Today was absolutely terrifying. Unexpectedly, an earthquake decided to hit the island, and with it came a storm, and it broke the dam. I was in the lab when it happened. Subjected to broken glass and the sounds of broken equipment, I made sure to get out of there as quick as I could. It was a difficult task, given I didn’t much trust the elevator to work, but somehow I managed to get downstairs before the power went out completely. As I think back on it, I wouldn’t have survived had I been stuck in that lab. However, many of the specimens (if not all) we had were completely ruined. The place is a mess in general. It will probably take us a week or more to repair any damage, and it couldn’t have happened at a worst time. We had just begun to get our bearings back after going into higher security.

After the power went out, the City streets began to flood with water. Seeing as we are at the highest altitude on the island, I was preparing to treat strangers who wished to seek refuge in our little facility. Frantically, I ran around and gathered any medical supplies I could find. Working in an ER for three or so years taught me what to expect in natural disasters, and I assumed the worst. People eventually did come up, but there was a face I was not expecting before my eyes. It was Elaine. I still have yet to ask her how she got here to Arklay, but I think my heart about stopped when I realized who she was. Nerves filled my brain, and my anxieties kicked into overdrive. I feared that she still hated me after our argument. Yet, it seemed that was far from the truth. Us and a few others looked to take shelter in the mess hall to get out of the rain, and after talking it out, she held me close and cried. In the years I’ve been married to her, I have hardly seen Elaine cry. She saves her tears for important occasions, but I’m happy that she did so. It showed me she cared. After all the time we’ve been apart… she still cared.

I think the biggest shock for me was the fact that… Apparently I’m going to be a father. It’s not something I expected though I suppose I should have pondered the possibility. Before the outbreak, we were thinking of starting and family. I wouldn’t say we were actively trying to have a child, but we also weren’t preventing that possibility. So, maybe we were trying… No being modest in that regard I suppose. Either way, it’s a happy yet terrifying feeling after the events of today. I’ll be bringing a child into a world where the dead walk the earth, and every day is becoming a bigger struggle to survive. Though she’s still very early in the pregnancy, I worry about such things. Can the both of us handle this? My time is already split thin by working at Deimos. Adding a baby into the mix…

Right now, I should focus on helping clean up the facility. We have a lot of work ahead, all of us do. Broken equipment, glass, and all parts of the dead are scattered about the floor. We can’t work with the place looking like this so work must begin as soon as possible. Even Elaine, who has now joined me at Deimos, will have to find things to keep herself busy, and add to our small community. Though we’ve lost a lot, I feel as if I’ve gained one of the most important things I could have asked for. My family. I have my family again. After tidying this place up a bit, I’m going to enjoy what time I can spend with her this evening. Any time with her, is precious.

              ~Peter Perkins