Diary of an Infected Man

This diary was found in an auto mechanics garage while scouting a still heavily infected area of Rochester, New York. It is the final written words of Darren Hirth.

Day 1

2 Hours since incident

So I have had time to calm down. I'm relatively safe and I figured I might as well start writing down my thoughts, a diary I guess you could call it, I've never written a diary before. My name is Darren Hirth, I'm 34 years old and I've been scratched by one of those fuckers. It's just a scratch, and I'm feeling fine, but I couldn't go back to base camp. Everyone there is completely examined before re-entering the compound and they totally freak out if you have any kind of mark on you at all. If you are badly hurt you're usually put out of your misery within minutes, but if you're like me they wait and see. Over 90% of the time you're dead unless you got your wound by falling or doing something stupid. If one of the dead got you, you're as good as dead. That's why I couldn't go back, everyone would see the fear in my eyes. It's obvious if you have been bitten, scratched or spattered. You don't need to see evidence, the fear in the eyes is enough.

I've barricaded myself in an old auto mechanics garage. A group of us were scouting the area, it seemed pretty safe and we had completely mapped out escape routes anyway. Everywhere we go has cleared roads to get back. We've done a lot of the clearing ourselves. We stick to the roads in open areas during the day and scavenge supplies to bring back to base camp which is a heavily fortified public school.

We always stay close, but this time I had my guard down. The entire front of this shop was torn away, I don't know what happened to it, maybe a car or truck took it out. You see all kinds of strange shit out here.

I had full view and walked right in. It was a pretty ransacked convenience store and just as I climbed over a fallen rack that's when that awful arm shot up and grabbed me. I screamed and jumped back. The thing was pinned down under heavy steal shelving, but the bastard had scratched my arm. I had pulled back fast and it was the smallest scratch. Not even bleeding really, just a bit raw and pink, well, I'm fooling myself, there in that pink rawness was my blood, ever so little though.

I froze paralyzed with fear. That thing couldn't get me, it was pinned down, and that's not what had me so petrified, it was that damn scratch on my arm. I heard my buddies running in towards me as I backed away. One of them entered and cracked the things head open with a bat. We had to get going I remember him saying and fast. My outburst was sure to attract others. Everyone jumped into the truck except me, I just stood there as they yelled for me. I looked back terrified and then ran away from the truck and up a back ally. I heard them calling for me and they went up and down the street for what seemed like an eternity. They knew what had happened, but they had become friends and even though they could do nothing for me, that's what friends do.

As I ran up the ally I saw a few other undead shambling towards me. I was not being careful at all, this was not protocol, and I'm surprised another one didn't get me. I saw the garage and ran in. Luckily the back door was open and the main garage door was down. I slammed the steal door shut and here I am. There has been a bit of moaning and banging on the door, but all and all I think I'm pretty safe here. Not that it matters.

3 Hours

So I've searched the place over and found some pop and dried noodles, maybe the mechanics lunch. I also have my own rations that we all carry with us and about 2 days worth of water. My spirits are up now. This scratch really seems like nothing and I'm feeling absolutely fine. Getting back to camp may however be a problem, I'm starting to doubt my decision to stay out here so I'm going to ration everything I have while I devise a plan to get back to home base. I don't have a radio on me, one of the team always carries one, unfortunately that someone wasn't me.

I have a home made weapon like most of us, a steal pipe with a blunt blade on it and a pointed end. I also have goggles and face mask, which are usually only worn when entering combat. This kind of gear is pretty much all standard gear along with multitude of other useful things like flashlights and lanterns. We do have ballistics on some of us and a camp, but these have proven fairly ineffective for scouting missions. Fast, quiet and protected is our motto for these kind of missions. A spattering of blood in your eyes or mouth can cause infection. It's not as likely as a scratch or bite. A scratch is almost always fatal, and a bite means death.

My scratch however is so superficial and I'm really feeling stupid for staying out here. There's no way of going back now, it's almost nightfall, so I'm going to have to sleep on a pile of dirty rags on the floor, but I'm doubting I'll get much sleep. The moaning outside and occasional banging on the door will keep me awake. That and the fact that I've been scratched. A lot of us keep our arms covered, but it was so hot out today. I didn't have my usual jacket on, it was back in the truck. I did have gloves on; a lot of good that did me.

6 Hours

It's 9 p.m. now and dark out. The garage ceiling has screened windows, probably to keep thieves out which is nice because they should keep the undead out too should they ever manage to get on the roof. I've paced around this place and searched every inch of it. I've even started organizing items that could be of use to us back at base camp. Mostly tools, but I'm not going to carry them back, they are far to heavy for such a long trek. I'll set up a stash and once I'm back home we can come and pick them up. At least this whole incident won't be for nothing.

8 Hours

Can't sleep at all, so I figured I would write some more. Feeling fine, but my arm is looking a bit worse. Everything is so dirty out here, maybe just a regular infection, nothing like I've seen with undead infections. Going to play cards.

12 Hours

Still can't sleep and it's 3 a.m. I'm tired of course, just a little creeped out. I haven't spent time alone since the early days of the outbreak over a year ago. I know this place is safe though, I've put a tool chest across the door just in case though and double checked the garage door. It's a big industrial strength door, I don't think I could even get it open.

14 Hours

Something scared the hell out of me. One them banged against the garage door. I managed not to make any noise, so I don't think I've attracted anymore. I'm sure the few that did follow me here will wonder off eventually.

17 Hours

It's 8 a.m. and I haven't slept at all. So tired, feeling a bit sick, but that's natural being this tired and stressed out. I'm sure I'm going to be okay. Arm looks a bit worse, but still pretty minor compared to what I've seen. Going to get ready to leave this place, I'm probably going to have to kill a few on the way, but this time I'll be ready. It's nice to see sunlight again, the ceiling has dirty windows, but I can tell it's a nice day out.

18 Hours

Ate a bit before leaving, but I'm not feeling all that great. I think I'll hang low and stay here a bit longer. I need to try to get some sleep. Gotta be alert out there.

20 Hours

It's 11 a.m. and I've made a hard decision. I have enough food to stay another night here, and if I can get a good nights sleep I'll feel a lot better. I'm feeling much better knowing that I'm not feeling any serious symptoms other than being tired.

Day 2

24 Hours

So it's been exactly one day since my incident with the dead and I'm still here. I've seen people succumb to infection within hours before. It can even happen within minutes if the wound is severe.

26 Hours

At least during the first few days of the initial outbreak you wouldn't have to worry like this. If you were bitten and escaped you would brush it off as a close call. It's knowing what happens if I'm infected, but by this time tomorrow I'll be sure that there is no infection... I mean I'm sure now, but tomorrow will just feel so much better.

30 Hours

Managed to get some broken sleep, but still exhausted. My arm isn't looking so good, I'm really thinking I have a regular infection. Wouldn't that be funny if I died out here from a regular infection.

35 Hours

It's bright out again and I haven't left the garage. My eyes are red and I'm really scared. I think I'm infected. The scratch is looking nasty, I wish I had some antiseptic, but I've looked everywhere in this dump. No first aid kit, what kind of garage doesn't have a first aid kit. Maybe it's up front by the desk. No way to check there now without making a whole lot of noise and removing my barricades. Maybe later today I'll check it. This is another reason you stay together, someone in the group always has a first aid kit, again, not me.

37 Hours

I've got full body chills. My mouth is dry, I've drank more water. I think I'm infected, I still have hope that tomorrow I can get out of here and kick this thing. Maybe all I need is some sun.

40 Hours

I started thinking about my family and friends. Most of them went missing during the initial outbreak. I miss them and I feel awful, did they have to go through this. I've been in denial. I know the symptoms of infection, we studied them like crazy. I wouldn't get within 20 feet of base camp right now without a bullet in my head. I look awful. I feel even worse. My head is pounding and I started to throw up. There's now banging and moaning outside because I attracted the bloody bastards.

42 Hours

I'm dying, I'm infected. Fuck I can't believe I'm infected. I can't believe no one has found a cure for this shit. I can't believe we haven't dealt with this. How could I be so stupid. One second of absent mindedness.

----- Hours

Feeling awful. I miss my family. I wish I had of gone back to base camp. I wish someone could take care of me now. Dealing with infection all alone is not the answer. If anyone ever reads this, please let it serve as a warning to others. Allow yourself to be treated in a humane way. I could of been dead yesterday if I had of gone home and not have to go through this or what's next.

----- Going outside

Trying to move the barricades, but have no strength. Have to get air. I love you Katherine...