3.1 - Tyler's Transcripts

Tyler's Transcripts

My name is Tyler Gentry. I have no idea who my father is. I thought I knew - but it turns out the man that took care of me and my 3 siblings (or who WE took care of) was really my Uncle. He and my mother are dead and now there is no one left to ask - not that they would have been able to tell me, neither of them even knew their names - they were stricken by ES when I was just a baby. 

The only reason I know this is because I found this journal that was written by my grandmother and then subsequently updated by my mother. 

All I can say is Holy Crap...My grandmother was one of the "chosen" ones and had a very hard post apocalyptic life but she bore four children. And my mother and her brothers and sisters - they sacrificed so much for us. They had no idea that ES would strike so early. No wonder we were alone with two people attempting to care for us that could barely care for themselves. 

Our ancestors left their marks, now the four of us must try to make a difference so their sacrifices are not in vain; if not for us and our children (if we should be so blessed) then for them.

Since I found the journal I figured it was karma and that I should be the one to continue to update the family's journey. Before I read her journal, I had only heard rumors of how things used to be. Now I had proof and wanted to continue our family's legacy. 

 












Mom and Uncle Austin as I now know his relation died not far apart when we were just teens. Their urns are in the kitchen. We are afraid to move them. It is said back luck will befall those who disturb the dead. So now they are part of the furniture. Lord knows we don't need any additional bad luck.  

I found my grandmother's grave stone outdoors under the snow. Maybe one day we will be brave enough to move them together. 

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So here I am writing. I hope I am not too verbose. I really want to be an educator. I was so sad when they kicked us out of school. There is so much more to learn. My life's dream is to reform the school system and allow everyone to get a better education so they can be properly equipped to continue repairing the damage to the Valley and beyond.

I have spent a lot of time working on my logic. I really miss having Uncle Austin to play with. Even though he had ES, he was still a master at chess.

My sister, Pampa, thought maybe that meant something. That the Elderly were still in there somehow and we just needed to figure out how to reverse the effects.

That is Pampa's dream. She just can't believe that we may become senile so early in life and wants to find a cure for ES. Painting helps her focus her mind and she paints and repaints the same canvas over and over. 

What can I say about Marshall. He is my hero. I am not sure if Marshall knows what he wants to do for us yet because as the only male in the house full of females and the oldest he has take on the role of caretaker. 

He has spent countless hours writing silly books that people buy since he was in school and continued to do so as a teen. After our mom and uncle died, and even before then, he has been our sole source of income. If we don't pay the mob, we might get taken and separated. That would be unbearable.

In addition to providing an income, Marshall is and has always been our "chef". He started making muffins on the silly little toy oven when he was only 6. Then when he was finally tall enough to reach the counters he started making PB&J and even spaghetti when he isn't writing another short story. Bless his heart is all I can say. I love him to death.

And then there's Temple, my twin sister. She hates that poor Marshall has to write stories just to keep us fed and then the mob comes and takes everything from us in the name of the 'greater good' - their greater good. She is determined that she will take them down and no one will have to fork over all of their money each month.

She spends all of her time working as hard as she can to get strong enough and smart enough to take out the criminal element. She is so passionate and dramatic about it.

It wasn't long before Pampa and Marshall had to get employment. We sat down together as a family to come up with a plan based on the journal and everyone's deepest desire to help. I decided to read them some of the more poignant entries as inspiration while we ate some of Marshall's yummy food. Everyone already knew what they wanted to do except Marshall.

We decided that Marshall could begin to work as an acrobat and figure out the techniques they used to be able to be strong enough to do what was needed. He said he would apply. He is cute and pleasant so they took him in a heartbeat.

Pampa figured if she went to work for the Police with a goal of getting into the profiling department then that would give her access to interview as many of the town's people as she could. That way maybe she could find a common thread and figure out the cause and formulate a cure for ES. She had worked so hard on that goal, that they accepted her as well.

That left just me and Temple. I already knew what I would do. as soon as I was 'of age' I would apply at the school. But Temple, we all agreed, had the worst job prospect of all of us, infiltrating the mob. She said she wasn't scared, but I knew better. God love her. 

Okay - I am tired now. I have one more day before Temple and I have to try to get our 'dream' jobs. 

Later.

Tyler

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2.2 - The Next Generation Grows up

Dallas' Dairy

Well, I am still pregnant...And Austin is a doll. He is helping with the twins. He takes care of them like they are his own. I couldn't ask for a better little brother. 

When they aren't demanding our attention, they sleep in the floor in front of the fire. 




Seeing them lying there brings back memories from my own childhood.

While Pampa and Marshall slept, I worked out yesterday. I knew that being strong would help me with this next child. 

I went into labor, likely brought on by my jumping jacks. 

Austin freaked out a little, but thank goodness he was there by my side when it happened and not working. Especially since I had TWO more babies - both girls. I guess our family is just prone to multiple births since I was also a twin. 

Temple and Tyler came into the world without much fanfare. 

Caring for my children is difficult at best. I know my mind is fading even much earlier than my mother's did. I can feel it. It's true. ES is striking earlier and earlier. 

As I looked at my sleeping children I knew I had to talk to Austin and ask him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Since Houston and Paris had left and with ES worming its way into my mind,I am afraid of what will happen to my children with no one to guide them at such a young age. 

He agreed. I love my brother so much. Austin will take care of my children at least until they are old enough, like I was to read these journals. My concern is that Austin isn't much younger than me. He will succumb to ES not long after me, but at least they will have a fighting chance. 






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Not long after her last post, Dallas fell to ES. Her babies were still infants. She continued to be a good mother for the most part. Austin followed only a couple of days later. He continued to work and the expertise he had contributed allowed the phone lines to be repaired. 

Temple

Tyler

"Uncle Austin"

I can't remember what I am supposed to do with this.

Not long after Austin became a victim to ES, the babies and toddlers all had birthdays. No one was ever in a very good mood especially Marshall and Pampa who were both grumpy. Marshall was actually a bit insane as well.

Twins, Marshall and Pampa

Temple

Tyler

Soon the house was full of school age children - not very happy school age children. 

Marshall eats while Tyler (black hair) stares him down and Pampa (blonde hair) slinks off to make another painting. 

Red-headed Temple

Marshall (insane) works out in his underwear while Temple cringes

Mom watches while Temple and Tyler play chess, Pampa paints and Marshall attempts to write some books to pay the bills.

Teen Marshall

Happier Pampa as a teen

They are followed closely by their twin sisters.

Tyler

Temple

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2.1 - Making Our Way

Dallas' Diary

Well...It's been awhile since I wrote. After Mom died we began to be called upon to take various jobs so we have all been very busy. And, to be honest, my word processor was broken so I couldn't write anyway. My repairman, aka Houston, was too busy.  

Houston was first to get 'drafted' for work, but being the oldest of us that was to be expected. He was strong and handy having been our repairman since he was old enough to clean out the toilet so it was no surprise when the Military 'volunteered' his services to them. 

He didn't seem to mind too much. He worked out harder than ever and told us we needed to do the same. Houston said it would help with ES. 

He finally got a few minutes to fix my word processor in between his workouts thus I am finally writing this. 

All I had to say was, "Houston, we have a problem!" and he knew something was broken. He ran and grabbed some duct tape and a screw driver and things worked better than ever; the toilet, the sink, my word processor, everything. 

To be honest, I miss him now that he is gone. Oh, he isn't dead, at least I don't think he is. He just moved out as soon as he finished his tour - he said he couldn't stay here any longer. He wanted freedom before ES struck. I laughed and said he had plenty of time. He corrected me.


I had already learned about ES, but he informed me it was worse. People were getting senile sooner than ever. Our mother had lived to be in her 80's (might have lived longer if I hadn't intervened) but now ES was striking as early as 50 in some cases. If I didn't believe him all I had to do was look around. Everyone was old. And most were just like mom. 

Houston left home a hero. The streets are safer since he was able to put his handiness skills to use and repair a lot of the military's equipment so they could patrol the streets. The curfew was lifted. I hate the outdoors so who cares...but I guess some do. At least it IS safer. A little, except for the zombies. Yuck. 

Before he left, he snuck me a present. He got a drafting table for me. He said to keep it a secret. No one was supposed to have one but it might help me design new toys and clothes to help bring back some of the fun. But it had to be a secret. I LOVED it. I worked with a salon for awhile trying to help people feel better about themselves and drew a lot of sketches to show them how to have fun. But more about that later.



So that a brings me to my twin sister, Paris. Our personal chef. She was already making food that didn't attract flies. They must have heard about her at the soup kitchen. She showed them what they could do with a Hot Dog. No - NOT THAT! 

She worked with the other chefs and together they discovered a way to prepare food that could be stored longer without spoiling. No more flies!!!! I LOVE YOU PARIS!  

In exchange, she got to bring home one of the special storage containers. The whole Valley should bow down before her now that we have no more rationing and can eat when we want. I had no idea how good things could taste.  

The only problem with Paris, is she is just a nutcase. I think she spent too much time with her head in the oven. I am afraid ES might be sneaking up on her early. But I will gladly put up with her since she makes great food. 

Next, we have my sweet baby brother, Austin. He is just so NICE to everyone - even the OLD people with ES. It almost wants to make me barf. I suppose that is why he was selected for his job. He likes to talk to people so if he can fix the phone lines we can talk all of the time. Right now we are limited to two days a week that we can use the phone. If he gets the lines repaired, we won't be limited. 

He is also working on a way to lock the gates and doors to keep the zombies and government spies out. They are REALLY watching him.  



So back to me I guess. As I looked around I realized that Houston was right. I wasn't getting any younger and EVERYONE around me was already in the early stages of ES. It was difficult, if not impossible, to find any young people left in the Valley.

Then I remembered something Houston said to me when I was only 10. He told me I was "very important to the survival of this family." Well, he didn't know how true that was becoming. My stupid sister was crazy and Austin was still trying to figure out the phones and Houston, he bailed. That left me. 

Please, don't judge me. I had to suck it up and - well - procreate. It would have been okay if there were any men my age to - well - help me out with my problem and then it wouldn't have been a problem. But there weren't. 
I quit my job and disposed of the drafting table. Then I proceeded to seduce the first old geezer I found...and then the next...until I got one of them to come to my house - well - bed. 

Seems ES doesn't affect their libido. However sweet Austin almost screwed it up for me. I finally got one of them all the way to the bed in the basement and he came in to investigate.  

It was all I could do to keep it together to get the deed done! It took the old guy 5 times, but finally it worked and I would never have to see him again.

9 months later I went into labor in the bathroom. Thank goodness for Houston's prowess with a wrench and duct tape, it was clean. Crazy Paris helped me out as I delivered not one, but TWO babies! 

He gave me twins! The old guy still had it. A boy and a girl. Marshall and Pampa. We didn't have any cribs so Paris and I just laid them on the floor. They didn't seem to mind once we fed them. 

After they were born, I thought maybe I needed to do this one more time. My mother had four children and she had hoped for us to do good things and I killed her (ACCIDENTALLY OKAY!) but still. She had high hopes for us and I felt like if I only produced two children I would be letting her down. Houston and Paris had done good things and maybe Austin could get us phone service so this would be my cross to bear. Having sex with another slobbery old guy. 

I called the one that came before and he was 'busy' - doing what I have no idea. So I called the other dude. He fell for it and actually made it to my house. He started to pucker up for a kiss as soon as he got there. Okay, let's just do this. 

Thank goodness he was quick. I wasn't sure I could go for 5 times again. I guess they should be thanking me - huh? I gave them a thrill. It was a blessing for me they wouldn't remember it.  

My little ones were growing up in spite of me. We only had one children's book for them to read and I cursed myself for not being able to convince the powers that be to start making toys for them. Poor things. At least they still had the raggedy old teddy bears to keep them entertained. 

I am now heaving into the toilet regularly. A sure sign that the old guy did his job and I am going to have another baby. 

This one is taking a toll on my body, more so than even the twins. Maybe because I now have to deal with two grumpy toddlers and Paris up and left. I guess she didn't sign up for Nanny duty. 



Now that it is just me and Austin - who is gone ALL the time - I must admit, I am frightened at what the future holds but I am doing my part to see to it that our family has a future. 

And just for the record, my two kids - Pampa and Marshall - are growing on me. I have learned that I love them - a lot - and that surprised me a little - well it surprised me a lot! I am already becoming attached to the one growing inside of me as well. Motherhood....what more can I say?

That is all for now, I gotta throw up again.

Dallas.


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