe. They are unintelligent mindless beings interested only in eating my brains. So debating my next step in this lonely apocalyptic wasteland I observed two zombies out the window communicating back and forth. Hand gestures and all. I wasn't too quick to assume there was anything more to this them just dumb animals mimicking a past they can't really remember, until one of them actually pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

Obviously I am several stories up and could not make out what was written, but after it was written he pointed off in a direction, and the other zombie wandered off with what I can only assume was written directions.

I've bounced back and forth with the theory that these are intelligent creatures. And although I'm not willing to jump right back on the wagon, I do think further observation is in order. Perhaps I need to go further away and find a more thickly populated area. I have a pretty good view from the top of the building, and with my binoculars perhaps I'll find an appropriate place.

Taking a Break

I'll be honest. After last night I'm scarred to leave the office. I think I fooled myself into believing I could understand these things. Perhaps that's not true and I'm better off just staying in doors. I think I'll take it easy for the next couple of days.

I'm back to the office, but something very strange occurred tonight. I thought I was starting to wrap my brain around these creatures. Or at least starting to realize that there is more to them then mindless destruction. But....

I decided once I left earlier these evening that I'd go over to the grocery store again. As I've come to realize they seem to be creatures of habit, and that is where I first realized communication seems possible. Just as I assumed my two zombie friends who I saw only a few days were at the grocery store again. Only as I snuck out of the shadows from across the street avoiding direct contact with the few zombies wandering the streets, I saw through the grocery store windows that those two same zombies were mindlessly tearing the grocery store apart.

They were knocking the food off the shelves and tearing the posters and signs off the walls and just generally trashing the place.

I panicked slightly as I realized a lot of my potential food source was being destroyed, and I too quickly came into the open which caught there attention. I had no problem at all getting away. As I've mentioned several times they are very slow, and they were inside while I was outside. In some way it turned into a blessing, as I lead them away from the store and double backed so I could load up on all the non perishable food I could carry.

But it's not the close call that bothers me. It's the fact that they were acting mindlessly again. Just destroying things for the sake of destroying things. Half the time it seems that they move with purpose the other half of the time they appear to be mindless. It's maddening. And I have to think upon it for awhile.

Headed out again. This time a bit earlier in the day. I'll see if that helps with the research.

I learned nothing of significance. In fact I didn't really cross the path of many zombies at all. I was a little nervous to venture too far from the office building, which could have been my problem. But long story short I saw nothing more than the normal. A handful of zombies here and there.

I'll be honest I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps on my next visit the results will be better.

I'm headed out this evening for observation. Yes I realize logically it seems ridiculous to go out during the evening hours. But the realty is there seem to be less of them wandering around during the night. Although my vision will be impaired there will be less of a chance that will be over powered by a horde.

I'll report my findings when I return.

I've made it back safely with a new stock of food. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I can at least hold up in this office building for a few days while I get over the excitement of my recent discovery.

They Speak!

As I said yesterday, I had to go out in the world today and restock my food supply. I currently find myself trapped in the back store room of the local supermarket. While I was "shopping" I was surprised by a few zombies who apparently also needed some groceries.

I managed to avoid any major conflict and contact, but as I result I'm laying low in this back room currently typing this out on my cell phone.

Me being trapped is neither here nor there. The real point of this post is that I have officially confirmed that they communicate with one another. I haven't the slightest clue what it is they are saying, but I could hear them through the thin walls moaning back and forth. I had limited view, but I could see them reacting to one another, and they held what could only be called a conversation. This is something I suspected for quite some time, but I can definitively state that they are speaking to one another.

This is both very exciting and scary. I still don't know to what extent yet, but they are certainly intelligent creatures. They are obviously taking in and interpreting things around them. I couldn't figure out what they were actually trying to do here in the grocery store, so I can not attest to how intelligent they are, but they certainly are functioning on a level beyond instinct..... I wonder if I could possibly communicate myself? It's obviously way too soon for that, but perhaps in the future.

They are still somewhere in the building, although I can't really hear them any more. I think I'll lay low here, perhaps stay the night. It seems safe enough.

Two things have occurred.

One is I am getting low on my food supply. Even though I've rationed myself to the point where I am thinner than I thought possible, I will need to adventure out for more food, most likely tomorrow.

Two is, although I've consistently monitored them from the safety of this office, I've come to realize I'm not learning anything new. I have certainly confirmed that they are creatures of habit, the flow of everyday is just too similar. But I'm afraid I need to get closer in order to get a better idea of what or who these things are. I'm not sure exactly how I'll accomplish this….. but I think I must.

I'll venture out the grocery store down the street tomorrow, and perhaps it will give me a better idea of how I can accomplish being closer to them.

I've been watching the town, kind of keeping tabs on how they seem to function on a day to day, and although I haven't learned too much, I have noticed they seem to function on a similar schedule everyday. I see the same zombies walking down the street in the same direction at the same time every morning. Perhaps they are creatures of habit.

They do seem to gather when they devour things, although at this point I've yet to see another human being, although I've seen plenty of their remains.

And they do often move in pairs of small groups, although that does not seem to be a steadfast rule…… For instance there is one wondering down the street just below the office building all by herself. And she is the only one in site at the moment, even with my binoculars. Although it is pretty late in the day and they do seem to be a bit more sparse later in the day. Although I have yet to stay up at night and not see at least a few of them wondering the streets.

I slept for almost 20 hours. Apparently I was over due.

I'm not even sure what day it is

Holy shit. I've come across a whole world of them.

Since I lost power to my phone, myself and the guide have come across a decent sized city and they are everywhere! I'm not sure I could even recount all of the close calls I've had… But I did realize that despite the fact that they are everywhere they don't seem to move in the large mobs they do in the movies. Just one more thing Hollywood got wrong. If only Hollywood was around to have learned the lesson. But the point is that although there seems to be zombies at every turn, they are not moving in large blobs and groups so I can manage to stay one step ahead of them and not be over powered by sheer force.

But to recap we came across the town approximately three days ago. I very quickly, and unfortunately lost my guide in a matter of an hour once we entered the urban area. It was impossible to stay a safe distance from every zombie I encountered while still keeping tabs on him. As strange as this sounds.. I will miss him.

I've been bouncing around from hiding place to hiding place keeping as low a profile as I could. And I spent a lot of sleepless nights in broom closets and abandoned buildings, and I even had to fight one off. After a long night in a gas station bathroom I open the door to find one of them standing directly in front of me, with his back to me. I freaked and immediately attacked him with the knife I keep on my belt. He turned and and lunged towards me with the knife sticking out of his neck and all. I think the knife weakened him or at the very least threw him off balance so when he went for my neck he missed. His body hitting mine, but no wound inflicted. With all my force I pushed him back and he tumbled over the register counter. I bolted, not looking back. Since then I've been more cautious.

I wondered the streets for another day, and somehow stumbled upon where I am now. I'm on the fifth floor of an apparently abandoned office building. In fact I'm writing this as we speak on a desktop computer because the electricity and internet still works in this town. It's easily the safest place I've been in weeks. And I can finally recharge my phone.

My current plan is to lay low here, get some sleep and take it easy for a day or two. Besides I have some nice big windows that I can look out upon the city and perhaps I can observe the zombies from afar. It seems safer.

Day 11

The guide and myself are currently resting, tonight in an abandoned parking lot. Which is is nice because I've found myself an the back of a car to sleep in. Probably the first night I've slept on anything remotely soft since we departed our house a few days back…. or weeks at this point. I will admit that there are plenty of places for zombies to be hiding around here, so my nerves are a bit on edge, more than usual. And let me tell you the usual is pretty tense these days.

Although I've found myself pushing my luck with how close I've been following the guide around. I don't know if I've become to "familiar" with him, or I'm just losing my sense of life and death, but I've been following him a little closer than would probably be safe. And I've alerted his attention on more than one occasion. I'm starting to wonder if he realizes somebody is following him….. But I'm not sure of such intelligence as of yet.

Shit! The battery light is flashing on my phone. I've used it in brief spurts in order to keep these blog postings going, but I've yet to be anywhere that I can plug i

Day 10

Still moving slowly. At a zombie's pace if you will. But I did observe an interesting thing this evening.

At some time around sunset the guide came upon a house which had a small gathering of zombies in the back yard. Unfortunately I couldn't safely get very close, but the pair of binoculars I picked up before I left came in handy.

What was so interesting about the interaction is how uneventful it was. I spent hours watching them sit around a table, apparently moaning back and forth and eating a few bits of human here and there. Perhaps it is just learned behavior, or them just mimicking their old lives, but ignoring the fact that they were dead, you would swear they were "hanging" out. Just casually enjoying the evening. It can only be described as bizarre, but also pleasant. Pleasantly bizarre.

Day 9

We've finally come to a place where zombie's seem to be everywhere.

My guide hasn't stopped moving quite yet, but he certainly seems to be interacting with other zombies more frequently. Obviously this has made my job of following him while not gaining the attention of flesh eating creatures a bit more difficult, but it has made it easier to get some sleep.

Just last night he actually stopped at a house full of zombies and apparently stayed the night. I can't guarantee that there was sleeping going on as I was hiding out on a nearby hill, but he did disappear into the house and not return until day light. It's the first time that he, or I for that matter, has stopped moving for a substantial period of time. I will admit because for most of the night I was worried I'd lost him and at this point I've kind of grown fond of him in a very strange way. But to my surprise he appeared early the next day and off we were again traveling through back woods and small towns.

I couldn't tell you where but I do believe he is certainly headed some place specific, or maybe I'm just so desperate to attach a personality to an aimless creature looking only for something to eat…. But I just don't think that is the case. There may not be a lot going on behind those blank eyes, but there is something. Or at least I hope at this point.

Day 7

I realize it's been a few days since last I've posted anything, but to be honest I've just been passing through forests and abandoned towns with no real news, and just barely enough sleep to survive.

However today I have been lead to a small town covered in zombies. Fortunately, or unfortunately my guide seems to have no interest in anyone we've passed. We are currently on the outskirts of the town and he is resting. I'm a little on edge because I realize we are so close to at least hundreds of those things.

We passed through the town in broad day light. He appeared to interact with a few of them, to the best of what I can tell from my distant vantage point. They would moan back and forth and occasionally it looked like he waved to a few of them. But nothing more than a passing acknowledgment.

He just moved straight through town though, which was fortune for me because it was very difficult to follow him and avoid all the other zombies. It was only by sheer luck and hope that he was just passing through that I managed to keep up with him.

Part of me would just like to remain behind in this town, but I think it would be best to stick with the guide. So for now I'll try and get some sleep and we'll see where he leads me next.

Day 4

No particularly interesting news to note, although we are making some headway and have moved far enough from the house that I am no longer familiar with my surroundings.

We've passed a few houses but no sign of anything living or unliving.

My guide seems to rest for periods during the night, but nothing definite that I would call it sleep. I've managed to get some sleep here and there, but I am growing pretty tired. Fortunately we are not moving so quickly that I am completely fatigued.

Day 3

Nothing of interest.

Although at this point he has consumed several small creatures and a deer. Which had turned my stomach to the point that I have been conserving a good deal of food.

One way or the other he seems to be far more alert and we are moving much quicker. Or at least relatively quicker.

Day 2

Until you've seen someone or something devour a live squirrel, you haven't seen anything.

On the plus side I think I've discovered what he was looking for.... food. I'm glad I've kept my distance. Although I did briefly lose track of him and almost stumbled right upon him. I think if he was more with it, I would've been in a great deal of trouble.

It's been a few hours since the squirrel and he seems to be gaining some speed and focus. I suppose I did have him locked up for several weeks without any food. Clearly they can survive long periods of time without eating, but it certainly seemed to affect him.

As a note we are still wandering the woods still no more than 20 miles from the house.

Day 1

I've been on the road for a day now, and I haven't seen much, but I also haven't gotten far at all.

At the moment I'm keeping a good distance from my "guide" as I've dubbed him. But he seems to be meandering more so than I would have expected. We've literally only moved about 10 miles, at most, from the house.

It's almost as if he seems lost or he's looking for something. But I can't imagine what.

I'll leave it at that for now as I want to save the battery on this phone as much as possible. Especially at the pace I'm not sure when I will be somewhere I can recharge it.

He has finally left the house.

I can't quite explain it but he seems to be moving slowly. Or very slowly. Slower than I think is normal. At least he'll be easier to follow.

And before he gets too far ahead of me I am now departing. I will do my best to keep things updated mobile and on the move.

And off we go.....

I've let him out, and quickly retreated to the upstairs.

Strangely enough once I opened the door I heard nothing. Obviously I didn't stick around long enough to see why I didn't hear anything, but I've left the front door open for him and am currently positioned next a window in which I will see him when he leaves.

Considering I am sitting still my heart is racing exceedingly fast. It's perhaps the first rush I've felt in a long time. But for now I just have to wait.

God I hope this is a good idea.

Just in case this is the last you hear from me, it is because I intend on letting my house guest downstairs out of his room.

If there is anyone out there to wish me luck.... please do.

The Time Has Come

I've woken up early this morning and realized I've been coming up with every excuse possible to avoid setting out on my intended plan. Because I am terrified of the idea of walking out into a world full of zombies.

But this is where I let go of that fear and realize a shortened life of purpose is better than wasting away here with litteraly nothing.

I'll spend the day packing up and triple checking my lists and what I have with me in order to survive to the best of my ability.

And first thing tomorrow I let him out

Alright. My shopping spree has concluded. I've got as much food as I can carry and am as prepared as I can possibly be or as much as I can conceive of at least.

Now I just need to gather the courage to let that thing downstairs loose..... That might take some time. Although I hope to do it soon.

Testing. Testing. This is a test.

I quick trip to a local electronics store has left me with both a laptop as well as a cell phone with I can write to this blog with. The only catch is keeping them charged and connected to the internet. But only time will tell if that will be possible.

One way or the other I will do everything I can to keep these postings going as long as possible.

The glory of Wal-Mart! What doesn't that place have?

I found almost everything I needed in the camping and sporting section of the Wal-Mart. It's funny how preparing to trek across a zombie wasteland is similar to shopping for a 4th of July camping trip.

Something funny did happen during my trip. I left in the mid morning on Friday or was it Thursday. I'm starting to lose track of the days. Whenever it was I found myself driving through neighborhoods full of zombies. I managed to take back roads and avoid any major contact, but once I arrived at the Wal-Mart I found the parking lot swamped with them. Wandering left and right.

I laid low for a few hours trying to figure out what to do, because without being able to get inside that Wal-Mart my whole plan is at a lose. However once the sun started going down they suddenly up and left. And before long I found that I was alone in the entire mini-mall. Once I determined it was safe I ventured to the front door to find it locked. Fortunately a window was smashed in and I had no trouble getting inside.

I had to resist not taking more because I need to stay somewhat light, and I still need room to carry as much food as I can. Additionally I found myself starring at the firearms case and decided against it. I know every movie in the world would say this was a stupid idea, but I have no idea how to shoot a gun, and it seemed more dangerous to be carrying one around. Instead I settled on a crowbar. I read somewhere that it was the perfect zombie weapon. It functions as both a weapon and a tool. And at this point in my life practicality seems like everything.

I ended up sleeping in the car last night, as I didn't feel safe traveling back in the dark. Now I just need to figure out how I'll continue this blog while on the road.... But I leave that for my next trip. Now I'm going to sleep because I didn't get much last night.

I've returned from the hardware store and it has been relatively unsuccessful. Although I've found a great Knife and a few odds and ends such as rope and a flashlight I mostly spent the afternoon searching through plumbing supplies. On my walk back I did get some gasoline to make I've got plenty to make it to the Wal-Mart tomorrow.

I'm off to get a good night sleep and set out early on what I will hope will be a more successful day.

I have spent the better part of the last few days creating a plan, and now it is time to act on said plan. And of course it all begins with a few days of extensive shopping. I suppose it's good that I still have some type of sense of humor.

My first stop today is the hardware store right down the street. I'll see what essentials I can get, although I know it won't have much to offer in comparison to the Wal-Mart, but it's a much shorter trip. And I figured a good first step in the process. Below is a list of what I need to find in the course of the next few days.

Food (canned and light weight non-perishable)
Hiking boots
Rain jacket
Backpack
sleeping bag
Water Bottle
Matches
Flashlight
Swiss Army Knife
Gun?

On a separate note I haven't heard a word or sound from the downstairs room in the past day or two. I'm positive he's still in there and he won't fool me again. But it does bother me that I think he's realize I have a better chance of entering the room if he doesn't make a sound. Because at this point silence is more unsettling.

I have come to a decision.

I have spent the passed week and a half alone, and I think, losing my mind. It has been tough to live on canned food, and tougher to sleep with the knowledge that I am surrounded by things that want only to eat me, or at least that is what I think they want. But the toughest thing of all is that I've been apparently stranded alone in what is left of the world that I know. That loneliness has driven me to not write, and do little else but survive in the most basic of ways.

Despite the fact that I was scarred to even go down stairs only a week ago, I have found myself sitting outside of the room where I have locked one of those things up. Listening to its banging and moaning, and often time it's silence.

Perhaps I am only hearing what I want to hear, but it seems to me that the zombie is not just moaning gibberish, and although I do not understand a word that comes from it's mouth, I do think it's trying to communicate. And of course I still can not let go of the idea that it was in fact sleeping.

I have also come to the realization that rescue is not coming, and I will only be left with what I choose to do with the remainder of my living days. I know that I once said I would document what was happening to the world. And although I realize that there may be no one left to even read what I am writing, I will continue to do that in the only way I can think. I will release the zombie, and I will follow him. I will see what he does, and where he goes and attempt to document that to the best of my abilities. Because as of know I think there is more to this creature than past popular culture has said. To be honest I hope to find that it is nothing more than a brain dead human eater, because I find the alternative to be unsettling. But I have realized I will either sit here wasting my days away or I could go risk, which is essentially a worthless existence, to find out what these creatures are.

Of course this will take some planning, and time to put together the supplies to do this. And I'm not sure at the moment how I will continue this blog while I do this, but I will figure it out. So at the moment I will leave you with this decision, and begin putting the plan into affect.

Sleeping

It's been several days since I've ventured into the room that has one of those things locked up. To be perfectly honest I've been too terrified to go downstairs, let alone see what's going on in that room.

In a world with no other speaking person you find yourself pondering over things for longer than you thought possible, and I can't seem to let go of the fact that I'm sure when I went into that room he was sleeping. Sleeping? What does that mean? What does a mindless machine need to sleep for. Unless of course he's not all that mindless....

What am I saying?!? I've been surrounded by flesh eating creatures for too long. I've had little sleep, I'm rationing food, and I have no one to talk to. I'm just letting it all go to my head. But why exactly would he be sleeping. For some reason that idea seems all too unsettling. If he needs to sleep what other things does he need? How different are they from me?

I'm off to read a book, as there is little else around to keep my mind off of these things.

Sleeping?

Nope not dead. Although I was fooled at first. I opened the door with flashlight in hand, and found him lying flat on his back, motionless. I wasn't exactly sure how to tell if he was dead, but I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to tell from all the way across the room.

I leaned over and picked up his hand. As a note it was very cold and clammy, pretty much exactly what you would expect. Before I could drop his arm he started moving. Needless to say I didn't stick around long enough to see what he'd do next, but he did seem just as surprised as I did and just as caught off guard and confused. It wasn't really till after I locked the door again that I realized he was sleeping.

Zombies sleep, not exactly something I expected to find out.

And now, of course, he's awake and banging on the door again.

Shit!

I just woke up and realized I've still got one of them downstairs. I haven't heard from him since I've returned this morning.

Perhaps he's dead, maybe even they can't last two weeks without food. There is only one way to find out....

The world Belongs to them.

It has been a long time since I last posted an update on the state of the world, and that is because this is the first time I've seen a computer in weeks. Which, as you can imagine, is a bad sign.

I set out to get food. All was quiet and fine. I made it to the supermarket, loaded up on food and headed back. Stupidly I ran out of gas about five minutes from the parking lot. It turns out that hunger makes you do stupid things. As I debated what to do, I suddenly saw them coming out of the wood work. Wandering down the street, coming out of the doors of the neighborhood houses, some evening sitting in the parked cars.

The point being is the zombies are everywhere, casually wandering around as if it is their world. And I suppose at this point it is.

I made my way back to the supermarket, as it was closer than any other place I was familiar with, not to mention there was plenty of food. A few managed to follow me, but once I was inside I had no problem hiding from them. Stealth is definitely not one of their strong suits. I was holed up in the supermarket for, by my count, 14 days.
And although they rarely came in doors there was never a day, until today, that I didn't see at least a handful of them wandering around out on the streets.

This morning, however, I was able to take the time to siphon some gas (which is not nearly as easy as they make it out to be in the movies, and gasoline does not taste good), make my way back to my car and get home with a stock of food.

Since this was my first time to really observe the zombies, I will say that they are slow moving and meandering. Although, surprisingly, they look very casual. I know that sounds weird, but it's the best way I can describe it. It's almost as if their wandering is aimless. They are certainly not in a rush, but they are going somewhere. Or perhaps I've just been stuck inside by myself for months.

Needless to say, this world no longer belongs to humans. I can only hope there are some of us still out there. But if I've made it this far, others must have as well.

Starving

I've gone about 22 hours without eating a thing. I must go outside today, even though I'm not feeling very confident since my last attempt.

I'll report back the moment I return. And, yes, just for the record he is still downstairs and banging the walls. It seems that not much of anything stops these things. When I get back I might have to do something about him. But first food.

He is still going. Moaning and banging loud enough to be heard all the way upstairs. But it's not the noise that bothers me, it's the fear that others will hear him and come. I know that doesn't make sense, but not much of anything makes sense any more.

I didn't make if very far.

Two steps outside the front door and I found myself face to face with the man who collapsed in the backyard a few days ago. Needless to say, he didn't look well. And my attempts to speak with him were returned with illegible moans.

He was anything but quick, however I was caught so off guard he managed to catch the door as I attempted to back up into the house. He forced his way through apparently trying to bite me, and although he wasn't quick his strength didn't seem to diminish with his state of living (or dying). In a panic I abandoned the door and ran for the nearest room. Which, unfortunately, was the living room in the back corner of the house. Only one way in or out. He followed me as quickly as he could. I put the sofa between him and myself and whether out of shear determination or stupidity he came after me tripping over the sofa and tumbling to the ground. Before I even had the chance to see him get up I ran for the door, locking it behind myself.

I've only now calmed down enough to type and my legs still feel like jelly. But perhaps worst of all, even up here on the third floor I can hear him moaning, scrapping and banging the walls.

I think I'll leave the grocery trip for another day. For now I'll just rest. Although I can't imagine it will be easy to do with all that noise.

Venturing outside

So the time has come that I must go outside. I am running low on food and have to make a trip to the grocery store. It's only a fifteen minute drive away, but the world has become a ghost town and I don't feel great about what I will find outside in the world. Most television and radio stations have ceased broadcast, with a few exceptions showing reruns over and over. It turns out the Simpsons will never actually end. The internet still seems fairly active, considering the circumstances, but I don't think I'll find much in the way of people and social activity in the streets. But when it really comes down to it, I suppose I'd prefer to not see anyone than the alternative.

I do not anticipate that this will be my final entry, but if it is; farewell. If it is not I will return with food and a better sense of what is happening to this planet. Which I will promptly inform you of.

Well, I woke up this morning and the man was gone. I'm not really sure how to deal with it. I've locked all the doors, and I figure there isn't much more that I can do. Perhaps he's just wondered off and I'll never see him again. But, I don't think I'll be that lucky.

After what must have been weeks of not seeing a single person, my luck has changed. Only I wouldn't call it luck at all.

This afternoon a man came stumbling into my backyard screaming as loud as he could manage to scream. I saw him staggering around having trouble keeping himself up. And all he could say was "Help me, help me!". Before I could decide what to do he just collapsed to the ground face in the grass. He twitched a little bit and then laid motionless.

I debated going outside, but I figured the wiser thing to do was to call for help. 45 minutes of waiting and a woman stating "Due to the high volume of calls all of our dispatchers are unavailable. We will be with you as soon as possible", is when I decided 911 was no longer in service. The man still hasn't moved in all that time, so I figure there is not much I can do for him. I'm better off inside where it's safe.

So now I sit here typing this on the third floor. I have a clear view of the man from the window by the computer. He still hasn't moved. It's like he's starring at the earth.

A day or two ago I would have said that I'd give anything to see another person, now I just want to be alone. The sun is setting soon, so at least I won't have to look at him anymore.

So much for routine. I think I've locked the doors of the video store for the last time. I spent close to 14 hours there, and no one came in. No one has rented a video in over 5 days. There are thousands of over due movies and I don't think they are coming back. I guess the days of video rental are officially over, but most importantly, I don't think I'm getting a paycheck tomorrow.

At least I can sleep in tomorrow.

Alls Quiet on the Front

I realize it's been awhile since I've last posted any news, but that's because there seems to be little news to post. As I'm sure you know, the first day or two after last weeks announcement, there was some panic and several news reports of the illness. But now all seems very quiet. Eerily quiet in fact.

There seem to be less people out on the streets. Hardly anyone has come into the video store over the past week, and the few who have have said and done little. The TV and radio all seem to be running fine, but everything is a rerun. Including live shows. Yesterday I went into the grocery store and I ended up walking out without paying for anything, because I couldn't find a single soul working there.

I know it seems odd that I'm roaming the world as the human race seems to be disappearing from it. It's just nothing seems all that threatening. It's all just really quiet. I'm going to head over to the video store now. I seem to be the only one around willing to open it up these days. And none of the managers are returning my calls. Why I'm even bothering to open it? I don't really know. Routine is a funny thing.

The Actual End of the World

So here it is. I suppose I should be happy that I was right, but somehow it's not all that comforting. And if I could take back the blog for the sake of the world's health I'd probably do it.

What I'm referring to, of course, is tonight's press conference that was held at the white house. If you've been living under a rock and missed this, I've got some news for you. It ain't good. Apparently the the flu has broken loose and is rapidly spreading across the country and presumably around the world. They claim there is a vaccine, but they just can't produce it fast enough. Although, if you ask me, it sounds like crowd control "don't panic" statement. I wouldn't expect seeing a vaccine anytime soon.

Now if this doesn't sound bad enough, it gets worse. There have been about half dozen reports that patients have "after an apparent heart stoppage revived consciousness with violent outbreaks and irrational behaviour." Perhaps I've been watching too many horror films, but it sounds to me like people are coming back from the dead, and they are really pissed off about something.

In the final moments of the address the surgeon general has encouraged us to stay in doors when possible and take all precautions to stay as healthy as possible. And most important to report and isolate incidents of the flu.

Now I don't really think this is the end, mostly because I don't think I can really conceive of such a thing, but it certainly doesn't look good. And if officials have decided to tell us about it, you know they've been dealing with it secretly for months now and to no avail. If it all didn't seem so unrealistic, I might even be a little scared of the whole.

At least there's one good thing that's coming out of all this. I've finally got something to write about.

The Answer

Well, I guess that answers my question.

I suppose I can't blame anyone. I'll be back when I've got something interesting to say.

Is Anyone Even Reading This

I refer to the above title. You answer the question.

Don't worry, it turns out I'm a terrible photographer.

And even if I weren't I wouldn't have had the time to take any pictures. I've been at the video store working everyday for the past 12 days due to everyone being out sick. Now, I get sick sometimes, but rarely is it so bad that I can't get up to work 1 day let alone 12. So I've decided that I am the butt of a joke. That I am the fall guy for 5-6 of my co-workers skipping out on work and having a blast. If you don't want to do the job, then why don't you just go get a different one. Yeah, I've heard about "the economy right now", but skirting responsibility and laying it on somebody else just pisses me off.

It's not like I can do anything about it. And quite frankly I need the cash, but I figured I'd at least get it off my chest. And to be honest, it feels pretty good.

Maybe I'll just turn this blog into complaints. I mean, everyone's got something to complain about, right?

Well that didn't last long.

I've spent the past week attempting to watch several movies, but it turns out as soon as you make it work you no longer want to do it. Even if it is something you like to do. So with that I put an end to my movie review blog. Because quite frankly I'd like to get back to watching some movies.

Now I'm back to step one. Nothing to talk about and a blog to write it in.

Maybe I can just write about possible things to write about.

Or perhaps I can start taking photos.

Ha! I've figured it out! And really it seems so obvious now. Movie Reviews!

I can use this blog to review movies. I watch enough of them.

So to kick this new found purpose off, I'll take a look at an older classic film which I just conviently finished watching.....

Night of the Living Dead
1968

It's a simple enough premise. The worlds dead rise from their graves and come back as the flesh eating zombies we have come to love. In the beginning moments of the crisis the typical hysterical blond finds safety in an abandoned house in the sticks. Before long she is accompanied by a band of survivors, who become too busy fighting amongst themselves to properly defend themselves when the inevitable zombie horde comes to eat their brains.

If you are looking for any more plot I suggest you just rent the movie. Although you won't find much more there either. But what I want to talk about is how unbelievably unrealistic this whole concept is. Even if the impossible was to happen, and zombies were to be birthed (for lack of a better term) how NOT scary is that. A bunch of slow moving brain dead humans with their only weapon being teeth. How dumb of a society would we have to be to actually let that take over the world?

If you can get over that. Oh, and did I mention it was caused by some kind of rock from space? But if you can get over that I will say the human interaction and obvious racial undertones is at least enjoyable to watch. And, if you make it to the end I promise you will enjoy the resolution of the little girls story line. Because it is pretty awesome.

And my verdict is you should watch it. (I just now decided not to grade the movies. I didn't like that is school, why should I like it now). So consider this my recommendation. See it, enjoy it and if for no other reason check out where all this zombie stuff started.

And I'll be back again with the review of another movie. Till then.....

Still nothing! Another long day at work and a week of thinking, and I've still got nothing to write about. Except, I suppose, the fact that I've got nothing to write.

More people out sick today, perhaps there is some weight to this swine flu thing. And even less people coming into the store. It turns out that in this modern day in age of mail in DVD's and pirated movies video stores are a bit out dated. But it keeps me in booze and cigarettes as they say.

Off to watch a movie. With all the buzz about zombies these days I figured I'd bring home a movie and check out where it all started. Besides it's not like anyone else is renting it. "Night of the Living Dead", honestly it looks a bit slow to me.

Epiphany

Well, after a very boring and unexpected day at work. I was called in due to somebody being sick. Swine flu strikes again! So with a few days of thinking, and one really long and really boring day at work, I've come to realize that you can't just have a blog about nothing these days. No one just wants to hear what you're thinking about any more. You've got to give them something new and different.

Here's the catch though. I'm not sure what that thing is.... yet.

But at least now I know that I'm looking for it.

The Begining of the End

So it is official. I said the world would end before I started a blog, and here we are: at the end of the world. Seriously though, I’m not sure why I even started this. I suppose you can only listen to people talk about something for so long before you have to try it yourself. It makes you realize why people do bad things……

And now of course that it has begun I’m already having writers block. Suffice it to say here I am, with a new digital presence, here in the 21^st and half century, and if you find anything I say at all interesting or, dare I say, amusing then perhaps you’ll find your way back again soon.

And I promise I’ll get a little better at this in the mean time.