The Gloom Journal

by Ickbard

A simple phrase that we all understand in the modern times was the merging of two worlds in one. A cataclysmic event seen only on a biblical scale that decimated both planes inhabitants nine times over when both realities conjoined. A journal was found and published not only to tell the story of one adventure, but the story of a generation of survivors for histories.

3. Oregon Forest

Fall: 2023

Oregon is… interesting. Lotta forest to look around in. It slowly went from mountainous to nigh endless forest. Pretty sure I just left one national park region and entered another. Reminds me of how the State of Jefferson almost became a thing. Not many people knew what that was but the idea was since the LA county area has three times the population of Norway, the rest of the state never really was represented. The summer before the world ended they voted to make giant pipelines from Lake Almanor to get more fresh water to the valley and LA, also known as a DESERT. Problem was that water was used to make electricity… For those who don't know what electricity is as either a concept or in use, imagine capturing lightning in a chunk of metal and then using it to do work for you.

Back on track, so Southern Oregon is basically all Forest and as is most of the true North California, not this BS about the valley being "North Cali." They wanted to make a new state and got damn near close, but WWII happened and it died on the vine. Got real close too. I'm stuck in a forest following a map i've never seen before 2 months ago chatting cold and wet and I'M FUCKING WRITING ABOUT U.S. HISTORY. Heh… Make that the phrase on my tomb.

So I woke up late at night and heard a twig snap. Got my shield and crowbar and was at the ready but before I knew it I saw zombies… Now for a normal person they'd pee their pants and run away. But me? I pee'd my pants in fear (turns out it's a mix of the supernatural causing survival instincts to go haywire along with the undead having this fear aura) and was more excited than I would like to admit. The Elf's gray skin was covered in maggots, their hazy eyes and slack jaw open as a rumbly groan emerged from its throat that was accentuated by the black bubbles coming from it's chest. By my best guess, which was the best guess in a 20 mile radius at that point, was some kinda chopping weapon going for the heart. The wound lacked the bruising like most murder victims had but the stippling of the wound was unmistakable, so they must have gotten that after they joined what I was simultaneously fearing and hoping was a massive legion of the undead.

With a quick reality check, I waited for it to step forward with it's arms raised. I didn't want to try and swing while it was mid-step. That would become a miss, and could easily spell doom for me.. I readied my first strike and slammed my crowbar home to the poor bastard's head. Naturally, they did not die, but I wanted to learn. As the Elf was getting up, I took in my surroundings and when I saw nothing else, I looked back down to the zombie and I wanted to see how long it would take for it to get back up. Surprisingly even though they are slow, the lower their center of gravity, the more their hand-eye coordination is similar to that of the living. But the second they get up, they almost become top heavy, slow and lumbering. My fascination was piqued. My love of zombie media is vast. It all started with the zombie survival guide written by Mel Brooks' son. From there on I was hooked. Now I get to deal with zombies in person! The next course of action is to see how they work and react.

Afterwards I learned when they have their limbs crippled, they have similar awareness as humanoids would. Aware that the part doesn't work as well, but they still use it from time to time because they are just so used to using it day to day. While they seem to be aware of their capabilities, I learned that they are unaware of surroundings. Going behind a tree, they can either see, smell, or hear me behind it but they don't go around the tree. They try to go through it. Seemed typical at least but I was glad it didn't know to avoid obstacles.

I also learned another thing about zombies…. Even though they are clumsy, bumbling fools… You never hear them until they moan. After a few minutes of experimenting with this zombie, I almost became one as three more appeared in the dim firelight from my camp.

The fight wasn't glamorous, but at least I learned that they don't really regard each other. They followed me in a chain and would get in each other's way as I went to work crippling them and then smashing their skulls. I finally cooled down enough to hear something other than my heartbeat. I heard nothing. No shambling, no moans, no anything. I decided if I can't see my way out and I can't climb a tree, I better stay on sentry, and sleep after sunrise. Before that though I had to collect my thoughts and write this all down. Lord help me, I nearly died to something from cheesy horror movies based of Haitian witchcraft and all I wanna do is find someone, anyone and gush over the fact zombies are real in the apocalypse. My god I've gone insane.