Dearest Mr. Hawkeye,

I guess it's not the best way to start a letter, but I have some awful news to tell you.

Remember, in one of my previous emails to you, I'd mentioned Jacqui, a lady who used to live in this apartment complex? Well, I've just come from her funeral. Turns out, her husband – Dr. Edwin Jenner, was an active member in some religious cult. They say he joined it after the tragic death of his first wife. Kind of strange, considering that he seemed like a rational man and devoted his life to science… Somehow, he convinced Jacqui to become a cult follower as well. They committed suicide together three days ago. Apparently it was poison gas that killed them.

I'm a bit shaken by this, because I liked Jacqui. She was always kind to me… to all of us here, as a matter of fact. I think T-Dog is depressed too. He used to date Jacqui before she met Jenner. Most of the tenants who knew her attended the memorial service. It was sad. She shouldn't have died like that. Andrea said that since there is nothing we can do to change what happened, it's not our place to judge the dead. But Dale disagreed, he said that the suicide was selfish of her and caused other people needless pain. I'm inclined to side with the old man, although I blame the cult founder obviously. Philip Blake, if I got the name right.

The bodies were cremated. To tell the truth, I don't understand that. Of course, I realize that cremation is a normal practice, but I'm not quite comfortable with it. You know, that way, it feels like they were just gone. Erased. Like they never existed.

In fact, I had a spirited debate on the subject with Daryl. I might have overreacted a little. I shouldn't have snapped at him. I need to apologize later. Carol just told me that his mother died in a fire when he was a kid. Didn't know that. I feel like shit now… 'Judge not that ye be not judged.' Damn me and my big mouth.

The strangest part was that Daryl didn't say anything back to me. I mean, he's not the most restrained person when he gets mad at somebody. For example, when Daryl was informed about Merle being rushed to the hospital after the elevator incident, he tossed a bag full of groceries at Rick in a fit of rage. Luckily, Rick was quick enough to dodge the blow; he could've gotten a concussion, had it hit him in the head. :S

Anyway, my point is that Daryl's calm reaction to my shouting was not like him. I admit that I got carried away in the heat of the argument and wouldn't have blamed him had he punched me in the face for my impertinence. Hope he will accept my apologies.

Actually, now that I think of it, it seems that all of the tenants of this apartment complex are at odds with each other at this point. Andrea is sulking because Dale didn't approve of her constant worrying about Amy. Daryl and T-Dog have some misunderstandings of their own. And don't even get me started on Popeye and Bluto's alpha-male bickering…

Oh, the last line needs some explanation. Daryl once called Lori 'Olive Oyl' (I guess it's because she is skinny and tall). So doesn't that make Rick and Shane Popeye and Bluto, regarding their confusing love triangle? Just don't tell that to any of them, if you ever meet them. Unlike Daryl, Shane wouldn't hesitate before punching me in the face for such impudence :)

To tell the truth, Shane's behavior has changed drastically since Rick's return. Always looks as if he is waiting for a reason to get into a fight with someone. Rick went back to his old work in the police force and got the promotion that Shane was hoping to get for himself. On top of that, there is Lori between them. Shane is dating Andrea currently and Lori doesn't seem to like it. For some reason, neither does Dale.

The old man is always complaining about Shane nowadays. Dale is convinced that our Bluto is "rotten to the core" and that we better keep our eye on him. I don't know about that, moreover it's none of my business in the first place. Although it's not a secret that Shane is not the most popular person around here. Especially after the incident with Otis.

It happened a few months ago, before Rick's miraculous resurrection. Otis (one of the previous tenants) had an argument with Lori because he assumed that Carl purposely scratched his new car. When Shane heard of the accusations, he had a private talk with Otis. Afterwards, the latter and his family moved away. Rumor has it that Patricia (Otis' wife) inherited a little farm in the country and they decided to try their hand at agriculture. But Dale is convinced that the real reason they moved out was because Shane threatened or blackmailed Otis somehow (I, personally, think that the old man has been watching way too many soap operas lately).

Oh, boy. What a horrible gossip I am. Well, as they say – he that touches pitch shall be defiled. Don't get me wrong – Dale is one of my closest friends, but he seems to know so much about our neighbors' private lives, it gets creepy sometimes. :) As a matter of fact, that actually got him into trouble with Daryl the other day.

Dale and I had our usual little chat in the foyer when Daryl suddenly stormed in and started shouting at the old man and calling him names. Something about the character from "On Golden Pond" (Dale has quite dubious taste in hats). That was Daryl's polite way of asking Dale to mind his own business and not pry into other people's affairs. You should have seen the astonished look on Dale's face at that moment. As much as I felt for him, it was funny. On the bright side, Dale doesn't appear to have any hard feelings towards the younger Dixon. To quote him: "underneath that rough redneck façade, Daryl is a decent, honest man." I couldn't agree more.

BTW, I keep getting these mixed signals from Daryl. Although, not sure if I should share this with you or not. It's kind of really personal. Then again, I need to tell someone, and even though you'll never answer to me it feels as if… well…

I think that Daryl is FLIRTING with me! Or maybe I'm reading too much into this. Either way, I'm totally confused. Suit yourself – last week I, along with the other neighbors, was invited to Carol's birthday party. Everything was nice and fun (if you didn't take the buzzkill Shane into account) and then all of a sudden, Daryl started encouraging me to drink more wine, because he wanted to see how red my face would get. Should I consider that as a racial insult or a pick-up line? Have no idea. There is a pretty big chance I'll get myself an arrow in the ass if I flirt back… Don't want that - my broken ribs haven't healed yet from that fall of mine. Besides, he has that thing with Carol going on. And I'm involved with Maggie.

Yea, we kind of hooked up. Sort of. Maggie paid me a visit last night – Hershel sent her to bring me some painkillers. And all of a sudden, she suggested having sex with her. Who could have thought, right? I mean, Maggie is really hot – way out of my league. And she could have anyone, but for some unexplainable reason she chose me. I'm not even her type! Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered and everything but… it was SO unexpected. I was a bit shocked and just went with the situation. Then again who in their right mind could've rejected a beautiful girl, if they were in my shoes?

I think it was a onetime thing. Maggie won't even speak to me now. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand my pride is hurt, but on the other hand I feel kind of relieved. Does that make me a terrible person? :-/

I pretend sometimes that life is just a game (like Portal) which I must play. If I lose, I shrug my shoulders and laugh – also if I win. It's not that easy to meet the petty hazards of the day lightly and without a fuss, but, it is easier to get through, if you develop that kind of character.

Okay, that's all for today, I'm already late for my shift at the pizza place.

Late for work and slightly confused, Glenn Rhee.

P.S. Carol lost her cat. The pet belonged to Sophia, but Ed didn't let the girl take it with her when he got the custody. If you happen to see a white cat with a black spot on the left ear, please contact somebody from this apartment complex. Carol is devastated and we all want to help her find that darn cat.