The Fall of Civilization: Day 19 - 30 (Journal)

Here's Something I Wrote Yesterday As Part of A Prompt In The World Building Community.

I really enjoyed writing in this style and decided to continue with the approach because I couldn't stop thinking about it. These journal-style entries are really cool and are a good chance to practice something a bit different than my usual stuff.

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Day 19: The Rest

       I'm feeling better today. After writing my last entry I drifted to sleep, only to wake up drenched in sweat and shaking.
       I can't remember much of the last few days. If I'm honest, I don't know how long it has been. We have settled into this camp, the others decided it was best to let me rest and get some rest themselves. 19 days of this trek has taken its toll. We're creatures of habit and have grown accustomed to moving. That doesn't mean we don't want to settle ourselves into a place we can turn into more than some old tents and a few holes in the ground full of shit.
       The stupid wound isn't healed; it's itchy. I'm constantly reminded of its existence but I'm being told to do all in my power to resist the urge to scratch it.
       I can't believe how stupid I was to ignore it. Out here, a scratch can be a problem if left untreated. I'm so used to the old ways, where we lived in comfortable and relatively sterile environments. A place where a problem required little more than a trip to a doctor, or the shop for some over-the-counter remedy. Not anymore.

Day 22: The Tension

       Tensions are high again, for the same reasons as before, and more.
       Being back on my feet has resulted in the group going back to their old - resentful - ways. The others are just as distant as they had been. Berrett is talking less, he's brooding, plotting, and often heads away from the camp to do 'firewood runs' with different people. Hexton has noticed these trips and seems to be gathering his allies. Whispers, glances, and glares. A burst of laughter, that is dampened by eyes. I wish things could go back to how it was when I was sick, it seemed as though all would be okay back then.
       Hexton stood up during lunch today and called for everyone's attention. "I know there has been trouble recently, but let's put it behind us and focus on the task at hand. We're not far from a place we can settle. We'll be able to farm. There's an abundance of trees we can use to build a permanent home and it's a place far from the corpse of the old world." This place sounds too good to be true, yet we all still walk.
       Berrett didn't pay much mind, and Rhyne seemed to be making jokes at Hexton's expense, albeit, under his breath. This divide isn't going away, and right now I don't know where me and Cayla belong.

Day 23: The Decision

       Hexton has been spending more and more time with the others, and even Kert and among others have been heading to their camp for extended periods of time. They're plotting, or he's recruiting them to his side.
       I'd like to see the two groups join, but Berrett is getting angry. He seems to be hiding his nervousness behind rage. When the two of us were alone he stared into my eyes and asked, "Are you with me, or them?" It came out of nowhere. I suppose I've been more distant than I had been, but surely it wasn't noticeable. "With you," I replied. The silence was horrific and I reconsidered my answer shortly after. "Maybe we should try and come together, at least until we see this place. With everyone working together, we'd find it easier to establish ourselves."
       He flew into a rage. "So that's your answer?!" Berrett hunched over huffed a deep breath of air, and swept his hair back as he stood straight. "Are you a man? Or do you need to hide behind large numbers?" All I could do was stay silent and wait for him to walk away. He's starting to scare the crap out of me.

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Day 26: The Land

       Well, we're here. The promised land. There's an old disused farmhouse at the top of a hill. It's being used as a general base of operations at the moment.
       The first order of business was a clear out, clean, and some general maintenance to the old building. There's a strong musky smell, but it's nothing a bit of airing out won't fix. There were some nasty bugs around the place, but luckily most of them are gone now. A window on the top floor was broken, so as a quick fix, we've boarded it up. The wind kind of whistles through it now, but it's fine.
       Next, we'll be tackling the attic, but I think I'll make myself busy someplace else when that's being worked on. The two groups have joined together a bit now, although, our original group still has a bit of a divide going on. Berrett has been quiet, but I don't know how long that will last.
       I spoke with Cayla while out of earshot from everyone else. She is starting the think the same as me, stay with Hexton and the others.

Day 27: The Plan

       Okay, it was the first night with a roof over my head in longer than I can remember. It was nice, obviously, electricity would make a major improvement, but a house, in general, is good enough for now.
       Hexton called a meeting today, and together we discussed our vision for the future. Farms. That's the major hurdle to overcome. We have seeds, and enough land to plant them, but our current food stocks may not last until our first harvest. There's an old beaten-up pickup truck in the garage. It's not in working order, but Sam, a member of the other group offered to take a look. He's not a mechanic, "I'm more of a tinkerer," was his exact words. Mechanic or not, he's probably the best bet to get the heap running again. Other than farms, the second order of business is felling some trees to build some small homes. I've always been good at carpentry, or at least I was back in school, so I offered to put my hand to that task. Finally, defenses. Some people brought up the idea of building a fence or wall to guard our perimeter, but that idea was put on the back burner. Hexton said, "We have enough to worry about and keep us busy for now," I agree, although, it would be good for easing our minds at night.

Day 30: The Accident

       Berrett, Kert, and Rhyne went out chopping down some trees today, and Rhyne ran back to the house panting and shouting for help. "Kert's hurt!" That's all he kept shouting. Soon he amassed a small following and led us into the woods.
       He was dying, but couldn't get any words out through labored breaths. A tree landed on him. Nobody knew what to do, we all just watched. Apart from Hexton. He knelt beside the man and held his hand. What else could he do?
       Berrett didn't seem too shocked, but Rhyne trembled the whole night. The only thing that seemed to settle him was a hard drink. He stuck to himself and hasn't spoken about it. Berrett though seemed oddly normal. It's hard to put my finger on it. It was like he was just being nice, much nicer than I've ever seen him.
       I hope he doesn't read this. I just have a feeling he may have had something to do with it. Without proof I can hardly mention it to anyone, I'm even afraid to tell Cayla in case someone hears. How though? Rhyne held him down while Berrett chopped the tree and lined it up to drop directly on Kert. It's stupid, even writing it here makes it seem even more bizarre. It's just a gut feeling. Maybe the bad feeling is just what I'm picking up from the whole camp, we're all in mourning after all.