Sentiment

March 21, 2185 B.C. ("Before Cataclysm", formerly labeled as C.E.)

"Winner! We have a winner! The lucky lady wins a prize!' It was the "pop the balloon" game at one of those random traveling carnivals that come into town for a week or two. I had my daughter Maddie (although I always called her by her other moniker, Candlestick Jack) for the weekend, and she wanted to go to the carnival, so that was that.

We were walking past games row, when the man running the balloon game saw us, and knew just what to say to entice an eight year old girl and 42 year old man to play a game.

"Only ten dollars to win your little girl this gen-u-ine 24 carat gold heart pendant necklace. You can't leave a carnival without winning a prize, ya know," he said with a wink to Jack.

"Yeah, dad! Win me that! It's soooo pretty!"

With a chuckle, I pull out my wallet. "Okay, Mr. Balloon man. What do I do?" I said, handing him a ten.

"Well, sir, I hand you six darts, you pop six of my balloons, and you become a hero for little…"

"Candlestick Jack!" she excitedly replied, and proceeded to run and jump all around, quick and nimble, explaining to the world why that was her nickname.

"Okay. Seems simple enough" I said, as I aimed my first dart. Success.

Five darts later, I was a hero.

September 17, 4 P.C. ("Post Cataclysm")

"There. Fixed it."

Jack looked upon her handiwork with pride. The clasp of her necklace had broken nearly six months ago, and the tools she needed to fix it had just come in from the last scavenger run the other day. It was a pretty good haul. No casualties. Rusty had taken a nasty fall and cut his hand pretty bad, but no one got seriously hurt.

And no sign of any dead things nearby, so everyone was in pretty high spirits. Our sanctuary was in an abandoned factory downtown, and there hadn't been any sightings in weeks.

That "gen-u-ine" gold pendant had definitely seen better days: the gold plating had all but worn off, turning it into a dull, rust-colored trinket. But as I watched her lovingly make the finishing touches, she looked at it like it was brand new.

"Tell me true, Candlestick, 'cause I don't get it. Why do you go to so much trouble for that thing?" I said, pointing to her completed project. "After everything we've been through, and all the important things you've given up, why hold on to that? What's so special?"

"Well, dad," she said, with all the hubris and rebellion of a teenager living through the great American apocalypse, "for one thing, it's super portable, so why not keep it? And I like it a lot still. It actually means a l-"

Her answer would have to wait, because the sirens started going off.

November 27, 2185 B.C.

Report, Eleven P.M. newscast

"This Christmas is going to be a very special one indeed for 89 year old MediComp C.E.O. Janek Ansel, who confirmed in a press release today that he is cancer free. Ansel was the first person to take the revolutionary new cancer treatment Restorex, which was developed by Ansel's own company. Restorex is a one-time cancer treatment, with innovative SmartRads, a new form of radiation that's designed to only target malignant cells. Ansel had this to say during his press release:

'Two months ago, almost to the day, I was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and given six months to live. I am here today to say that I have just received my test results, and I am proud to report that they found no signs of cancer in my body whatsoever. Restorex has given me more life, and I feel better than ever! I am also pleased to announce that Restorex will soon be available to all of you, so we can eradicate this disease once all for all.'

September 17, 4 P.C.

Sirens blaring. People screaming. Over the loudspeaker, a terrified, defeated voice. Breaking, on the verge of tears:

"Uh… they're here, guys. They broke the perimeter. It's a huge storm coming. We need to get the fuck out."

February 12, 2186 B.C. (commonly labeled as "Year Zero")

Report, Six P.M. newscast

"Sad news today, as MediComp C.E.O. Janek Ansel was admitted early this morning to Cedars Sinai Medical Center with severe flu-like symptoms. It's been almost 3 months since Ansel made the historic announcement that MediComp drug Restorex cured his terminal cancer. When reached for comment, his doctor said that while his fever is still high, he's in very good spirits. And he's still cancer free."

February 21, Year Zero

Doctors report

Mr. Ansel's condition sadly continues to deteriorate. The only good thing to report is that his fever seems to have abated. His organs, unfortunately, are beginning to shut down. His cognitive skills have diminished significantly, and his aggression levels have increased dramatically. Because of his aggressive and violent outbursts, he has been put on a schedule of sedation and tube feedings. The nurses and I are also beginning to feel very uneasy around him. I think, if given the opportunity, he would eat us.

March 1, Year Zero

Breaking news report 4:54 A.M.

"Terrible news to report on this early morning. MediComp C.E.O. Janek Ansel has passed away, after slipping into a coma. The 90 year old medical technology mogul made headlines by becoming the first person to be cured from cancer. To date, seventeen people have taken the drug responsible, Restorex, all claiming to have been cured from their cancer, with no severe side effects reported. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 4. Autopsy results will be released tomorrow."

September 17, 4 P.C.

I thought I knew what desperation was. I really did. People were pushing and scratching at people to get out of their way, stampeding over each other, scrambling to get out. "Out of my way! I'm not becoming one of them!" a woman screamed at me, as she pushed me against the wall, making me let go of Maddie's hand. The only way out was through a long hallway, and the people were crowding the entire width of it, reducing the frantic crowd's progression to a slow march. I looked around the chaotic mob for my daughter.

I couldn't find her.

January 8, 1 P.C.

Emergency broadcast

"This is not a test, or a drill.

"As we all know, people who have taken the drug Restorex have developed the condition known as Ansel-Turner disease. People infected with this disease, also known as 'dead things', are to be avoided at all costs. If you should come into contact with someone infected, do not engage them. Get to a safe, secure place, and call the number listed on the screen. You can also call this number to report a group of infected people, also known as a 'storm'.

"We are actively working to put an end to all of this, so that our lives can get back to normal. Please, remember the essentials regarding people with Ansel-Turner disease:

Those infected with Ansel-Turner are no longer people. Do not try to engage or reason with them.

Those infected with Ansel-Turner disease have a highly developed sense of smell, and are particularly attracted to the scent of blood.

The smallest bite or scratch is highly infectious. There is currently no cure or treatment for Ansel-Turner disease.

The only way to neutralize someone infected is severe head trauma."

September 17, 4 P.C.

"Madeline! Madeline! Maddie, where are you!?!"

"Here!"

I saw her, about 15 feet behind me. As I ran up to her, she was clutching her chest, with an expression of such guilt and sadness.

"I forgot it, dad. I have to go back for it."

"Forget it, Maddie! It's just a thing. It's not important."

"It is to me, daddy", she said, tears running down her face. "It's the only thing that still gives me hope."

"I'm so sorry, but it's too late. They're coming." Sounds of loud, guttural grunting and slamming were getting ever closer. People were starting to pray as they ran past us.

"It's okay. I'll be in and out. I'm Candlestick Jack, remember? I'll come back, dad. I promise." She ran off.

January 12, 5 P.C.

She broke her promise.

For the longest time, though, I wasn't sure. She was always resourceful, and was a lot smarter and tougher than people gave her credit for. What if something happened and she got hurt? What if she found a safe place to recuperate, and would come back as soon as she was able to? Maybe. I hoped so.

But no. That wasn't the case.

I saw her tonight, on sniper patrol. I had no doubt in my mind. It was her.

But it wasn't. Not really.

Her skin was purple and bloated. Her eyes were blank and expressionless. She was a dead thing.

I aimed my scope at her head. It was just her; she hadn't found a storm to be a part of, it seemed.

I failed her. I couldn't protect her, and she became a slow, shambling, empty shell. All because I won her a fucking-

Necklace! A tarnished, old, dull heart pendant necklace was around her neck. What could this mean? Is there possibly still a piece of my Candlestick in there?

I was going to shoot, because I didn't want her to exist as that. But with everything I've learned and know about dead things, they don't share any human traits, like being attached to an old necklace. Is there still hope for her?

Maybe. I hope so.