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Author: Marsha Loftis

Book 2 Journal Entry 55

Book 2 Journal Entry 55

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Journal 55

I had an awful dream. I dreamt the followers were sacrificing me to Aloysius. In the dream I was naked, lying on an altar somewhere in the middle of the forest. The moon was full and high in the sky. A fog covered the ground. The followers of Aloysius surrounded me. They started pouring bottles of wine all over me to purify my soul. I had to go pee so bad. I kept asking if I could take a break to go to the bathroom, but no one would let me off the dang alter. I urinated all over their sacred altar. Unfortunately, that is when I woke up to a warm wet feeling. I am never going to get that smell out of my mattress.

I spent another evening at Hyatt’s Arcade with Pete and Tony. I think I need to stay away from the liquor. I am positive I drank one too many mixed drinks. I don’t even know what I was drinking. I really don’t like the stuff but after the first or second drink, it actually starts to taste decent.

I am not sure how I got back to Bear Country or when I came back. I must have returned with Pete because he is asleep on my rug, curled up like a puppy. I tried to wake Pete but every time I lean over my head starts to spin. Pete must have had more to drink than I did. Where is Tony?

Book 2 Journal Entry 54

Book 2 Journal Entry 54

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Journal 54

I went to Hyatt’s arcade with Pete, Tony, and Jonas. We were having an enjoyable time until Tyson and Lisa appeared on the scene. I think I saw them first. Pete had his back to the door. He was bent over the pool table preparing for a shot. I stepped on Tony’s foot to get his attention. He let out an unexpected OUCH! Therefore, I elbowed him in the ribs and gestured for him to look toward Tyson and Lisa’s location. Pete thought we were teasing each other and asked us to keep the ruckus down so that he could make his shot. Tyson and Lisa didn’t acknowledge our presence. I don’t know if they saw us or not. Tyson was practically eating in Lisa’s face. They went into the back room where the pinball machines and dartboards were.

To try to avoid conflict I suggested we go somewhere else and party. I suggested a new bar that had opened a couple of streets over. I had heard it had a sound system and dance floor. Tony and Jonas were willing to go. Pete didn’t want to leave. He wanted to keep playing pool. We spent the next two hours trying to keep Pete from seeing Lisa or Tyson as they came out of the back room to buy more drinks.

There was one moment when I thought our efforts had failed. Pete went to the bathroom and a couple moments later Tyson walked into the bathroom. I was holding my breath expecting a fight. They didn’t see each other because a few moments later Pete walked out again.

Book 2 Journal Entry 53

Book 2 Journal Entry 53

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Journal 53

Lisa has not returned to Bear Country. I doubt she is gone for good. Her things are still in her room. I hope she comes to her senses before Tyson does serious damage to her body. The whole thing doesn’t make any sense. Lisa has always been a sensible person. I would have never thought Lisa would become involved with a person like Tyson. Lisa has always been sweet and kind.

I went shopping with Hemy today. We spent most of the day going from kiosk to kiosk. I wish I could say we found some great finds, but we didn’t. Except for a couple of produce kiosks, everything sold was garbage. Who would want to barter for a tin full of bottle caps? To get anything good these days you must know someone that knows someone.

The followers of Aloysius were out mingling with the crowd. They were on their best behavior. Most of them were walking around being friendly and blessing people. I think there are two distinct groups of Aloysius followers. The loud noise follows Aloysius or die people, and the Aloysius is the way, let’s all love each other people.

Hemy and I stopped at a kiosk to look at some sad looking beat-up books when a Dirt Bike Knight purposely trips a follower of Aloysius. The white clad follower falls to the ground at my feet. I reached down to help him to his feet. I know the leader of the Dirt Bike Knights and she is not going to like it when I tell her that her little brother is purposely being rude to people.

I never got the name of the Aloysius follower, but he thanked me for coming to his aid. He seemed nice enough and he was cute.

Book 2 Journal Entry 52

Book 2 Journal Entry 52

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Journal 52

Sheriff Pete got in a couple of good punches. Tyson kicked Pete in the abdomen. Pete went down hard. Matt and Jonas pinned Tyson to the wall.

Matt or Jonas slugged Tyson and he went down. I didn’t see which one. Both? I was trying to help Pete up off the floor. We threw Tyson out of Bear Country. I gave Lisa the option to follow. I yelled at her for causing the fight. Lisa’s irresponsibility caused the whole ruckus in the admin hallway. Lisa gave me the stare of death and followed Tyson out. I hope she doesn’t return.

Tony and I spent most of the day at Hyatt’s Arcade with Matt, Hemy and Jonas. We asked Sheriff Pete if he wanted to go with us, but he declined. Tony teased him by saying it was a good place to meet girls. Pete didn’t see the humor. Pete turned our invitation down and went to do his own thing.

Joshua and several members of the Spurs Gang were already at Hyatt’s arcade when we arrived. We spent the next couple of hours drinking, playing pool, and playing darts in a competition against the Spurs. Several followers of Aloysius interrupted our fun when they entered the arcade and started preaching. We tried to ignore them but after a while, it became difficult. The Hyatt tried to kick them out, but they wouldn’t leave. It took everyone in the arcade to get the Aloysius followers thrown out onto the street.

Book 2 Journal Entry 51

Book 2 Journal Entry 51

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Journal 51

The nerve of some people, Tyson knew he wasn’t welcome in Bear Country. I’m sure Sheriff Pete made that perfectly clear the other day. Lisa should have known there was going to be discourse if she had Tyson stay the night. The girl needs her head examined. If Lisa and Tyson needed to spend time together, why didn’t they stay at his place? At least have him leave before the sun comes up.

Tony and I had slept in. We were up late last night playing cards and talking. Tony and I were snuggling when Pete tossed Tyson against the door to my room. Arms went everywhere. Tony nearly threw me out of bed.

Sheriff Pete and Tyson were in another fight. I dressed as quickly as I could. Tony went out into the hall with nothing but his shorts on. By the time I was dressed and made it out into the admin hallway, a dozen people were trying to stop the fight. Tony had a bloody nose and holding on to Pete. Matt and Jonas were struggling with their hold on Tyson.

Over the next few moments, Tyson and Pete threw insults and vulgarity at each other. Lisa is standing against the wall crying asking them to both stop.

As gang leader, Sheriff Pete demanded Tyson leave Bear Country. Tyson insisted he didn’t have to leave. Lisa could bring anyone she wanted into Bear Country. Tyson is not a smart man. He looked Pete straight in the eyes and added “Your jealous Lisa is sharing her bed with me.”

That’s when Pete broke loose from Tony’s grip.

Book 2 Journal Entry 50

Book 2 Journal Entry 50

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Journal 50

After a moment of prodding by me, Tony ran after Pete. I finished off Tony’s eggs. It was an hour before the two of them returned to Bear Country. I was sitting at the top of the stairs with Hemy, Gretchen and Cecelia. The four of us were discussing babies. Gretchen and Cecelia have the cutest tummies. It is possible to feel their babies move. Marty was out looking for baby furniture. He is the most adorable father to be.

Tony and Pete went straight to the weight room. I hung outside the weight room doors for about 10 minutes trying to listen to their conversation. Unfortunately, the doors are thick and hard to hear through. I gave up trying to listen after Hemy drug me away from the door. Hemy said I was snooping. For the record, I’m supposed to snoop it’s my job. If I don’t snoop, I can’t write down what happens around here. It was lunch before Pete and Tony finally came out of the weight room. They must have been working out hard. Tony and Pete were both drenched in sweat. I offered to make both lunches. I suggested they both shower first. The heat and the stink were radiating off both.

Book 2 Journal Entry 49

Book 2 Journal Entry 49

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Journal 49

I couldn’t sleep so I woke up early to start my day. I ran into Lisa as I was going to the showers. I don’t think she was expecting anyone else to be up that early, especially not me.

Lisa was not happy to see me. When I arrived in the bathroom, Lisa was standing in front of the mirror examining a large bruise on her left arm. Without asking, I knew it was Tyson. Lisa tried quickly to put on her shirt so I couldn’t see the bruises. I confronted Lisa about Tyson and his violent behavior. She told me to mind my own business. I tried to make her listen to reason. In her anger, she pushed me against one of the sinks. My tailbone hit the waterspout on the sink. I banged my head on the mirror and broke it. I also put a nice little cut on the back of my head. I didn’t realize the cut was there until I jumped into the shower and started washing my hair.

After my shower, I went down to the food stores to see if I could find something for breakfast. Tony was already up cooking eggs. They smelled so good. It’s not easy to find eggs in the marketplace.

Not a lot of people have chickens. Getting eggs usually requires knowing someone that has chickens and usually you must be good friends with this person. Tony was a little surprised to see me. I hobbled into the kitchen on my sore foot and bandages around my head. Tony said it looked like I had just returned from war.

Tony rescued me and helped me sit down at a table. Sitting was a challenge I think I bruised my tailbone on the sink faucet.

I started to tell Tony what happened in the bathroom when Sheriff Pete walked in on our conversation. He heard me mention Lisa and the bruises on her arm. He ran out as quickly as he entered.

Book 2 Journal Entry 48

Book 2 Journal Entry 48

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Journal 48

If what I heard is true, then Aloysius is truly magnificent. I think this is probably not the case. I doubt Aloysius is everything his/her followers claim. I am not sure why people look towards religion to fix the problems of the day. If we are going to get back what we had before the virus it is going to take determination and cooperation from all. I guess in a small way I wish there was a person out there that really knew how to fix all of our problems. He or she would put life back to the way it was before the virus destroyed everything that was good.

I’m the only person that can fix or improve my situation. I can ask for the help of my friends and my friends can ask for my help. Profits are only out to improve their situation. There is always some hidden agenda. There are good gangs and there are bad gangs. I have seen more bad than good. The strong usually prey upon the weak. I am afraid that this is the way life will continue to be for a long time coming. I think our struggles are only the beginning. The strong will continue to get stronger, and the weak will continue to look toward the strong for a quick fix to their problems.

We can rebuild society. It is going to take time. Along the way there is going to be obstacle after obstacle. I can think of about a dozen people who have proclaimed themselves profits. None of these people were real. They played on the weakness and needs of others to improve their standing in society. Ultimate power over the masses was usually the goal.

I saw Lisa and Tyson at the Aloysius rally. They were hugging and kissing. I guess she forgave him. What a shame. I wish I knew what kind of hold he has on her. Sheriff Pete will not be happy. Lisa’s happiness and welfare are important to him.

Book 2 Journal Entry 47

Book 2 Journal Entry 47

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Journal 47

Matt, Hemy, Tony and I spent several hours at the park today. It was nice. We packed lunch, the game trouble, and a football. Hemy and I beat the boys in 3 out of four games of trouble. It wasn’t Matt or Tony’s day to roll a six. Hemy and I kept throwing sixes repeatedly. Hemy and I would have two of our game pieces home before Tony or Matt even made it out of the starting gate.

Tony and Matt decided to toss the football around after losing three consecutive games of trouble in a row. Hemy and I weren’t interested in playing. We decided to lie under a tree and talk. We were having a nice conversation when suddenly the air filled with music. Hemy in all her wisdom asked if today Sunday was. We discussed the matter and concluded that today was not Sunday but some other day of the week. Neither of us was sure which one. We followed the sound of the music and discovered we were not alone in the park. A group of about 50 followers of Aloysius was also in the park.

Curiosity was killing me. I had to know what was up with this Aloysius person. I persuaded Matt, Hemy and Tony to walk with me to the other side of the park and listen to the words of Aloysius. I was hoping to be inspired. We didn’t get to see Aloysius, but we did get to see about half a dozen people talk about the great Aloysius and all of his good deeds.

Book 2 Journal Entry 46

Book 2 Journal Entry 46

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Journal 46

We sometimes learn lessons the hard way. Lisa locked herself in her room. She won’t let me in, and she won’t come out.

The evening started out very mellow. I was spending a little time outside. The night sky was clear. It hadn’t been clear since before the meteors and the earthquakes. It was a beautiful quiet evening. Everyone had gone out for the night.

I was sitting on the front steps of the school with my foot propped up on a pillow. I was watching the stars and enjoying the night air. I was at peace.

My peace ended abruptly as Sheriff Pete and a couple of his deputies threw Lisa’s boyfriend out the front doors of the school and down the stairs. The next few moments are somewhat of a blur. I was trying to recover from having my foot stepped on by Tyson. He stepped on my foot after Pete tried to shove him further down the stairs.

Lisa was crying at the top of the stairs begging Pete and Tyson to stop fighting. Lisa’s hair was a mess and cake covered her shirt. Pete wasn’t going to stop fighting with Tyson until he agreed not to return to Bear Country. Tyson wasn’t going to leave until Lisa agreed to leave with him. The next few moments were a bit intense. I thought Lisa would choose to leave but she didn’t. Tyson left but not before telling Lisa, she was worthless.