Sid's Log: 01/24

I'd had plans to take the mayor's office this term, but now I seek only the seat of husband to my Britta and grandfather to her family. Still, there is much to be done.

This child has taken enough of my time, and I am not to blame for his disappearance. I have proven to myself that I do not need a cloak to hide from Death, for I am its master.

I thought that family would be my rebirth, but perhaps I will be renewed by some other mana. Control may be the only way.

* * *

Diary,

Really thought I'd be going, but I'm dead tired. Body won't move. Weather's nice. Sleeping in snow again. Cloak waterproof. Not hungry anymore, snow's good for thirst. Feeling lonely and empty. Glad I ran away, need space right now.

- Drew

* * *

MOM, JET.

HUNGRY. BACON. MORE.
JET.
EAT. FOOD. BACON. NOW.

MOM. LOVE ME?
BACON? MOM? MOM!!! I HATE YOU!!!
FOOD!!!

* * *

Diary,

Went to Jet's. He hit his head, bad. Now he's messed up, having some kind of allergic reaction to his medication. Eating eggs, toast & bacon all day. Adina's tired from cooking and running low. Said she thinks Sid hurt Jet, and stole her bracelet and blamed me. Made me breakfast, even though Jet got mad about it. Angry notes on the fridge.

Had me hang out with him when she left to get more food. Kept taking his clothes off and screeching like a freak. Adina came back and made him put them back on.

She drove me to the library, told her I was "meeting Pearl". Felt bad to lie.

* * *

Sid's Log @ 12 pm

I've seen Mrs. Thompson again about my ideas, she's agreed to finish my draft for the Act. I'm glad to have been able to pay the lawyer who wrote it, thanks to the success of my new pork facility. And what better luck than a mayor who agrees with everything I say? But then again, that could be the money talking.

* * *

Diary,

Called Grandma, she's okay, said our grandpa was a farmer like Sid. Farming is "in the family". I've never farmed. My mom was a programmer and my dad was a detective. Pearl's going to school for medicine. Read a book though, says most last names come from trades, jobs were passed down. So if I'm spooky & a farmer's grandkid, that makes me a "grim reaper". Not The Grim Reaper, though. Sounds corny now. Maybe a hero name like Dash the Rabbit? I could be... Grim the Reaper.

Nah, that sounds kind of stupid. I'd probably be something more like Detective Hacker! That name is freaking awesome.

* * *

Diary,

Flint mentioned Cree "rite of passage". Book here on Aboriginal Traditions. Should see him next.

* * *

Flint's Journal #19

Tuesday. Looooong day at Dad's work, butchering. Lots of blood, cold dark cement room. So many pigs. Book in mailbox, too tired to read. Want to sleep forever, hope I never dream again.

* * *

Flint's Journal #20

Wednesday. Dad forgot my b-day. Bacon for breakfast. He's not drinking, but he's not happy either. Keeps eating bacon like crazy, spent $100 on it.

I'm not allowed to go to school anymore or I get the stick. Got it already for sleeping in.

Dad's sewing some kind of bat cape like what Drew has.

* * *

Diary,

Everyone fighting, angry yelling. All over the city. Car accidents, fistfights, police everywhere. Haven't heard why yet. Sneaking around in dark places behind buildings. Slept in Flint's shed last night, fur blankets so warm. Lots of blood in there, no ghosts though. Found $20 bill on floor at mall. Bought combo meal at MacDaddy's, good at first, gross later. Can't get sick now, toughing it out.

* * *

Public Service Announcement
[Jan. 25, Transcript]

From the Preston Medical Council:

Citizens of the City of Preston. The Bat Flu has gotten progressively worse, and more than 50% of the city has been diagnosed.

City Hall is declaring a state of emergency, and will be calling a vote this afternoon on the newly proposed bill, the Survival Act. We will be gathering at City Hall at 5pm to cast ballots for Yes or No.

Please do not attend if you are ill. Thank you.

* * *

Sid's Log: 01/25

I've learned that the key to passing a bill has very little to do with politics, but is in fact a domain of my very own: marketing. Who, in a time of epidemic crisis, could oppose an act of survival?

* * *

Adina's To-Do:

- See Doctor or Psychiatrist about Gietto, he might have a parasite
- Hide all sharp objects in home
- Buy gauze and stitch set for stab-wound in arm

* * *

Diary,

Big crowd, vote at City Hall. Snuck in. Survival Act? Cannibalism in "times of extreme need"? Super weird & scary.

Diary,

Lots happened. Got wolf's hood back. Heading to Flint's. Sid's not so special anymore.

- Grim

* * *

Sid's Log @ 5 pm

There I am, on-stage and composing my latest entry for only a brief moment when that bat out of Hell slings a rock at me! It sends my papers flying, and some toothless yokel starts reading about "poisoning children" and "eating brains". I never wrote a word of that. I would remember, I have been eating brains all week and my mind is strong.

I am too angry to think straight, but I will kill that child if I see him ever again. I did try, in fact, but he evaded me.

I had him in my truck, figuring if he ruins my politics I can ruin his life, and this little monster tells me, he says he "looked it up" and I am no Grim Reaper, but a Grim Rancher instead. He asks how I found him, I tell him my Silver Hood grants me the wolf's nose and ears, just as the Death Cloak grants him flight from death. He has been eating my special meat all month, I say, my brand. I have branded him and all in this province from the inside, as one brands a cow from without.

Then he takes my Hood, my Cloak still on him, and he jumps out of my truck, hurts his gimpy leg, and limps off like a lame duck, certain to freeze and die. I doubt the Cloak can protect him for all he's been through. I won't be needing it anyway, I'm having my butcher make a new one.

But the sheer nerve of that child! Well, this Grim Rancher is going to be a bigger man than the little Reaper. Saureil is my name, and like an angel I will watch his death from above.

* * *

Diary,

Shed was locked, hiding. Remembering Sid's green skin, worms in each eye, said he'd "eat me alive". Is Sid a zombie? Is everyone a zombie now?

- Grim

* * *

Wednesday Night

Dad forgot my birthday all day. I'm too old for cake anyway.

Found a wolf's head hat in my room. Dad must have made it, so maybe he really didn't forget? Smells gross, doesn't fit either. Wore it anyway. It really needs to be washed. Got a weird feeling like Drew was here, but didn't see him.

Read the book, one chapter anyway. Cree rite of passage is a Vision Quest. A boy and his dad go out into wilderness, eat nothing, make shelter. A vision comes, then the boy is a man. Sounds better than butchering pigs who can't run away. A man should be a hunter, not a murderer.

* * *

Midnight

Crazy dream. Big grey crow, rotting all over, eating a big wolf's guts. Little wolf and bat lying on the ground, covered in blood. Dead pig gets up and walks around, starts biting other pigs. Wolf snaps crow's neck. Was that my vision?