words are printed out rather neatly this time instead of rushed and crudely etched into the paper

“February 16th.”

“I haven’t written anything in a while. Things have been a bit hectic around town, there’s been word of raiders jumpin a few people lately. Call themselves Howlers. Sounds like a pack of crazed inbreds to me, but either way I’m watchin my six whenever I’m out scavenging. I finally found a place to stay, to keep warm and actually sleep in a bed for once. Been staying in the ‘refugee’ room at the Eights. Some guy named Shawn told me I’d have to pull my weight around though if I want to keep staying. I don’t mind helping out with things where I can, even invited me to head out of town to try and pull in some items from surrounding towns, I’m down for it.. Anything to keep my mind occupied. Met a few friends in this place..Serena and Jim, Mike and Mack to name a few. They’re a pretty decent bunch and look out for one another. Mack and I have kind of grown close I guess you could say, He and I met when I stumbled into the Eights and fell asleep on one of the chairs. Since then he’s been attached at the hip it seems, which I don’t mind him hangin around. He’s grown on me quite a bit over the past few days and I think its safe to say that I have grown attached to him. I dunno why but we just click I guess. I didn’t think the world had room for anything like this anymore, and I didn’t think I had it in me to let myself open up to someone like I have for Mack.. It scares me to be honest because now when I look at him, I get anxious and in the back of my mind I worry about the inevitable. On the other hand I’m the happiest ive been in years, and the dire situation we’re all in doesn’t look so bad when I’m around him. I guess I’ll just go with the flow and ride the wave of happiness that I’m feelin and hopefully things go smoothly.

C.