Diary entry number Thirty Two (LOWWC)

Entry number thirty two: The hierarchy

Summer of year 2025


There are only a few of us now, a hundred of us, all that is left of the human race. We hid underground until the worst was over, that is how we survived. Deep within the ancient caverns of the earth, in the caves used time and time again by our ancestors, we took shelter. I find it funny that we have turned full circle in our evolution, from Stone Age, to modern man, to Stone Age again.

The irony of it is that the hierarchy has changed somewhat from our previous civilization. The survivalists are now the leaders, as they are the ones who can keep us alive. They have final say on everything that happens in the group. They are the Presidents and congressmen of the past, the new leaders of mankind.

There is a group of scientists; they keep busy trying to salvage some of the technology we find within the ruined cities. They work in a group of caves deep within the earth, far away from our living quarters. They are instructed to take notes on everything that they discover, which is then stored in the cave of records. They are a smart bunch, but are not too wise in the ways of survival. If they were, I doubt they would still be part of our group.

The salvagers have the most dangerous job, though. They must go out into the mist everyday to pick the ruins. We had waited months until we started to do this, the leaders telling us it wasn’t safe, the air was still bad. But in the end, it came down to surviving. Our food supply was running low and we couldn’t wait any longer.

So, they chose a few men to go searching for food in the ruins, telling them to make sure only to bring back the canned goods, nothing more. They did a good job and it was decided that they would go out every day to pick the ruins. It wasn’t until a few weeks had passed that we started to notice they had acquired the sickness. A week or so more and they all had died. We carved their names into the wall of the cave in memory and burned their bodies’ just outside.

Now, the mist has subsided a little bit. The salvagers have found better gear to wear while they are out, and there are a lot less deaths. But they still do die, there life being given for the rest. They have become the heroes of our world, stories and legends already being written about their great deeds. And we still write their names on the cave wall, the least we can do to honor them.

The rest of the group pretty much helps where needed. They are assigned daily tasks by the leaders. Sometimes it is working with the scientists, sometimes it is gathering wood, sometimes just taking care of the children, or taking care of the sick, but everyone is kept busy and supports the group. There was only one person who never helped, he was escorted out of the cave and never came back. Pretty sure he is dead.


It was decided within the first months that a record keeper should be appointed. Not wanting to lose all the knowledge of the past civilization, and wanting to keep record of this one seemed pretty important to the leaders. They decided to give the job to Lauren; she might have been honored except she already knew why. Lauren was the only teenage girl in the group. She was important to the survival of the human race. She still could have children and wasn’t sick, therefore, they didn’t want to send her to salvage, or outside at all for that matter.

Now, the record keeper is the most valued position in the group. They are the holders of knowledge and often the leaders rely on them when making decisions. They are given private living quarter’s right next to the cave of records. They are the first to eat, drink, bathe, the first at everything. Because of an incident when Lauren was younger, the record keeper is escorted at all times by an armed guard. They have the best of everything.

When they reach the age of sixteen, a husband is chosen for them. They have no choice in the matter, the only deciding factor is whether he is healthy or not. At that point, a new records keeper is named, and the older one becomes a teacher, holding classes in the learning center every day, teaching the children how to read and write.

Although we cannot hunt yet, as the animals still show signs of the sickness, we have a group of people that practice this skill. The leaders have said it will be important in the future, not only for food, but for defense as well. They still believe there are others like us out there, some friendly, some not. The children are required to spend an hour a day learning how to hunt. They are not allowed outside though, so the training is not the best. Still, the hunters have become quite good at improvising. And I think when the time comes, the children will do o.k.

I am one of the teachers right now. I would have it no other way, as the children are the only hope for our survival. We now are a group of seventy five. The sickness is slowly killing us off and I fear the human race will be lost forever soon. Even though the mist gets lighter, the people do eventually fall sick, and since we don’t have a doctor within our group, all who fall sick, die.

When I am not teaching, I am pouring over the old medical books that the scavengers have brought back. I have learned that there is something called potassium iodide that can protect against some types of radiation. I have the scavengers looking for that in the old medical buildings and the scientists researching it to see if it is something we can get or make. There is still hope; I just don’t know how long it will take. I am fearful that the cure will not come in time.

Rose

reply to post by blend57


Dark. I liked it.

reply to post by blend57


Very well written. You story kept me glued to my monitor. I really enjoyed the flow in the progression of it.

It left me wanting...more. I hope you follow up with another chapter.

Des

reply to post by blend57


That was very intriguing. I enjoyed the read.

Well written my friend.

Peace and love
-nat the batty cat-

P.s. Your avatar made me laugh aloud and my boy liked it as well...we both had a little giggle fest.

reply to post by beezzer


I'm glad you liked it. I thought yours was really good as well.

Thanks,
Blend57

reply to post by Destinyone


I will try to do more, but I have a history of leaving stories unfinished. I guess I don't like endings very much....

Thanks for the words of encouragement, though. You just might push me to do a diary entry number 33.

Thanks,
Blend57

reply to post by natalia


Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad my avatar made you and your little one laugh!
If i was in control, I would have given the the dang bunny the carrot by now He's suffered enough, already.

Thanks again,
Blend57

reply to post by blend57


I enjoyed that , very Sarah Connor ..

For Destinyone:


Diary entry number thirty three: General

Fall 2025

The scavengers have been going farther and farther away from the caves lately. Sometimes they are gone four or five days at a time. It is harder to find food and supplies, so they have to spend more time in the mist. It is getting lighter though, so, a lot less of them are falling ill.

And they have been finding medicine for me. I have set up one of the smaller caves with everything they have brought back. I have been researching each one in the medical books to find out what they are used for. Most of the stuff I have is for mental issues though, which none of my patients have. Anti-depressants, irregular sleeping habits, can’t focus, etc.. These were the problems of that world, not the problems in mine.

They did find some iodine pills, which I have been rationing out to the scavengers when they go picking. I also gave a few to the scientist to try and replicate. The biggest problem for them is not that they don’t know how, but that they don’t have all the tools they need to do the job. And it’s been hard for the scavengers to pick it up, because they aren’t one hundred percent sure what the scientists mean when they ask for stuff.

Finally, one of the scavengers just brought back everything they found that wasn’t nailed down, which made the scientists very happy. The leaders decided they should do this with every science facility they enter, and now the scientists have a pretty good lab going.

One of the hunters spotted a deer yesterday, which is not a super big deal except for the fact that it didn’t seem to be sick. He was going to kill it as it has been a very long time since we had fresh meat, but couldn’t. He explained that it was important that we allow the animals to build their population back up just as we are ours. Which everyone agreed was the right thing to do.

The keeper of records has just been renamed. Lauren was the first, but she is now of age and a husband has to be chosen for her. I feel it is terrible that she is not allowed to fall in love with the man of her choosing. She obviously has her heart set on Jake, but I fear it will be broken soon, as Jake is a scavenger, he will not be the one chosen for her to wed.

And we now have a dog within our group. One of the scavengers found him on one of their longer trips out. Usually they steer clear of dogs, as they run in packs and will kill anything to get food. But this one was alone and just walked right up to him and licked his hand. The scavenger gave him some food and the dog followed him all the way back to the caves. The children love him and it was the first time since the Christmases of old that I have ever seen so much happiness. They named him Pesky as he is always looking for someone to play with. He interrupts school, work, sleep, never wants to be alone. He seems pretty happy too. I guess we humans aren’t the only ones who remember the past when man and dog were best of friends.


Last thought for the night goes to my husband, may he rest in peace. Today was/is our anniversary and I want it to be known that I remembered. I start and finish every day thinking of him.

Happy anniversary honey, I miss you so much.

Rose

reply to post by blend57


Goodness your such a wonderful writer. That last entry made me tear up!

I really like it...and I'm with Des...I want more...

Peace and love and thanks for sharing more
-nat the blue eyed cat-

reply to post by natalia


Well, I really want to post my other short story, it is sooo more in depth than this one, But it 32 pages long! And it isn't finished yet! But i hate writing and not having anyone see it... Maybe I'll ask.. never hurts, right?

I'm glad you liked it. And appreciate you letting me know!

Thanks again,
Blend57

reply to post by blend57


Your new Diary entry...was so moving. Blend, you have such talent in drawing people into your world. I so appreciate you writing another chapter. Your writing style fleshes out your imagery so beautifully.

Count me in, as one of your dedicated fans......I'll be looking for your *Book*....

Des

One of the reasons why I enjoy these writing contests is to see the talent that people have.

Yours is no exception.

*applause*

Please continue.

For Beezer

Diary entry number 50: The Blizzard
Winter 2025

The weather has been madness lately. I have never seen quite as much snow as that which has fallen this year. I guess the weathermen of old would have called it the storm of the century. I call it a living nightmare.

I can’t even describe how bad it is outside right now. Far worse than a blizzard, as blizzards tend to last for a short period of days then stop. It has been snowing for two weeks straight now. We have had to dig out the cave entrance several times as the snow just keeps stacking higher and higher.

The scavengers have only been able to do short trips out to try and find food. There is no more picking for other things, as the weather has just made it too dangerous. They have been raiding left over homes and cars, and stuff that is within an hour’s walk of the cave. Luckily the leaders were smart enough to save those areas for last. Having the scavengers start farther away, saving the closest spots for an emergency. But even then, it takes the scavengers a whole day to get back, and they are almost frozen solid when they do.

The hardest part has been finding their way back. The leaders had the scientists make some snow shoes, and the scavengers are strung together with some cord before they leave, making sure they don’t lose one another. But it really isn’t enough. We just need the storm to subside and things would be o.k.

Most everyone else has been locked up in the cave for what seems like a life time. Although we have learned to live with one another, it just seems as though everyone’s irritability level is at an all time high right now. There have been more verbal confrontations this last week than I have seen in all the months being here. One fist fight between Lauren’s husband and Jake. (No one knows why really, but an observant person can make a good guess) And the children are just trying to make it through the day without a grownup yelling at them.

Even Pesky has learned not to be so pesky, spending his time mostly by the fire near the entrance. Not really wanting to get involved in any of the conflicts happening around him.

As for the scientists, they are staying busy in their lab, making sure to stay far away from anyone who might want to blow off some steam. Although, they have been very helpful in regards to heating and lighting the cave. We now have personal heaters for every chamber and they were able to hook up some lights in the tunnels leading to each cave. They were so excited when they had fixed the generator that one of the scavengers had found. I guess the problem was getting it to keep a charge so we would have a constant power source. And the one who figured it out got his name carved on the wall, which is the greatest honor we can give to anyone at the moment.

Me, I am spending my time with my nose buried deep in the medical books. I have learned a few things about treating wounds, some of them through the books, some of them through real life incidences, mostly from treating the wounds of the children. I did my first set of stitches on little Mike just last Tuesday. He had managed to fall down on some sharp rocks within the cave, and had gotten a deep cut on his arm. They brought him to me and I was able to stitch him up pretty good. That is the biggest medical issue I have had currently, and I am grateful for that.

Let me give credit where credit is due; the leaders have been pretty smart and planned pretty well for all this. We would have never made it this far if they hadn’t been here. Before, they were never taken seriously. Before, they were ridiculed for being prepared. I can tell you what, no one’s laughing at them now. Their skills may have prevented the extinction of the human race. I think tomorrow I will suggest they get their names put on the wall. They deserve to be honored.


Just need the snow to stop and everything would go back to normal. I fear it will be a long, hard winter though, as there is no sign of it letting up yet. The leaders say we could be going into a mini ice age, I just pray they are wrong. I don't think any of us could survive a winter that never ends.

Rose

reply to post by blend57


Thank you. Another outstanding entry.

I think we need more people to read some of these works. The replies and attention in respects to content is unfortunately disproportionate to the popularity of ridiculousness at times. Thanks for your writings. Nicely visual; starred and flagged for you.

Diary entry number seventy eight: The last entry
Spring 2058

I am unsure how to begin, as I read over the pages Rose left behind. She kept such detailed records on the daily life of our group that I feel as though I should continue for her. It has been a long time since someone wrote in this, as the great winter has come and gone and years have passed before I found it in her private things.

I guess I should let you know that Rose died of the sickness just after the Great Winter. I was quite young when it happened, but I still remember her being our teacher and doctor back then. She was the one who stitched up my arm when I got cut. I remember it hurt really bad, but looking at it now, there is barely any scar and she did a good job.

We have had many things happen since her last entry. I will give as much info as I can, although I am not as gifted in the skill of writing as she was.

The mist has subsided; it is now safe to go outside. The group has tripled in size, and more and more people are moving out of the caves. Small clans are dispersing in every direction of the world, some looking for warmer climates, some looking for others that may have survived. There are only about twenty of us left that are still living here. I stay because it is where I grew up, it is my home. Others stay for their own personal reasons, although I suspect they mirror my own to some degree.

The leaders of old have all died, most from the sickness, some of old age. There was a long time where we didn’t have anyone at all to lead us. But when people started to leave, there was always someone in the group to guide them and that was how the new clan leaders were picked.

The scavengers of the old days have become the messengers now; they travel back and forth between the clans, delivering messages from one clan leader to another. They really have no home now and they will tell you that is how they want it to be. They would say the whole world is their home and that they enjoy the stars over their head and the earth beneath their feet. We have clan meetings once a year, which the messengers help to organize by getting the word to each clan leader. People pilgrim from all over the world to meet at the caves and remember the beginning, and it has become a tradition that no one dares to break.

The keeper of records is no longer one person. Everyone who decided to stay at the cave has become a master of the ancient knowledge. We pour over the books to learn about the past and help direct the future. Many of the clan leaders look to us for guidance when major decisions need to be made. They sometimes have to wait weeks for a reply, as we only answer when the path is clear. But it is worth it to them so they can lead their people in the right direction.

We have developed some technology. It is not as great as the past, but we do have it. The scientists were one of the first groups to leave. They had refurbished an old science lab in the ruins and moved there to continue their work. The clans still keep a close eye on them, though. Some of them are very ambitious and the clans are fearful they will try and make things that the world is not prepared for yet. The one thing we will never allow them to develop is the weapon that nearly killed us all. It is forbidden to research it, and anyone who does is put to death.

The hunters have left as well, their ways haven’t changed that much. They still take from the land only what they need and give back as much as they can. The earth is the most sacred thing to them and they don’t want any of the advancements that we have to offer, truly very spiritual and grounded people.

And yes, we have developed a religion. Not one of the traditional ones I read about in the cave of records, but more about remembering the past mistakes, and living with respect to man, beast, and earth, the trilogy that all clans live by.

We have left written words anywhere and everywhere we can. The messengers are really the ones that do it. When they travel from place to place, they stop to rest and scratch something into the stone of the cave or shelter they stay in. They say it is important to leave as many records as we can, that our history can never be lost.

After all, if the civilization of the past would’ve listened to their ancestors, and believed in their stories, instead of labeling them legends and myths, maybe the pages of this diary would have been quite different.

All for now,

Mike


Thanks for all the replies and support. I guess I finally finished one! Yay!
Thanks again,
Blend57