17 AUG 19XX
In these trying times, you need someone to cry with. That’s what my Mom always said. She says I need to make friends in school, but it’s hard. I try and try, but I don’t feel safe exposing myself to people. It didn’t go well the last time. Recently, Mom had another child. A girl. I’m not sure I like that.
18 AUG 19XX
I can hear bombing again. This is the 5th anniversary of the War. I don't feel safe going out anymore. My only school friend died from bombs last year. Plus, the air quality is getting worse, Mom says. She says it's because of the factories the government builds to supply the war. Why do people have to fight so much? Be friends. Maybe they find it hard too. Is this what I will do down the line?
20 AUG 19XX
I saw Mom cry today. She was in the kitchen. When I asked her what she was crying about, she said nothing. I saw the paper in her hand:
Bread x2 - 20.00
Why would that make her cry?
25 AUG 19XX
I was feeling sad today. Then the baby giggled, and it cheered me up a bit. Maybe she isn't so bad after all.
29 AUG 19XX
I heard some people in school talk about the air getting greyer. I haven’t noticed that.
30 AUG 19XX
The baby fell off the couch today. She got a boo-boo, but she’s feeling better now. I feel relieved.
3 SEPT 19XX
The air is grey. I saw grey dust land on the windowsill. It reminded me of Me-Maw. The memory of her made me cry again. I’m coughing more. I might be coming down with a fever. Is it the grey skies? Mom says we're moving, that the cities aren't safe. I hope the baby can keep me company.
7 SEPT 19XX
The baby took her first steps! She got up and walked toward me! I think I'm starting to like her a lot.
8 SEPT 19XX
I read to the baby today. She didn't seem to know what I said, but she'll get the hang of it!
13 SEPT 19XX
We moved to a house just up the road from a little town. Mom says we’re safe here. She bought the baby a blue blanket with some flowers on it. She says they’re Forget-Me-Nots, and that they were Me-Maw's favourite flower. I think that’s a pretty dumb name.
14 SEPT 19XX
Bombs hit the town down the street from us. Mom is really freaking out, saying “this is a small town, why would they hit us?” The baby is crying. Mom doesn’t hear her.
15 SEPT 19XX
The grey clouds have followed us. I saw a report on the kitchen table about:
“35 DEAD TO CHEMICAL WARFARE - CITY OF XXXXX”
I haven’t seen those words before.
16 SEPT 19XX
I feel bad, but the baby is keeping me company. I don’t want to lose her too. I wish the war would end. Mom keeps praying to God to help us. I just hope he answers soon. He’s really bad about that.
23 SEPT 19XX
The clouds have turned yellow again. We put on our masks, but Mom realised we had none for the baby. She dampened the blankie and put it over her mouth. I felt dizzy and like the world was turning. I was breathing fast and my vision starting going all blurry and stuff. The yellow bad stuff landed and dispersed so quickly, but it felt so long. It seeped through the door. Mom cried again.
24 SEPT 19XX
The baby’s skin is all red and splotchy. She’s crying more. Mom says she’s in pain. I really wish the pain would go away.
25 SEPT 19XX
The house is too quiet. I’m alone again. Mommy hung the blankie in a frame with “IN MEMORIAM” underneath. I feel empty inside.