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Book 1 -A Pregnant Casey

Book 1 -A Pregnant Casey

A Pregnant Casey runs to the bathroom
A Pregnant Casey runs to the bathroom

Casey had been restless for hours, caught in a cycle of shallow sleep and discomfort. The third trip to the bathroom came with a groan, the familiar urgency driving her from the warmth of her tangled sheets. The baby pressed unrelentingly against her bladder, as if even in the womb it demanded space and attention.

Her back throbbed with a dull, constant ache. Her eyelids hung heavy, but rest refused to come. Every muscle in her body felt drained, as if simply being was a task too great.

There was no lack of love only weariness. She was deeply grateful for the life growing inside her, for the small kicks and flutters that reminded her she was never truly alone. But in the quiet hours of early morning, when the world was still and she was not, that gratitude was layered with longing.

She wanted it to be over. Not the motherhood, not the bond but the heaviness, the waiting. More than anything, Casey wanted to hold her baby in her arms, to trade aching anticipation for the weight of new life cradled against her chest.

Book 1 Journal Entry 7

Book 1 Journal Entry 7

Madie sitting outside writing in her journal
Madie sitting outside writing in her journal


Tony is getting worse, and Scat is missing. I couldn’t find him anywhere this morning. He didn’t show for breakfast. His bike is also missing. He is too little to be out in the city alone. If he is caught by the Central Bobcats, it could be disastrous.
The Scat and Lisa in the room with Tony
The Scat and Lisa in the room with Tony
Lisa took over sitting with Tony after Scat. She said he was obviously upset and mentioned something about finding medicine to help. If I thought medicine was available I would have been the first person to go and find some. Unfortunately, finding medicine for even the common cold is just not possible. The pharmacies were emptied out long ago. You can occasionally come across something to barter but there is no guarantee that what you are bartering for is actually in the bottle. The only time medicine appears on the market is when some desperate soul is trying to save a dying loved one. People have been known to sell their soul for medicine, and it turn out to be nothing at all. Some awful concoction someone has put together.
Jonas talking to a kiosk owner about Scat
Jonas talking to a kiosk owner about Scat

Matt and Jonas volunteered to go and look for Scat. I would have gone but I have things that need my attention here.

Madie

Book 1 – Scat Captured by the Central Goons

Book 1 – Scat Captured by the Central Goons

Scat captured by the Central Goons at the mall
Scat captured by the Central Goons at the mall

The Central Goons had grown bolder in recent weeks. No longer content with intimidation alone, they had begun snatching boys off the streets, anyone small enough to drag away, anyone without someone watching. The boys taken were forced into hard labor on the Central Campus, their days filled with hunger, cleaning, and obeying. The unfortunate were thrown into savage warm-up fights, nothing more than living punching bags for Xavier Boulder’s goons to train on.

At that moment, Scat had just reached his bike. The trade was done, the precious medicine secured. He was ready to return to Bear Country, to save his friend Tony.

Scat didn’t see the two Goons until it was too late. He tried to escape their grasp but failed.

Book 1- A Successful Trade for Medicine

Book 1- A Successful Trade for Medicine

The Scat and Sam find medicine
The Scat and Sam find medicine

Scat murmured his thanks as they stepped out the backside of the mall, the sharp afternoon light catching the dust in the air. Sam handed him the medicine without ceremony, her face calm, unreadable as always. She had covered the rest of the trade with the pharmacist, a quiet favor, but not a small one.

“Meet me at the market plaza tonight,” she said, slipping her hands into her coat pockets. “I could use your help with a little distraction… and maybe picking a few pockets.”

She paused, just long enough to let the next words carry weight. “I hope this medicine helps Tony.”

Then she turned and walked away, leaving Scat standing with the bottle in his hand.

Book 1 – A Fair Trade

Book 1 – A Fair Trade

Scat and Sam at the pharmacy counter
Scat and Sam at the pharmacy counter

Sam, Queen of the Gutter Rats, felt a flicker of irritation toward Scat, though she knew he wasn’t to blame. She hadn’t warned him what the pharmacist might demand in trade. The man was unpredictable, sometimes picky, other times needlessly cruel. Scat, unaware of the risks, had laid everything he owned on the counter: every last coin and a battered old pocket watch, his hands trembling slightly as he hoped it would be enough.

Book 1 – Sam and Scat meet at the mall

Book 1 – Sam and Scat meet at the mall

Scat and Sam meeting on the backside of the mall
Scat and Sam meeting on the backside of the mall

Sam stood with her arms crossed. “Took you long enough.”
Scat’s gaze drifted to the jagged hole in the side of the building. “We’re going in there?”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a baby. This way we avoid all the bad guys.”
Scat lingered at the edge, hesitation written all over his face. For a moment, he considered turning back. Maybe Tony didn’t need the medicine. Maybe he’d pull through without it.
Sam rested a hand on his shoulder. “We just need to make it to the pharmacy without being seen. Trust me—we’ve got this.”

Book 1 – 6a. Scat Meeting Sam at the park

Book 1 – 6a. Scat Meeting Sam at the park

The Scat and Sam meeting at the park

Scat was desperate. Tony was burning up, barely able to move, and antibiotics were his only hope.
There was only one person he could turn to and that person was Sam.

Sam, known as the “Queen of the Gutter Rats”, had more than earned her title. If something needed to be found, bartered for, or quietly lifted, Sam was the one who could make it happen.

She listened to Scat’s story in silence, arms crossed, one brow raised.
“I can help you get medicine,” she said finally. “I know a guy… but it’s gonna cost you.”

She hesitated, then added, “He’s inside the mall. Meet me there in two hours, I’ve got an errand to run first.”

Scat blinked. “The mall?” His voice cracked. “You want to go into the mall?”

Everyone had heard the stories. People who went in didn’t come out. No one in their right mind went into the mall.

But Sam just shrugged, already turning away.
“Two hours,” she said over her shoulder, then vanished down the street.

Book 1 Journal Entry 6

Book 1 Journal Entry 6

Madie sitting with Tony in admin hallway
Madie sitting with Tony in admin hallway


We moved Tony from the basement up to the admin hallway. He is not doing well. His eye seems to be better, but his stomach is extremely bloated and painful to the touch. He isn’t holding any food done but we are insisting that he drink water. I honestly don’t know if this is doing any good or if it is doing harm, but I heard once that you shouldn’t let people get dehydrated.
Marty, Gretchen and Cecelia at the main library
Marty, Gretchen and Cecelia at the main library

Marty, Gretchen and Cecilia have headed out to the main library to do some research on Tony’s condition. With any luck they will come back with some answers on what we should do to help him. In the meantime, the kids are taking turns sitting with Tony and trying to keep him comfortable.

Madie

Book 1 Journal Entry 4

Book 1 Journal Entry 4

 Madie dreaming of home
Madie dreaming of home

I Dreamt about being home again last night. I swear I could almost feel and smell the clean sheets. It felt like a weekend. One of those mornings when you had a great nights sleep. A familiar smell wakes you. My mom was in the kitchen making her famous biscuits. I miss those biscuits. I miss the strawberry jam. I don’t know what woke me from my dream but it was a let down when I realized it wasn’t real.

Madie

Book 1 -Journal Entry 3

Book 1 -Journal Entry 3

. Madie in the cafeteria of BCHS
. Madie in the cafeteria of BCHS

I take back the “I’m bored” thing. We held a meeting tonight to discuss what could be done about our missing fuel. The consensus was nothing. Asking for the fuel back wasn’t an option, taking the fuel back wasn’t an option, although two people who shall remain nameless thought, we should storm central and take it back. Can you say Matt and Jonas. This was voted down because of the possibility of casualties, on our side. We decided to install a security detail during the night hours. Everyone over the age of 12 would be required to keep watch at two-hour intervals. Our resources are few and we don’t need to be losing anything else. We have strength in numbers, and we can protect ourselves when necessary.

At the meeting we also discussed the up-and-coming festival. Like last year we plan to have a feast, music and games. The Journal club will be putting up fliers to announce the event to the community. Everyone is invited, except for central of course. With luck they won’t grace us with their presence at this year’s event.

Madie