A QUIET PLACE ~ EQUESTRIA GIRLS

PAX. C.S.P.B.

C.S.S.M.L.—N.D.S.M.D.

V.R.S.N.S.M.V.—S.M.Q.L.I.V.B.

Day 15

Same routine. Only this time during break, Macintosh pulled off a bandana he’s been wearing that happens to be checker-box in pattern. Then he removed from his backpack a sack of felt chess and checker pieces that he and his sister made. I played a round each with him. I didn’t last long. Wallflower played longer than me at chess and beat him at checkers.

Came across a wide brook. Stopped to refill our bottles, after first using filtration canisters my dad used during hunting trips.

Sheen A.M.D.G.

Day 16

Maud decided to play a round of chess with Big Mac. Came down to a very close finish, before she eventually won. Before reaching the city, I got in two more rounds of chess with Mac, then a round each with Maud and Blush. It became limpid that I’m the least formidable in our coterie. I barely beat Wallflower, much to everyone’s amusement. I say everyone, because even Pie gave her thumbs down and tongue out at my sole victory. All in good fun and silent chuckles.

We chose the most obscure, abandoned one-story building that we saw. We helped Maud set up bells at the door and windows not blocked by broken glass or debris. Next, we took the nearest corner to the main road, where we can slip out quick and back onto the interstate in case of incidents. It’s getting dark since we first arrived, so we had to resort to flashlights and our lantern in the middle to watch our steps.

One thing we learned while setting up our refugee center was how those things somehow cause our lightbulbs to flicker. As if their presence can obstruct an electric current. Seeing as how we’re in the sole major metropolis in the county, where more of those animals are likely living, we decided to take a chance and leave our lantern on at the center as a precaution.

I forgot to mention that after my evening Rosary, I’ve been offering a small prayer to our guardian angels and the archangels for guidance and protection. A novena, nine days, because I found it appropriate for our projected length of time in getting here, then back.

Sheen A.M.D.G.

Day 17

First, we chose to make our way to downtown for me to find the cathedral and main building of the diocese. I set a time to wait and be picked up by the other three after lunch, so they can reach city hall and find any signs of the mayor there. We’d also try to scrounge and resupply as best we can before we leave the city. Also agreed not to go back to our original camping area, in case someone might wait for us there. Instead, we’ll get back onto the interstate, using our flashlights if need be, before hunkering down in the center ditch again.

I found the diocese administration building, and the cathedral, totally barricaded. Dismayed, but not completely shocked by this, I pulled out Fr. Redmane’s clerical crest that he had made on a large piece of cardboard and folded tightly into my bag. Hoping this would let them know I’m trustworthy, wishing I didn’t have to resort to this.

After a full lap around the buildings in a figure eight, or infinity sign I guess, I saw a sealed envelope and small sack of food at the rectory’s front door. Not wanting to risk more time drawing attention to myself, I left Fr. Red's letter at the door and put both items in my bag with the cardboard sign before making my way to the nearest store to scavenge more sustenance. The others returned with some luck of their own. They also received an envelope, but no sack of food. We all had some fortune in grabbing snack bars and chips before heading back onto the interstate.

We settled four miles out of the city, making our day’s walk come to a total of ten miles. Guess something about numerous tall buildings left in disrepair and fire damage all round left us feeling uneasy. Especially if any of those windows now have a pair of watching eyes, or listening ears, at anything and anyone that moves. It got dark again by the time we set up bells and sleep mats again.

My flashlight hasn’t flickered yet while writing all this down, so that's good sign at least.

Good night.

Faithfully,

Sheen A.M.D.G.