10:12PM
Dear Diary
I have stared up at the stars as I walked on the dirt road in front of my house. The night sky is beautiful tonight. I am extremely reluctant to leave in the morning, being comfortable here. But leave I must. I feel as if the weight of the entire human race is descending upon me over what I'll be doing in the next few days. I find myself shaking uncontrollably at times, not knowing if that is just nerves or if I ate something that I shouldn’t have. It is hard to give up those steaks, ham and sausage, but I will have to do so eventually. The Honda Gold Wing is packed with bare essentials such as a sleeping bag, rifle and handgun, ammo, canteens, lots of beef jerky and, of course, my Bible. I think I should be able to find what I need on the road. I am so scared. What has happened? Did someone invent a super weapon that got out of control? If that is true, why didn’t it kill me? Why am I still here? I pray nightly for answers. Every night, I pray for someone to take over for me. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to be held responsible for, possibly, the entire world.
I hope if someone finds this diary someday, they will give thought to that I am doing all I know to do. My resources are limited. There is no evidence of a calamity. Yet, a calamity that is unprecedented in recorded history has occurred. The main thing that puzzles me is the white, salt-like powder I have found in most cars. I just now thought I heard Ralph again. It is just as well I haven’t found him. I couldn’t take him with me on this bike to Atlanta. I hope he’s still alive. I must now consider, once again, whether I am losing my mind. How would I even know if I am losing my mind? That scares me also. But what scares me more than anything is the thought of spending the rest of my life alone without any human contact. I don’t know if I can live like that, I’m not sure I want to. I will continue with an entry in the morning before I leave. Dear God…I’m not sure you are listening to me any longer. I fear I am all alone in this world. I have no idea why this has happened. But I pray you help me, that you protect me on this arduous journey.
Alone on Earth – Entry #7
November 22, 2016
5:55AM
Dear Diary
I am up early today because of a long journey ahead of me. The Honda Gold Wing bike is fully loaded with everything I need. I have eaten a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, toast and hot coffee. That may be the last hot meal I'll have in a while. It’s almost like old times due to this generator, but I have to make sacrifices until I get a bigger one. This 2000 watt generator can’t run both the refrigerator and hot plate at the same time, it must draw a lot of current. I had planned on going into Mobile to look for a bigger generator, but that is going to have to wait. I cannot run this generator while I am gone to Atlanta, so once again the refrigerator will melt down and so will the ice trays. Before I take off for Atlanta, I am going to visit my sister and brother’s homes about 20 miles north of here. I dread what I’m going to find…or not find. As usual, I will bring my diary notebook with me to record everything. Maybe it can help someone who is a lot smarter than me figure out what has happened to this world. I hope Ralph is here when I come back…if I do come back.
7:28AM
Dear Diary
There is nothing to be found at either my sister’s home or my brother’s home, where I am sitting on his couch writing this entry. I am looking at a picture of my brother and I as young boys, holding up a full line of fish. Seems like so many years ago, and now I will never know what has happened to him or my sister. His home is like so many I’ve been to; like they just up and left without packing anything. My sister-in-law’s purse is still on the dining room table. No woman would leave her purse behind. My heart is heavy as I leave. I wish I had some idea what I am facing. Tears fill my eyes as I finish this…I need help with this. It’s too much for one person to bear. I must go…now.
11:50AM
Dear Diary
The enormity of what has happened has greeted me as I have driven up I-65. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of abandoned cars on I-65 North and South. Some have crashed into each other and burned. But there was no trace of human bodies to be found. Others have flipped over on the side of the road; again, no trace of anyone. Nothing. I have stopped in Greenville, AL. This is normally about a two hour drive up I-65, now it has taken me 3 and ½ hours to get here due to the carnage on I-65. My top speed on the Honda is about 45MPH. I can’t afford to have an accident. If I get hurt, I’m done, and I now realize I did not bring anything for first aid. I have gone completely around this little Alabama country town without seeing anyone. I have found some stale sandwiches at a Shell station; they look OK. I am going to drink some warm Coke, eat stale sandwiches and Lays potato chips. Then I will head for Montgomery, which is only about 30 miles ahead, where I most likely will spend the night. Mere words can’t convey what I have witnessed on my trip from Mobile. I would have brought a camera. But then again, no batteries are working in this new world in which I find myself. Time to eat.
2:36PM
Dear Diary
I have done a little cruising around Montgomery. I even went to Maxwell Air Force Base, where I had my physical prior to going into the Navy many, many years ago. No sign of life anywhere. The same situation here as everywhere else; abandoned cars in the middle of the road, no people, no animals and no insects. Nothing at all. I will be staying at a Motel 6 just off I-65 for tonight. Unfortunately, they forgot to leave the light on for me. I went in to “register” at the front desk, rung the bell for service. Wouldn’t you know it? No one has shown up. So, I am staying at a room closest to the front desk, I have opened up the window to get some fresh air in this stuffy, stale smelling motel. At least, the beds are all made up. I have used my siphon hose and gassed up my Honda motorcycle. I wish I could find a generator, but I’m just too tired to even look. It is getting colder…I am going to have to find some more blankets for tonight.
6:13PM
Dear Diary
I have eaten more stale sandwiches and potato chips that I took with me from Greenville. I really would love to have some hot soup on a cool, crisp night like tonight. I have closed the window. I don’t know what the temperature is, but it’s getting cold and I should have brought a bigger jacket with me. In fact, in the morning, I will go to the Target just outside my window and look for a bigger, thicker jacket. I have got to be careful with these candles. I don’t want to set this place on fire, but why should I even care if I do? Who’s going to say anything? I heard a noise after writing that last question. I took my .38 plus the candle, and looked around in the lobby. The front door was open, although I know I closed it. I got nervous about that, so I checked every room in the motel. I could find nothing. I’m scared enough without having to deal with strange noises. This is all surreal to me. It’s like I am watching that Twilight Episode - “Where is Everybody?” - that frightened me as a child. But this is real; this is my world right now. I don’t think anyone is going to walk in on me and tell me it’s all an experiment. I wish to God someone would. I wouldn’t even get mad. Well, maybe just a little.