The diary of Erin Hickey

[Wish]

Page 1:

I arrived in a strange place they call "city 18" by train today. I don't even remember boarding a train, or anything before that, really.
I have no idea who anyone is, or if I even have any family. It's like my mind has been erased...

Life is pretty tough around here... People are fed only enough to keep them alive, and the water tastes strange...
I met some man by the name of Dan Nikoleav... he helped me out a lot. He is nice and seems to really like me.
It's good to have a friend in this nightmarish place...

Page 2:

I have no real perception of time here. The night seems to stretch on for eternity... it feels like I have been here for weeks, but I am sure it couldn't be longer than a couple days... therefore I will mark these entries on separate pages instead of using dates as I have no idea what the date or time is.

Page 3:

Dan and I have been getting along well. Even though we got tied and searched for loitering in some kind of garage... these combine guys are pretty strict! They let us off easy, no beatings today. We were lucky. This time.

Page 4:

With all the depressing surroundings and starving people, I decided to clean up the apartment building and pick the trash up off the streets, both to keep my mind off things, and hope to find some food in some of the discarded rations bags I found... I didn't find anything but one of the combine guys noticed the work I did and gave me a "loyalist point", whatever that is... I'm just glad he liked what I was doing instead of tieing and beating me!

Page 5:

Today was bad news. I made a terrible mistake. I muttered a comment about the lack of cleaning the place has gotten lately and as I was scrubbing down benches I made the comment to myself about "just because we live in a post-apocalyptic hell-hole, it doesn't mean it has to look like one!"
Well, that was a mistake. A guy from what they call the CWU heard me and he was insulted and told a CP nearby.
I was beaten unconscious, and told to clean for the rest of the day.
The day wasn't all bad though. I Did get another one of these "loyalist points" for my work beforehand and not resisting any punishment... I knew I had messed up, and they knew I was truly sorry. Not because I got caught, but because I know that although things are rough, we would probably all be dead if they didn't protect and feed us.


Page 6:

Another day of starving and working. There didn't seem to be any of those CWU guys around, so I figured I'd help out for the trouble I made last time.
I rounded up all the trash on the streets, and the apartments and surrounding trash cans and brought it to an officer who took me near the hospital so we could burn it in a private area.

I was awarded a 3rd "Loyalist Point" and with it came a special armband that shows off my loyalty to the greater good.. or so I've been told anyway...
All I know is that if I work, I get to eat a lot more often, and get beaten much less. I'd rather not have the other citizens think I am a true "loyalist" because I hear they are not well liked, but it seems to be much better to have the citizens unhappy with me than the combine.
I just want to eat, and get by without getting beaten. So if I keep working for these combine guys, things will keep going better. (I hope)

Page 7:

Today Dan asked me if I would be his significant other! I was very nervous. I don't know how well relationships are viewed by the combine. I hope they don't find out, but if they don't allow this sort of thing, then I will have to break it off. I just can't risk getting on the combine's bad side again!