Saturday 11 May 2013
Thursday 9 May 2013
Update #2: Chatters
The Infection has spread, as far as we can tell, worldwide. Some of the chatters are sharing their stories, as things happen.
Joseph:
Joseph is an ATF operative, unable to reveal much information, but he seems unhappy with what his superiors are planning. Without telling us anything specific, he seems to be trying to warn everyone that extreme measures are soon to be taken.
That's all I really know. I just hope he doesn't get himself into trouble. Those guys arne't nice when they're crossed.
Bawb:
At first seemed almost gleeful at being able to kill zombies. The last few hours, though, he's starting to crack. Shooting down so many people that were once human is taking its toll.
Rhyan:
Despite living somewhat away from civilisation, he's been reporting the nearest city blowing up, and zombies making it to him. Yesterday he had to kill his mother and grandmother, who were both infected while out. He seems to be cracking, fading out a lot.
Mike:
Mike seemed to be zombie free until yesterday. They hit his town quickly, it seems, but his mother and sister were ok the last I checked. He's proof that the strains of infection are mutating - the zombies near him aren't attracted to light like the others we've seen. They are encroaching on his house though, and he's been hiding in a closet when necessary.
Me:
The friends I stopped over with in London, they're packed and gone to the Isle of Wight - small island, more defensible, seems to be where people are heading. I hope they got there ok.
I went down there, south of London, to pull my parents out of their village. I was too late. I lost a few chasing zombies and got to their house, which was mostly boarded up, but they were there with other zombies. They didn't know me. I was holding a gun in one hand, but I just couldn't fire, even though I knew.
I ran, instead, but I tripped over some of the boards that had been ripped off the windows, hit my head and blacked out.
When I woke up, I had a bleeding head, a split lip, some bruises, and a wound on my neck. The first three are fine, but the nexk wound - it won't coagulate, it just keeps weeping blood. And I've got this cough, now. It's like asthma, but inhalers don't touch it. I'm getting dizzy spells, too. And these flashes where I don't know where I am, or what's happening.
I think, and so do the others, that I got infected.
There's a chance I could be ok. There's experimental stuff and I have a friend... But I'm no good. If this is an end of the world thing, I'm no good. I don't have anyone. I'm no fighter. There's no place for me, but there is a place for one of the others. If I have the chance to try and save one person, it's not going to be me.
My bit of Nottingham is empty of people, so I stole stuff. I've got bars and metal across all the windows and doors. I've taken off all the door handles and everything. Every place I could fit out of, I've made it so I can't.
I don't want to go without knowing that somebody for off the Farm ok. Or that the others are ok. I just hope I can last that long.
Joseph:
Joseph is an ATF operative, unable to reveal much information, but he seems unhappy with what his superiors are planning. Without telling us anything specific, he seems to be trying to warn everyone that extreme measures are soon to be taken.
That's all I really know. I just hope he doesn't get himself into trouble. Those guys arne't nice when they're crossed.
Bawb:
At first seemed almost gleeful at being able to kill zombies. The last few hours, though, he's starting to crack. Shooting down so many people that were once human is taking its toll.
Rhyan:
Despite living somewhat away from civilisation, he's been reporting the nearest city blowing up, and zombies making it to him. Yesterday he had to kill his mother and grandmother, who were both infected while out. He seems to be cracking, fading out a lot.
Mike:
Mike seemed to be zombie free until yesterday. They hit his town quickly, it seems, but his mother and sister were ok the last I checked. He's proof that the strains of infection are mutating - the zombies near him aren't attracted to light like the others we've seen. They are encroaching on his house though, and he's been hiding in a closet when necessary.
Me:
The friends I stopped over with in London, they're packed and gone to the Isle of Wight - small island, more defensible, seems to be where people are heading. I hope they got there ok.
I went down there, south of London, to pull my parents out of their village. I was too late. I lost a few chasing zombies and got to their house, which was mostly boarded up, but they were there with other zombies. They didn't know me. I was holding a gun in one hand, but I just couldn't fire, even though I knew.
I ran, instead, but I tripped over some of the boards that had been ripped off the windows, hit my head and blacked out.
When I woke up, I had a bleeding head, a split lip, some bruises, and a wound on my neck. The first three are fine, but the nexk wound - it won't coagulate, it just keeps weeping blood. And I've got this cough, now. It's like asthma, but inhalers don't touch it. I'm getting dizzy spells, too. And these flashes where I don't know where I am, or what's happening.
I think, and so do the others, that I got infected.
There's a chance I could be ok. There's experimental stuff and I have a friend... But I'm no good. If this is an end of the world thing, I'm no good. I don't have anyone. I'm no fighter. There's no place for me, but there is a place for one of the others. If I have the chance to try and save one person, it's not going to be me.
My bit of Nottingham is empty of people, so I stole stuff. I've got bars and metal across all the windows and doors. I've taken off all the door handles and everything. Every place I could fit out of, I've made it so I can't.
I don't want to go without knowing that somebody for off the Farm ok. Or that the others are ok. I just hope I can last that long.
Update #1 - On the Farm
Lenny and Boosh have darted off with many of the supplies, nobody knows to where, but Peter is not happy.When they do appear in tinychat, they are in location 3 - another tent, containing many of the Farm's supplies - and they're with Victoria, who has been missing for over a day. She explains that avoiding the Infected has been easy as they're so slow, and all three want Peter and Rose to come over to where they are, instead of staying in the garage which - though defensible - is also leaving them trapped.
On top of this, after Peter goes to look outside briefly, the garage door sticks and refuses to close.
Rose is mostly catatonic as her brain attempts to shut out the information that Renaldo is probably dead. When she does surface, she's cleaning madly, talking about what she wants to say to him when he gets back, and setting up for the party - as if she's simply shut out the past couple of days completely.
When what happened to Renaldo is broken to her, it's too much and she cuts open her wrists, later explaining that without him she has nothing - a point hotly refuted.
Between Peter, the Tent and the chatters, he manages to stop the bleeding, but the loss of blood after no food, plus the extra layer of shock means Rose is incapable of doing much but lie down.
Caesar appears in the Tent, carrying bloody weapons and speaking rapid Spanish. He has survived by taking down the Infected that come near him, and he knows how to open the main gate.
Between everyone, it is established that there is a code generator in the garage, which refreshes to a new set of numbers every 2 minutes. Usually someone goes to the garage and reads off the numbers to the person at the gate, but if thew generator were to be brought to the gate they could all escape.
Peter can't bring the generator to the Tent, because Rose can't make the trip and shouldn't be left alone.
The Tent doesn't want to go back up to the garage now they're so close to the exit. If Peter can't get Rose down to them, they want to get out and bring back some help - although they're aware it may be too late for her if they do.
They remain at stalemate for some time.
Rose emerges from her shell a little, still talking about the party and what she wants to tell Renaldo. She wants him to know that she only wants to be with him, and she's sorry. With pen and paper, and some help from chatters and the Tent, she writes a letter to read to him when he gets back - nodding at the reminder that this means she must stay alive long enough to do so.
Just as Rose retreats back into her shell, Renaldo enters the garage. He is bloody, his chest clawed, a chunk missing from his shoulder - clearly Infected. Ignoring this, Rose runs to him.
He seems to stop, as she reads him the letter, and then seems to hug her from behind for a moment before he bites into her shoulder and she goes down.
Through this, Peter is hiding behind the punch bag. As Rose goes down, he moves forwards, where he is met by Maple, also clearly infected. She attacks, Renaldo joins in, and they take Peter to the floor where they seem to start eating.
Rose gets up, bleeding but still looking human, and moves towards the computer, but the feed cuts off.
In the garage, determination rises. Hesitation has led to more death. Somebody needs to grab a weapon, run to the garage and return with the code generator. They will draw straws to see who goes.
An argument ensues in which Lenny suggests that Victoria not be in the running for this, partly because she's a woman - and may be needed if all the other women are dead. Also because he feels his inability to help has caused the deaths of too many women lately. He wants her to survive and is willing to die in order for that to happen.
It is pointed out to him that Victoria has proven herself fast, smart and tough - more so than Lenny himself, who is a lover not a fighter - and he relents.
As they each grab a straw to draw, the feed cuts out.
On top of this, after Peter goes to look outside briefly, the garage door sticks and refuses to close.
Rose is mostly catatonic as her brain attempts to shut out the information that Renaldo is probably dead. When she does surface, she's cleaning madly, talking about what she wants to say to him when he gets back, and setting up for the party - as if she's simply shut out the past couple of days completely.
When what happened to Renaldo is broken to her, it's too much and she cuts open her wrists, later explaining that without him she has nothing - a point hotly refuted.
Between Peter, the Tent and the chatters, he manages to stop the bleeding, but the loss of blood after no food, plus the extra layer of shock means Rose is incapable of doing much but lie down.
Caesar appears in the Tent, carrying bloody weapons and speaking rapid Spanish. He has survived by taking down the Infected that come near him, and he knows how to open the main gate.
Between everyone, it is established that there is a code generator in the garage, which refreshes to a new set of numbers every 2 minutes. Usually someone goes to the garage and reads off the numbers to the person at the gate, but if thew generator were to be brought to the gate they could all escape.
Peter can't bring the generator to the Tent, because Rose can't make the trip and shouldn't be left alone.
The Tent doesn't want to go back up to the garage now they're so close to the exit. If Peter can't get Rose down to them, they want to get out and bring back some help - although they're aware it may be too late for her if they do.
They remain at stalemate for some time.
Rose emerges from her shell a little, still talking about the party and what she wants to tell Renaldo. She wants him to know that she only wants to be with him, and she's sorry. With pen and paper, and some help from chatters and the Tent, she writes a letter to read to him when he gets back - nodding at the reminder that this means she must stay alive long enough to do so.
Just as Rose retreats back into her shell, Renaldo enters the garage. He is bloody, his chest clawed, a chunk missing from his shoulder - clearly Infected. Ignoring this, Rose runs to him.
He seems to stop, as she reads him the letter, and then seems to hug her from behind for a moment before he bites into her shoulder and she goes down.
Through this, Peter is hiding behind the punch bag. As Rose goes down, he moves forwards, where he is met by Maple, also clearly infected. She attacks, Renaldo joins in, and they take Peter to the floor where they seem to start eating.
Rose gets up, bleeding but still looking human, and moves towards the computer, but the feed cuts off.
In the garage, determination rises. Hesitation has led to more death. Somebody needs to grab a weapon, run to the garage and return with the code generator. They will draw straws to see who goes.
An argument ensues in which Lenny suggests that Victoria not be in the running for this, partly because she's a woman - and may be needed if all the other women are dead. Also because he feels his inability to help has caused the deaths of too many women lately. He wants her to survive and is willing to die in order for that to happen.
It is pointed out to him that Victoria has proven herself fast, smart and tough - more so than Lenny himself, who is a lover not a fighter - and he relents.
As they each grab a straw to draw, the feed cuts out.
Saturday 4 May 2013
Wednesday 1 May 2013
Under the bus
I wanna keep this stuff separate from the Farm stuff. That's the important bit, really. But there's some stuff you should know about me, I guess.
The discussion about Peter, whether he would throw someone under a bus to save himself. My anger at him for the way he's already done this.
I did this. Not actively, I never threw anyone, but certainly somebody died because I was too busy being a coward.
I was on the ground in Iraq - no idea if I was near Renaldo, as far as I know we've never met. It was one of the assignments I had before I gave up getting myself fired and setlted for freelancing. IT was meant to be quiet. I was meant to be making a little report on the aftermath of some bombings a year earlier. It was me, a sound guy - Jeff - and a camera guy - Trick. We'd all worked together before, we were pretty good friends by this point, so we were ready to just head in, do the thing, head back out again. No hassle.
So we did.We got the report, we hopped in the truck, we were headed back out to another assignment - same sort of thing. Whether our presence pissed somebody off, I don't know. Whether we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, I don't know. Whatever reason, somebody decided to take us out.
I don't know much about weapons and things, but something self-propelled hit us. Jeff saw it coming and shouted. Trick slammed the wheel over, and I guess the thing hit, exploded, and sent the truck flying. I landed upside down, still belted in, beneath a truck leaking fuel, full of smoke.
I looked over to my right, to see if Jeff was ok. Jeff...I guess he got the worst of it, or was just unlucky, I don't know. I looked over and instead of seeing him, I saw something covered in blood that seemed to end at the upper torso.
My belt wouldn't unbuckle. Fortunately I have one skill - I can pack for emergencies and all eventualities. This time, I'd put a penknife in a pouch on my belt. Took a minute but I got free, crawled out, looked for Trick.
He was already out, but not far away - lying pretty much right next to the pool of fuel. I could see him breathing, so I shouted him. He moved, I shouted some more.
I didn't go to help him. I didn't get closer. I wanted to keep away from the fuel, because I could feel the hear, I knew it was going to go up. So instead of going down, dragging him out half-unconscious, I stayed and shouted.
He did get up, he did moe. He saw me, got to his feet - he was a little battered but he looked ok, and he just yelled at me to run and started heading my way.
So, I ran.
I ran and I didn't look back.
When it did explode, I hit the deck and stayed there until someone came to get me up.
It wasn't Trick. I don't know if he collapsed again, if he didn't move fast enough, what - but he got caught in the explosion.
Me? I got a few bumps, some smoke inhalation issues - I had mild asthma that's gotten worse since, but that's all.
No I didn't throw Trick under a bus, but I sure as hell didn't help him out of the way of one.
I was 22. I'm now almost 30. I still have the nightmares. Some where I save him, but when he turns to me he's black and burned. Some when I'm running and he grabs my foot, drags me into the fire. So many dreams.
Sometimes I'm just out, shopping or whatever, and I think I see him. I've stopped running after those people now, but there were a few crazy moments where I've grabbed someone from behind, shouting "Trick!", and it wasn't him. Most people aren't so polite about that.
I've kept out of war zones since, because I can't deal. But still, seeing other stuff sometimes brinngs everything back. All the counselling, all the work, all the finding ways to forgive myself - and all it takes is one second of seeing something which triggers the memory and I'm shaking again.
I've been the coward. Someone who should be alive isn't because I didn't help him. And no matter how many times you tell me I could have just gotten us both killed, the only truth is - I ran. I left him.
So when I see Peter doing what he does, I recognise it. He's a coward, and he'll do and say anything to deny that, but he's a coward. Not because he's afraid - being afraid just makes you smart. He's a coward because he'll crumple and save himself, every time, at the expense of anyone else.
Since Trick, I've found something new in myself. My moment of cowardice, what I've learned from it, is how to step up and do the other thing. Losing Trick will never be ok, but I've had the chance to turn and run since then, more than once, and I've done the thing I should have done the first time.
Peter...has not done that.
Tuesday 30 April 2013
All in the garage
I have no vids this time. The only ones I can get are just a tiny fraction, and don't have much to show. But here's the latest stuff I saw.
Well, the feeds came back up. The tent reappeared, with just Lenny, about 13hrs after they went down last time. He didn't have much in the way of sound, at first, and he kept cutting out, but it settled a bit eventually. Still, we got a picture and a quote from Lenny that he seems to approve of:
Poor guy, he had no clue what was going on with anyone. He'd come back to try and save Vic by fighting the Infected, and somehow survived - but he blacked out and has no idea how.
Chatters remind him of his theory that the Infected were repelled by the weed smoke.
So Boosh reappeared, toting a bunch of munchies. Turns out he'd seen some of the Infected, climbed a tree to wait them but, and dozed off! The guy was so high, he just slept right through. Lenny and us chatters, we had to tell him what was going on, break the news about Maple.
They smoked some, talked some random stuff - recast the Matrix with stoners, compared zombies to terrorists and explained how getting high was fighing them, that sort of thing. There was dancing when a chatter turned up some music. Also in the tent Lenny and Boosh find out that Rose has slept with Peter despite being married to Renaldo, and also that they had kissed while Renaldo had been lost somewhere outside, and aren't sure what to do with the information.
A little while later the garage returned. They seemed to pop in and out of the chat a couple of times, but we got a live feed again, and they eventually made it back into chat too. Rose, Renaldo and Peter are all fine, asking about the guys ni the tent. Then they asked us to tell Lenny and Boosh to pack up and hightail it over to the garage where they'd be safer and the 5 of them would be together. So the two in the tend did that and headed out.
Over in the garage, they were trying to figure out plans but mostly butting heads as nobody can decide what to do.
They need food, water, fortifications, and a long-term plan. None of this is particularly forthcoming because none of them can focus enough. Whenever they start talking again, mostly Rose looks frustrated while Renaldo and Peter argue over what to do. Eventually Rose turns to chatters and asks them to help her make some plans, which we try to do.
Renaldo, meanwhile, is not looking good. He reveals he's an Iraq war vet, and he's struggled with PTSD ever since he got back. What he's had to do - killing the Infected, being under siege, everything, it's bringing it back again. Rose asks chatters to help, ut Renaldo doesn't really seem to hear - he's retreating into himself, shaking, and he won't sit still despite looking like he's about to collapse.
After Lenny and Boosh arrive, Rose and Renaldo head off to get water from the creek before it gets dark - but only after Rose swears to do exactly as Renaldo orders her to, if ther is any trouble.
Lenny and Boosh confront Peter about Rose, and Peter explains a little - Rose and Renaldo have an open marriage, Renaldo knows, etc. Nothing really gets resolved.
In the garage they find some rope and Peter goes outside to set a basic trap - to help keep the zombies at a bit of a distance.
Rose soon returns, but either Renaldo or any water.
Renaldo has snapped completely, she tells us: he thinks he's back in Iraq, and everyone but him is an enemy combatant. But still his last order to Rose was for her to run to safety, which she has done.
At this point we also discover that Peter has also vanished again.
Rose wants to go hunting for Renaldo but is repeatedly begged not to by everyone else - in the garage and on chat.
Lenny and Boosh ask her about Peter, and she talks to them honestly. They tell her PEter is not well liked and, trying to explain why, Boosh brings up an analogy of throwing someone under the bus. He thinks Peter would let someone die, or even throw them under the bus, in order to save himself - something backed up by actions of his so far.
Rose is unsure what to make of this and Boosh asks the chatters, who agree: Peter may try to help others, but he will always save himself first, at the expense of anyone else - even Rose.
A set of rules is also drawn up which they are supposed to follow to stay safe: No going outside alone, not going outside at night, always keep weapons handy, etc.
She listens to Lenny and Boosh as they explain their plans to escape the farm during daylight and seems agreeable.
Rose seems to accept that she can't go after Renaldo but spends a lot of time persuading everyone into the idea of letting her step outside, with Boosh and with weapons, for long enough just to look and shout for Renaldo and Peter, then dive back in.
As she refuses to give the idea up, eventually Lenny, Boosh and chatters accept that she will do it, and offer help for them all staying safe.
What actually happens is that Lenny opens the door, Rose and Boosh step outside, and Rose sprints off into the night.
Lenny and Boosh spot that she has added her own addedum to the rules, ordering them to keep each other safe and apologising for what she's just done.
Lenny and Boosh, after they calm down, sit and try to make plans. They want to get off the farm, but without running into more trouble. Waiting until daylight, hoping some of the others come back to them, etc.
Peter returns and casually explains that he had walked down to a hole in the fence to check how easily repairable it was, for them to fortify the farm some more.
There is noise outside, both human and Infected.
The live cam is turned to the window where, Lenny lifting to covering, we can see Infected outside, but hear Rose and Renaldo at the door.
Peter opens the door a crack, Rose darts in, and the door is closed before Infected can enter.
Peter leans against the door and refuses to open it, for fear of letting something else in with Renaldo. He is too strong for Rose to drag out of the way.
At the window, Infected seem to be gathering outside, we can all hear them groaning.
Suddenly Renaldo begins to shout, as if being attacked. The tenor of his voice changes and he trails off into silence.
Rose tries again to get past Peter, who still refuses to move. She drops to the floor in tears.
Again, the feed cuts off. Nothing since.
Where Vic is? We don't know.
Cesar? We didn't get confirmation, but we think he's one of the Infected that Vic escaped from.
Jefe? Still nothing, no contact.
CQ? Other than being female and working there we haven't got any info about her either except that she's not been seen either.
Maple? We've seen nothing since Peter shot the video of her getting bitten.
There was a theory discussed that the weed plants may have contained the virus: that some were able to develop an immunit to that lesser strain, but others were susceptible and may have succumbed: these would be the first zombies. If any of this has been shipped elsewhere already, it could explain the wide range of outbreaks across the world.
If the strain of the virus, once taken hold of those who were susceptible, then mutated into something stronger, it could explain what's happening, and also why the weed smoke may repel them: the mutated strain could simply be incompatible with the weaker strain.
Research: still happening.
Governments: still publicly denying but privately working together to try and work this out.
Where am I with all this? Well, I think we need to test the thery of weed smoke repelling the zombies. When Rose darted out, she did so after having been purposely covered in smoke by Lenny and Boosh. Did that help keep her safe? They certainly seem to back off from it.
It's clear by now I don't like Peter so much. I think he will get more people killed than saved.
I love Lenny and Boosh, but I fear they aren't survivor material. So far luck and weed has been their guide though, so I hope it continues.
I really wish Vic would turn up again. She's tough, and I think they'll need her, especially if Renaldo is gone now.
Rose...I like Rose, but what she did - running off - even I was having trouble defending that one to the chatters and I've done my best so far to stay on her side, about Peter and everything.
Every time I try to throw my detachment back in place, I just drop it. I officially give up. I just want to find a way to keep everyone safe, and some way to fix this.
The Freeom Farm? I have no idea. I'm writing this while waiting for the feed to come back, having driven down to London and taken a stop for lunch with friends before I continue down to where my parents are.
Well, the feeds came back up. The tent reappeared, with just Lenny, about 13hrs after they went down last time. He didn't have much in the way of sound, at first, and he kept cutting out, but it settled a bit eventually. Still, we got a picture and a quote from Lenny that he seems to approve of:
Poor guy, he had no clue what was going on with anyone. He'd come back to try and save Vic by fighting the Infected, and somehow survived - but he blacked out and has no idea how.
Chatters remind him of his theory that the Infected were repelled by the weed smoke.
So Boosh reappeared, toting a bunch of munchies. Turns out he'd seen some of the Infected, climbed a tree to wait them but, and dozed off! The guy was so high, he just slept right through. Lenny and us chatters, we had to tell him what was going on, break the news about Maple.
They smoked some, talked some random stuff - recast the Matrix with stoners, compared zombies to terrorists and explained how getting high was fighing them, that sort of thing. There was dancing when a chatter turned up some music. Also in the tent Lenny and Boosh find out that Rose has slept with Peter despite being married to Renaldo, and also that they had kissed while Renaldo had been lost somewhere outside, and aren't sure what to do with the information.
A little while later the garage returned. They seemed to pop in and out of the chat a couple of times, but we got a live feed again, and they eventually made it back into chat too. Rose, Renaldo and Peter are all fine, asking about the guys ni the tent. Then they asked us to tell Lenny and Boosh to pack up and hightail it over to the garage where they'd be safer and the 5 of them would be together. So the two in the tend did that and headed out.
Over in the garage, they were trying to figure out plans but mostly butting heads as nobody can decide what to do.
They need food, water, fortifications, and a long-term plan. None of this is particularly forthcoming because none of them can focus enough. Whenever they start talking again, mostly Rose looks frustrated while Renaldo and Peter argue over what to do. Eventually Rose turns to chatters and asks them to help her make some plans, which we try to do.
Renaldo, meanwhile, is not looking good. He reveals he's an Iraq war vet, and he's struggled with PTSD ever since he got back. What he's had to do - killing the Infected, being under siege, everything, it's bringing it back again. Rose asks chatters to help, ut Renaldo doesn't really seem to hear - he's retreating into himself, shaking, and he won't sit still despite looking like he's about to collapse.
After Lenny and Boosh arrive, Rose and Renaldo head off to get water from the creek before it gets dark - but only after Rose swears to do exactly as Renaldo orders her to, if ther is any trouble.
Lenny and Boosh confront Peter about Rose, and Peter explains a little - Rose and Renaldo have an open marriage, Renaldo knows, etc. Nothing really gets resolved.
In the garage they find some rope and Peter goes outside to set a basic trap - to help keep the zombies at a bit of a distance.
Rose soon returns, but either Renaldo or any water.
Renaldo has snapped completely, she tells us: he thinks he's back in Iraq, and everyone but him is an enemy combatant. But still his last order to Rose was for her to run to safety, which she has done.
At this point we also discover that Peter has also vanished again.
Rose wants to go hunting for Renaldo but is repeatedly begged not to by everyone else - in the garage and on chat.
Lenny and Boosh ask her about Peter, and she talks to them honestly. They tell her PEter is not well liked and, trying to explain why, Boosh brings up an analogy of throwing someone under the bus. He thinks Peter would let someone die, or even throw them under the bus, in order to save himself - something backed up by actions of his so far.
Rose is unsure what to make of this and Boosh asks the chatters, who agree: Peter may try to help others, but he will always save himself first, at the expense of anyone else - even Rose.
A set of rules is also drawn up which they are supposed to follow to stay safe: No going outside alone, not going outside at night, always keep weapons handy, etc.
She listens to Lenny and Boosh as they explain their plans to escape the farm during daylight and seems agreeable.
Rose seems to accept that she can't go after Renaldo but spends a lot of time persuading everyone into the idea of letting her step outside, with Boosh and with weapons, for long enough just to look and shout for Renaldo and Peter, then dive back in.
As she refuses to give the idea up, eventually Lenny, Boosh and chatters accept that she will do it, and offer help for them all staying safe.
What actually happens is that Lenny opens the door, Rose and Boosh step outside, and Rose sprints off into the night.
Lenny and Boosh spot that she has added her own addedum to the rules, ordering them to keep each other safe and apologising for what she's just done.
Lenny and Boosh, after they calm down, sit and try to make plans. They want to get off the farm, but without running into more trouble. Waiting until daylight, hoping some of the others come back to them, etc.
Peter returns and casually explains that he had walked down to a hole in the fence to check how easily repairable it was, for them to fortify the farm some more.
There is noise outside, both human and Infected.
The live cam is turned to the window where, Lenny lifting to covering, we can see Infected outside, but hear Rose and Renaldo at the door.
Peter opens the door a crack, Rose darts in, and the door is closed before Infected can enter.
Peter leans against the door and refuses to open it, for fear of letting something else in with Renaldo. He is too strong for Rose to drag out of the way.
At the window, Infected seem to be gathering outside, we can all hear them groaning.
Suddenly Renaldo begins to shout, as if being attacked. The tenor of his voice changes and he trails off into silence.
Rose tries again to get past Peter, who still refuses to move. She drops to the floor in tears.
Again, the feed cuts off. Nothing since.
Where Vic is? We don't know.
Cesar? We didn't get confirmation, but we think he's one of the Infected that Vic escaped from.
Jefe? Still nothing, no contact.
CQ? Other than being female and working there we haven't got any info about her either except that she's not been seen either.
Maple? We've seen nothing since Peter shot the video of her getting bitten.
There was a theory discussed that the weed plants may have contained the virus: that some were able to develop an immunit to that lesser strain, but others were susceptible and may have succumbed: these would be the first zombies. If any of this has been shipped elsewhere already, it could explain the wide range of outbreaks across the world.
If the strain of the virus, once taken hold of those who were susceptible, then mutated into something stronger, it could explain what's happening, and also why the weed smoke may repel them: the mutated strain could simply be incompatible with the weaker strain.
Research: still happening.
Governments: still publicly denying but privately working together to try and work this out.
Where am I with all this? Well, I think we need to test the thery of weed smoke repelling the zombies. When Rose darted out, she did so after having been purposely covered in smoke by Lenny and Boosh. Did that help keep her safe? They certainly seem to back off from it.
It's clear by now I don't like Peter so much. I think he will get more people killed than saved.
I love Lenny and Boosh, but I fear they aren't survivor material. So far luck and weed has been their guide though, so I hope it continues.
I really wish Vic would turn up again. She's tough, and I think they'll need her, especially if Renaldo is gone now.
Rose...I like Rose, but what she did - running off - even I was having trouble defending that one to the chatters and I've done my best so far to stay on her side, about Peter and everything.
Every time I try to throw my detachment back in place, I just drop it. I officially give up. I just want to find a way to keep everyone safe, and some way to fix this.
The Freeom Farm? I have no idea. I'm writing this while waiting for the feed to come back, having driven down to London and taken a stop for lunch with friends before I continue down to where my parents are.
Monday 29 April 2013
My parents
Like I said before, I've driven down from Nottingham to London, stopped for some food with friends before I head out to get my parents.
They were on holiday, they missed whatever kicked all this off. They got back and I called and begged them not to go home, but they point blank refused. Even after they saw what was happening in places near them, they still said no - they wanted to be at home.
Last night, sometime before the feeds came back up, I heard from them telling me the infection has reached their little town. I asked them to get out - they said no, they wanted to hole up in their place and see what happened. They scoffed at me saying I'd come down, told me to stay put. I told them to text or call me, every hour, as long as they could.
So I waited. The Farm freds came back and I stayed with them, waiting. I got that text every hour. I got one phone call telling me the power was failing. I got nothing else.
I waited until daytime, figured they might have gone to sleep, they'd text me as soon as they woke up, and I'd tell them I was coming down - whether they liked it or not. But nothing.
Then those feeds went down again, Renaldo, everything...
Yeah, so I jumped in my car. Then I jumped back out again to pack some supplies and some weapons. Then I jumped back in. The traffic was awful. Going through some of the places I have to go through, I saw my first Infected up close and personal. I saw some things I really, really wish I hadn't seen and will not be describing here.
But I got down here. I was so hungry I was barely able to drive but fotunately my friends were here, holed up waiting for news. This far into London the infection hasn't reached yet, at least not this section of it.
They have food, which I'm wolfing down as I type, and they've told me to bring my parents here. I don't know about that. They have two kids. I love those kids, and I don't want them stuck with more people if they need to move fast.
But I still haven't heard from my parents. So I'll take the offer and see what they say. When I get there.
Off in a few minutes, soon as my phone and laptop are charged. I hope mum and dad are ok.
If there's anyone out there near Furnace Wood, if you can tell me anything - please get in touch. My parents are Elena and Mick State. I have my phone and all, so comment here, email immerchar@gmail.com, tweet @TrudyState. Tell me anything, offer to help, whatever. I need to get to my parents and know they're ok.
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