Last year I had approached him about doing it myself, you know, for a bit of pocket money. But there was no way he would give it up, he got too much enjoyment out of it. So I do the dishes instead. Or I should say: did the dishes. It’s a past tense world now.
12th December. 16.33pm.
Finally worked up the courage to leave. It was hard. Very hard. I loved that joint. It was the longest I had ever lived in one place. We moved a hell of a lot when I was younger. Mum was always changing jobs, trying out new crackpot schemes. I think she got fleeced more than once. Probably why Dad left in the end, why we both left. The arguments I can remember all seemed to revolve around money and booze.
Once the house was out of sight it became easier. I started to jog a bit. It felt good to be unrestricted and in the clear air. I didn’t keep that pace up for long. My backpack is too heavy. I’ve stopped at a bus stop to catch my breath and try to figure out what to do next. First things first I should organize the stuff I’ve taken with me. I didn’t really do a good job packing this morning. I think it was a combination of panic, lack of sleep and dreading nightfall. I dragged one of the hiking backpacks out of the closet, dusted it off and started throwing stuff in. Let’s have a look at what I’ve got.
1. Laptop. (obviously)
2. Car battery & charger lead (no wonder this thing is so bloody heavy).
3. Some clothes. (I need some new undies badly, these all reek)
4. Empty water bottle.
5. Toothbrush & paste (it will feel good to brush again, my teeth feel furry)
6. Sunglasses.
7. Panadol.
8. Spare shoes.
9. Keys.
10. School Yearbook (with picture of Kelly)
I locked my house with the keys and left it just the way it was. Hopefully that Master Vamp will think I’m still in there days (nights?) from now. I also have a key for Mum’s place. I hadn’t thought about it till now, but I’ve just realised I’ve been heading in the direction of her house. Makes sense I guess.
For some reason I bought along my mobile phone & charger. What’s the point? Maybe I’ll leave it here, no, it doesn’t weigh that much, better hold onto it. First thing I should do is find some water and then somewhere to stay tonight. Better be quick about it, there are only two hours of daylight left.
12th December. 22.30pm.
Found somewhere to stay. I’m a couple of kilometres from my old house. I think I’m in Box Hill South or Surrey Hills, not too sure though, I don’t know this area very well.
I kept off of the main roads and stuck to the suburban streets, I’ve been trying to stay parallel with Elgar Road, which is the main road running north / south. My initial thrill of being outdoors wore off. It was a gradual change. In fact it coincided with the setting sun. As it dipped further below the gently swaying treetops, my anxiety grew. It was a horrible contrast because it was such a beautiful lazy summer afternoon. I should be hanging around having fun, looking forward to going out that night. Instead I’m wondering if that fat fly buzzing past my ear has just laid some maggots in a bloated corpse somewhere close by. It makes me angry and scared. But my fear won out. So I started checking the houses to see if any were suitable to hide in tonight.
I didn’t even try the front door of the first home I approached. It was one of those dark houses. You know the type, surrounded by tall trees, no natural sunlight anywhere. An old weatherboard a few along looked more promising. The complete opposite of the last house I visited. The front door was locked but the back door wasn’t. I left my backpack on the patio and cautiously made my way inside. It was very bright and airy inside. All the curtains had been drawn back. I checked every room carefully, my heart thudding in my chest. The place seemed safe but I was scared shitless. There were no signs of struggle or anything. It was as if the owners had just left for work and never came home.
At last I sat in the kitchen and tried to breathe normally. I had just calmed down when I realized I hadn’t looked in any of the closets. Right on cue the old ticker began its congo rhythm again. I knew I couldn’t stay here without checking them. There were two bedrooms. I approached the first closet as quietly as I could and reached out my hand. It was shaking so badly that I had to use my other one to hold it steady.
The only thing in the closet was a vacuum cleaner. I felt a bit bolder as I entered the other bedroom. Then I was stopped dead in my tracks. I had thought I had heard a snort, the sound someone sleeping makes. But I wasn’t sure because I had been making noise walking. Or had I? I listened intently for a long minute, my hand over my mouth. Nothing. I opened the closet door slowly. There was someone or something in there. I ran. You wouldn’t believe how fast I ran. I was in a blind panic. I don’t know if it was a person or a vampire or a bloody mannequin. I flew into the kitchen and out the back door. I tripped over my backpack and copped a face full of dirt. That didn’t stop me though. I snatched up the pack and fled into the middle of the street.
The same thing happened with the next two houses. It didn’t get any easier with practice either. Every time I saw a shadowy figure lying under a bed or huddled in a cupboard, I ran. I am fairly confident I was never chased. I can’t be certain but I think these vampires are comatose during the daylight hours. I was starting to get really frightened at this stage. I had searched four houses with no luck. The living dead occupied every single one of them. And time was running out. I could barely see the sun glinting over the rooftops. I did the only thing I could: keep searching.
The next house was locked up tight. It was a small brick house, one of those duplex homes. I had to climb over the fence to get to the backyard. My mind was reeling at the time, but I remember thinking I could probably hide back here. The yard was completely walled off. As long as I’m not spotted I should be able to spend a cold, miserable night here. If that Master is leaping from rooftop to rooftop though, well, I don’t want to think about that.
The backdoor was also locked, along with all the windows. I sat on the back step in despair. The sun had set now. The gloom descended like a shroud. I could hear them emerging from the surrounding houses. It started with a few banging doors. Then their groans and shuffling feet began to fill the night air. Although the din wasn’t that loud, I clamped my hands over my ears. As I did this, my hand brushed a pot plant next to me. ‘Of course,’ I thought. Nana used to keep a spare key under her pot plant.
It took me about ten minutes but I finally found a key. I had checked every pot plant in the yard. In desperation I was crawling around on my hands and knees in the dirt. It was so dark now that I could barely see my hand in front of my face. I lifted a rock from the garden bed and was surprised by how light it was. It was a fake. I fumbled with it for a moment until I figured out how to open the little door underneath it. The key glinted faintly in the minimal moonlight.
The key slid satisfyingly into the back door lock. I crept inside and gently closed the door behind me. It was pitch black inside. I leant against the door holding my backpack in front of me for protection, hoping like hell that I was the only one in here. I could hear nothing coming from inside the house. Surely they would be moving around in here like they do outside. I reached out and found a curtain next to the door. I parted it slightly letting in some light. I was standing in a small laundry. There was a small bar fridge and a washing machine. Another door led into the house proper. I closed this door quietly and wedged my backpack against it. I sat down a sighed with relief. At least I was alone in here.
I found a few bottles of Diet Coke in the little fridge. It’s probably going to make me thirstier but I don’t care, it tastes so good. It’s bloody cold in here. I’ve put on nearly every bit of clothing from the backpack. No way I’m venturing inside to find a blanket. I’m going to try and get some sleep now.
13th December. 08.44am.
The house is empty. Except for me of course. I woke up to hear magpies warbling just outside the back door. When I looked out the window I could see three of t
he black and white birds sitting outside. The flapped their wings excitedly at the sight of my face at the window. The owner of this house must have fed them. I hope they haven’t become reliant on humans to give them food. God knows I can’t feed them. I can barely feed myself.
I searched the house fairly confident that I was alone. Still, I took the largest knife from the kitchen with me. I checked the house from top to bottom. I examined every closet, looked under every bed and even searched behind every curtain. I decided to throw the curtains wide open. The sunlight streamed in making the dust swirl and dance. It felt nice and warm after the cold night spent on the laundry tiles. As far as I can tell an old lady lived here by herself. You can tell by the single bed and doilies on every armchair. It looks like she left in a hurry. The house is neat but certain things are strewn about. A suitcase is half full on the couch. I bet that this old lady’s son or daughter came to get her. They hurriedly packed her belongings and left. Lucky for me. I wonder if they were lucky too. I doubt it.
I had checked the kitchen first, including the cupboard and fridge. They are full of food. It was hard not to stop my search and just pig out. But boy did I eat well afterwards. I ate two tins of spaghetti and drank about a litre of orange juice. It was so good. I had to lie down on the couch once I’d finished. My stomach was bursting at the seams. I’ll make an inventory of the food later and figure out if I should ration it or not.
13th December. 12.09pm.
I’m thinking this place will be safe to stay at. For a little while at least. My only fear is that Master Vampire finding me here. So I’ll have to be ready to move quickly if the need arises.
The first thing I want to do is get to Mum’s house. It was the last place I knew Dad was heading. I am realistic. I know I won’t find either of them alive. If they were alive they would have come home days ago. But I still have to go there. I need to be certain. Mum’s place is about a three hour walk from here. That’s a six hour round trip, assuming I don’t find a safe house near Mum. To be safe I want to come back here. So I need a bike of some kind. It’s just too far to walk in one day, especially if I get sidetracked. I’ll go out later and try to find a bike.
13th December. 15.55pm.
OK. Got a bike. Nice one too. It’s a Giant mountain bike. I found it a few streets away in someone’s backyard shed. Luckily they had a pump as well because the front tyre was flat. I was a bit wobbly at first as I rode it back here. I haven’t been on a bike since ditching my BMX years ago. I loved that old BMX. Used to ride it to primary school every morning. Unfortunately I just grew too big for it. I wonder what happened to it? Probably got thrown out in the hard rubbish.
Anyway I kept the pump and rode around the streets for a while. Everything is so quiet and still. It got a bit creepy. I started imagining hundreds of dead eyes watching from the empty houses. I rode back to my safe house pretty quickly. I was getting hungry again anyway.
13th December. 20.59pm.
I’m going to ride to Mum’s place first thing tomorrow morning. I’ve packed a few supplies for the trip. I’ve got some orange juice, my laptop and some dried apricots. I need to find some water tomorrow, can’t keep drinking OJ and soft drinks.
13th December. 22.13pm.
Just had a terrible thought. What if the vampires can get in here? Poor old Mr. Robinson pointed out that they are unable to enter a house when it’s owner is inside. Unless they are invited. (By the way who would invite one of those creatures inside?) Now I don’t own this house, technically I’m breaking and entering. So does that mean I’m screwed if the hungry masses outside deicide to come for my blood? Not much I can do about it now. It’s not like I’m going to throw open the door, draw attention to myself and see it those vamps can cross the threshold. I can’t think of any way I can test this theory and remain safe. And I can’t go home because the Master is there waiting. This is the safest place for me now. I should be fine if I don’t draw the attention of the vampires lurking outside.
14th December. 09.23am.
I’m sitting on the kerb opposite Mum’s unit. Just got here. I’m trying to work up the courage to go investigate. The ride here was interesting. Two things happened I should mention. Firstly I think I saw someone out of the corner of my eye. I am almost 100% certain. After spending so much time alone, I instantly knew someone was there. They were standing in a front yard. I could just see their top half appearing over a hedge. When I turned my head to look properly they were gone. Probably ducked beneath the cover of the hedge. I didn’t bother to stop, just kept riding. They obviously didn’t want to be seen so I didn’t want to chase them.
The second thing was I found water. A shit load of water. I turned into a street to see a van tipped over on its side. There was broken glass everywhere. I had to swerve to avoid it. Don’t want a punctured tyre, not this far from my safe house. The van was for that company Everspring, the bottled water mob. I hopped off the bike and checked the van out. There was a dead guy in the driver’s seat. I don’t think he had died during the crash because his throat was torn out. His jugular must have erupted like a fire hose because there was blood all over the cabin and windshield. I shuddered and circled the vehicle. On the upturned side of the van I could clearly see the outlines of two hands. They had been pressed with monstrous force into the metal. This was a Master’s doing. I have no doubt. It must have physically overturned the van with its bare hands and then attacked the driver. Poor man. I managed to get the rear doors of the van open. I was knocked onto my butt as hundreds of bottles of water came tumbling out. It scared the shit out of me but I managed to laugh at the unexpected reward. I opened the nearest one and sculled it. I took another for the rest of the trip. I’ll fill the backpack up on the way back.
When I arrived at Mum’s I was resolved to go straight inside. None of this waiting around bullshit. But when I pulled into her driveway I saw Dad’s car. His driver’s side door is hanging open but no one is inside. I’ve just been staring at it.
14th December. 11.22am.
They are not here. I don’t know whether to be sad or happy. I do feel relieved though. It could have been much worse. It’s probably better this way. I’ll talk about it later. Right now I just want to get away from here.
15th December. 00.00am.
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16th December. 08.49am.
Didn’t feel like doing anything yesterday. Didn’t even want to write in this journal. I found a copy of the book ‘The Hobbit’ in my safe house and read it cover to cover. I couldn’t put it down. It was nice lying in the backyard underneath the plum tree, just reading and sipping water. I was just so bummed out about Mum’s place that escaping into that world of dwarves, elves and dragons was perfect. I can talk about yesterday now though.
It was Dad’s car that really rocked me more than anything. It looked so forlorn and depressing. Just sitting there abandoned with the driver door ajar. I approached it apprehensively and looked inside. Dad’s phone was lying on the passenger seat, it’s screen smeared with dried blood. I didn’t touch it. There was more blood on the driver’s seat, steering wheel and window. It was this horrible brown, rusty colour. It looks like he was bitten quite severely. Both the front tyres were flat. The metal rims were showing through. They looked battered and scarred. Dad must have driven some way grinding metal. I left the car and entered the unit complex. Mum’s place is at the end of the shared driveway. There are five units in total on the one block. I expected to see a trail of blood leading from the car to the unit but there was nothing. Has is rained since Dad was here? I can’t remember. The units loomed ominously either side of me. This place is a death trap. There is only one way in and one way out. It reminds me of a documentary we watched at school. This doco was about medieval times. Most of it was as boring as bat shit, stuff about peasant life, agriculture, and class systems. But when they came to warfare I perked up. One section dealt with siege warfare. The castles under siege would often create a funnel type area that would channel the a
ttacking forces into a concentrated area. The defenders would then have an easier task of dealing with their foes all at once. They called this area the killing field. If Dad were chased down here, into this killing field, he would have had a hell of a time getting out.
The front door was ajar. It was only open a crack but that sliver of darkness was just as frightening as a chasm leading down to hell. I pushed my way inside and blinked in the gloom. The place was an absolute mess. There wasn’t one piece of furniture sitting upright. More dried blood was liberally splashed around. A single pair of crimson handprints stood out on the hallway wall. There was broken glass all over the living room. I remembered that Mum’s boyfriend had re-animated and come through the lounge room window. I crossed to the window now and examined it. The glass was gone but somebody had attempted to seal the breach. Mum’s kitchen cupboard was pushed up against the gap. I wandered throughout the rest of the unit in a daze. It was empty. No bodies. No sign or message. I looked in the small courtyard, nothing there either. Mum’s little Mazda was still in the carport. It was locked and the keys were on her bedside dresser. I sat on the bonnet of her car, closed my eyes and tried to reason it out. What could have happened here? The number one thing I know for certain is they can’t be alive. Dad lost too much blood and Mum would have come to find me if she could.
After much deliberation I think I know what transpired that night. Here goes: After Dad received that frantic phone call from Mum he rushed out of the house. I watched from above as he navigated the front yard and opened the garage. That much I know for real. He was then attacked and bitten by one of the lesser vampires as he opened the car. He must have fought off the vampire enough to close and lock the car. I then saw him for the last time back out of the garage and drive away. He was bleeding heavily, so driving through the swarms of undead must have been an ordeal. Somehow he makes it to Mum’s unit. We did hear on the phone that Mum had barricaded herself in her bedroom. Her re-animated boyfriend was in the house trying to get to her. Dad would’ve climbed through the broken window and dealt with him. I’m confident he could take him out, that guy was a fat slob. Even as a vampire he would’ve been weak. Dad must have been exhausted at this stage from blood loss. But somehow he manages to drag the cupboard over the window. Now that the unit is relatively secure, Dad is able to meet up with Mum again. Three things could’ve happened at this stage. All of them are bad. Either Dad succumbed to his injuries, re-animated and attacked Mum, or the vamps got into the unit somehow and overwhelmed them. Or they attempted to come rescue me and didn’t make it. As I said, all the variations are bad. I’m just glad they were together at the end. I knew they still had feelings for each other, it’s just Mum couldn’t get her shit together. I hope it wasn’t too horrible.
The Journal of Tom Barnett: Vampire Apocalypse Survivor Page 7
