Part 13 (1/2)

d.a.m.n. I've got to stop running away. But I've got no other option.

This virus is out of control. And if spreads. If it gets out...

I need to warn Rebecca. I can't stop thinking about her.

What's that saying? 'Fortune favors the bold' or something? Well, I hope fortune favors the crazy. Because what I am doing right now is downright insane. There's every chance that I'll be caught.

There's every chance they'll shoot me dead and bury me out in the desert.

The virus was spreading faster than they could contain it.

How long before it reaches the next town over? Or the next city? Will the Apache guns.h.i.+ps get all of the infected? Will the containment crews be able to chase them all down?

I don't think so. The Australian outback is huge. There's no way.

And that thought terrifies me.

So I've got to warn Rebecca.

She's here somewhere. My parents said she had moved to Sydney. That was over a year ago. I have no idea if she's still there. I don't even know her address.

But this is my decision. To h.e.l.l with the consequences.

I'm on the run. I'm alone. I'm hungry. I'm dehydrated and scared.

But I have to try. I have to warn her.

Rebecca, I am coming for you.

OUT NOW.

The Secret Apocalypse (Book 1).

Extinction Level (Book 2).

Where The Dead Men Lie (Book 3).

The Lost Journal Part 2.

COMING SOON.

TORN APART.

Part 2.

Attn: Commander Satoru Yos.h.i.+da.

Subject: Transcript Interception.

Cla.s.sification: Above Top Secret.

Commander Yos.h.i.+da, We intercepted a communication between two high ranking U.S. military officials. The communication contained a partial transcript of a journal. We believe this is the journal of your son. The journal gives extreme detail of the effects of the Oz virus and the military's operations and movements within Sydney. It also describes the operation codenamed 'Project Salvation'.

Our theory about the dust storm appears to be accurate.

The journal also confirms that Maria Marsh survived the failed rescue attempt by Seal Team Zero.

However, the last entry in your son's journal is March 2nd. As a result we cannot confirm if Maria Marsh is still alive.

We do not know if your son is still alive.

We recommend continuing our research.

A team of Evo Agents has been deployed at your request.

Feb 10th - Fate and the choices we make.

I read this book a few years ago that I found in my dad's study. It was about a man chained to a wall in a prison. He was being tortured. Pretty gruesome stuff. The skin on his back and his arms and his torso and his legs, every part of his body had been flayed off with a splintered bamboo cane. His eyes were sealed shut with his own blood. And yet through all the pain and the screaming in his mind he realized he was a free man.

He had choices.

Hate.

Forgive.

Love.

Accept.

He talked about fate. And he talked about the choices people make in their lives. In an instant he understood that even though he was chained to a wall, he was still free. He was free to hate the people torturing him or free to forgive them. This book had a profound effect on me. Mostly because I did not believe someone could be that strong. And that understanding.

To forgive the people torturing you?

To accept it?

To love them?

I don't know, man. I don't think anyone could be that strong.

I can't remember who wrote the book. I think it was an autobiography. I think it was based on a true story but I can't remember.

I'm trying hard to remember who wrote it, like somehow if I remembered who wrote that book it would give me strength or courage.

I'm trying to think but I can't.

I'm too exhausted.