Entry #7

I used to think surviving meant learning how to fight.

Turns out surviving is mostly learning how to be bored without doing something stupid.

Today’s accomplishments:

• Didn’t fall through the second floor of the old pharmacy
• Found three cans of peaches
• Argued with Professor Hops because he wanted to keep a spoon that was obviously bent.

He lost.

Mostly.

He still has the spoon.

People always imagine the end of the world being loud.

Explosions.

Screaming.

Running.

They’re wrong.

It’s quiet.

Too quiet.

You start talking just to hear another voice.

Then you realize the only one answering is a stuffed rabbit.

If that isn’t a sign to get more sleep, I don’t know what is.

Mom used to say people needed routines becuse routines remind us we’re still human.

So every morning I check the windows.

Every evening I count supplies.

Every night I tell Professor Hops we’re still alive.

So far…

he agrees.

Sometimes I wonder if there are other people out there.

Real people.

Not Hunters.

Not Changed.

Just…

people.

Then I remember people usually ruin everything.

Professor Hops says that’s unfair.

Professor Hops has never met people.

Things I learned today:

The school roof still leaks.

Peaches are worth climbing through broken windows.

The third stair still squeaks.

I still miss Mom.

Some things never stop hurting.

You just get better at carrying them.

—Evie

Entry 18

Things Mom was Wrong About

Mom was wrong.

Not about important things.

She was right about looking both way before crossing the street.

She was right about never petting raccoons.

She was right that I’d regret climbiming onto the gym roof if I ever slipped. (I still think it was worth it.)

But she was wrong about other things.

She said coffee would stunt my growth. Turns out the apocalyse did that just fine.

She said one day I’d like tomatoes. I’m beginning to think one day isn’t coming.

She said adults knew what they were doing. I’ve met enough adults to know that was either a lie…or she was trying to make me feel better.

She told me monsters weren’t real. That one wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know yet.

There are a lot of things Mom never got to be wrong about.

I wonder if we’d argue now.

I wonder if she’d tell me Rowan needs a haircut.

I wonder if she’d still make me touch lucky blue birds before crossing the street.

I think….

I think I would have like growing up enough to disagree with her.

—Evie