Opposition, 3005
Rule number one, never open the door to strangers. We live in a dangerous world. You cannot trust anyone. If you open the door to strangers, everyone will die. Do you want that on your conscience? Rule number two, kill first, ask later. If in doubt, just pull the trigger, you don't want to get infected. Rule number three, don't trust the scientists and doctors. They don't know anything, even though they think they know everything. Where did the plague come from? It was probably from a lab ran by scientists and doctors, how can you trust them? Rule number four, people from the Moon are traitors, people in the hospitals are zombies, people who are walking around are probably sick and will become zombies, you can shoot them all because they either left you behind to die or they will kill you. Rule number five, you can only trust your map, your car, your gun, your food, your water, they keep you alive, nothing else matters.
My name is Peter Bates and I am the Opposition Leader. Our colony is the closest to Hope Hospital where they keep all the sick people. We are also quite close to the space port where the rich and famous ran away to the beautiful little place called Moon. I was a farmer, my family and my friends came to me after everyone left. Some of them didn't make it into the colony, some of them did. We have our own water supply, our farm produce uncontaminated food, we even have a stash of weapons.
The Bible said that the end of the world will come, and it certainly has come. People are being judged, but I don't know whether they are judged fairly or not. The plague takes everyone, it is blind. It takes children, it takes women, it takes men, it takes evil people, it takes good people, it takes the rich and the poor. Have we seen any angels yet? I haven't, and I certainly look forward to see one.
Chance is my best friend. He is a farmer as well, but he had a chicken farm. His sister Faith came with him. Chance is tall and strong, he's good at shooting. He brought most of the weapon to my farm. Faith is a nurse, she took some medical supplies with her. She has light blond hair. Faith had a baby and she didn't like to talk about it because no one knows who the father is. She lost the baby to the plague. Angus and Blair are twins. They lived in town. Angus worked in the corner store, Blair worked as a mechanic. They brought some food and tools. My parents died a few years back, leaving the farm to me. I was going to get married with my fiance, but we lost touch. I don't know whether she's still alive or not, but I think she understands that I can't go out there to find her. It's too dangerous.
More people have came to the farm and some of them built their own houses or tents in the paddock. We put up a wire fence around the perimeter after the people got violent and started to trash the place. A door went up as well, heavy and thick. People brought their animals, kids, toys, food, supplies, clothes, cars with them. We are trying to sit this one out although no one knows for sure how long this is going to last.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Alice in New Zealand
Chapter 1 Happy birthday to you
It is my sister Alice's birthday today and I am still trying to find a present for her. Should I get her a nice dress? There is the blue one that shows off her beautiful shoulder, and then there's the red one that shows off her legs. Should I get her shoes? There is the red one that she can dance with, or the black one that she can wear to work, then I remember that she doesn't work anymore. She doesn't really need a dress, either. She's lying on the hospital bed, sleeping, dreaming a dream that I cannot be a part of.
Dr. White is very supportive about my visits. She said that Alice can hear everything that goes around her, but I doubt that. If Alice can hear me, I am sure she will give me a slap in the face and tell me to go away. My parents no longer visit Alice. They don't think she will ever wake up.
I've decided to bring her a cake. She loves chocolate cake. I saw one decorated with strawberries and pink cream in the cake shop. A red and black cake in a green box is now sitting in my car, all ready to be eaten. I am sure the nurses and the doctors will be delighted by this cake, and Alice will enjoy the happiness around her.
The construction around the hospital is a pain. It is difficult to find the entrance, and it is hard to find a park. However, I manage to squeeze into a small space between a BMW and a Range Rover. With cake in hand, I wait for the automatic hospital door to open.
The view from Alice's room is spectacular. You can see Lake Rotorua quite clearly, the blue mirror that reflects the afternoon sun. I brought her fresh flowers, too. Golden daisy are the same colour as her hair. Nurse Julia brought a table and a knife for the cake. I light the candles on the cake, a reminder of how old Alice is and how long she's been in a coma. The futility of the situation is evident, but I don't care. This cake is for Alice as much as for me and everybody else around her. It is not pointless to love someone even though they don't respond to you. She's still here somewhere, hanging on by a thread, and no matter how thin the thread is, I am going to hold on to it a bit longer.
"Amy, that is a great looking cake. Have you made a wish yet?"
"It's not for me, it's for Alice."
"Well, why not. How about we both make a wish? It is a birthday cake after all."
"You are right."
We both closed our eyes and made wishes. I wish that Alice will wake up and I wish that it will happen soon. I wish that she's well wherever she is. I wish she's warm and comfortable. I wish she's happy.
I still have a while to wait for her to wake up, but I won't have to wait forever. The smell of the cake has attracted a crowd into the room, including Dr. White, the Head Nurse, Nurse Rachel and Nurse Mary. We cut the cake up and share the tasty treat around the room.
"She's looking better today. What do you think, Rachel? Do you think she looks better?"
"Yes, she does. I think she will wake up soon, any days now."
"It won't surprise me if she wakes up now, to be honest. What do you think, Dr.White?"
"It will be wonderful if she wakes up today. It is her birthday."
"How's your parents, Amy? They are doing well?"
"They are fine, Julia. They are enjoying their retirement and spending time with the grandchildren."
"How's Robin holding up? Have you seen him lately?"
"He's well. He's been quite busy with his collection lately, going to New York and Paris next month."
"That's fantastic. Bring him here next time."
"I will."
Robin is Alice's boyfriend. He's a designer with his own boutique shops in Wellington and Auckland. He's expanding his empire and going overseas to show his collection. He is the only other person who visits Alice regularly. I am amazed by his staying power with Alice. His world makes me distrust him, but as far as I know, he doesn't have another girlfriend. He's the one bringing her nice clothes and new blankets, flowers and fruit, and sometimes a soft toy. He brings music as well, and sometimes reads books to her.
They live in the suburb of Wellington together. It is no surprise that Alice loves gardening, she's a landscape artist. She spends her spare time planting flowers, trees and vegetables in her garden. There's a swing underneath the biggest tree. There are two chairs and a table for afternoon tea as well. A fountain at the back of the garden features a woman's statue covered with moss. Robin's workshop is in the garage. He creates colourful garments from fantastic fabrics. He loves using bright colours, bold cut and draping, with lovely details. He's talented, and Alice loves the fact that Robin is flamboyant and dramatic. I thought Robin is gay the first time I met him, and I would be lying to say that I don't have doubts right now. How can this man be straight and this daring? Only Alice knows.
Chapter 2 Into the dream
The last thing I remember is walking into the club Cave with Robin that night. His friends are celebrating the successful runway show, drinking and dancing the night away. Robin is in his element, drinking Metropolitan followed by vodka shots. I must have a lot to drink as well because I don't remember too much after my seventh drink.
Robin must know what had happened although I am not entirely sure. I was dancing in the strobe light, shaking my arms and head to the music, then it was all black. I must have tripped on someone's foot and fell and hit my head.
It is my sister Alice's birthday today and I am still trying to find a present for her. Should I get her a nice dress? There is the blue one that shows off her beautiful shoulder, and then there's the red one that shows off her legs. Should I get her shoes? There is the red one that she can dance with, or the black one that she can wear to work, then I remember that she doesn't work anymore. She doesn't really need a dress, either. She's lying on the hospital bed, sleeping, dreaming a dream that I cannot be a part of.
Dr. White is very supportive about my visits. She said that Alice can hear everything that goes around her, but I doubt that. If Alice can hear me, I am sure she will give me a slap in the face and tell me to go away. My parents no longer visit Alice. They don't think she will ever wake up.
I've decided to bring her a cake. She loves chocolate cake. I saw one decorated with strawberries and pink cream in the cake shop. A red and black cake in a green box is now sitting in my car, all ready to be eaten. I am sure the nurses and the doctors will be delighted by this cake, and Alice will enjoy the happiness around her.
The construction around the hospital is a pain. It is difficult to find the entrance, and it is hard to find a park. However, I manage to squeeze into a small space between a BMW and a Range Rover. With cake in hand, I wait for the automatic hospital door to open.
The view from Alice's room is spectacular. You can see Lake Rotorua quite clearly, the blue mirror that reflects the afternoon sun. I brought her fresh flowers, too. Golden daisy are the same colour as her hair. Nurse Julia brought a table and a knife for the cake. I light the candles on the cake, a reminder of how old Alice is and how long she's been in a coma. The futility of the situation is evident, but I don't care. This cake is for Alice as much as for me and everybody else around her. It is not pointless to love someone even though they don't respond to you. She's still here somewhere, hanging on by a thread, and no matter how thin the thread is, I am going to hold on to it a bit longer.
"Amy, that is a great looking cake. Have you made a wish yet?"
"It's not for me, it's for Alice."
"Well, why not. How about we both make a wish? It is a birthday cake after all."
"You are right."
We both closed our eyes and made wishes. I wish that Alice will wake up and I wish that it will happen soon. I wish that she's well wherever she is. I wish she's warm and comfortable. I wish she's happy.
I still have a while to wait for her to wake up, but I won't have to wait forever. The smell of the cake has attracted a crowd into the room, including Dr. White, the Head Nurse, Nurse Rachel and Nurse Mary. We cut the cake up and share the tasty treat around the room.
"She's looking better today. What do you think, Rachel? Do you think she looks better?"
"Yes, she does. I think she will wake up soon, any days now."
"It won't surprise me if she wakes up now, to be honest. What do you think, Dr.White?"
"It will be wonderful if she wakes up today. It is her birthday."
"How's your parents, Amy? They are doing well?"
"They are fine, Julia. They are enjoying their retirement and spending time with the grandchildren."
"How's Robin holding up? Have you seen him lately?"
"He's well. He's been quite busy with his collection lately, going to New York and Paris next month."
"That's fantastic. Bring him here next time."
"I will."
Robin is Alice's boyfriend. He's a designer with his own boutique shops in Wellington and Auckland. He's expanding his empire and going overseas to show his collection. He is the only other person who visits Alice regularly. I am amazed by his staying power with Alice. His world makes me distrust him, but as far as I know, he doesn't have another girlfriend. He's the one bringing her nice clothes and new blankets, flowers and fruit, and sometimes a soft toy. He brings music as well, and sometimes reads books to her.
They live in the suburb of Wellington together. It is no surprise that Alice loves gardening, she's a landscape artist. She spends her spare time planting flowers, trees and vegetables in her garden. There's a swing underneath the biggest tree. There are two chairs and a table for afternoon tea as well. A fountain at the back of the garden features a woman's statue covered with moss. Robin's workshop is in the garage. He creates colourful garments from fantastic fabrics. He loves using bright colours, bold cut and draping, with lovely details. He's talented, and Alice loves the fact that Robin is flamboyant and dramatic. I thought Robin is gay the first time I met him, and I would be lying to say that I don't have doubts right now. How can this man be straight and this daring? Only Alice knows.
Chapter 2 Into the dream
The last thing I remember is walking into the club Cave with Robin that night. His friends are celebrating the successful runway show, drinking and dancing the night away. Robin is in his element, drinking Metropolitan followed by vodka shots. I must have a lot to drink as well because I don't remember too much after my seventh drink.
Robin must know what had happened although I am not entirely sure. I was dancing in the strobe light, shaking my arms and head to the music, then it was all black. I must have tripped on someone's foot and fell and hit my head.
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