April 7th 2022

  11:41am

  I woke up thinking about eggs.

  Which is weird, all things considered. Though, I’m pretty sure it’s due to it being the month of Easter. I got decorations everywhere, so it makes sense I guess.

  I haven’t seen an egg in forever. I miss it. Fresh, real food.

  Well, thankfully I do have some kind of fresh food, at least.

  Nothing fancy of course. Just meat, sliced up and cooked slowly over the fire. Real food is always better.

  I’ve long since abandoned all that canned garbage. I’m way better off now.

  I set some aside this morning on a pte, out of habit. It cooled while I ate.

  My friend, on the other hand, didn’t seem too interested in eating. A shame, really. He never does. I can’t understand how someone can be such a picky eater.

  I was halfway through chewing when I heard gun shots drowning out the soft crackling of my campfire.

  It’s always those god damn fucking people and their guns. I hate it.

  Other people live here too! My god, reminds me of all those times my father used to mow his wn at 6am. So noisy.

  The sound of gunfire eventually drew close. Not close enough to rattle the windows, but enough that my ears started to hurt.

  I stopped with my fork halfway into my mouth.

  The shots were different from the usual ‘spray and pray’ I often hear. No, these people knew what they were doing.

  I stood up slowly and peered out from behind the curtains of the nearest window in the living room.

  Two of them, armed and even wearing vests for protection. These guys meant business, but for what?

  Moving down the street together, they were clearing out mumblies like a casual game of whack-a-mole, but with bullets instead of mallets and clean shots to the head.

  One of them said something I couldn’t quite hear, and the other answered right away.

  They checked bodies, going so far as to roll them over and inspecting each one up close.

  Instead of looting houses or stores and grabbing what they can, they lingered, like they were waiting for something. Looking, maybe.

  I didn’t like that very much, and I still don’t.

  I stepped back from the window just as one of them shouted, spitting out every curse word known to man.

  Not sure what they’re pissed off about, but I don’t intend to find out.

  1:02pm

  They’ve been searching the stores and half of the houses at the end of my street. I could only hope they would give up whatever they’re doing and go home soon.

  I put out my fire and gathered up all my things, stowing them away in a nearby closet. Hiding everything from ptes and utensils to my bnkets, even my prized pokemon card and sticker collection.

  My friend was still sitting there by the fire, he hadn’t moved the whole time. I walked over and crouched in front of him then helped him to his feet.

  I let him know that he should hide for now, just in case those guys find us.

  He followed my lead as I led him to the storage closet toward the back of the house.

  The gunshots outside got louder. I could hear a body outside hit the pavement with a wet sound, followed by more swearing. I didn’t wait to see more.

  Once my friend was eased inside, I helped adjust him carefully so he’d be comfortable. Well, as comfortable as one can be when being stuffed inside a closet.

  I did my best, it’s for his safety after all.

  With him settled, I sat in a corner off to the side, beneath the windows, between the couches, and listened.

  If they come in, I got my pistol. Right here in my pocket.

  I won’t let them take my stuff without a fight.