From the journal of Nikki Feather, June 12

June 12, 2017

It took us all morning to make it to Jackson's cabin. We ran into downed trees, small groups of zombies and one washed out bridge over a creek. Then, while cleaning up the second downed tree with the chainsaw, a group of five undead stumbled out of the surrounding trees. We had to stop and take out the zombies and it took a good ten minutes of working together to take them out. We were both out of breath and we had to rest for a good fifteen minutes before we could go back to cutting and cleaning up the rest of the tree. Once we were able to get through, we pulled through and continued on our way.
We finally pulled into the yard and my stomach fell to my feet. The door was open, the windows were broken and there were zombie bodies and blood on the porch. Jackson didn't wait for the truck to come to a stop before he jumped out of the cab and ran for the door, yelling for his father. I shoved the car into park and jumped out after him, as fast as I could.

He was through the door before I made it out of the truck and by the time I made it through the door, he was on the floor sobbing over a body. I slowed down and called to him gently. He told me it was his father and he was dead, shot himself in the head because he'd been bit. He turned to me and there were tears on his cheeks as he held out a note from his father.

Son, 
I'm so sorry that I won't be here when you get back. I should have been more careful and made sure to stay quieter. See, I was chopping wood and the sound must have drawn them. I know you told me to wait for you to do it, but I thought I knew better and that we needed more wood now. By the time I saw them, it was too late to just hide and wait them out. I was able to take out a few outside and got to the porch before they over powered me briefly and I got bit. 
I didn't want them to still be here when you got here, so I took them out before I had to fall down. I know it won't be long before I turn, I got at least ten bites. You've always been a fast learner and know how to survive better than anyone else I know. I know that anyone who ends up with you will be better off and will be safer with you. 
I love you and I am so proud of you. Be safe and stay alive. Don't let this defeat you, you're stronger than you know. 

We buried his father and burned the others, covered the windows and then I told Jackson I would clean up the floor while he made us some food. He didn't want to eat, but he went to make the food anyway. I cleaned up the blood from the floor and we settled in for the night. This might not be the best place to stay,  but I couldn't bring it up today. Maybe tomorrow.

As a writer and artist, I appreciate any readers and their comments. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Please, come read the other blog I write for our artisan collective, Raven's Castle Creations, on our website at www.ravencastlecreations.com. It includes posts on art, the mythology of symbols we use in our art, history and more! Also, come see the art we produce in our Etsy store at etsy.com/shop/RavenCastleCreations. Follow us on Twitter at @ravencastleart and on Facebook at @ravencastlecreations.