Where is Everybody? twenty.

June Thirteen. Second full day since I lost us our companion in this disaster. This is terrible. Not only that, I saw somebody die. Now I have prepared it for a meal. I have always been eccentric and macabre, but I have never been evil. What low will I stoop to next?

Pickering is getting healthier. She's not thin as she was a day or two ago. She stepped onto scale and gained a pound or two. Or a quarter of one. This is going to sound crazy, but I find myself missing Alex. What am I doing here? Sweet came back that evening with Angela and Joanna in no better of a mood. When I asked Angela, she told me they went downtown then to the park to trace our steps. The toppled weeds were an indication someone had been there. Aside from that, there were no cars on the street nor skid marks. I fear we may have lost him for good. I frankly wonder if we are wasting our time surviving when we could just tighten the noose and drop ourselves from the nearest telephone post. Fuck.

Oh, did I mention I heard from him today?

I woke up around eight, without Torrez to wake me up. Samantha has been avoiding me like the plague. I came down first thing in the morning to find everyone was in the kitchen, save Sherman and Monica. When I stepped in, there was a strange glance in my direction that only lasted for a millisecond before they immediately preoccupied themselves with whatever they were doing.

After a sigh, I stepped into the den where Monica was on the tube again. What he expected was anyone's guess, but I found myself desiring his company. He gave me a quick glance, then immediately went back to his post. His brother was there at the opposite end of the room watching him tinker and screw with the device. I took a seat next to him.

"If you value your limbs, you'll move to the right." I did just that. A staticy sound filled the room and Sherman bent his head forward in anticipation for whatever announcement was in store.

To make a long story short, Alex was in contact with us. S/he didn't sound very well. In fact, s/he was as hoarse as can get. I had to practically bite my tongue and draw a blade across my wrist to stop myself from shouting and pouncing Monica the instant we got contact.

"Monica," Alex Torrez groaned. "I am in a miscellaneous cavern someplace unknown. I was blindfolded before I could get too far. They said I could never reveal the precise location of the location. I could not even sense the thaumic energy in the numerous trees and bushes around us on the way here thanks to the car's power repellent. That is what the energy we've been sensing is called. I'm glad we now have a name for it. Where I am, we don't have it. As a result, I am weak. The men and women here have confirmed beings like us who have adapted to it cannot thrive in its absence. We need it like they need UV, which they get from fluorescent lighting and food sources scavenged. I have had some of their food, and it's just as great as anything I have ever had. It still doesn't compensate for daylight anymore than it would have for us if we were living in tunnels and caves. They have sealed the mouth of the place with a large lead door. The walls are covered with tin and aluminum. They say it keeps the thaumic energy out. Given what I know about these three metals, I am inclined to believe them. They said it's on the side of an inconspicuous mountain side, and they have painted the front with a texture that looks like wood. I'm joking about the paint. Ha ha. But it is in a place no one is likely to look. They have taken refuge here to escape the thaumic energy. We all saw that man get his brain cooked when his suit was ripped. The same would happen to the rest of them if they ever left this place and did so without the protection of these cave walls or their vehicles. Or even the suits they wore when we saw them. According to them, they saw Will when everyone disappeared without a trace. If you lot want to see me again, you had best agree to come to the Hollywood sign tomorrow. And be sure Will is there. They will want him present. It's in everyone's best interest to bring him to this."

"How do we know this is safe? This could be a tremendous scam. I want to believe this, and I want to bring him to it for your sake, but what certainty do we have?"

"Our word and nothing more. I am alright and will be even better when I get out of here, which I think I will, and be back to normal when i can have this power again. Just do as they say, and all will go smoothly."

Monica and Sherman both exchanged a glance. Then Samantha came in.

She nodded. "Alright. When?"

"Eight AM. Sharp. Be up at six if you want me back."

Then that mare/woman's voice came up: "This is absolute. If you do not comply, you will not see Torrez again."

The thing went static. I immediately said yes.

They looked at me before I said so. "This is my mess, and I should clean it up."

"Are we sure they will honour their word?"

"What other choice have we? This is my fault, and you all hate me anyway. If we don't do it, we know they won't bring Alex back anyhow. We must do what we must."

Sherman said, "I don't hate you. I haven't given you much thought. I'll see you tomorrow."

Monica stated his distaste for my decision to interrogate that man I (and he!) killed, but does not hold it against me. Sam said nothing, and left soon as the conversation ended.

The rest of the day was uneventful as it could be. It's late again. I'm going to bed. I'll see Alex again, and I will bring myself to justice. What they have to dish out, I'll be ready for. I should have known they would die if I tore it off.

Alex, If you ever read this, I want to apologize. I should have heeded your advice. And Anthony's. You two are worth more than me, since you can sense the raw energy we can't. I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck.