Entry 8

Hello everyone! Yes, we are still alive! I hope you are as well... I guess you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't. Oh, nevermind.
We happen to still have electricity AND running water. BAM! We are pretty lucky. I guess there are a few spots in the US that are still safe, my dorm being one of them. Google, AT&T and MTV must have some damn near impenetrable bunkers. We have been surfing the net today and chatting with other survivors. There are websites springing up all over the place with blogs and video blogs of other survivors. Of course, Facebook is still as invincible as ever. It is nice to go on there an update your status, even if it is "It's been  a good day. Didn't get eaten."
Speaking of Facebook, rumor is the dead are returning to life, something to do with the virus. That's right...

ZOMBIES!

Jeremy bitches every time I say the "Z" word (as he calls it). I guess it is bad luck. I'm sorry, but I think we can stop worrying about bad luck.

We went exploring on the first floor today. What was one or two...thingies...a couple of days ago, became a swarm of...thingies (got to think of a better word). They keep beating on the front and back doors, the windows, the walls. If you listen hard enough, it sounds a little bit like Bieber's song "Baby"...or the "Friday" song, I can't decide.

Heather totally freaked out. "What if they get in?"

I responded, "They won't. The doors are armed with keypad entry. Besides, even if they weren't, the things would have to figure out the sign on the door says "pull". So far, all they have been doing is beat, pound, and push."

Heather nodded nervously, then ran back upstairs. The rest of us reinforced the windows with the interior doors from the dorms.

After doing all the work, we went back upstairs and just hung out. Not much to do besides watching movies, the few channels that are still up and running, and surf the web. If I don't die from being eaten by my undead college amigos, I will die from boredom.

Entry 4

Well, it looks like the shit has hit the fan today. Most of those infected seemed to have passed away last night and there is still no diagnosis to what the virus is let alone a cure for it. I haven't heard anything about Ben. I would go down to the cafeteria and check myself, but to do so would be risking my own life. To be honest, it is pretty scary. I talked to my parents over the CB earlier this afternoon. The college has closed down until further notice and has encouraged all students who have had no contact with the virus to go home. When I told my dad this, he instructed me to stay put. "The roads are sure to be a mess. The virus is running rampant throughout Georgia and the Southeast. I think you are safer staying put. If things change, we will come and get you. Your mother and I are waiting in the bunker until things change either for the better or worse. Over."
I felt like a child again being told to go back to bed after having a nightmare. But, of course, I was an adult now, right? I could handle this. Just ride it out. "10-4 good buddy. Gotta go. Over."
My mom responded, "Love you, honey. Hang tight. You'll be fine. Over."
I tried not to cry, "Love you too. Over and out."

Something about being away from those who love me most really got to me. It would be nice to be home right now and make fun of Dad and his fallout shelter while secretly thanking God he built it. Okay, here come the waterworks.

"Hey, chica!" said Amber from the doorway of my dorm room. "You leaving too?"

I put on my brave face. "Uh, no. What about you?"

"You kidding? My parents are probably living it up somewhere in France right now. Once me, the baby, left for college, they decided to really take that empty nester thing to heart. They took their savings and went to Europe for three months. They aren't due back for at least another three weeks. But, I can't complain. They still wire money into my account for essentials..." She held up the six pack she had in her hand. "Want one?"

"Hell yeah!" We sat down on my bed and popped open a few beers. "Where's Lacy?"

"She went back home."

"So, you wanna be my new roomie for the time being? I don't think my roommate... will be back any time soon."

Amber's face lit up. "Sure, let me get some of my things." She ran across the hall to her room and started packing a suit case. I had a feeling I wasn't the only one worried about being away from my parents. Though, I must admit, she hid it better than I did.

We have been watching TV since then. We started watching the news to see what was going on. It was like the Black Death all over again. People were dying everywhere down south and no one knew what the hell was going on. It was spreading fast too. The handy dandy map they showed the estimated progression of the virus throughout the US. By the end of two weeks, tops, the entire country would be under siege by this mystery plague. That is, unless the scientists make a break through first.

Since all the news did was depress us, we opted to watch something else. All the network channels were covering the virus. Thank God for MTV. But eventually, you can only watch so much MTV before the urge to vomit from stupid reality show overload takes hold. We turned to the only option we knew would lift our spirits, Disney movies. We have already watched Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. Next is The Lion King. Can't miss that. Hakuna matata, everyone. Talk to you later!

Entry 2

Happy Friday the 13th! Perfect day to watch a scary movie. I am hankering a good campy zombie flick.
All classes have been canceled for today! Yes! I only wish they told me before I woke up at the ass crack of dawn. As it turns out, half the campus is sick with this flu. It looks like this flu has spread not only throughout our little campus, but throughout north Georgia. My searches on Google didn’t bring up much. Basically, the scientists haven’t figured out what it is, but it appears to be something like the swine flu and the bird flu. It could be the hippopotamus flu for all I care. I’m just happy not to have to go to class.

I decided now would be the perfect time to catch up on the campus gossip, but I couldn’t get a hold of anyone. Just got voicemail after voicemail. If I find out my friends have been avoiding my calls, I am going to be pissed. So, as a last resort, I called my folks. I knew they wouldn’t screen my call. Depressing? Tell me about it.

I was just chatting with my dad when an urgent email from the college hit my inbox. It was from the college and addressed to all of the students. Everyone who is sick or has been in physical contact with one of the sick must report to the dining hall immediately. The CDC had sent specialists to treat those who are infected and those who may become infected. My father noticed the silence on the line and asked what was wrong. I read him the email.

“It looks like you have been demoted from student to human guinea pig. Congratulations.”

“Nice, Dad. Thanks. Do you think I should go? I mean, I kiss Ben…”

“Whoa…”

“Relax, I only kissed him on the forehead. So I guess I should go to the dining hall like they said.”

“No!” My father shouted.

“I wonder if the CDC can make me a new ear drum. What’s the deal?”

“I know you don’t believe in my ‘conspiracy theories’ as you call them, but do not follow their direction. You are to stay in your dorm. If anyone asks you, you didn’t see Ben or anyone else for that matter. You have been locked up in your dorm for the past week studying.”

“Aw, come on, Dad! No one is going to believe that!”

“I don’t care. You listen to me. Do not go anywhere near that place. Is your post office on campus still open?”

“Is it a national holiday? Come rain or sleet or epic plague of the flu, that post office is always open.”

“Good, your mother and I sent you a few supplies to get you through. We sent it next day air so it should be there. After you pick up the packages, I want you to stay in your dorm room. Call me tomorrow morning on the CB to give me an update.” (He gave me a handheld CB the day I left for college for emergencies. Trust me, it was a step up from the huge monster of a CB I had as a kid.)

“Sure, whatever.” I rolled my eyes. He hated that. Lucky for me, he couldn’t see me through the phone.

“I’m serious about this, Stephanie. Just do this for me, please? Give an old man some peace knowing his daughter is safe.” Something in his voice made me a little frightened. I don’t know what it was, but something inside my head said I should listen to him. Great, now I am schizophrenic.

“Okay, Dad. I promise. I am going to the post office now. I’ll radio you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Steph. I love you.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

I went to the post office and picked up the packages Dad sent me. He failed to mention there were about 25 huge boxes in total. I had to take several trips in my car to get everything to my dorm, but I eventually had everything unloaded. I tell you, that keypad entry was a huge pain when you are carrying a box weighing a thousand pounds. Okay, I am exaggerating a little, but not much!

So this is what the boxes contained:

A ton of water purification tablets

10 boxes of water bottles full of water

Canned veggies, fruits, and beans (the magical fruit…*wink*)

Spam (Uh, EW!)

The biggest box of tampons I have ever seen

The biggest box of pads I have ever seen

A hot plate rigged to take batteries

One huge box filled with batteries

A machete (Really? I don’t plan to go vacationing in the jungle anytime soon)

A culinary-grade knife sharpener (Matches the machete)

A couple of cups, plates, bowls, and utensils

A pot

A “Homer” bucket (Thank you, Home Depot)

Bleach

A box full of medical supplies

Washing stuffs

Personal toiletries

Toilet paper… A lot of toilet paper

And finally, a disassembled hunting rifle with enough ammo to supply the Army

I immediately texted my dad. “A little overboard, you think?”

He texted back, “It is enough to last you a few months. Old Homer is in case the plumbing gives out.”

I replied, “How did you get the ammo and rifle parts past the Post Master General?”

He responded, “I have my ways.”

My crazy dad. Gotta love him. He has been preparing for the nuclear fall out since before I was born. During the day, he is a mild-mannered trucker. At night, he transforms into the ultimate survivor, prepared for any disaster, natural or man-made. I’m not exaggerating either. He built an underground fall out shelter underground filled with enough supplies to last my family years without having to come to the surface. He has been retired for a couple of years now. Since his retirement, he spent every waking hour working on scenarios and survival plans. I just hope his dementia doesn’t run in the family.

 (What my dorm room looked like after I opened the "gifts" from my oh so thoughtful dad.)

Ben is calling me on my cell now. I better take it. See you later, everyone.

Entry 1

Hi everyone! It is your favorite college co-ed, Stephanie! Hope your week is going better than mine! It seems like the world is out to get me today.

First, I was late to my ten o’clock class. Don’t you just hate it when you walk into a class late and everyone stares at you? I swear, I had to glance down to make sure I remembered to put on my skirt. It was so embarrassing. Of course, the professor was giving me evil glances throughout the whole lecture, as if I killed someone or something. Geez! He needs to chill out, or chillax, as my boyfriend, Ben, would say.

You didn’t hear? We got back together! It was the only good thing to happen to me all day. Yay for me! I knew he would come crawling back to me. I think he was impressed with my nurturing skills. To be honest, I really didn’t want much to do with him when I heard the rumor about him and Christy Shaglier hooking up at one of those frat parties. Sure, I cried a little bit… Okay, I wailed like an effing baby! Who wouldn’t? But, a couple of days ago, I heard from a friend of a friend that he had come down with some kind of bug, something really bad. He went to the infirmary and then to the ER. They gave him some pain reliever and fever reducer and sent him home. So I decided to be the bigger person and bring him some soup. It may have come out of a can, but it’s the thought that counts. He was so surprised to see me. I choked on my gum when I saw him. He looked absolutely awful. I think I brightened up his day when I stopped by.

We sat and chatted for a little while. He was too sick to eat the soup. As he had a hundred times before, he apologized to me for going to that party but insisted he had nothing to do with Christy. In fact, he thought she made up that rumor just to break us up. I must agree, it sounded like something she would do. Anyway, he wrapped his clammy hand around mine and said “I love you, Stephanie.” That’s right, he used the “L” word. I had to contain my squeal of delight. Of course, I forgave him. I know I didn’t have to believe him, but I decided to let it go. After all, if he had been with her, I think being this sick is enough of a punishment. I gave him a peck on the forehead and left to allow him to get his rest. I knew he was tired and I had to get to class. I sure as hell didn’t want to be late for ANOTHER class!

The rest of the day was not as great. I met up with some friends at a local restaurant here. The food was absolutely awful. Besides, it was hard to eat when our waitress kept blowing her nose and coughing. Uh, yuck! On my way back, I got a speeding ticket. Usually, I can sweet talk my way out of it, but this cop was being so mean. I wasn’t going that fast! It isn’t like I hit anyone! The cop gave a ticket for going 60 in a 35. Oops. Daddy isn’t going to be happy. Oh well, he will get over it.

It’s getting late now. I still have to study for an exam I have to take tomorrow. Wish me luck! Smooches!