Day 41

I spent most of today trying to memorise an ordinance survey map of Hereford and the surrounding areas. I made fake what if scenarios and various emergency escape plans. I haven't learnt loads of it but I think I have gotten the hang of Hereford itself. Anything more than a mile or so from the city's name I wouldn't fully trust myself with, but I have a couple more days to go through it so I'm not forcing myself too much.

Sam was able to move herself today. I'm not impressed as I told her not to. I just woke up and she was already half way down the hall. I know she feels the same urgency as I do but there's nothing we can really do right now.

My leg seems to be easing off now. The past few days of minor use seem to agree with it's stubborn nature.

Still no more noise from those people, but there were a number of Rani today. Strangely they were moving in their usual random way. Makes me wonder if whoever fired their guns got rid of that Screamer. I know it's speculation but without their pied piper the Rani would revert to their usual nature of roaming the areas wouldn't they?

Now that I have memorised the alarm code I have erased the notes on the cover. I'll replace them when I go yes, but it means people can't break in and disarm the alarm or anything like that.

Day 3

I searched for houses that I would feel safe staying in along streets that didn't seem to have power; at least the street-lights were out. I rounded a corner. I froze. I saw Rani roaming and one picked up its face from looking at the ground and stared directly at me. It didn't give chase. I wondered if they could see in the dark so I went to move away. They could.

Yes this is where I first learnt the lesson I mentioned earlier: Rani can see in any light. But they seem to have problems seeing unmoving targets in the dark.

As soon as I ran I felt my legs start to complain in full force. I looked left and right at each house in the vain attempt to see if I had missed something. Suddenly to my left I saw an open door. A house I had passed earlier. I didn't fancy going in back then because it had a cracked window which looked like it was from the inside, but I really didn't have a choice. I ran in and slammed the door. Before I stopped completely I knew I had to check everything else.
I fumbled for a torch and turned it on. I immediately checked the downstairs in a sweep. Unlocking and locking the back doors to see how long it would take me to open. I walked in the living room. Blood covered it. Though I had seen terrible things already, this seemed wrong. Almost like someone had been killed before turning. There was blood in one area and nothing was disturbed. I shuddered. I already didn't like it here but I had to check upstairs. Even as I walked upstairs it felt wrong. The stairs themselves felt different. As I reached the top I realised that it was because they too were covered in dry blood.

Banging on the front door distracted me a second.

I carried on. All rooms were checked by a glance bar one. I opened the last one. And realised.

Four bodies held by a fifth. The father had killed his family upon hearing the news. Then ended his life. It seemed strange. They were dead but none were in a state that would stop their reanimation. Could it be that they were immune, or were they not infected beforehand. If you died by the hands of another person, would you not come back? I stumbled back and slouched against the wall and found myself still staring hours later. By then the banging had subsided. Another meal must have come by.

It was now 10.12pm. I sighed. Another day almost over.

I hope you make another day