This is not the end...

The last few survivors huddled around the burning crate, their eyes watering as the smoke swirled in the draughts that whistled through the broken window panes.

For a long moment, no-one spoke - the room echoing to the crack of the wood as the flames licked over the shards.  In the distance, barely heard at first, a low rumbling gradually built in volume until the low thrum of powerful engines could be denied no more.

The girl with the long black hair, shaved at one side to a checker-board pattern cleared her throat and spoke, her voice carrying clearly "So.... I guess this is it....". She gestured to the window where, in the gathering darkness the ships stood just off the coast of the island - barely visible clots of threat moving slowly on the swell.

The eyes the last few survivors follow her gesture briefly, then looked away from the window and the sea beyond, turning back to listen.

"Maybe....", she continued, her voice firmer now, "Maybe it is for the best. We have all done what we could to keep the island running but.... well.... I guess now it really is over.  They will flatten it with their missiles or bombs or guns or whatever and some day soon something new will be built up from the ashes here. Something new - something wholesome and good.. Ordinary people, leading their ordinary lives - loving and laughing and crying and fighting and...and...just living... " 

She paused for a second or two and glanced around at her faithful friends - slut, Vb, Winter, Jarethe, Mare, Gera, Legion, Rachel, Anne - and thought of all the others who had passed through the land.

She smiled softly at each of them in turn "It's been a blast - thank you. And we'll all go out together. And when the dust is settled, who knows? Maybe we will all meet up again and live ordinary lives, loving and laughing and...and..." Her voice caught and she stopped, fiercely brushing a tear from her eyes.

"It's time now. War is over. Let's go into the light...."

Written by Winter

An emotianal discussion in the Neptun' s bar and our family is growing

[08:13] kole Avon: I didnt expect that

[08:13] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): look hes awake

[08:13] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) nods.

[08:13] kole Avon: yes

[08:14] kole Avon: you were sleeping when i was having a drink

[08:14] kole Avon looks behind

[08:14] Gera Heliosense: Good day all

[08:14] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): hi gera

[08:14] kole Avon: oh hello sorry I didnt stop before I wasn't sure

[08:14] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) shrugs. "drinks are free, take as much as you like, hell, use them to start fires even." He shrugs. "just not intisde the bar if you use them for a fire."

[08:15] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "morning gera."

[08:15] kole Avon: of course

[08:15] kole Avon: your a zombie hunter I hear

[08:15] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "only by circumstance"

[08:15] kole Avon: dont tell me you were a high flyer before all this

[08:16] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) snorts and shakes his head. "I was happier, that is all. now, killing things, makes me happy"

[08:16] kole Avon: well whatever rings your bell

[08:17] Gera Heliosense tilts her head, grabs a half empty glass of water and drinks it

Cold Ethel outside the bar

[08:17] Gera Heliosense: Cold Ethel is out there again

[08:17] Gera Heliosense: She's been following me since days

[08:17] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) looks over to gera and nods. "I had.. a message left for me, about something with a special pair of... zombies?"

[08:17] kole Avon: do they ever come in here?

[08:17] Gera Heliosense: not so far

[08:18] kole Avon: well thats good news

[08:18] Gera Heliosense: but you know...it has made think

[08:18] Gera Heliosense: i can not lie

[08:18] Gera Heliosense: when i see some of them, i feel sorry...i feel so sad for them

[08:19] Gera Heliosense: and often I think

[08:19] Gera Heliosense: what, if this was my friend, or my lover...or my children

[08:19] kole Avon: yes

[08:19] kole Avon: but

[08:19] kole Avon laughs nervously

Anthony, Gera, Kole and Dr. Rachel

[08:19] Gera Heliosense: I want a meeting please Jarethe

[08:19] kole Avon: it made my husband more sociable as a zombie than he ever was living

[08:20] Gera Heliosense: about what we do if one of out close releatives gets infected

[08:20] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): did you just see that zombie

[08:20] Gera Heliosense: I mean it

[08:20] Gera Heliosense: zombie, where?

[08:20] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): one just walked through the bar

[08:20] kole Avon: what!

[08:21] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) shrugs and shakes his head. "I don't. They were dead.. all their concerns and pains were removed, finally to be freed of the material life. Now they are back, and likely memories of tht pain and concerns still in thier minds somewhere.. I feel sorry only if they remain ... moving. Becasue it makes me think, should I die.. I'd wish it to be eternal and not walkingaround with the scars of life, after death"

[08:21] kole Avon: is nowhere safe anymore

[08:21] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) looks to gera. "There is only one thing to do, if a person becomes zombified."

[08:22] Gera Heliosense: Yes, but Jarethe! Don't you ...have any hope??

[08:22] Gera Heliosense: I do have hope

[08:22] kole Avon: I think they remember some things my husband came after me and that was three days after he was infected

[08:22] kole Avon: I took his head off with a axe

[08:22] Gera Heliosense: I hope that Dr, Rachel will find a cure

[08:22] kole Avon: he sleeps now

[08:22] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): that hope is gone gera

[08:22] Gera Heliosense: and we could keep the infected in cges, until the cure is found

[08:22] kole Avon: it is us or them it is that simple

[08:23] Gera Heliosense: I already build a cage for me and Legion

[08:23] kole Avon: the world is gone and we kill to survive simple crule but simple

[08:23] Gera Heliosense: no its not that simple damnit!

[08:23] Gera Heliosense: don't you people have hope?

[08:23] kole Avon: then try talking to one of them god foorsaken carvcasses and see how far it gets you

[08:23] kole Avon gets upset

[08:23] Gera Heliosense: then why not shoot yourself right now?

[08:23] Gera Heliosense: hu?

[08:24] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles at gera a moment, and gives a sigh seemingly coming from the bottom of his soul. "My hope, is currently all being stored elsewhere, for other matters, and should I become a zombie, I'd expect to , be put down as well, to be given my peace."

[08:24] kole Avon: because I will live as long as I can

[08:24] kole Avon: and hope someone is left to shoot me

[08:25] kole Avon yawns

[08:25] kole Avon: I need to sleep some is there anywhere safe to lay down her?

[08:25] Gera Heliosense looks at Jarethe and fwons"Yeah well, you would say that, that your Manix soul speaking, but you Ms...Ms. "I killed my hubby zombie" you do want to live, you just said so...so why do we not start to take precautions?

[08:25] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): safest place is on the roof

[08:26] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) points to various locations around the bar. "grab one of any, It's as safe as any place."

[08:26] Gera Heliosense: yes you can sleep on our roof Lady

[08:26] Gera Heliosense: if you want

[08:26] kole Avon: besides shooting them or burning them there is nothing safe

[08:26] Gera Heliosense: i bring you blankets and stuff

[08:26] kole Avon: thank you

[08:26] Gera Heliosense: you people make me mad!

[08:26] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "gera... "

[08:26] Gera Heliosense: you haven't even tried!

[08:26] kole Avon smiles

[08:26] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "lemme ask yo this."

[08:27] Gera Heliosense: What...Jarethe?

[08:27] kole Avon: you have hope hang on to it, most of us have lost it

[08:27] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "if your child, was infected, and you took the precaution, you placed it in the cage, to keep it safe"

[08:27] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "the cage, more to keep you safe from it."

[08:27] kole Avon shuddres at the thought of such a child

[08:27] Gera Heliosense: yes...

[08:28] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "and everyday, you had to look at it, slowly decaying, slowly starving, crying, moaning, showing the pain of being dead but not at rest."

[08:28] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) whispers: "would you continue to keep it in that state, in constant pain, constant torment, or would you rather it found the peace of death?"

[08:29] Gera Heliosense's eyes fill with tears

[08:29] Gera Heliosense: I know that Jarethe

[08:29] Gera Heliosense: but still....i can not let that child ...I can not...give up

[08:29] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "in such a situation, holding on to hope... isn't helping the child, it's only prolonging the inevitable, and hurting both, you and it."

[08:29] kole Avon looks at the man who walked in

[08:30] kole Avon: it is a question that is unvbearable

[08:30] kole Avon: how far does love go and when shud it stop

[08:30] kole Avon: u cant answer that

[08:30] Gera Heliosense: but Jarethe, if a cure can be found....and i had shot my child or friend....I could not live with myself anymore

[08:31] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "you can never hold it again, cradle it, feed it, laugh with it, you can never be it;s mother as it should have one at that time. you were it's mother during the times it needs it, and need to be strong then, to be it's mother, during the time, it needs yo to be strong the most."

[08:33] Gera Heliosense wipes tears from her eyes:" If i knew for sure, it will die...then yes i would agree...but that was when we thought dead is dead. Now we all learned that dead is not final....and if the dead walk again...then there is a source there, and that source but be contolled...and then we have all our loved ones back.

Talon

[08:33] kole Avon: there is no proper answer to that

[08:33] Gera Heliosense: but we find an answer

[08:33] Gera Heliosense: we have to

[08:33] TalonSevar: "Its a rough world out there... everyone has rough times ahead as well as terrible times behind. However, everything has balance and that means that something good may be coming and help get over the bad that has happened." the man speaks over hearing the conversation as he sits down. "I apologies I did not mean to pry."

[08:33] Gera Heliosense: we will find why the dead walk

[08:33] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "and should a cure be found, after a person has been ravaged by this disease, when they are borught back to human, their bosies showing the scars of the decay, their mind the effects of the actions they took.. how could you, if yo uwere brouoght back, lookat someone kniwing that when you were one of these beasts, you ate your neighbors, your friends, your family, then to be brought back and have to look at the survivors of those you devoured?"

[08:33] Gera Heliosense: and then we will control it

[08:34] Gera Heliosense: and then we can cure the infected

[08:34] kole Avon smiles at another human that seems intact

[08:34] kole Avon smiles

[08:34] kole Avon: I havent seen so many people together in a long time

[08:34] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "gera.... think on this."

[08:35] kole Avon feeling a little tired gfoes and sits down

[08:35] Gera Heliosense goes quiet after what Jarethe said last, her expression vulnerable and tormeted. Sue supresses a sob and nods. She cups her mouth and sits down quietly

[08:35] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "If I was turned into a zombie, and I attacked legion and ended up killing and eating on him. if a cure was found and I was returned to what I now am.. everytime you saw me, or I saw you.. what do yo think that would remind you and i of?"

[08:36] Doctor Rachel (rachel.tapioca): how good he tasted

[08:36] Gera Heliosense looks at Jarthe with a heartwrenching expression:" Yes Jarethe...yes" she whispers

[08:36] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "wouldn't it be, even more pain and torment, that the person, brought back from this disease, would be forced to live with till they are once more, dead?"

[08:36] Gera Heliosense: She sighs

[08:37] kole Avon: but hoow do you cure a body that is rotting and decaying, the brain turned to mush and running on pure instinct?

[08:37] Gera Heliosense: But...not all of them...eat your close people...I mean...it would depend...or..."She breaks off, realizing she is in a dead end

[08:38] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles with a sad sympathy "I understand your heart on this gera. If anyone can understand pain and torment, it's me. but.. in such a case as this, it's best, to give rest to those, that have been infected and are turned"

[08:38] kole Avon: I agree if there is a hell we are walking in it now and better they sleep

[08:39] kole Avon: I will grab every moment I can because it may be over soon

[08:39] TalonSevar: My group was wiped out... I was able to get away circled the forest for days in order to get them off my trail. you would be surprised how Survival training can come in handy." chuckles as he rests his arms and head on the table.

[08:39] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "It should be taken also to heart, that not all are affected by this disease, how many hunters have we seen, that are bitten, or nearly killed , but are still ... alive and unaffected to continue to hunt later?"

[08:40] Gera Heliosense looks at Jarethe with big eyes

[08:40] Gera Heliosense: Really???

[08:40] Gera Heliosense: I did not know that

[08:40] kole Avon: but I heard they carry the infection and can pass it on

[08:40] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles and nods. "The hope you are asking for, for those that are dead, you should turn to those, that are still alive."

[08:40] Gera Heliosense: but...does that not prove again that there is hope to cure it?

[08:41] Gera Heliosense: yes but i hope for the living most aóf all

[08:41] kole Avon: I heard a woman slept with a hunter that was bitten and the baby was well, Im sure you can work that out, she dies horribly

[08:41] TalonSevar: "there is a cure..."

[08:41] kole Avon: ther is no cure we fool ourselves this is it

[08:41] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) shrugs. "carrying an infection and spreading it, is one thing, this may be the dawning of an age, where only those that are strong, will survive, and repopulate with even stronger offspring"

[08:41] Gera Heliosense stares at the young man

[08:42] Gera Heliosense: What do you mean, Mister?

[08:42] kole Avon: survival of the fittest i think

[08:43] TalonSevar: " Well a sort of cure... it is possible that if cought eairly on it can be sent into dormant state."

[08:43] kole Avon: my god that is horrible yoiu mean a new human species an infected mutant race

[08:43] TalonSevar: "but before the old man could tell me were to look he got his throat ripped out."

[08:43] kole Avon: better we all die

[08:43] Gera Heliosense smiles at the young man and grabs his arm excited

[08:44] Gera Heliosense: Are you a doc?

[08:44] Gera Heliosense: you could work together with Rachel

[08:44] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles. "a dormant state, meing placed into a medically induced coma."

[08:44] kole Avon looks to the young man suspiciously

[08:44] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): *meaning

[08:45] kole Avon: your not one of those who go around taking healthy women for breeding camps, I have heard of such things its monstrous

[08:45] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "we do not have the facilities to house the numbers of people or the supplies to keep everyone that is infected, in a medically induced coma"

[08:45] kole Avon: there are not enuf healthy left and they are reduced daily

[08:46] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "and there are those who have been bitten or injured by the creatures and haven't been affected."

[08:46] Gera Heliosense sighs

[08:46] kole Avon: or maybe they are incubating

[08:46] kole Avon takes a sip of drink

[08:47] kole Avon shakes head

[08:47] kole Avon raises glass

[08:47] TalonSevar: "Looking to Kole... his expression disgusted. "I ran into one of those... as well... They were like a cult..." shaking his head as he looks to the bar tender. "I dont suppose you have any clean water.?"

[08:47] kole Avon: goodbye world it was a blast and now it is ending

[08:47] kole Avon looks at Talon

[08:47] kole Avon: yes there are many evil things happening besides the zombie plague

[08:48] Gera Heliosense: yes we have clean water

[08:48] kole Avon sighs

[08:48] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) nods and reaches under the bar pulling out a bottle. "Everythign we have here, is clean. I'd not have it any other way"

[08:48] Gera Heliosense brings the man a glas with water

[08:48] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) slides the bottled water along the counter

[08:48] kole Avon: Oh give me a warm bed a piece of land that is safe and I will never complain about anything again

[08:48] Gera Heliosense: my name is Gera by the way, whats yours?

[08:49] TalonSevar: "Talon Talon Sevar I am well use to be a Apprentice to engineer."

[08:50] kole Avon raises glass

[08:50] kole Avon: Talon Sevar a nice name

[08:50] kole Avon: I am kole

[08:50] kole Avon: my mother called me Koella, I changed it

[08:51] TalonSevar: Chuckles, "its nice to meet you all... I know we all just meet, but if you have room for one more survivier I am sure i can be of help. I have Scout training since iI was 6 years old."

[08:52] kole Avon: Scout training, all I can offer is manicure services

[08:52] kole Avon laughs

[08:52] Gera Heliosense smiles absent minded

[08:52] TalonSevar: You know thats not that bad. sometimes knowing you have cut under your nails can save your life." cheers to that... as smiles.

[08:53] kole Avon raises glass

[08:53] kole Avon: you are a gentleman

[08:53] kole Avon smiles at Talon

[08:54] TalonSevar: True but in this world, people like me get eaten... well at least thats what the old man said."

[08:54] kole Avon: that would be such a waste

[08:54] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) leans on the bar. "if there is a cure, we can use it for those that are freshly infected and for those that haven't been. but I'm still of the mind, those that have already been taken by the disease, it's best to not bring them back, to face the horrors they have commited."

[08:55] Gera Heliosense narrows her eyes"Rubbish...nobody gets eaten...we just need to get our hopes up

[08:55] Gera Heliosense: and yes! Jarethe!

[08:55] Gera Heliosense: yes

[08:56] kole Avon: well I have seen plenty of half eaten limbs and torso's on my travels I can tell you and it wasnt me eating people!

[08:56] kole Avon sips drink

[08:56] TalonSevar: I agree Jarethe... but at the same time... were talking "if" that old man was telling the truth, and if it is... were talking about this "Cure" only working a hour or so after infection.

[08:56] kole Avon feeling a little braver

[08:56] kole Avon: once bitten shoot them, its the only way

[08:57] Gera Heliosense: I am fed up with speculations, i want a meeting...I want us to talk and get somewhere

[08:57] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) taps his fingers on the bar...

[08:57] Gera Heliosense watches Jrethes finger tapping

[08:57] CiiiiiiiiiityGiiiiiiiiiirl: You germen

[08:58] Gera Heliosense moves away from the weird girl

[08:58] TalonSevar: Well I am out of supplies and my gear was crushed so right now you all are all i have at the moment. " finishing his glass of water.

[08:58] kole Avon touches his arm

[08:59] Gera Heliosense: we get you a new gear

[08:59] kole Avon: we will survive if we stay together, well we should for a while anyway

[08:59] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles as he sees the blonde walk from the bar. "Here I thought, she was going to apply to be a new serving girl."

[08:59] kole Avon grins and sips drink

[08:59] Gera Heliosense: and you can sleep in our houses

[09:00] TalonSevar: Thats very kind, I was sleeping in trees before..." chuckles.

[09:00] kole Avon: how uncomfortable for you

[09:00] kole Avon: I need to be flat on my back or I cant sleep a wink

[09:00] TalonSevar: brb

[09:01] Gera Heliosense: I could set up a tent on our roof

[09:01] Gera Heliosense taps her lip, thinking

[09:01] kole Avon: well it would be safe up there can you block the stairwell to stop any of them getting up?

[09:02] Gera Heliosense: there is no stairwell, you get up there on a rope

[09:02] Gera Heliosense: the dead can't climb ropes

[09:02] kole Avon: thats even better

[09:02] Gera Heliosense: yes

[09:02] kole Avon smiles at Gera and raises glass

[09:03] Gera Heliosense smiles back and raises a piece of cold pizza

[09:03] kole Avon giggles

Then Mare and Anne came in

[09:05] Gera Heliosense: Mare!!

[09:05] Gera Heliosense: I was looking for you

[09:05] Mare (maregulotta): Gera!

[09:05] Mare (maregulotta): =)

[09:06] Gera Heliosense: we have to bring your stuff to our house...if you still...have any stuff

[09:07] Mare (maregulotta): i have a few things

[09:07] Mare (maregulotta): mostly clothes

[09:07] Gera Heliosense: good , we bring them over to the house in a moment

[09:07] Gera Heliosense: Anne!!!

[09:08] Gera Heliosense: I heard

[09:08] Gera Heliosense: you had the baby!

[09:08] Mare (maregulotta): sounds great . thank you Gera 

[09:08] kole Avon happy to see so many people in such a long time around

[09:08] Anne (missyanne.zimring) strolled in with an exhausted smile on her face, "well she's asleep at last!" then her grin broadened as she sees Gera, "Hey you! Have you seen her? She's Gorgeous!"

[09:08] Gera Heliosense: Oh but let me introduce you: This is kole and Talon and Talon, kole...this is mare and Anne

[09:09] kole Avon: hello Mare and Anne

[09:09] kole Avon smiles at the two women

[09:09] Mare (maregulotta): Hello to both of you

[09:09] Mare (maregulotta): and Jarethe

[09:09] Anne (missyanne.zimring) smiled at the introductions, "Hello, Kole Hello Talon."

[09:09] Gera Heliosense: Where is she Anne? where do you keep her?

[09:09] TalonSevar: Welcome..

[09:10] Anne (missyanne.zimring) smiled, "They have been kind enough to let me keep her upstairs in the hospital room."

[09:10] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) nods to mare and anne. "morning"

[09:10] Anne (missyanne.zimring) "Morning Jarethe."

[09:10] TalonSevar: We should set up the sleeping arrangments soon. its better to not sleep alone.

[09:10] Gera Heliosense bites her lip"uhm ...where is the hospital now?

[09:10] kole Avon: Oh yes it is dangerous to be on your own now

[09:11] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) points to the cieling, "two stories up"

[09:11] kole Avon: on the roof?

[09:11] Gera Heliosense: ah yes, i saw that, just didn't realize its the hospital

[09:11] TalonSevar: looks to Jarethe. You would be surprised...

[09:11] Anne (missyanne.zimring) Shook her head, "no the roof is three stories up."

[09:11] Mare (maregulotta): I need to go look. I'm sure the doctor isn't happy...

[09:11] kole Avon: oh so it is inside then

[09:12] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "isn't happy?"

[09:12] Mare (maregulotta) nods

[09:12] Mare (maregulotta): for having to move operations.

[09:12] Mare (maregulotta): i'm sure it wasn't easy

[09:12] Mare (maregulotta): be right back

[09:13] Gera Heliosense: I need to get Mare settled in and Anne lets fetch your daughter

[09:13] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "she was prolly, finding it a pain, to have to replace her uniform constantly too, though, I understood everytime she left the yacht, the robots were stripping her of it"

[09:13] Gera Heliosense: and you Kole and Talon, our house is just over there*points* you are welcome to cpme

[09:14] TalonSevar: So were would i be staying?

[09:14] Gera Heliosense: see you in a bit

[09:14] Gera Heliosense: follow me and you see

[09:14] kole Avon: I will finish my drink but thank you

[09:16] Gera Heliosense: so let see where we put your stuff

[09:16] Mare (maregulotta): /e smmiles and nods

[09:17] Gera Heliosense smiles when Talon arrives

[09:17] Mare (maregulotta): i was teasting legion last night... telling him i had three truckloads of things

[09:17] Gera Heliosense: haha

[09:17] Gera Heliosense: one moment, i need to show Talon how to get to the roof

[09:18] Mare (maregulotta): but really Gera.. I don't have much

[09:18] Mare (maregulotta): sure 

[09:18] Gera Heliosense: Mare, put out what you need

[09:18] Mare (maregulotta): hey anne 

[09:18] Gera Heliosense: Anne I'll be right with you

I walked back to the house with Mare and Anne. Talon followed shortly after.

[09:18] Gera Heliosense: Talon, see the rope?

[09:19] Gera Heliosense: climb it

[09:19] Anne (missyanne.zimring) smiled as she cuddled the little girl, "Alright Gera."

[09:19] TalonSevar: nice

[09:19] Gera Heliosense: This is the tent

[09:22] Gera Heliosense: There are sleeping bags inside.

[09:23] TalonSevar whispers: Your far too kind I am good with tent alone 

[09:23] Gera Heliosense: there you go Talon

[09:24] Gera Heliosense: now come down i want to see the baby

[09:24] TalonSevar: THank you very much I will remember you kindness 

We went down and inside the house. Anne changed her beautiful newborn, Mare unpacked and then Jarethe appeared in the doorframe...

[09:24] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony): "gera.. you have a... visitor outside your home here, looking to get it it seems"

[09:24] Gera Heliosense: Hey Jarethe :)

[09:24] Mare (maregulotta): hey Jarethe. Welcome

[09:25] Gera Heliosense: Anne i have a crib for her

[09:25] Gera Heliosense: if you want

[09:25] Gera Heliosense: then she can sleep with the other kids

[09:25] Gera Heliosense: she is gorgeous

[09:25] Anne (missyanne.zimring) Smiled at Gera, "Hey there I'm just about to feed her. Oh that would be wonderful. I'm worried about her staying in the hospital

Anne put her Daughter Angela to her breast and fed her.

[09:27] TalonSevar: Shes beautiful...

[09:27] Angela: Mmmmmm...

[09:27] Gera Heliosense: yessss

[09:27] Gera Heliosense: she is

[09:27] Angela: Mmmmmm...Mmmmmm

[09:27] Anne (missyanne.zimring) smiled as the girl sucked at her breast, "Yes she is. Gera does Legion tend to eat a lot?"

[09:27] Gera Heliosense: uhm..if we have food, yes

[09:28] Mare (maregulotta) measures a few things with my arms along the wall, "yes, it will fit"

[09:28] Anne (missyanne.zimring) laughs, "well then that explains her appetite \"

[09:28] Gera Heliosense: Jarethe, don't you wanna come inside?

[09:29] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) smiles. "I'll hang here, there is a loss zombie just outside, that.. seems reluctant to give up tryng to com in"

[09:29] Gera Heliosense: oh

[09:30] Gera Heliosense: that must be the one i saw earlier

[09:31] Gera Heliosense smiles at Anne's bay

[09:31] Gera Heliosense: baby

[09:31] Anne (missyanne.zimring): she clean and fed

[09:32] Anne (missyanne.zimring) grins at Gera, "I think she's finally ready to to go back to sleep."

[09:32] Gera Heliosense: okay

[09:33] Gera Heliosense: there is an empty crib at the back there

[09:33] Anne (missyanne.zimring) nodded the pink one?

[09:33] Gera Heliosense nods

Mare dragged her sofa inside the house.

[09:33] Gera Heliosense: nice sofa Mare

[09:33] Mare (maregulotta): =)

[09:34] Gera Heliosense comes outto the terrace where Jarethe stands and looks worried at the zombie outside

[09:34] Gera Heliosense: she is close

[09:34] Jarethe (jarethe.anthony) nods.

[09:35] Anne (missyanne.zimring) took the tiny girl over to it and carefully lifted her inside then kissed her and stroked her tiny head for a moment, "Sleep well Angela."

[09:36] TalonSevar: I can draw its attention

[09:36] Anne (missyanne.zimring) smiled, "Alright she's safe and sound."

[09:39] Gera Heliosense: is it gone?

[09:39] Gera Heliosense: the zombie?

[09:39] Gera Heliosense: oh no there she is

[09:42] TalonSevar: Ok, I run

[09:42] Anne (missyanne.zimring) shuddered as she looked at it, "what are they coming into the town now!?"

[09:50] Gera Heliosense: Talon, i am at the house , i see you later

[09:50] TalonSevar: Ok stay safe

[09:51] TalonSevar: i am going to see about this combat stuff...

[09:51] TalonSevar whispers: I have to be useful to you 

[09:51] Gera Heliosense: okay

[09:52] Gera Heliosense: Mare, Anne, I will rest for a while

[09:53] Mare (maregulotta) smiles at Gera

[09:53] Gera Heliosense: and Legion will be here soon

[09:53] Mare (maregulotta): Sleep well

[09:53] Gera Heliosense smiles and goes to bed

Cold Ethel and Blue Boy or The Cage

For days two stray zombies have been near our house. I call them Cold Ethel and Blue Boy. I wonder if they were a couple when  they were alive or if they found each other in death.

Cold Ethel and Blue Boy

They remind  me how heartbreaking it must be to lose a loved one. The terrible despair to see a loved person turn into a walking dead. All those dead out there had a life, they may have been friends to some one, mothers, lovers....

That is why i have nailed together a makeshift cage. A strong one. In case that i or Legion...or the children...should get infected. I could not shoot them in the head. Maybe a cure will be found one day...

Winter shows me the dock

[04:36] winterthyme: "Knock knock - anyone home?"

[04:36] Gera Heliosense: Winter!

[04:36] Gera Heliosense: yes please come in

[04:36] winterthyme: Hello - I saw you through the window and thought I would come and say hello

[04:36] Gera Heliosense: Do you have any news for me?

[04:36] winterthyme: How are you? I haven't spoken to you properly for ages...

[04:37] Gera Heliosense: I know

[04:37] winterthyme shrugs "Not much to report - I recovered an old dock that had been , er, concealed by the tsunami - but I was busy elsewhere yesterday

[04:38] Gera Heliosense: I see...and...everything okay with you and Ma'am?

[04:38] winterthyme: Yes - things are going very well indeed. She is upstairs trying to pull together a place for us at the moment

[04:38] Gera Heliosense: Thats good news

[04:39] Gera Heliosense: i said this to Legion the other day:

[04:39] Gera Heliosense: Ever since the apocalypse, everthing makes more sense and becomes a meaning

[04:39] winterthyme nods "Of course her...ahhh...darker side still needs to be attended to from time to time, but I am relaxed about that... She has her appetites...."

[04:39] Gera Heliosense: and that goes for relationships too

[04:40] winterthyme nods "I agree with you - indeed, I do"

[04:40] Gera Heliosense: she has appetites? ...dark appetites?

[04:40] winterthyme: Well - "dark" is perhaps putting it strongly... but she certainly has appetites *smiles*

[04:41] Gera Heliosense: yeah, sexual appetites...that s normal, she is a nymph after all

[04:41] winterthyme: Exactly - nymphs will be nymphs - but I am encouraging her not to let others exploit that... to take things on her terms, rather than on other people's...

[04:42] Gera Heliosense: you mean, you don't want people to take advantage of her?

[04:43] winterthyme: I don't mind what happens provided she is happy with it.... But - I guess, yes - it's about people taking advantage of her really

[04:43] Gera Heliosense ponders about that...

[04:44] Gera Heliosense: Yeah, i remeber several occasions when i thought....this might...not be what she desires, but it was too late.

[04:44] winterthyme: Has Mare moved in with you both yet?

[04:44] Gera Heliosense: Mare yes, hope she is

[04:44] Gera Heliosense: we both persuaded her

[04:44] Gera Heliosense: i hope she moves her stuff in soon

[04:45] Gera Heliosense: whatever stuff she still has

[04:45] winterthyme nods "She can be easily swayed sometimes... And I am glad that Mare is moving in - it will be good for her to have people around her she can trust"

[04:45] Gera Heliosense: although the bed is certainly big enough for three

[04:45] Gera Heliosense: yes

[04:45] winterthyme glances at the bed and smiles

[04:45] Gera Heliosense: I agree

[04:46] Gera Heliosense: This dock you were talking about...

[04:46] Gera Heliosense: where is it?

[04:46] winterthyme: oh - the far side of the abandoned freighter

[04:47] Gera Heliosense: ah we would need to arm ourselves to get there

[04:47] Gera Heliosense: mind you, we should always be armed anyway

[04:47] winterthyme: actually I think you can get there in safety if you wade through the water a bit

[04:47] Gera Heliosense: Would you care to show me?

[04:47] winterthyme: by all means - shall we?

[04:48] Gera Heliosense: yes please.

So we made our way over to the railway tracks. And I do remeber that I thought to myself, "but how can he say this is safe...when  the railway is always dangerous to cross". The Dead  live in the tunnels there and can easily detect our smell. We passed the tunnels and were already in the shallow water when it happened! A bunch of zombies  was suddenly behind  us, following us. But Winter did not see him, he walked ahead, and I could not get a tone out, stiff with fear, then at last I did start screaming and screaming. One of the Dead attacked Winter, but he tore himself free, he stumbled and for a second I thought:"Thats it." But again Winter got on his feet, turned and shot the zombie full in the face. He then shot the other three. At last it was over. We stared at the bloody mess floating in the shallow water and something inside me gave way and I started to sob.

[04:49] Gera Heliosense: Winter!!!

[04:49] Gera Heliosense sobs and wraps both arms around him

[04:50] winterthyme: Don't worry - I'll be fine

[04:50] winterthyme: Probably

[04:50] Gera Heliosense keeps crying, unable to control herself and touches Winter face with trembling hands

[04:50] Gera Heliosense: are you okay?

[04:50] Gera Heliosense: Winter?

[04:50] winterthyme: yes - I think so

[04:50] Gera Heliosense nods and whispers "sorry", wiping her face

[04:51] winterthyme wraps my arm around you "Try not to upset yourself - these are tough times"

[04:51] Gera Heliosense nods, hugging you tightly:"Whispering;"yes i know, its just ...sometimes it all builds up"

[04:52] winterthyme pats your back comfortingly "Yes - of course..."

We stood like that for a long time and hugged until i had calmed down. 

Then we continued what he had come for.

[04:52] winterthyme: you'll have to climb up the chain

[04:52] winterthyme watches as you climb

[04:53] Gera Heliosense looks around

[04:53] Gera Heliosense: Wow

[04:53] Gera Heliosense: this is fantastic

[04:53] winterthyme: not a lot to see yet, but it's getting there

[04:53] Gera Heliosense: it is like a fortress

[04:53] winterthyme: there are a couple of levels below too - largely empty at the moment

[04:54] winterthyme: You can either jump onto the slipped container , or use the chain to go to the lowest level

[04:54] Gera Heliosense: okay

[04:54] winterthyme: or there is a stair well over there *points*

[04:55] Gera Heliosense: Winter , this places is as safe as the pope's arse

[04:56] winterthyme smiles "Well - at the moment certainly - but who knows.. things are getting worse - have you seen that there are rabid bats now too?"

[04:56] Gera Heliosense: bats?

[04:56] Gera Heliosense: shit no, i had no clue

[04:56] Gera Heliosense: i am so busy these days with getting food and stuff

[04:57] winterthyme: yes - close to the graveyard by the rail tracks

[04:58] winterthyme: So - there you have it - if you have any ideas how it might be used ...just shout

[04:58] Gera Heliosense: as I said. I think this could be our fortress

[04:59] Gera Heliosense: to meet in safety

[04:59] winterthyme: it's a thought certainly

[04:59] Gera Heliosense: to evacuate in bad times

[04:59] Gera Heliosense: to think of a plan to survive better

[04:59] winterthyme rubs my chin and nods "That could certainly work"

[05:00] Gera Heliosense: a central meeting point

[05:01] Gera Heliosense: by the way, are the robots still out of control?

[05:01] Gera Heliosense: and are there still animated body parts in the sea?

[05:01] winterthyme nods "We'll see.... As for the robots, not sure... they haven't troubled me so far, but I steered clear of their area"

[05:02] Gera Heliosense: yes, the robots are not a direct threat, as long as you stay away from the research ship

[05:02] winterthyme points "That's gone by the way...."

[05:02] winterthyme: I gather it was blown up and the medical centre relocated to the upper storeys above the bar

[05:03] Gera Heliosense walks to the side of the dock , squinting her eyes as she looks into the direction where the ship has been

[05:03] Gera Heliosense: damn yes

[05:03] Gera Heliosense: well it was to be sooner or later

[05:04] winterthyme: It's probably better to have the clinic in town - Jarethe certainly seemed to think so when I chatted to him earlier

[05:04] Gera Heliosense: that whole idea of a lab there was....inadequate

[05:04] winterthyme: yes I agree

[05:04] Gera Heliosense: of we need the clinic in town

[05:04] Gera Heliosense: it needs to be near us

[05:04] winterthyme: yes - it makes more sense

[05:05] winterthyme: I must talk to the Minx and see if she has a ramp we can stretch over to the freighter - will make it easier to get here

[05:06] winterthyme smiles "So.... that's the dock.... Some scope for using it for different things...."

And with that, we went back into the town.

Glint or A tale of two cities

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way...

Is it not a strange thing?

I was in the bar with Legion and Jarethe the other day and Jarethe who fits so well into the scene nowadays, with his ever gloomy mood alternating with indifference,  was lamenting about what has become of us and of Glint. I listened to him. I was exhausted and yet restless and terrible alert. I had spend another day surviving, protecting our children, hunting for something to eat and facing and training the overcoming of my fear of the walking dead. I looked at him and I told him...and it was from the bottom of my heart:

 "But now at least everything make sense!"

Of course Jarethe looked at me as if I had gone completely mad. Legion regarded me thoughtful. He knew what I was trying to say, for he and I had talked about it before.

I believe only when a human being feels a purpose and sense in life, he or she will feel alive and celebrate the sensation of it. Before the apocalypse the life in Glint was an exsistence bare of all logic and sense.

We would walk around in a state of constant confusion, we had to dull our senses to pull through. Rape for example never made sense and was hence never a crime in Glint. We always had a large population of females on the island. The few men here could really take their pick of available females. As a result the Rapings I have viewed were always conducted in a manner of duty by the males. It was expected of the males to rape so they may prove their masculinity. But where was the desire, the passion, the lust, the fear, the challenge. More so, because of the dress code, I found myself ordered to walk around naked most days. The ever present sight of naked females had dulled the male senses. And we females did not fear rape, nor did we  anticipate it. And yet, everything focused on it because it was the only sensation we were able to experience. For better or for worse.

Now, all that has changed. Our focus is not fighting the boredom anymore but on fighting death and infection. Now we are under a constant threat, a universal threat that knits us together closely in one respect but on the other hand it also gives way to a desperation that makes all of us unpredictable.

A hunger for life has raised. And this hunger causes all human emotions finally rise to the surface. Now a rape will be what it is. Either a terrible egocentric crime to destroy a woman's soul, as it happens usually in the world beyond Glint . Or to stay more with the spirit of Glint, a crime of passion. A hunger for life and the most the drastic display of desire a man can show to a woman. And for the women it is the ultimate sense of being claimed, always of course with the threat that the rapist may not be the one you would have chosen. The encounter I had with Psycho shortly before the apocalypse was like an Omen for these things to come. And was I not shaken by the experience to be claimed, to be desired so much?

So sexuality, the mirror of life in Glint has changed. There is a sense in it now. We all have won in depth. 

Before I was Gera, just another available piece of meat. 

Now I am a woman. I can be glorious and strong at times, when I protect the children, when i overcome my fear of the walking dead, when i learn how to use a weapon. Or I can be bad, stealing a scrap of food from a fellow hungry citizen. But I am a woman, a person. All my human facets are able to show now. And it is the same for all other citizens of Glint. We have become a community of persons, we express ourselves now and everyone becomes a character, an individual when before we were a bunch of random people who could not talk to each other, because there was nothing to talk other then idle superficial chatter. it was the age of foolishness.

Now we have in Glint the season of Light, the season of Darkness, the spring of hope,  the winter of despair, we have everything before us, we have nothing before us, we are all going direct to Heaven, we are all going direct the other way joining the walking dead...

But whatever may be, it all makes sense now.

Life after the Apocalypse

Our new place

View from the street

Every blood stain tells a story: We found the house empty and claimed it,
 the previous owners will not return. Well, not in their old form anyway.

Just out on an errant

Veebs and I

Legion and I

The Glint community grows tighter

Our home is always open. 

A thoughtful Winter, a refugee and my son playing

Another refugee coming for shelter

Makeshift furniture

Family life

home sweet home

Mare on the floor

Waiting for nightfall

Our terrace overlooking the graveyard.
 We have the walking dead in constant view

Getting organized

Making plans

Sticking together

Depending on one another

Jarethe and Legion, man-talk

Sunset

The haunted hotel changed it colors.

Survivers

Amazed that we pulled through so far

But the big sky is too big to care

Good team: Curator and Judge