Legends My Journal of Discovery

[Allison Carpenter]

I hope my words that I write here will find its way out to the world at large. Some of what I've seen can only be described as wholly unusual and unbelievable. I had thought it was going to be just a normal rave near Bristol but, little did I know that my life and outlook on things was going to be flipped.

I still think this all some sort of joke or maybe someone had put some kind of hallucinogen in the weed but this, this is just too real. I remember waking up in the room, it was a tiny studio and the door was locked. My purse was sitting on the small stool and as I looked through it my heart stopped. My phone and passport were missing all I had was my notepad a pack of cigarettes some pens I had lifted from the bank and my lighter. Everything else was gone. Furious in myself and even more so at whoever had imprisoned me in here.

Kicking at the door didn't work as I pressed my ear to it I could hear only silence. Taking stock of myself I still was dressed, which is good, my black hoodie and pants appeared clean without any signs of stains except for some dried mud on the sides of my Sketchers. I didn't know what time it was or even how long I was out as I tried to remember the events up to blacking out.

It must have been hours before I heard any kind of movement or signs of life from the other side of that damned door. It sounded like shouting only very muffled, maybe the door was soundproofed which only sent my imagination further in overdrive. Great, what kind of shit did I get put in with soundproof doors and mystery people. I remember starting kicking and banging on the door, screaming for help when the loud pop put my nerves in shock. I know what a gunshot sounds like and even through the muffled door I could hear it plainly. Shit, I'm dead as the room was going to be my death, I squeezed under the bed as much as I could moments before the door blow inward. Wood and bits of the wall showered the room I had quickly covered my mouth as the shrill squeak escaped my mouth. Cursing myself for doing it when the four men entered. Their boots black as night and glistened with some kind of liquid which at the time I didn't know was blood. "Clean out the other rooms and bag the bastards, we're out of here in five" he must of been the leader his voice gruff and his heavy Scottish accent thick to the ears.

They ran out of my room as I stayed there under the bed, not daring to move or even breath. Staring out past the now destroyed door I could see in the dark, several figures running around. They ran upstairs as I could tell with their heavy footsteps I waited for a very long time before I moved a muscle.

Wiggling out from under the bed I could see their boot prints on the floor, the dark crimson of blood bright against the starkness of the room. Pushing down the rising feeling of throwing up I had made my way out of the room. Instantly the smell hit me, it was mixture of gunpowder and a dead animal. I peered into another room that was next to the one I had found myself in. Inside was the exact same but in the corner laying in a pool of blood was a monstrosity that I thought was my brain playing a trick on me. There were these black tentacles coming out of his head, everything about him seemed like he was covered in oil as his clothes were covered in black stains and looked like he had not changed for some time.

The tentacle strained out towards me causing me to stumbled back out of the room, what the hell is going on here was all I could think of. Another gun shot, louder this time, I looked around and saw the stairway up to what I assume to be the first floor. I almost missed the door in the far corner of what I was beginning to call a basement of bad dreams.

Rushing over to it I started to fumbled with the three deadbolts and threw it open.

Instantly the cold air wrapped around me as I cautiously climbed up the ancient stone steps to the alley behind the building. I started running not sure in where I was or where I was going but, I knew I had to keep running away from the horrors I had seen. I went several blocks and darted into another alley. My chest heaved as I had never ran so hard before and not having the best health didn't help either. Hiding behind a bin I fiddled with my purse and took out my notepad and began to jot down what I had seen.

Which leaves me to now, I don't know what happened to that guy or to anyone else that might have been in that place but I do know that there were people there and they were murdered. I have to find the police, maybe hope they don't pull up my file as they'll probably arrest me for what happened there. Police can wait have to find a phone and call Mark. So if I don't make it I hope someone would find my notebook and figure out what had gone on or find me, I shouldn't be too negative but I can't stop thinking about the black oil on that guy.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

I didn't get much sleep, was too amped up from escaping from certain death to think straight. I remembered walking around this section of town I had found myself in. Nothing was recognizable to me but, I did figure I must still be somewhere in Europe as signs were plainly in English.

Stumbling upon the pub was something of godsend, trying to shake the vision of the blood and black oil proved to be fruitless. I got to work in continuing my writing within my notepad. The same notepad I've had with me for close to ten years. The binding has been worn to almost nothing from me constantly opening and closing it. I never got past the point of writing my name in the front cover of the book. The words would never come as the pages laid bare for those past ten years.

I must have been writing for some time, the waitress only come out a few times as I quickly found out I had lost my purse, shit, oh could I have been so careless and stupid. Now I was even further up shit creek and now without cigarettes. I ordered a water and her heavy sigh only brought home how pathetic I must be. No money, no cigarettes and no way in knowing where I was.

I heard his voice, it was soft but rough under the thick accent of his. He was pretty good looking and built like a freaking tank. Instantly I pegged him for a body builder or some health obsessed freak. We talked for a bit and the longer we did I came to realize that he must've been drunk off his ass or stoned. He told me I was in London, which was nice as I thought I must have been brought into Wales. Talking about something called filth, told him that my experiences so far in how I escaped that basement and all he called talk about was homeless people and how dirty they are. Something about it wasn't oil but some kind of shit that makes people crazy, yeah like yourself buddy. Then I wanted to know if I was a bee. Instantly I knew, yep, stoned.

Made some more small talk with Rob the stoner, he told me his name was Rob. Not bad and definitely not bad to look at. Wow Alli, focus girl and not how he looked. Maybe I am going crazy, talking to myself in my own journal, stop it.


I left that pub and came upon a main road, as usual there were another police blockade. What is with this part of London? I was trying to decide if I should try my luck again with the police and try to get them to listen to me without simply telling me to piss off. I almost didn't hear her at first. Scared the shit outta me.

I had been standing next or near this tent these strange cultist nutters had set-up. Talking about the Morninglight, more like sciencetologists too be exact. Anyway this lady starts talking to me, something about her presence that seemed to be calming. Offered to buy me coffee which was something I haven't even thought of in over twenty four hours.

Off I go, following this stranger through sketchy park, really, there was garbage and shit all around and I even saw a used condom sitting pretty in a bush, nasty. Maybe this was the park that Rob guy was mentioning, course I knew I would not be spending any time in this place. Who knows what kind of creepers lurked in the trees and bushes.

So this lady, Mel, is actually nice. Bought me a latte and started to ask me questions. I first thought that she was a cop or something, told her about my experiences and the murder while she sat there and listened to every word. She wanted to know if I wanted to hear the truth, well fuck, yes I did. She put it it similarly to the Matrix. Take the red pill and she'll show me how deep the hole goes or take the blue pill and I go back to my old life.

Well, I already saw some guy get murdered, was kidnapped, what else can this day get. I should've stayed home last night as the shit she did...I, just have no words.

She kept giving me chances to decline and go back to my life but I wanted to know who did this to me and the police were useless. Finally she relented and this is going to sound fucking nuts. She touched my hand and it felt like I was thrown out of my body, yes, that was what it felt like.

There was this field or what seemed to be one as she explained that she was a Oracle or something. In this field were more of those oil covered people, running around screaming and just insane. It felt so real to stand there next to her and see these people. She said that the filth was something that corrupted normal people like myself. Drove them insane and caused them to react violently to anyone and everything.

I couldn't take anymore and told her that I wished to go back, back to the coffee shop or stop this vision she was showing me. My world was spinning and my brain felt like it was going to explode. Everything was swimming and I asked her like I asked that Rob guy if there was any places that I could crash. She lead me to this trippy ass hotel which I can't remember the name of but she did pay for three nights for me to stay there.

So much thrown at me, about this place, about this secret place locked or hidden from the rest of the world. Even now as I sit in the bed at this nice hotel, I can hear the moans of a couple fucking. Seems that even in secret places the walls of the hotels are thin. Going to try in get some sleep and I hope that I wake up from this nightmare in my own bed and everything I've seen has just been some fucked up, vivid nightmare.

Here's to hoping.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

I spent the last three days holed up in this hotel, only sneaking out of my room to talk to the front desk guy and to get some food and drink. Bumped into a couple that couldn't wait to get into their room before basically doing it on the floor of the hallway. Whatever is going on here makes people fuck like rabbits, really it’s a nightly occurrence in that you can hear people screwing almost all day here and I'm beginning to think in that that Mel woman put me up in a hotel in a shitty part of London.

My head still hurts in what that lady showed me, to see people in such a way that they are so overcome with this black oil shit is insane. Maybe I am infected as what I've been shoved into here is maybe what those people went through before sprouting black tentacles out of the tops of their head.

Well it was the third day and front desk guy made it known I had till noon. Yeah I got it the first six time asshole. This part of London is just filled with horny assholes and can't wait to find a way out of here. So I have this notepad and I hope to once again speak to the police at one of those barricades.

Off I went to slap the police around and make them do something and the first thing I see when I stepped outside was some asshole drunk off their ass. Typical and the cops still standing by their vehicles with their backs to everything. Walked up to the closest one and yelled at him for about five minutes before being told once again to piss off. Oh I wasn't going to simply just walk away when I basically shoved my notepad in his face. Yeah, I could have done that a bit more tactfully but I was pissed and I needed them to believe me.

Whoops as he shoved the butt end of the assault rifle into my face. Damn does that hurt and great as my nose started bleeding.

For anyone that reads this I hope you look past the dried blood on the paper, sorry.

It's not fun having this happen much less to have your nose jacked up by the police. I was about to jump that fucker and really didn't care if he shot me but before I knew it this blond lady in a black trench coat comes up out of nowhere. She calls the police to get back to keeping order. She was pissed at them and me, no shit, so I started off on her and she was like Rob and even Mel in not really being shocked at the fact in what was going on except for the fact of someone being covered in the black oil shit in London.

Think it was the loss of blood but I really don't remember much else but her calling for someone to help get my muggle ass over to Temple Hall...whatever that means, another cult I assumed.

Woke up again inside yet another room, what is the deal in my life revolving around this shit. Only this time the doors unlocked and guarded by these people in red and white uniforms. Great, fucking military. At least they let me keep my notepad and I have a new pen so at least I have that going for me. They told me that someone will be in to interview me soon but I know what that really means is that some asshole is going to play interrogator and I'm the big bad wolf.

This day can't fucking get any worse.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Crazy is everywhere and I've been shoved headfirst into this shit. Been several days in which I've been locked in my cell. Yes, I'm calling it a cell as I can't go anywhere without having two guards constantly behind me. Then there's the near constant interrogations every day.

After two days of questioning in who I was or how I got here. Again, I went over everything that got me here and everything I've seen to asshole Davis. The guy loves his job with coming into the interrogation room every morning or night, I've completely lost track of the days while in here, he wears the same expensive suit with the little cross emblem on the lapel. His sly smirk would see on a shark before it eats you is freaking creepy.

He told me that the information I told them helped in stopping a terrorist cell that was going to release biological agents into the air of London. Cool, save the world Allison one fuck up at a time. When he told me this I thought back to what that Rob guy with the nice ass had said. Something about red coats being the evil bad guys but I don't see how that could be as these guys was able to help others.

Anyway, asshole Davis wanted to keep me here for a few more days, great, that's when he told me that I now belonged to the Templars. Instantly I had chills when he said it as there was a glimmer in his eyes that was not good at all.

So, here I am sitting at this plain desk writing down what I've experienced, continuing to hope in that one day I'll return to my normal life. They say that once your eyes are opened to something that completely blows your mind, there's no going back. They gave me some new clothes as my old ones were beginning to stink and they have been taking care of me while I'm imprisoned for the time being for some crime I never committed.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Well they finally released me but with a warning in to stay in the neighborhood, like where else am I going to go. Asshole Davis handed me a large envelope, said it to be a Templar care package for my time and trouble. His other words of advice were for me to find some work, told me in that I couldn't go back to the life I had before, my old job had already hired someone to replace me and my family were told that I was fine. That last part hit a nerve with me as no one messes with my family.

He just smiled with that smile of his, said in that I have to remain quiet in what I've seen here, as the rest of the world isn't ready yet. Over the past several days they had shown me pictures and videos of things I could only imagine. More of those people covered in black oil, running around some intersection somewhere. Their screams of random nonsense loud over the audio of the video. I couldn't believe what this was, this, filth. How could they keep this under cover for so long and no one saying a thing. He told me that the information is out there but normal people, he meant me, were not capable to handle such a shock.

He handed me his card and that if I needed anything I could give him a call, plus he told me that I shouldn't look around with a closed mind and eyes, I'm more useful watching, whatever that meant. Those guards left and my room I had spent the better part of week.

So I'm free, ish and now in search of a job in this place. I guess my prison just got a bit bigger. I found that they've given me a new phone, thank you Templar people, and an even bigger surprise a metric ton of money. Probably more than enough to get another room at that sex hotel.

It's a pain in the ass in finding work in this town. In dealing with the bitch of a barista at the coffee place who I must say needs to either get laid or have the metal rod removed from her ass. One good offer is at the fish an chips shop, the cook seemed nice and told me he'll call me. I checked out the record shop but not too sure in landing the job there but, high hope Alli.

I stopped at the pub which seemed to be party central for everyone as it was pretty quiet and I was able to get one of the best tasting beers I've ever had. Started chatting with some bloke that had come over, he seemed nice and didn't start off with shitty pick up lines. We must've talked for awhile and he basically confirmed in what I was thinking, he said he was a Templar and that I didn't need to worry about things. All I had to do was just talk to people, funny as it's something I think I'm pretty good at. Now I can't remember his name but I'm sure I'll see him again some time. He left and I had finished up my beer when this blond guy comes in all mopey like, probably lost his dog or wife or something. Another lady came in and I decided I should get settled over at the hotel and before more mopey people decided to show up and I really didn't want to deal with that depressing shit.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Feels like weeks have passed since everything fell into my lap, my introduction into the craziness and having to find a place to live and work all felt minor. Well I did get the job at The Yellow Sign, it's not a bad gig to get as the owner did tell me that business is pretty slow so I'll be doing a lot of random stuff around the shop. It's something to keep my mind busy. After getting use to people coming into the shop wearing all many of clothes, you start to take it for granted.

After several long days of working, getting off and going straight to my home well, room at the hotel to sleep only to wake up a few hours later to do it all over again. I was given the night off and I knew exactly what I need to do, hit up the pub.

Decided to sit outside in the biergarten with a Guinness and write some more in my notepad, looks like I'm going to need to get another one soon. Anyway, there I was and semi-listening to what a group of people were talking about. The usual things of secrets and some other stuff, I wasn't paying too much attention anyway. What happen next is that some of the people had sat down near me, didn't expect that at all. There was the cute guy in the cowboy hat that looked like he was trying a bit too hard in being American country. Some strange cosplayer with a tail and funny ears but, hey, each to their own. The strange silent guy that I could tell if he was angry or had to take a dump, really, most of these people around Ealdwic look pissed off all the time. There was this other girl dressed up like a gothic rock punk and she's like me, well more like first time in a strange area and fish out of water thing.

Most of the people are Americans even the new girl was from New York city, the cowboy just got engaged recently, lucky him. At least he paid a round of drinks and I had to school the yank in what real beer is, not that shite Corona she wanted. Funny thing in hearing what people just blurt out when they start to drink. The cosplay woman was talking about how she murdered someone just like it was no big deal. The cowboy quickly moved the conversation elsewhere but I think the lady was for real, hard to tell though.

Yankee girl is an extreme light weight in getting drunk off of half a pint. Cosplay woman who I got her name, Miranda, did offer me a job at her store. Delivering things to places, doesn't sound too bad and I probably could do it part time between Yellow. She gave me her card and thinking I might visit it only thing it's in that place that I hear everyone talk about as being very sketchy. Well, you only live once and I do need the cash once the Templar money dries up to find some place to live.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

What can I say, only that there are some nice, interesting people here. I went to go see that Miranda lady, the cosplayer, her shop was in this part of town Darkside. Really the name fits as no sun or anything shines down there.

Everywhere you look it’s like your right in the middle of a freaking horror movie and I'm not talking about the stuff that's out lately but more like old school horror. Shadows and noises kind of creepy. When you walk past the post office and down the stairs, you're basically traveling into a whole other world. I almost didn't want to keep going as the first person I meet is some nasty looking bum. He tried to grab my leg and I did the only thing I could think of, I kicked his face. He must be smoking thirty packs of smokes a day as his voice sounded so rough and I almost thought that there were several people all talking at once. Luckily he didn't chase me but still, creepy shit.

Shit only gets weirder as I came around this blind turn I bumped into this, guy? I couldn't tell since he was covered from head to feet in clothes, blankets, just about everything. I couldn't see his face because he was wearing one of those gas masks but, he had these needles and I guess, tubes, hanging out from the mouth part. He shouted at me in some weird language, who the fuck knows.

Finally after walking through creeps town London I got to Miranda's shop and boy, was I fucking shocked. It's like someone put one of those secret agent stores, you know the James Bond kind of shit, right in the middle of fucking London, holy shite. There's guns, guns, more guns and even more guns oh and some swords and stuff too but there's guns everywhere.

There was this big gun in a case near the front counter. Thing looked like she had lifted it from a movie or something. Oh, and get this, she's got the flying talking ball thing. Thing is freaking awesome.

The flying ball was actually flying and not like one of those drone things people play with since there wasn't any propellers. Thing is straight out of Star Wars. So she comes out wearing that cosplay stuff, so I figured hey, she's into it hardcore what the hell. Anyway, she said she's half demon which would have sounded completely nuts before I was brought here, now, it's almost normal but still. Told me her tail is actually real. Yeah, so I checked out her tail, I didn't believe it at first and now she probably thinks I was checking out her ass. Great job there Alli.

I got the job which is badass and I start in the morning. Have to find a time to tell John down at the Yellow Sign I found something better than making and serving fish and chips.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

So much to learn since I started at Miranda's weapons store. I never knew there were so many variations for handguns, from silencers and expanded magazines, it's endless. Have meet so many interesting people that have come through the door. Just the other day there was this guy that wanted his rifle to be out fitted with an anima capacitor. I had to ask what that was, come to find out that its something to store this energy from the guy? Feel like I'm still trying to wrap my brain around all of this new shit.

Funny in how I was working at a copy shop not so long ago and then to now with a demon hybrid gun shop owner. I still remember how everyone I had spoken too since I was brought to Ealdwic told me to keep clear of Darkside. Strange really as a lot of the people that actually live here are just like everyone else. They're trying to survive in a place that isn't their home and to have the people that live in the upper looking down on them as some kind of stain on London.

The cracks are there in that shiny veneer that those Templar people are trying to keep down. I decided to get a small place down here in Darkside. It’s not the best but then again I was never comfortable to be in a place that seemed large. Yeah, there's the rough crowd around here but for a street kid like myself. I know how to avoid them.

It's fun to watch the people that come from the upper and see them at The Crusades. They try to fit in but we all know who they really are. You can basically smell the elitism pouring off of them. They stick around for a few hours and they go back topside to their lofts or fancy houses.

Anyway, I have to get ready as Miranda has some new shipments coming in and I have to make several deliveries today, going to be a busy day.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Miranda came up to me with a rather odd order for delivery. She told me that it's going to take me to a place that is very dangerous. Thinking to myself that I might be going to the middle east or the like but she told me it was an island of the coast of Maine.

Maine?! Really?

What could be so dangerous than Maine, much less an island?

I can say though that my boss's connections much be rich or she's rich herself as the private jet was freaking awesome. The seats were real leather and comfy as hell. I made sure that the cases of weapons were secured before actually taking off. She did tell me that the shit going down there on the island was something out of my worst nightmare. Not sure in what she had meant by that and then she gave me my protection. A good sized yellow case when I opened it there was this yellow hazmat suit. I asked her what it was for and she only told me that I need to wear it at all times there. She showed me that it was modified with tear resistant material and it was even bullet proof.

I'm told that I'm to meet our contact at the local marina and they'll take me to the island. Weird in that the drop off point is at a sheriff’s office, who would know I would be doing this. Well, time to get my game face on as I can see the coast of America now. Funny as this is my first time coming here, what better way than on a private jet, paper work drafted up overnight and a cargo hold full of weapons.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

After stepping out of the jet and into the cool air was somewhat of a shock. I've read about how depressingly beautiful the coastal area of Maine was but seeing it with my own eyes is something completely different. Reading about it in Stephen King books I half expected some creepy murderous clown to jump out or zombie cats to come in the night and claw my eyes out.

Knowing I had a job to do and get these weapons delivered gave me something to think of besides the oppressing creepiness of the place. The guys at the airport had finished unloading the cargo from the jet and placed the crates into your typical black van. I had to chuckle at the irony of it all. My driver was a overly chatty and talked the entire hour long drive to the marina. He talked about how the Orochi was basically ruining the world with their freak show creations and other experiments. I think he read too many horror books to actually separate fantasy and reality. I know that there are these things or groups that have their hands dug into the movements of the world but, I never heard of the Orochi before.

Miranda had brought me up to speed in a lot of things since I had started working for her, vampires and werewolves being real and not the kinds that sparkle or run through the forest shirtless with the perfect abs glistening in the sunlight and looking absolutely hot, uhm..

Anyway, he told me that the whole island is a dead zone. The rest of the world forgot about it and the people that had lived there. He said he never worked up the nerve in getting close to the fog line but he said that the sounds of unearthly screams could be heard in the midst of that fog. Seriously, he was starting to freak me out but I told him that he was simply crazy and that things that go bump in the dark have a perfectly good scientific explanation.

Finally we had arrived at the marina and I could see for the first time the boat in which I'll be going to the island on. Needless to say that it had seen better days was saying something nice about it. It was what I could only think of it as a fishing boat, the man that my driver said was the captain was straight out of another horror story. He looked like a scruffier version of the Gordon's fisherman. Thankfully loading the boat was quick and without incident in only that the captain didn't speak much. Only the occasional grunt or snort from him was the only sign of humanity that came out.

Now as I write this entry I can see the fog off in the distance and for the first time I'm actually feeling regret in doing this. Something about seeing it just sets your nerves on edge. The captain told me that I should get into the suit. I wondered why he wasn't doing the same but had found out that he didn't need to. When the seal clicked into place and the outside world grew softer I felt more at ease in watching the fog grow in size as we got closer.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

This entry isn't going to be as long as my previous ones. There is just so much that has happened to me since stepping onto this stupid island. From the first moment after unloading the crates we were attacked by some zombies. Yeah, zombies, lucky for me the captain was a very good with a gun and saved my ass. For only four deaders they still moved pretty fast. He told me that this is the norm and I'll need to buck up or become zombie snacks.

He tossed me an assault rifle and told me to guard while he and our contact finally showed up. He was tall and definitely in shape like, really in shape. When he was lifting the crates into the back of the truck he drove I enjoyed staring at his abs. Okay, so what, I have needs and the threat of being eaten alive by the dead had me thinking of..

Anyway, we got the crates to the sheriff’s office in the middle of town and we only drove over eight deaders, oh, and the contact's name is David. David pointed out a few places on our drive but I wasn't really listening until the sheriff’s office came into view. Fences over eight feet tall and covered with spikes and various body parts from what I can only guess to be the remains of deaders. Shit had hit this place hard.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

So today was my first day in actually experiencing the hell that has fallen over this island town. The sheriff was grateful for the new shipment of weapons and munitions. She asked me if I could help out with a few things. Being the oh so helpful person I am I said sure, I mean, these people have had their collective asses handed to them so many times and I could do some good around here.

So with my AR and pair of handguns I was armed with a list of items that this little group desperately needed. I was initially worried in that going out and engaging with my environment suit but, that fear was pushed aside by the first small group of deaders. I had plenty of practice with video games in taking out targets. Pretty much had to throw all that away and rely on the short time Ellie and trained me with firing on moving targets that wanted nothing to do than tear you to shreds. The audio system in the suit softened the shrill and moans of those deaders that got close and luckily for me I didn't have to smell them. Knowing that by what they looked like up close was enough for my mind to kinda fill in the gaps.

Damn, they may be rotting corpses but there is some strange un-natural strength to them. Dropping two of them the third had pushed past the falling body of the last deader I took out and he moved so fast I couldn't believe it. He grabbed my arm with the strength of some drunken fighter. I felt his boney fingers trying to claw through the layers of protection of my suit. I could only think of one thing, kill this bastard before he did. I really don't remember how but, I had grabbed one of my handguns and shoved it through what was left of his neck before pulling the trigger. The only bad thing in being under a deader is one that has had half their head blown off. Gravity is a bitch and when the rest of his head covered the visor I almost puked. Survivability kicked in that knowing the sounds would attract more I wiped off my window to the world and look for an escape route.

Not realizing in how big this little town really was, I made it to the first spot on my list, some diner near the docks. Relying on my instincts and recent experience a few blocks away, I cautiously approached the door. Every fiber in my body was telling me to just run back to the safety of the sheriff's office as I opened the door and went inside. I kept yelling at myself this whole time in what the fuck are you doing, get off this island, go back to London but I kept going. Something inside me kept gnawing to push forward. Finding the diner empty put me somewhat at ease as I began to stash away some unopened cans of food into my bag. That’s when I heard it, its roar earsplitting even in my muffled safety of the suit. Diving under the long counter I hide. My breathing loud to my ears. I heard the quick succession of gunfire, some idiot was trying to kill that large beast. More gunfire joined in with various shouts of several people. I closed my eyes as the gut wrenching scream of one of the people met a what I could only imagine a very gruesome death. Guessing in their death they squeezed their trigger. More shouting drifted across my senses, keeping my eyes closed I felt myself begin to drift into sleep. Had it been that long since the last time I slept, I forgot and from what I could remember it must have been a few days at least. Visions of David greeted me just before I remember falling asleep.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

The one thing I can say in that sleeping on the floor of some small town diner, is that it sucks. My body ached and every muscle was sore when I tried in vain to stretch only to be greeted by pain. Looking down to my foot I had managed to get it twisted in the steel lines of the soda machine. Fearing I had broken or sprained my ankle I gingerly pried it from the lines. Thankfully I hadn't injured myself, only that the position it had been for hours was the cause of the pain.

I looked at the watch strapped to my wrist outside my suit, shit. I had slept for far longer than I wanted too. Quickly and silently I made my way back to the sheriff’s office. With the gathered supplies safely in the bag I stopped to talk to Deputy Andy. To ask him if David was around as I need him to drive me back to the docks so I can leave. I can remember the look on his face when he told me that David was killed during the night.

Fuck

Racing down to where I remembered he had left the truck I hoped to every god that the keys were still there, success. The truck roared to life and I was determined in driving to the docks. I know I probably scared the shit out of the people stationed at the gates. I can remember their shocked faces as they scrambled to open them before I crashed through. There I was driving down the streets of Kingsmouth, unable to go to fast as I ran over rotting corpses and other things left in the streets. I didn't care, I needed to leave this island and hoped I wasn't too late.

I knew I was making too much noise when I could see several deaders shambling after me in the rear view mirror. My focus was forward and when I rounded the corner I could see the outlines of the docks and my heart sank. I could see the black smoke rising up from the boat that had brought me here. Several of those large deformed things surrounded it, kept at bay by the flames. Fuck fuck fuck fuck

I was pissed, no, I was furious that I even thought this was a great idea. Sure boss, dangerous work doesn't scare me but this shit, fuck you. I pounded on the steering wheel with my fists. Why couldn't I just have stayed working at that stupid fish and chips place. No, I wanted more and now I'm going to fucking die on this shit covered island out in the middle of nowhere. I tried to wipe my eyes but my gloved hands were stopped by the clear visor of my suit. Right, calm yourself and let’s get the fuck out of here.