David Spencer's Story

Dave rose from his bed as he felt numb and limp. Sleep was hard to receive considering the Lames would never keep quiet. Nor do the sounds of others talking or shooting or screaming. It was all too mundane for Dave as this has become the norm and he couldn't help but feel bored. Sure runing and fighting for your life should be anything but boring but it's how Dave saw everything. At least before when it was a new day at least you couldn't expect anything but now it's either somebody dies or somebody gets lost. Nothing but damn lames this and holy shit this and what ever else people say during the day. Mostly it's about keeping guard and rationing supplies and how long we can last. There never is a "Hi, Good Mornin'" anymore. Dave got up and brushed his greasy hair as he found it difficult to take full showers anymore with out the plumbing stopping up. Occasionally groups of people check up on the old Water and Sewage Plant to keep things working but it is unreliable as something always happens. The group gets killed or they need more time to fix the pipes, through out their hemming and hawing not much gets done about it. Dave has grown accustomed to using water from a sink to wet the brush and use it as a meager attempt to wet his hair. He then uses little of the bars of soap he has and then splashes some water over his body to rinse and lather.

Dave finished his routine and then placed on some new clothes for the day and looked outside. It was early morning and people were wandering about as they continue to put up meaningless resistance to the impending doom. Dave sighed as he looked over yonder to see the sun and speckles of figures shambling about in the woods. Luckily the wall keeps the Lames out but it has to be constantly monitored in case of leaks in the infrastructure. Dave turned his head away and placed on his wide-brimmed, black hat and moved out the room. Dave lived in a run down apartment building were most of the surviving residents live. Everybody keeps to themselves or at least keeps away from himself, ever since the outbreak Dave has been treated like he had the damn plague, like he was to blame. He understood it was probably just the fear talkin but damn it all they didn't have to treat him like a dog. Still Dave didn't let them bring him down...that was already over and done with. He continues to help out, like it does him any good but still he helps. While he maybe treated as a monster he isn't going to act the part. Whenever folks were in danger he would lend'em a hand, being fair and such.

Right now Dave has come across anybody, their numbers were dwindling...only a matter of time before their all gone. Dave thought about that and although he wouldn't wish it he knew it will happen. All he ever did was prepare for that day when the settlement comes down and everybody either dies or flees. Another troubling fact is he hasn't seen much new faces. No new survivors have entered the town in quite a while meaning that the numbers outside are falling as well. How long will it be until the Human Race is extinct? Dave steps outside and takes a deep breath, Nothin but rotting flesh...again. Dave thought to himself disappointingly as he wandered the streets.

Dave noticed the night was about to come as he saw the sun beginning to set over the horizon. Although he may have been safe behind the walls of the settlement many people lock themselves up at night in fear of the worse. The only ones that roam at night are watchmen that keep the walls protected in case of a night assault. Dave wandered back to the apartments when he heard gun shots off in the distance. Most likely some unlucky people trapped on the other side since they didn't arrive back in time for the gates to be opened. As Dave walked closer to the building he then smelt what could be a fire in the distance and sure enough he could smell smoke and flesh off in the distance. Whoever is trapped is seriously trying to give the zombies hell. Dave supposed thats how he would like to go out as well, if zombies were about to kill him then he would take as many as he could with him. The smell in the air was horrible and Dave almost wished that whoever had done it hadn't done it. Still this discomfort would hopefully not last long as he made his way to the apartments.

Dave could see people talking and trying to peak over the wall to see what is happening. Dave figured it wasn't anything special, after all this kind of violence is normal. Dave couldn't help but over hear some of the citizens words. "What's going on over there?" "Is it a forest fire?" "Is the military blowing up the lames?" Many questions and many voices rang aloud. Soon though the people began to loose interest as they reverted back into their homes and the guards resumed their watch. What ever was going on it wasn't going to benefit them...Dave wondered if anything ever would.

Fatigue sat in as Dave found it harder to go to sleep each night and even stay asleep. Every night and every day he was tired as he knew he was becoming weaker all of the time. Sadly this isn't strange either as many people suffers from insomnia since the outbreak six years ago. People lose control and collapse from sleep deprivation only to wake up like a half-hour or less later. It is uncommon to see people actually sleep well during this time of crisis but seeing how things are not becoming better someone would have to compromise. Dave wished he could just fall into a deep sleep and stay asleep for day but that was a luxury too few could actually have. Dave fell asleep in his bed as the sights and smells of the fire still clouded his memory. Dave began to dream of a fire ravaging the settlement as the Lames broke through and began to kill those that unfortunately survived the blazing inferno. Dave could hear the screams of the civilians being burned alive or eaten alive. Then he noticed a wall collapsed behind him, trapping him, as the lames came closer.

"No!" "Stay back!" "Nooooooo!!!" Dave yelled as he woke up in a cold sweat.

"It was only a dream....," Dave said more weary than relieved.

The nightmares were only becoming worse as sleep was harder to achieve or in his case keep it. Dave walked around his apartment room, pacing trying to rid himself of the nightmare's images. From looking out the window Dave could determine he was only asleep for maybe an hour or so. Dave only got about four to five hours worth of sleep if he was lucky. Most night were riddled with similar feverish dreams of death coming for him...in fact those were the only dreams he had. While he wouldn't admit it, he was absolutely terrified of this place. Terrified of the fact that any day of any given moment this settlement could be overrun with the undead. Dave sat down at a chair and lit an oil lamp, from there he took out a cigarette from the kitchen counter, and lit it with the same match he used to lite the lamp. Dave was shaking but smoking helped him relax...he remembered a time when he didn't smoke. It was before the infection spread back when he was living in Reagald out pleasure and not for survival. He used to smoke when he was younger but quit cold turkey when he neared his thirties. Now since the whole world has gone to hell he resumed his bad habit and began to smoke every time he became anxious or nervous. The one thing though is that he would never smoke in public, he always felt ashamed if others saw him smoke. Most likely it was because his mom was ashamed when she saw him smoke. He would always remember that she would look upon him disappointingly when she saw him smoke...he never did like that look.

Dave extinguished his cigarette after he was done and stared at the light from the lamp. It still reminded him of the fire from his dream...it looks like he might not get any sleep tonight.

Dave since the break of dawn has been out and about, walking around the enclosed ruins of Reagald. Dave deep in thought found himself wandering further out in the settlement. Hm? Now where in the world did I wander off too? Dave thought to himself. He noticed it was pretty far out the one thing he noticed was the Old Junkyard only a few feet from him. The Junkyard? That was on the far side of town...I guess I've done enough walking for the day. Dave was about to turn around when he heard rustling from within. Dave wasn't sure what it was. He really hoped the zombies haven't found a way in. Dave contemplated running and warning others of a potential danger but there was the off chance it's just rats. He already is on a tenuous balance with the remaining citizens and if he screws this up...they may just let him go. Already this seems like a terrible idea, going inside a junkyard with potential danger that could take his life. Still Dave might as well inspect but he must do it quietly.

Dave wanders through the junkyard as he quietly stepped about. Although it would be hard to distinguish the foul, rotten smell of the zombies from the junkyard itself but thankfully he hasn't heard any moans. As he moved about it seemed that he could have been just hearing things. Just as he was ready to leave he heard what seemed to be...static? Dave searched around for the source as he soon came across a dead body. Finding this evidence made him worry, Maybe there are zombies about. Has the day finally come? Dave thought. Nervousness began to creep in as he started to tremble. Then he heard the static again as he quickly turned around knocking cans and other garbage over with a crash. "Crap!" Dave said under his breath, hoping none of the lames heard him. There was one thing that bothered him, if there is a corpse here beside him...how did it come to be here? Dave knew by looking, and smelling, that this corpse was fresh. Somebody must have killed this poor fool but who?

Dave wondered if the the noises and this corpse are connected? Is there somebody else in this junkyard besides him? Dave figured the only thing that would live out here are possibly dogs and vermin but another person? Dave wasn't so sure but maybe it's a wayward survivor trying to outrun the dead. Whoever it was perhaps it could be helpful if Dave were to find him and asking him some questions about the corpse. Maybe even possibly telling him the location of where the zombies are coming from. The one problem is if he does find him is he friendly?