doing right now? I hope she's safe, even though I'm sure she's a nervous wreck without me. I wish there was some way to tell her I'm OK, that I'm smart enough to figure this thing out and find her. All I want right now is for her to be here with me. None of this would matter if she were here.
It's moments like these, with no distractions, that you have time to think about what's really important in life. In my life, it's most certainly Abby. "I love you sweetie, and I miss you," I say out loud to myself hoping that by some miracle she can hear me.
Chapter 8
As one might expect, I tossed and turned all night. A combination of having a lot on my mind, being worried the owners might somehow come home, and sleeping in a new environment is the perfect recipe for a poor night's sleep. I lay awake for hours just thinking about how strange and crazy these past twenty-four hours have been. This type of thing just doesn't happen to a normal person like me and I can't grasp what is going on or why.
When I get up I think about how good a shower would feel. This is something I haven't even thought of yet, but unless I start using my bottled water to bathe I'm going to be a real smelly mess soon. I haven't showered since the night before last, when I thought I would be giving a big presentation. How entirely false that turned out to be.
What other things am I forgetting that could pose real problems later? With no modes of communication, I won't be able to file my taxes! It's actually comforting to know that even if everyone on Earth has disappeared, the IRS will still come after me when my taxes go unpaid in April.
For now, as long as I have food, water, and shelter, I can survive until I get this figured out or until someone comes and finds me.
Based on all of last night's thinking, I've decided to make a trip to the local department store for supplies after I make it home. The store will no doubt be locked, but fortunately I now have a shovel to use as a key to get in. I'll stock up on as much food and water as I can today, so I can leave this town first thing tomorrow.
Throughout the night, I came up with some great ideas I hadn't thought of before. First, I found a solution to the no-gas-station situation. If I pick up a gas siphon pump, I can find a car on my drive to wherever I'm going and steal the remaining gas that's left in that car. Cars have been around everywhere I go, so all I need to do is find one when I'm getting a little low. I've never actually siphoned gas before, but I can't imagine it could be hard. Insert tube into both cars, and then do some sort of pumping action until you get the gas out of the other car and into yours. I remember when stealing gas was a huge problem in my high school years. Gas prices were out of control and climbing all the way to - wait for it – three dollars a gallon! Today, people would be dancing in the streets if prices dropped that low. It's amazing how everyone thinks and acts the same way as everyone else. If other people are freaking out about three dollars a gallon for gas, they all stock up on siphons.
Second, I stock up on all the food and bottled water here before I leave. Mrs. Big Panties has loads of cereal and water but everything else needs to be cooked. I figure I should add some variety to my food choices when I get to the store. I can make peanut butter sandwiches while the bread is still fresh. I can also snack on nuts and potato chips.
Third, I figure I better pick up some protection that's better than a shovel in case I have another Cujo attack or there's a huge zombie outbreak. And speaking of zombies, I know it sounds stupid but I remember hearing about a book that was called Zombie Survival Guide . I think it was meant to be a joke but it gives a serious account of what you should do if there's a zombie outbreak. Since my situation is similar to that, it might have some good tips regarding food and shelter. At the very least it
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