But this was the norm of every bank I have gone into. My limited vocabulary can’t do justice to this sight. It does not make sense that banks would leave vaults wide-open even in the event of an invasion by a foreign army, an earthquake, a nuclear attack or any other cataclysmic event I can fathom. None of those events have taken place. No evidence of any. It is almost as if people just up and vanished into thin air. I have been to courthouses with papers scattered everywhere as if everyone dropped their paperwork and left the place. Coffee cups filled with coffee in breakrooms. I went to the county jailhouse, and found no prisoners. And all the jail cells were still locked. I went to the huge Mobile Convention center, and was all alone in the panoramic staging area. The Carnival Cruise ships were still docked and appeared ready to take on passengers. No one was aboard at least one ship. Enough of this…I must eat something. I have found raw bacon packed in dry ice in one club on Royal St., I suppose it is safe to eat. I have to eat some meat.
3:42PM
Dear Diary
I have gone into Bel Air Mall on Airport Blvd. It is completely deserted. This is probably the busiest place in Mobile any day of the week. The huge parking lots are filled to capacity as usual; but no trace of the owners, except for that white, salt-like powder still in many of the vehicles. Strangely, at Hotdog Haven, the beef dogs were still warm on the warming tray. They smelled alright, so I ate two of them. I may pay for it later. I have gone into Sears, J.C. Penney, Orange Julius (yes, I drank some), Dick’s Sporting Goods, and a host of other stores. All deserted, all dark and stale air. I need to get out of here before dark. I just don’t want to stay here tonight. I have gotten a few items from the various stores, and put them in a duffel bag I took from Hibbett’s Sporting Goods. I have a Remington Model 700 rifle with ammo, a small pup tent, a sleeping bag, assorted can goods, canteens, and other items. The one thing I need most is light. So, I stocked up on matches and all the Zippo lighters I could find. Tonight, no matter where I stay, I’m going to have light. Now, it is time to find supper. I have my choice as long as it is canned.
5:15PM
Dear Diary
I decided to try one of the many police cars I have come across. I said, “This is an APB for everybody…” before I realized the damn radio was dead because of the battery. I am thinking of trying to get one of the motorcycles at the Honda dealer across from me. I think I can get a rolling start with it, and pop the clutch into second gear. It should start if I can find gas. Hopefully, that won’t be a problem at the Honda dealer. I am getting the shakes right now. I hope it wasn’t the hotdogs. It may be today’s events taking firm hold of me now. I’m still walking tightrope on a thin line between sanity and insanity over what I see right now. Or, better yet, what I don’t see.
7:30PM
Dear Diary
I am at the Honda Dealer, which is here where I will spend the night. I have the front door propped open. Just outside the door, I have charcoal briquettes and firewood blazing. It feels good on this cool night in Mobile. At least, the thermometers are still working. I see from the light of the Zippo lighter that it is 48 degrees on the old mercury style thermometer. I have partaken of canned hams at a local supermarket, and made me some ham sandwiches. I was afraid to try any of the vegetables such as lettuce to put on them, but I did use some of the mayo I found. I wonder why I even bother eating. I am starting to think I’m all alone now. At least, I feel that there is no one else in this city. I know there has to be other people that survived whatever it was that caused this monstrous calamity. I have prayed more than at any other time in my life. Does God even care? Why did He allow this to happen? And why me? Why have I been singled out to live over all the thousands, maybe millions, of innocent people? These questions are starting to get the best of me. I try not to think of it, but sometimes it becomes overpowering to me and I start to cry. If God would only allow me to find Ralph, I think I could make it. But I need companionship. Ralph is a good listener (OK, that one made me smile). I love my old beagle. But why should he be singled out like I was?
10:38PM
Dear Diary
In the morning, I will try to push start a new 2016 Honda Gold Wing. It’s the only one here that doesn’t have an automatic transmission. I think I can pack the duffel bag along with some other stuff on this thing. The only issue, can I push start it? This is a big motorcycle, and it will weigh even more with the stuff I have packed on it. I wish ATVs had not been outlawed now. So many people were killed by them until Congress pushed for their complete elimination in 2012, I think. I might be able to find some old ones somewhere. But there are none at this dealership, of course. Will I be able to push start one? I’m 65 years old, I’m too old for this. I’m going to give the bike a try in the morning. I completely filled up both the main and reserve gas tanks, so I should be able to make it around. I am bringing along a siphon hose and gas can. I suppose I can find a way into the gas tanks at any of the gas stations around. I hope I can. I think they have hand-generated cranks in case of emergencies. Hand-generated…could I possibly get a generator working if I can get the gas? I just now thought about that. Do they require batteries to start? There are some Honda generators here, but how can I even transport a small one (1000 watts)? I don’t know, but I’m going to try and bring a small one with me somehow. It is time to sleep. I have had a nightmarish day. No human being should have to endure all that I have today. I have so many questions. And no way, absolutely no way to find any answers. It continues to be overcast. So, once again, no moonlight. It’s just as well…the moonlight would make me more melancholic than I already am at present. I can’t give up hope. I just can’t.
Alone on Earth – Entry #5
November 20, 2016
2:33AM
Dear Diary
I have again heard “something” about ten minutes ago. It was right outside the Honda Motorcycle dealer’s service department area. Once again, I am getting this overwhelming sensation someone is watching me. I have my .38 special locked and loaded, and my Remington rifle is locked and loaded as well. I have called out to see if anyone would answer. As always, nothing in response. Despite being heavily armed, I am scared. I don’t know what awaits me in this “brave new world” that I have encountered. I will try to go back to sleep, hopefully I can.
7:26AM
Dear Diary
A late start to the morning due to last night’s disturbance. I still have no idea what it was. As I stepped out the front door of this dealership, all six lanes of Airport Blvd were clogged with cars. I cannot begin to speculate on what would cause people to just up and leave their vehicles in the middle of a major thoroughfare in this city. I get dizzy even trying to think about it. I have the 2016 new Honda Gold Wing loaded and ready to push start this morning. I also have a Honda 2000 watt generator tied to the rear seat with about eight bungee cords; I sure hope everything holds in place. This is a monster bike. It must weigh about 1500 pounds or more. Luckily, there is a downslope from the Honda dealer, and I will attempt to push start this bike as soon as I eat my morning breakfast of Vienna sausage and crackers. God, how I would love to have a ham and egg omelet from the Waffle House about now! And some hot coffee! I will not make an entry until noon if I am successful in my attempt to push start this huge motorcycle. I intend to visit many places this morning in an attempt to make contact with any surviving people. God, please…just a little help here. That’s all I ask…just a little help.
12:25PM
Dear Diary
Successfully push started the Honda Gold Wing. It took me four attempts to get it started. But I have been cruising all over town. It is completely deserted. I have seen empty baby carriages as mothers were taking their babies out for a stroll. I have seen dog collars all over the street. Where are the dogs? DAMMIT!!! Where is everybody??? None of this makes sense. Banks just don’t up and leave vaults completely open! Police officers don’t just up and leave their police cars in the middle of the street! Money - hundreds, thousands of dollars - has fluttered down Broad St. this morning…and where did it come from?? I have driven to Saraland,