Alone on Earth – Entry #52

January 06, 2017

06:12AM
Dear Diary

I am sicker than ever this morning. I have thrown up twice. I feel I have no energy or appetite. It is cold in this home since I let the fireplace die out overnight. I will always remember this home just off Hwy 90 between Crosby and Columbus, TX. It was here I finally had a face to face meeting with the Blackness. I fear my brashness with it last night will cause the Blackness to come after me even more. It doesn't matter. I feel as if I may die before I reach my destination. Regardless, I am going to continue on into Columbus. It is still snowing and Hwy 90 is clogged with cars, trucks and buses. No matter. I intend to push onward. It will be a cold 40 mile drive. But, I will settle in Columbus for the night and, hopefully, find a Wal-Mart there. I am almost out of food. Time to go.

11:27AM
Dear Diary

I have finally made it into Columbus. It was an excruciating four hour drive. My top speed most of the time was about 10MPH. Snow, vehicles and a hard blowing wind in my face greatly slowed me down. Columbus itself is a typical small Texas town. I would estimate about 4-5,000 people lived here. Downtown has a few office buildings with “going out of business” signs. They had no idea how much out of business they were going. In some areas snow has settled into 3 or 4 foot snow drifts. At this rate, it could take me a week or more to get to Van Horn. Still many Christmas decorations adorn the streets and businesses. They even have a huge billboard as you enter into town about the Christmas Parade on December 2, 2016. I need to check for food in some of these restaurants and food stores. I do not see a Wal-Mart. I guess I should not have expected one for a town this size. I've got to find something to eat. And, I have got to find someplace to stay for the night. The snow is coming down harder and it is getting colder.

2:18PM
Dear Diary

I went to several food stores, restaurants, coffee shops and found very little in the way of food. I found only one can of black olives, a box of pretzels and a can of sardines in one supermarket at least 20,000 square feet in size. Did people decide to hoard food during the two days of The Event? Did they take it with them? I found a can of coffee in a coffee shop. I found two month old doughnuts in the same coffee shop. I passed on those. So, for dinner I will have sardines, black olives and pretzels. That is all the food I could find in this entire town. I lost count of the number of stores and businesses I broke into today. I also managed to cut my left hand as I broke into the coffee shop. It's odd.....these people obviously locked their businesses up and left. But, in the town itself, there are few cars. So, that tells me most got out of here. There is one school bus with trombones, tubas, drums.....all the instruments of a school band. I have not eaten since dinner of yesterday. It will not be much to eat. I still have some canned vegetables. But, no meat other than the sardines. And, I am down to my last disposable grill. I need to find a place with a fireplace. I best do that now. It is starting to get dark again.

6:09PM
Dear Diary

I have found a fast food restaurant called “Jack's” that has a fireplace. There was no food in the place. The homes here are spread out from downtown Columbus. So, I have decided to stay at this restaurant in town. I do not feel like pushing that huge motorcycle through 4 foot snow drifts. In fact, I am worried about trying to jump start that bike in the morning. There are no downward slopes to give me a running start. I will have to travel light until I get to the next town, which according to my map, Schulenburg, TX. It is only about 25 miles. But, they will be a long 25 miles in this snow. The fireplace is not nearly as good as the one I was at in the home where I met my nemesis, the Blackness. I have thought I would get some hint that the Blackness is following me as it indicated. I'm not sure if there has ever been a time in my life that was more surreal than that encounter with the disciple from hell. It seemed as if I were watching it from a distance at times during this brief meeting. I was scared at first. But, the more I talked to it, the more I realized this thing was in the same boat as I was; unwilling participants in a game that has few rules. But, the Blackness has failed in every attempt to thwart my continued westward march to the end of Hwy 90. I get the sense its time is running out.....just as my time seems to be running out. I could only eat the black olives and just a few of those. My appetite is starting to disappear. I could barely force down those few black olives. At least I can still drink wine.

10:19PM
Dear Diary

The temperature, according to my little mercury thermometer, is 40 degrees F in this restaurant. Even with the fireplace, this place is very uncomfortable for sleeping. I have my sleeping bag out and will try to get a few hours of sleep....or at least try to sleep. I continue to feel sick. This is not the flu. I don't have the flu like symptoms. It is just a slow loss of energy that I have. I feel very weak and listless. One time today I threw up and there was blood. I'm not sure how much longer I can continue. Whatever this is, it is serious. For some reason, the word “cancer” keeps entering my mind. Maybe the Blackness is planting this thought into me. I wish I had access to Internet II to find out what these symptoms are. Does it really matter if I have cancer? I know my time is limited anyway. Whenever I reach Van Horn (if I get that far), I think my time is up. I still can't get it into my mind why I have to go there or what is going to happen. I just know something is there. And I have to keep pushing forward. I would like to make it to San Antonio tomorrow. But, I will be doing very good to make it into Schulenburg. I just hope and pray I have the strength to push that Honda Gold Wing to get it started. I just wish for once, just once, that the battery would start. I would love to have some light for a change. I love fireplaces. But, I would love to see the warm lights from a lamp for a change. Just once before I die. Time to sleep.

11:41PM
Dear Diary

I have looked across to the many stores on the main street here in Columbus that I broke into today.....they are on fire. The fires seem to be roaring out of control across the street. Flames are shooting out of windows and some rooftops. If they reach over to this side, then I will be forced into the snow and ice of this frigid night. I may have no choice. But, I don't see how I can survive in this cold temperature. I think I best get my things together and try to move this motorcycle out of town. This will be incredibly difficult to do. The Blackness said he would be following and bringing the angels of hell with him. It appears he has made good on his word. I need to get out of here.....now.

Alone on Earth – Entry #51

January 05, 2017


01:02AM
Dear Diary

My mind is numb.....I feel completely paralyzed from my encounter with the Blackness. It was not a pleasant encounter. I know I will not sleep for the rest of the night. So, I am going to attempt to put down on this notebook as much of our conversation as I can remember:

IT IS TIME FOR US TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER, LITTLE ONE. I MUST GIVE YOU CREDIT.....I NEVER IMAGINED YOU WOULD MAKE IT THIS FAR. MY MASTER IS MOST DISPLEASED THAT YOU HAVE. IN TURN, MY MASTER IS MOST DISPLEASED WITH ME. AND, IN TURN, THAT MAKES ME MOST DISPLEASED WITH YOU. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE ON THIS JOURNEY, LITTLE ONE?

I was amazed my mouth was still working. I replied to the Blackness, “It's not like I had a choice. What have you done with the people of this world?”

DONE? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I HAVE DONE ANYTHING WITH THESE PEOPLE, LITTLE ONE? WHATEVER THEY HAVE “DONE,” THEY HAVE DONE TO THEMSELVES LONG AGO AFTER THE JEW WAS CRUCIFIED. BUT, LET US BE REASONABLE. LET US END THIS LITTLE CHARADE. THERE IS NOTHING FOR YOU TO GAIN BY CONTINUING ON WITH THIS JOURNEY. COME WITH ME, LET US END THIS FRUITLESS BATTLE THAT YOU WILL SURELY LOSE IN THE END. END THIS NOW, AND MY MASTER WILL PLACE YOU UP UPON CITIES OF GOLD AND TREASURE YOUR MIND HAS NEVER BEFORE IMAGINED. WOMEN YOU HAVE ONLY DREAMED OF HAVING IN THE PAST WILL BE YOURS FOR THE TAKING. YOU WILL NEVER BE SICK, YOU WILL NEVER GROW OLD AND YOU WILL BECOME A FAVORITE SON OF THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BOW DOWN TO ME.....NOW.

I could barely breath because of the smell of the Blackness. The sickening smell of sulfur was overwhelming. Why did I not smell it in Lake Charles? I then took stock of the Blackness. He was blacker than the night itself. He had the head of a ram, a body that seemed to change with his every word. His eyes.....red and evil and so completely lifeless. He was at least 15 feet tall at times and then maybe 10 feet tall at times. His body kept changing. I replied to the Blackness, “If I am surely to lose this battle, why bother asking me to end it now, to accept your offer and bow before you? What are you afraid of? Why did you run from the blue light in Lake Charles? Why did.....

YOU FOOL!!!!! I OFFER YOU A CHANCE TO END YOUR SUFFERING! I OFFER YOU MORE THAN THE BILLIONS OF SOULS BEFORE YOU EVER DREAMED OF HAVING IN THEIR LIVES! AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS ASK QUESTIONS? THIS IS THE BEST THE ANNOINTED ONE ABOVE CAN OFFER TO DO HIS BIDDING? HAHAHAHA!!! I COULD CRUSH YOU INTO POWDER IF THE MASTER GIVES ME THE COMMAND TO DO SO! YOU THINK YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN ONE OF MISERY BEFORE? YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MISERY IS, LITTLE ONE.....YOU DON'T KNOW. ACCEPT MY MASTER'S OFFER OR FACE HORRORS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DREAMED POSSIBLE. YOU WILL NOT GET THIS CHANCE AGAIN. YOU MUST MAKE UP YOUR MIND HERE AND NOW. BOW BEFORE ME NOW AND ACCEPT MY MASTER AS YOUR ONE TRUE MASTER.

Now, one of the things of being old like me, you don't like to be threatened. And, you also get stubborn. “That's a mighty kind offer......what should I call you? Never mind. My answer is this; GO TO HELL. Oh, wait.....you've already been there, haven't you? Never mind that also since.....

SILENCE!!!!! YOU HAVE SEALED YOUR FATE, DAVID. YOU WILL BEG TO DIE.....BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO. YOU WILL DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS, MILLIONS OF DEATHS. GO!! CONTINUE ON YOUR FOOLS JOURNEY. I WILL BE FOLLOWING YOU.....AND I AM BRINGING ANGELS FROM HELL WITH ME.

And, with that.....the Blackness was gone. I have to get some sleep. I'm not scared for some reason. In fact, I think I pissed him off.

08:51AM
Dear Diary

I slept amazingly well after my first true face to face encounter with the Blackness. I felt we would meet up at some point. I admit, I was scared at first. But, the more the Blackness talked, the less scared I became of him. I can see he has a weakness also. The Blackness has a fatal flaw; overconfidence. That has led to many defeats in games, battles and any conflict. The worst thing you can do is underestimate your enemy. In some respects, I now understand why I have been chosen to fight this battle. How can you not be overconfident in doing battle with a fragile, sickly 65 year old man with a bad knee? Maybe.....just maybe that is all part of the plan. It is snowing again outside. I need to make me some breakfast. This home has much that I can use insofar as food, clothing, knives and even a Monopoly game to while away the hours. I'm not sure I will continue on into Columbus if it keeps snowing. But, I will wait until noon. It is still starting to get dark about 2PM. Yes, I suspect the Blackness has something to do with that.

3:42PM
Dear Diary

It appears I will be staying one more night in this home just off Hwy 90. The snow is once again unrelenting. It appears to be almost midnight dark now. Sure, the Blackness has something to do with this. But, for what reason? How can the Blackness scare me any more than he did last night? I am convinced of one thing now; the Blackness cannot kill me. That doesn't seem to be part of the little chess game. One thing the Blackness and I have in common; we are both pawns in this chess game. I also know his “Master” is not happy with him. I've wrote this before. But, I was never supposed to make it into Texas. For some reason, that is something the Blackness did not count on. Maybe I was supposed to die during the pink sky episode in Mobile. Or maybe the green fog back in Axis. Or maybe the explosion of the house in Slidell, LA. All were efforts to stop me from continuing on this journey. But, the fact of the matter is that I have made it this far. The Blackness failed three times (at the very least). And, for that reason, the Blackness is in hot water. Pardon the pun.

9:56PM
Dear Diary

I have eaten my fill tonight of lima beans, sweet potatoes, corn, and spam. And, I am drinking a bottle of wine. As I sit here before this fireplace, I think back on when I first started this journey. I was leaving for reasons I could not explain. I did not know what awaited me as I began. I still don't fully understand what is going to happen once I make it to Van Horn, TX. I don't anticipate a final battle with the Blackness. I would have as much chance against the Blackness as an ant does against me. It's just not a match. But, there is something in Van Horn that is going to determine the outcome of this entire saga. Will it bring back 8 billion people? I don't know. I have a feeling it will not. And I also anticipate the Blackness will do everything it has left to stop me from reaching the end of this journey. Of that, I am most certain. I heard voices again about ten minutes ago. It sounded like people talking.....just normal conversation. And, most alarmingly, I know for a fact I heard someone mention my name. I know I heard someone say “David.” This has been going on since I first entered Texas. I want to believe this is part of the intimidation tactics by the Blackness. But, I don't think it is. I can't recognize the voices completely. But, they sound so very familiar also. It's unsettling to me. And the left side of my head hurts whenever I hear them. I have no idea what this means.

I hope it stops snowing in the morning. I need to finish this journey. I continue to get sicker with each passing day. That meeting with the Blackness took something out of me. I feel.....different. I still have an appetite. But, my head hurts and I seem to get weaker each day that passes by. I think my time is about to run out. Soon, maybe I will be joining the billions that have disappeared. But, I have one last duty to complete before I turn out the lights on this world that I will leave behind. It's sad to me. In a thousand years, there will be nothing here that will give much in the way of evidence that man was ever here. There is absolutely nothing I can do about that. For all I know, this world will pass away into nothingness once I complete this journey at Van Horn, TX. I can only hope.....and pray that won't happen. Time to sleep.

Alone on Earth – Entry #50

January 04, 2017


06:31AM
Dear Diary

I have stepped outside into a dreary, gray world of snow and ice. The tent provided little shelter from the frigid temperatures of last night. If there is any good news, it is that it has stopped snowing.....for now. I want to make it into Houston. A road sign says Crosby 15 miles.....Houston 38 miles. I don't know what is in Crosby. I never heard of Crosby, TX. Hell, what am I saying? I never heard of Dayton, TX either. I can't understand why I am being forced to continue on Hwy 90. Sure, parts of Hwy 90 blend into I-10. But, for the most part, it's been Hwy 90. I wish I could say I dreamed I had to take Hwy 90. But, that did not happen. It's just that feeling again that I get when I question about what I'm supposed to do. No, there's not a voice from Heaven booming down on me to tell me. I just know. Honda Gold Wing is loaded up.....time to go.

08:47AM
Dear Diary

I am in the little stop in the road called Crosby, TX. It took me almost an hour to get here in the snow covered hwy and navigating around numerous abandoned vehicles in the road. Right now, I am stopped in front of the Crosby Fire Department. I've decided to rest, eat some beef jerky and take a few sips of water. There isn't much to see here. A few buildings, a fairgrounds, chamber of commerce building.....that's about it. On entering Crosby, there is a sign that says, “Friendliest Little Town in Texas.” Well, I guess the chamber of commerce didn't get the memo. No one here to greet me. But, there is some disturbing news. I think the Blackness is back. On the side of this firetruck is Abyssus est vestri fatum. I don't know what most of it means since my memory has faded on my knowledge of Latin. But, I do know abyssus means hell. As if I didn't know that already. How did the Blackness know I would stop in this town, at this little firetruck? I totally and unequivocally do not know. This is the mystery that haunts me. It seems the Blackness has an advantage I don't have; knowing what my next step will be even before I do. How can I have a chance against this damn thing? On top of this, I feel even sicker this morning. My head, particularly the left side, is absolutely killing me today. Tylenol z-onK is not working it's magic. Regardless, I have to make it to Houston. Time to go.

11:43AM
Dear Diary

Houston. This is my first visit to this huge, monstrous city. I can see buildings as far as the eye can see in this gray-white wasteland. As I look out at the city on this overpass of I-10, I see abandoned cars, trucks and buses by the thousands. And they all have one thing in common; they were all headed west on I-10. No cars, or trucks or buses on the eastbound lane of I-10. Unbelievable. The Astrodome, which was largely a forgotten landmark for years after Hurricane Katrina, is destroyed. The entire roof has caved in from my vantage point. All the streets down below......all the cars are backed up as if trying to get on I-10 west. What did they know? For some reason, I suddenly don't want to go down to one of the adjoining streets to investigate. There is something here.....that seems sinister. I don't know what it is. But, I think I will be moving on and stay in Columbus, TX which, according to an interstate sign, is 75 miles. I don't know if I can make it that far or not in this weather. But, I have to try. I do not want to go down below and look around in Houston. I don't feel comfortable. It is that feeling again. I'm getting the hell out of here and making for Columbus.

2:03PM
Dear Diary

I had to pull over. I drove about 30 miles and it has taken me about two hours just to get this far. The snow, the ice and the numerous vehicles are consistently slowing my progress. And I still am getting this sick, weak feeling all over my body. It doesn't feel like a cold or the flu. I almost wish it was the flu. This is different, diary. I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I have decided to stay in this old dilapidated home down this dirt road off Hwy 90. It's only about 300 feet off the highway. Most of all, it has a fireplace. I need to get warm, I need some warm food in me and I need some wine. I need to rest. It is here I will spend the night. I am also going to take a nap.

6:42PM
Dear Diary

There are lots of canned goods in this old home. I helped myself to a meal of corn, turnip greens, blackeyed peas, sweet potatoes and the last canned ham that I had in my supply. Hopefully, I can resupply in Columbus. The fireplace is blazing hot. I can't express how good that feels after being cold almost two days. I'm concerned about this weakness I have. Some of the time, I feel just fine. But, at other parts of the day, I am strangely weak, and sick. And the left side of my head.....sometimes the pain is almost too much. I am also worried about some events taking place the deeper I get into Texas. The sky continues to be a strange gray. And it is getting pitch dark at about 4PM every day. In fact, you can see the skies start to darken about 2PM. This is highly unusual. Then there are the sounds I have heard back in Louisiana.....the sounds of crows. I never see them. But, I can hear them. Even over the roar of the motorcycle, I can hear the sound of crows. I will stop, let the bike idle and I can still hear them. I have no idea where they are coming from. Regardless, I am not imagining the sounds. Of this I am completely sure. And, the deeper I go west into Texas, the more I get this smell of sulfur again. This has happened to me before as I started my journey. But, now, it is getting worse. It's like rotten eggs. Maybe that is what is making me sick. No, that's not true. I started feeling sick as soon as I came into Texas. There's a joke there somewhere. I'm just not in the mood to find it. I think I am going to try to sleep. I know it's early. But, a full stomach, a half bottle of wine and this warm fireplace, the first warmth in far too long is getting to me.

11:28PM
Dear Diary

I have awakened to the sound of glass breaking. This is usually the calling card of the Blackness. I have grabbed my Remington rifle and will investigate.

There was broken glass from a cabinet door that has some fine china inside. This didn't happen by itself. I held the candle and looked around the totally dark kitchen.....and nothing. I don't hear anything, I don't see anything.....but the Blackness is definitely here. And the odor of sulfur, rotten eggs is suddenly very prevalent in this house. This has never happened with the Blackness before. Now.....for some reason......I can't even hear the crackle from the fireplace. I can hear nothing. It is like I am suddenly in a vacuum in space. I can barely breath.....I can barely write on this notebook.....I feel lightheaded, nauseated.....I feel as if I am about to do #2 in my pants. What is going on? I don't think.....and then I heard it......





DAVID.....IT IS TIME WE HAD A LITTLE CHAT.

Alone on Earth – Entry #49

January 03, 2017


06:45AM
Dear Diary

Once again, it is snowing. It is a light snow. But, it is still going to be very hazardous on Hwy 90 today. The urge to move on is too great to ignore. I must go. I reluctantly must go. This fireplace is so warm, this home is so secure and welcoming. Not even a visit from the Blackness since Lake Charles. I hate leaving here. As I wrote earlier, I could live the remainder of my life in this home. I could have done that in the Anderson home back in Axis as well. I can't explain this urge that I have. It is like a hunger that can't be quenched. The only way I can at least deal with this urge is to be moving onward toward Van Horn. Van Horn.....I have no idea what awaits me there. But, it's the end of the road, the end of Hwy 90. I know it is confusing as to how I have this knowledge that Van Horn is what holds my destiny. I just feel it, diary. It's there gnawing at me all the time. I can't shake the feeling that things are about to get worse for me as I drive deeper into Texas. Whatever happens, will just have to happen. Time to go.

10:12AM
Dear Diary

It has taken me almost three hours to ride this Honda Gold Wing to Liberty, TX. It has been horrible.....in some places on Hwy 90 I dropped to about 5MPH. The snow is extremely slick in places. It is extremely difficult navigating my way around all the abandoned vehicles on this highway. The numerous oil tanker trucks heading for Houston is a major problem. Some are overturned, caught fire and caused numerous cars to also catch on fire. There are so many burned out shells of what were cars at one time. I stopped at one point when I saw a book in the middle of the road. I stopped, walked over and picked up the book....Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Someone had good taste in literature. Man's inhumanity to man...loved the movie. I was unable to stay longer. The sky is getting a bit more gray. I am tired and will rest for a few minutes. The snow has let up. I want to try and make it to Dayton. It is next on my map. I will eat there and stay the night. I hate to run off without checking out Liberty. But, I want to get at least one more city under my belt before I call it a day. Dayton is just a few miles on down the road. The sky is a very strange gray. I better get moving.

12:37PM
Dear Diary

I am in Dayton. Let me correct myself.....I am in the city that once was Dayton. Like a couple of other cities on my journey, this city has also burned down to the ground. Not one house, one building is standing. There is nowhere for me to spend the night. I could ride back to Liberty and spend the night. But, the snow.....the ever present snow is falling again. This time, it is snowing heavily. I can't chance it. And it is just after noon and it appears to be getting dark....too dark. I've got to get this pup tent set up, unroll my sleeping bag and try to eat something.

3:51PM
Dear Diary

I am using a candle in this little pup tent I have set up on the emergency lane of Hwy 90. Why don't I get in one of the abandoned vehicles? I could do that. But, I am going to try this pup tent for a while and I can stretch out better. It feels more cozy here. It is still cold. But, I am willing to wager these snow encrusted cars are like ice boxes. Still, if I get too cold, I will give it a try. I forgot to say why I am using a candle, diary. It is not quite 4PM and it is pitch black outside. I know it gets dark in winter fairly early. But, this is unusually dark. I'm already nervous about this. It should not be midnight dark at 4PM. Not even in the dead of winter. Not in east Texas. I had cold cans of vienna sausage for lunch, some stale crackers and beef jerky. I suppose I will have the same for dinner. I cannot start up a disposable grill in this tent. And the snow would put out the fire. So, I just have to cuddle up in this sleeping bag, with my jacket over me and hope for the best. Another city that is mysteriously burned to the ground. I've been curious about this. This is the third city this has happened. Is it because of riots? Things happened so quickly during The Event, I doubt people had time to organize to riot. But, riot about what? Or did the Blackness set this entire city on fire and for what reason? Why just specific cities? Speak of “the devil”.....I have not seen or heard from the Blackness since the incident at the police station in Lake Charles. I know I have not seen the last of the Blackness. I have this ability to sense the Blackness. I have not “sensed” it since Lake Charles. And, for some strange reason, that worries me now.

7:20PM
Dear Diary

I cannot put into words just how cold.....and how dark it is outside this tent. It is incredible! I blew out the candle and put my left hand outside the tent. I could not see my own hand. I lit the candle right back with a lighter. I think I will let it burn tonight, as dangerous as that seems. I will just have to be careful not to turn over the candle holder. I remember when I was a boy scout, I.....I know I am most likely hallucinating.....but I thought I heard people laughing. I am almost positive I heard that. I'm not going outside to see. Some things are better left undetected. That is my motto for this brave new world in which I must live. I'm really starting to think I have lost it now. Maybe a little wine will calm my nerves.

10:03PM
Dear Diary

Tomorrow, I will leave for Houston if the snow does not get any worse. I may or may not stick around Houston to check things out. Houston is such a big city. It will take up more time than I think I have. I continue to have this sluggish feeling for reasons I cannot explain. One reason I stopped on Hwy 90 today (when I picked up the Kurt Vonnegut classic), was due to a feeling of weakness. I don't understand what is happening. How can I start getting sick when I have to face off that spawn of hell down the road? You know.....I don't ask God for much, diary. Just a few pleas of help every now and then. I have overcome so much since The Event. My own fears, my own frustrations and my own questions about my faith in God. I know things are about to get worse.....much worse. I can't fight as a sick, fragile, 65 year old man DAMN IT!!!!! It's me.....the weakest of God's creations against a demon as mighty as anything the Prince of Darkness can conjure up. I'm no match for this thing. Even in good health how can.....ok, either I am losing my mind.....or I have again heard people laughing. It is laughing like at a party or maybe even a backyard BBQ. And now.....and now.....a final injustice; I can hear Ralph barking. Darkness or not, Blackness or not, I'm going outside to see what is going the hell on!!!!

I went outside....and I could indeed hear people talking.....laughing. I shouted, I screamed until my lungs burned, my throat is hurting. But, it was to no avail. And, just as it suddenly started.....it suddenly stopped.....in the total, complete darkness. I heard Ralph bark again and I shouted, “RALPH!!! COME, BOY, COME!!!!” And so help me God.....he answered me the way he always did with that single, familiar, loving “WOOF.” I know it's not possible he's out here in the dead of night in a burned out shell of a city called Dayton, TX. But, I couldn't help but cry out to him.....and to the people I know I heard. Maybe.....maybe this is just another way for the Blackness to get to me, to destroy my morale, my determination to continue on to Van Horn, TX. Maybe the Blackness thinks I'm ready to give up. I'm suffering from some sort of strange sickness, I'm cold, I'm wet, I'm scared and I'm tired. I'm tired of it all. I'm been through so much. The Blackness thinks victory is at hand and I'm ready to cash in my chips.....



He is wrong.