cjmelendez_
Entry 1:
Today was my first day in Chernarus. I awoke to the sounds of waves, the wind, and moving grass. I can tell that this place was once quaint – once peaceful. If it had been any other time I could imagine myself being happy to live there. The shoreline must have been a beautiful sight to those that lived less than 100 feet from the shore, but times have changed. Those relaxing shores offer nothing more than somber sounds and a vast, empty ocean.
There’s no escaping what this place has become. Any reprieve that I find in this world comes from the back of a cabinet within a dilapidated home. Any reward I receive for my hard work is given to me in the form of another day of being alive.
I came to Chernarus to seek the comfort of friends. Surviving this reality alone is not something I want to do any longer. I had to get to Polana. They knew I was coming and agreed to meet me half-way from their settlement in Gorka. All I had to do was make my way there. I started my journey with nothing but the clothes on my back and a flashlight (with one extra battery).
Chernarus was completely foreign to me, but its current state was nothing but familiar. As if these homes were conscious of the world around them, they permeated misery. Cracked and faded paint, overturned furniture, broken fences, you name it. This place was far from cheery, but it was now home.
I got lucky today. After searching through several homes on my way to Polana to meet my friends, I stumbled upon another person. As I was sorting through my newly acquired can of beans and sardines, plus cereal, someone walked in on me. I was stupid for setting myself up right in front of the back door, but luck was on my side. He wore a T-shirt, jeans, and a motorcycle helmet. I couldn’t see much of his face, but when he opened the door, the silence we shared was a dialogue of its own. I offered him my sardines (I couldn’t hold any more in my pant pockets anyway). I figured kindness would keep me alive. It did.
Still remaining silent he entered the home. I stepped out of it while he did so to remove any pretense that this was my property and that he was disrespecting it. He gave it a quick once over and then approached me. We shared silence once more, but he gave me a look of understanding and then darted away. My loneliness wanted to reveal itself by asking him to talk, or stay for a while, but I knew that would prove dangerous. I didn’t need to test my luck.
Kyle and his friend, who went by the name of Zield, found me. They were better equipped than I. They were outfitted in light armor, weapons, and well-stocked backpacks. I admired their gear – even if Zield’s bright purple backpack made me smirk for a bit. Probably belonged to a child or a sporty young woman. I wonder what happened to her.
—
Today I separated from Kyle and Zield. They opted to camp out for a bit while I went off to get a lay of the land. I continued down the road for several minutes, stopping and searching each home that I found. Today’s quest was one for a backpack. I need a way to store more items.
My first few stops yielded nothing but spare knit hats and tools that I couldn’t manage to fit in my pants’ pockets. I found an empty rifle as well – the lack of ammo was disappointing, but it could prove useful for intimidating unfriendly people.
I found an orange raincoat, but once I stumbled upon a green one, I decided to switch for the sake of better camouflage. You have to think smart in this world. Some lone loon with a sniper rifle might put one right through my head for my supplies, hell, maybe even for his own enjoyment.
I got thirsty and I drank from a well. It was a bit metallic tasting, but otherwise fine. I then got hungry and stupidly ate a rotten kiwi.
I hate kiwis.
I am now sick. I tried to wash out the bad kiwi taste from my mouth with some of the well water, and perhaps even dilute the contents of the spoiled fruit that sat at the bottom of stomach, but I just got worse as time went on. There goes my lucky streak.
In my weakened state I searched for medical supplies – something to help me feel better. I was too far from Kyle and Zield to turn around and seek their help. I opted to keep moving until the sickness had passed or I found something to make it go away. Nothing.
I found a hunting nest that I’ve decided to rest in. If I die from this, I’ll be…well, dead. I guess I’ll hate to settle with being annoyed at the moment.
I hate kiwis.
