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
edit on 17-2-2013 by blend57 because: spelling
edit on 17-2-2013 by blend57 because: (no reason given)
edit on
17-2-2013 by blend57 because: spelling