Will of Man - Part One (7 page)

I watched him take a small animal (I think it was a dead turtle) out of the burlap bag along with a small cross he had fashioned out of sticks and some wire. He dug a small grave, said a few words while facing the sky, and then gently placed the turtle in the small grave. As he buried it, he burst into tears. Part of me felt sorry for him.

I guess he spends his time finding road kill and burying them in his small cemetery.

As I watched him, I felt increasingly sad for him. He probably has no friends. I wondered if he had anyone in his life. Everyone who sees him must see a creepy loser. But today I saw a man with a soft heart for animals. I felt very sad inside and guilty for following him. This place was a special place for him and I was being a jerk for spying on him.

I left before he saw me. I thought about him a lot today. I hate seeing people sad. I hate to think anyone is that lonely. Maybe I should try talking to him the next time I see him. I’m not going to be buddies, but I can be nice to him. Maybe it will make his day knowing there is at least one person in this world that doesn’t see him as creepy.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 149

Date: June 2

Day: Tuesday

Weather: Hot and sunny

Training: 15 mountain bike at Rose Lake (12.3 mph average)

Schools out! Finally summer vacation is here. We had to do a couple make up days due to taking too many snow days in the winter.

Hailey booked out early today without saying goodbye. That was not like her, especially since she’s going away for a week on vacation with her parents.

Why would she take off without saying goodbye first?

I would never do that to her if I knew I was going to be gone for so long. I’m not going to call her. I will see if she calls me. Maybe she has a good reason and she’ll call later tonight.

I kept thinking about that poor guy I saw on the trails. I feel so bad for him. I notice he was digging with his bare hands in the dirt. I think I will take one of Dad’s old small shovels and leave it for him near his cemetery. I had some free time yesterday and I made a few small crosses for him too.

Mom and Dad would be furious if they knew I was trying to help this guy. But I just feel like I have to do something for him. I want him to feel like someone cares.

Tomorrow I will go to his cemetery and leave the shovel and crosses.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 150

Date: December 2

Day: Monday

Weather: Cold and windy

Days since your attack: 6 months 1 day

I hope you don’t mind Tyler, but I found your journal and I’ve been reading it. I feel closer to you when I read it. It’s been six months and one day since that terrible day you were taken from us.

Your Dad, Tanner, and I miss you so much. We will never stop taking care of you. We will always watch over you.

The doctors said we should let you go, because people don’t recover from the wounds you were given by that terrible man at Rose Lake trails.

However, your Dad and I never gave it a second thought. We brought you home from the hospital, when they said to give up on you. We could never do that. You are in a coma, but you are still alive. As long as you are alive, we will be here to take care of you.

So much has happened since you were hurt. The power went off not too long after. It hasn’t come back since. As far as anyone knows, it’s a total blackout around the world. Many people around us were not prepared and are now suffering due to hunger and freezing temperatures. We are thankful for your Dad’s preparation. Otherwise we may not be doing so well (as compared to most). We help where we can.

The electricity went out and then was followed with horrific weather. After two weeks or so, panic began to set in and many people began looting.

Your dad spent a lot of time gathering last minute supplies. He went to different stores looking to get medicines and more canned food. But after a while it got too dangerous. People were beginning to rob and even worse. Thankfully, your Dad says we have enough to get us through the winter.

We keep warm with the woodstove you, Tanner, and Dad installed. Dad and Tanner continued cutting wood throughout the fall. We have plenty and shouldn’t have to worry about getting cold.

Dad travels at night and checks on his small animal traps and fish traps. He feels it’s too dangerous to travel during the day, so he does his trap checking at night.

Twice a month, he goes deer hunting in the early morning and just before night. Thankfully, there are plenty of deer to shoot around us. One deer keeps us fed for two to three weeks (he shares with the neighbors). We also eat canned veggies and fruits.

We are eating well, but nothing compares to our weekends out, when we would go as a family to eat at restaurants. I miss pizza.

We’ve kept our supplies a secret so far. Living out in the middle of nowhere has its benefits. The neighbors are struggling a bit and we help them when we can. They miss you too and ask how you are doing often.

We take turns feeding you, bathing you, and reading to you. Sometimes we sleep on the floor next to you. I hope you can hear and feel us next to you. We all miss you so much. Come back to us soon. I know you will.

-
      
With never ending love and devotion, Mom.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 151

Date: December 25

Day: Thursday

Weather: Freezing and windy

Days since your accident:  6 months 23 days

Tyler this is your Dad. I miss you. Mom said she wanted us to write in your journal so you can read it when you wake up. I want you to know that the family is well and everything you and I planned together is working. Thank you for all your help. I know you probably thought I was crazy or going overboard. But now it is all being put to good use. The power has been out now for over six months. We are surviving.

Many people are struggling to survive. Hopefully, when you wake up, the world won’t be such a terrible place. I am going with the assumption that the electricity will never come back on and we need to accept a different way of living.

We spend most of our day hunting, gathering, and preparing/preserving food. I assume this is what it must have been like for the early pioneers living off the land. It is hard, but like anything, I suspect we will get better at it with time.

I wish you could see all the gadgets you and I made that actually work. Well, most of them anyways, some not so much. But it’s all about trial and error. Fortunately we have enough food and shelter and have the luxury to be able to experiment with different things. For most people though, it is do or die.

I miss you very much Tyler. I miss talking to you and having you by my side. We will never give up on you. I pray for the day you wake. So we can laugh, love, and talk to each other once again.

Merry Christmas Tyler, Dad

Merry Christmas Tyler, Mom

mErry cHrisTmas ty, Tanner

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I hope you enjoyed reading Will of Man -  part one.

You can email any questions or comments to

William Scanlan at:  [email protected]