by Beth Hoyer
eat something. I walked outside to the apple tree. I wandered around and climbed the apple tree. Bruce stood below me watching me climb. Heather came by and told me to get down from the tree. I could see a river near the compound from my perch. I climbed down the tree. Then Bruce carried me inside the citadel Inside he brought me to a room that had a semicircular table with wooden chairs. He sat me down on a chair then began to strip his clothes. I was laughing out loud. Annia stopped by and told us to grow up. Bruce stripped to his underwear which was black shorts and a black t-shirt. He put his coverall on. I pulled out my diary. I started writing. Bruce sat next to me and watched me write. He wanted to write a comment in my diary. I think I'll let him.
I Love You Elizabeth
I let him write in here. One thing he's left handed. I should be going to bed soon. Bruce was elsewhere. I have no idea where. I'm itchy all over. My head feels itchy. I have white stuff under my nails from scratching my head. I feel itchy. I can't wait to take a bath. I'm feeling tired too. I think I'll turn off the light and go to bed. I'm a little tired. Yawn. Scratch, scratch.
Itchy,
Liz
July 7, 2384
Dear Anne,
Bruce told me the Mesan’s Curse allowed us to walk to the river and take a bath. I'm so happy about that. I left my journal under my pillow. I hope no one reads it. I left it in a way that will tell me if someone reads it. Bruce and I walked to the River. I saw Julia and Jordan. They were nude. They didn't turn away when they saw us. Instead Julia gestured for us to go in the water. I stripped to my underwear and went in the water. It was cool. The day was warm. Bruce stripped to his underwear and joined me in the water. We splashed each other in and out of our Wolf forms. Julia handed us some soap which I soap myself. I had Bruce keep his back on Julia. I didn't want him ogling Julia. Julia looked like she was six months pregnant. After the bath I climbed out of the water and put on my coverall. Bruce followed me and did the same. We walked back to the compound. A Mesan’s Curse met us there and signed about Julia and Jordan. How did he know their names? Weird. I told the Mesan’s Curse that Julia and Jordan were at the river. The Mesan’s Curse left us and walked to the river. Heather saw me and examined me in my room in private. She didn't touch my private parts this time. She felt where the baby was. Told me I was pregnant. I should feel any movements soon. I can't wait I'm excited. Bruce and I ate an apple and drank water. The Mesan’s Curse got us plastic bins to fill with river water. I'm glad they let us take a bath in the river. I'm happy about that. I checked my journal. Someone has been reading it. I think it might be Annia. I saw her come out of my room when Bruce, Heather and I were walking in the hallway to my room. I'm annoyed that someone reads my diary. I threw up in the pan. I hope I'm okay. I must be having morning sickness. I feel awful. Sigh. Bruce is cuddling next to me. He's nuzzling my neck as I write this. He snuggled close to me in the bed. I'm feeling fine and relaxed. Bruce is massaging my back. It feels sore. I hope he could massage my abdomen its feeling a little tender. Bruce gave me a massage on my abdomen and on my chest. He rubbed my chest for a long time. I think he likes the feel of my chest. It's feeling a little bit bigger. I think it must be swollen full of milk. Dinner was bananas and apples. For drink was water. We're rationing our water. Trying to make it last. The Mesan’s Curse was nice enough to get it filled with water. I haven't felt the feeling in awhile. I talked to a Mesan’s Curse about feeling someone walking in my mind. The Mesan’s Curse asked me a lot of questions such as
"What is the feeling and what does it want you to do?"
And so on. The Mesan’s Curse told me to ignore the feelings. I felt someone mind walking in my mind. I told the Mesan’s Curse that. He I think it was a he apologized. Told me he knows what it is but can’t say it. He told me to keep this to myself. I don't mind. I plan to write it down in here. I just hope no one reads my diary. That's one secret I want to keep from the others. After my conversation I went inside the citadel and lay down on the bed. I wanted to think. I thought about the baby. I wonder how I could have the baby. It was weird. I hope Heather can teach birthing classes. I went around the compound looking for Heather. I looked in the buildings. I found Heather and Annia in a class room talking about sex. I knocked the door and got their attention. I asked Heather if she was certified to teach birthing classes. Heather told me she's a certified doctor. Oh I told her I thought she was a nurse. She told me she was also a certified nurse too. We set up a date for birthing class tomorrow. I went to look for Julia and Maureen. I didn't find them around the compound. I went to the citadel and found them in separate rooms with their spouses. They were having touch sex. I didn't disturb them. I think Heather will tell them herself. I went outside and sat under a tree. I watched the sun set. It was beautiful. Bruce came by and carried me in the citadel to our room. He laid me on the bed. Then he snuggled close to me. Right now Bruce is asleep. He looks so cute asleep. I think I should be asleep too but I have to turn off the light first. I hate having to get up but no choice. One thing I miss is having a cat on my lap. I wonder how Victoria and Demeter are doing. Well I'm sad that I won't be able to see them grow up.
Sad,
Elizabeth
July 8, 2384
Dear Anne,
Last night I got up and turned the light off then I tripped over a bed. I crashed into it and hurt my right knee. I'm going to have a bruise. I hope it didn't bother the baby. What am I saying?! I a bit along and I haven't felt a thing yet. I can't wait to feel the baby kicking. I'm excited. I snooze on Bruce. He woke me up at 6am by getting up. Luke woke him up. Whose idea was to get up at 6am anyway? Hmph. I walked outside and sat under a tree. Then I passed out and had that weird wolf dream again of me giving birth to cubs and the Mesan’s Curse taking the babies away. It was very weird that no one noticed this. My ankles feel sore. I think my ears are stuffed. They hurt. Owe. Heather came by and reminded me that there was a birthing class in the school building in an hour. I asked her if she told Julia and Maureen about the class. Heather told me she was on her way to tell them that. I hope she finds them. I moved to another tree. It was an orange tree. I haven't had oranges in a while. I ate two oranges. I was hungry. I can't help it. My ankles hurt. I think its part of the pregnancy. I don't know. My ankles feel sore. I feel a little sick. I hope I'm okay. Birthing class will be in the school building. I can't wait. I'm interested in the class.
Ugh. Heather found Julia and Maureen and told them about the class. We met in the school building. Terin and Tolland were there. They wanted to help out. We moved several of the desks to make room for the floor. Birthing class was interesting. Heather taught how to breathe and positions for birth. Both Julia and Maureen told us they felt their babies kicking them. I can't wait to feel the baby kicking. It might be a wonderful experience. I think she maybe right. After class was lunch then another class. Heather taught us first aide. She taught us CPR and how to wrap a broken arm. Class ended for the day. Christian and Maureen wandered outside. Terin and Tolland are hanging around asking Heather questions about babies. I'm lip-reading them. They still don't know that I lip-read. Terin and Tolland told us to leave them with Heather alone. They wanted to talk to Heather in private. I have no idea what it was, but Terin didn't look happy. She looked sad. Bruce and I walked outside in the rain. Bruce carried me to the citadel. We were drenched. Bruce carried me to our room. We found Luke lying on the floor, his eyes open staring at the ceiling. Bruce nearly dropped me. He went to Luke and felt no pulse. Then he did CPR. I ran to get Heather. I found her in her room and told her about Luke. She ran with me to my room to Luke. Heather and Bruce did CPR. I stood there crying. I was sad for Bruce. Heather gave up on Luke. Bruce wouldn't give up. Christian came and restrained Bruce. We wrapped Luke up in a blanket then buried him in the ground next to the citadel. The Mesan’s Curse stood watching us.
They heard me speak that Egyptian blessing “Ra be between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk.”
The Mesan’s Curse bo
wed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer. Then I tried to comfort Bruce. He was angry. Heather told me to leave him alone. I left him alone. I sat under a tree and wrote. It's a sad day. I think I'll ask Heather what was the cause of death. I asked Heather what could have killed Luke. She told me she examined the body and thinks it could be a heart attack. She wasn't sure. She didn't have the medical equipment for the examination. I saw Bruce attacking the trees like a football player. Heather and I watched him attack trees. I guess he is very angry. I hope he can move on. Bruce sat down and he cried his eyes were watery. I went to comfort him. I held him in a hug as he cried about his father. I cried myself. I signed to Bruce that Heather thinks he had a heart attack. He may have died in peace. After that Bruce felt a little bit better. He laid his head on my lap and cried. I stoked his hair. I think he's getting a beard and a mustache. I don't know if he'll look cute with a beard or mustache. He looks sad.
Sadden,
Liz
July 9, 2384
Dear Anne,
Yesterday Bruce and I spent the night
