Where is Everybody? thirty one

For the past month, Vinnie and I have been having the time of our lives. It's now late July, and I've been digging and barreling myself to this wonderful hot blooded reptile woman. She's been very receptive to me, and we've been so happy across the street in this little house from Alex and co. My good friend Val De Lump has been behaving and scooting over to this humble abode for his intake of emotions, and ours have been very powerful. I have been using my mouth to write in this here notebook, and the legibility has never been better. One might think I had used my hands. I have stuffed a mattress with cash, as that is what it's good for, and she's been thoroughly amused by the idea. And those positive feelings only further fed my beetle up.

We've had ourselves a good rust and weed fest here, and Val is in on it, never missed a single one. Independence day has never been spent this way. He's had a nice carrot stick right from the garden next door, which has overgrown rather than died. I have found few things brought me more joy than walking with them, and picking up scrap with magnets from the curbs.

I never thought guys like me deserved chicks. And I don't think I do still. On occasion, HPI feeds the surplus, and the surplus results in more misery. I always suspect they'll snatch me when they get the chance, yet they never seem to break in when the moment is opportune.

I never thought it would get this calm and slow, but here we are.

I went over to see them one day, and their spirits weren't dampened by my presence. They did, however pause when I stepped in, and they showed no desire to pick a fight with me. The cop was on his radio per usual, the rest doing an assortment of things I cared little about. A chick on the tubes was crying, yet it sounded restrained. She's been alone long enough to lose it. It's not even painful anymore, only empty I'd imagine. But what do I know? I took another trip to the hardware store and removed more magnetic tools to find iron/steel. Our set up of tin cans and strainers for fires could not have been more brilliant. When I came back into the house, She was there, and likely talking about me, and possibly under performance. Typical. Is to be expected. I cut in and bit her hand, then dragged (figuratively) her cross the street and told her not to talk behind my back. She simply nodded her head and went to bed.

This morning, I boiled some water and dropped dandelion leaves in the steel mug, then offered her some. She loved it. We sat there on stoop silent until she said:"We should not isolate ourselves." She had to say this when I was beginning to think this body wasn't so terrible. I merely nodded and agreed, as I never wanted to leave the others. They have made this bearable. Seeing this other chick fret so much over her fiance made me glad I never planned to tie the knot anyway, so there's nothing to lose. And seeing another starve herself made me glad I went vegetarian. As I got up to head for the yard and harvest more clovers, I heard padding and patting on the ground.

When I looked up, none other than Joanna was running across the road to get us over there. We followed her, Vinnie first, me second, to find everyp- everybody was gathered in the den around Mr Hadley. He was looking like he was in deep thought, and it piqued my curiosity. I raised a hoof, only for him to raise his in silence. My mouth shut before a sound came out. That mare from before was currently at the harbor, and she explained she found something, likely a piece of rubble. Likely in the water, but she did not specify. Intrigued, Hadley said we need to check this out. We should look into it. Even is she's not there when we show up, there may be something on the coastline to solve this mystery, and give us salvation. I am beginning to have respect for him, and even more for Torrez. We both know what thaumic deficits are like. Neither of us want to go through it again anytime soon.

"Willie, we know you like investigating wrecks. Why don't you come along with us and take a gander?"

I was taken aback. Them inviting me? Since when? Nonetheless, I accepted. I saw Sam glance at Vinnie, and Vinnie back for a second. then took a look at Alex. No doubt s/he wants to do it. After tossing dice, Sweet Stuff, emotional mare she is was to come along with us. Tomorrow, Alex, Monica, Sweet and I will see what's up there, and maybe useful info will be found. And we can indulge this silly merman nonsense some more.

I got up to leave, but not before I noticed Hadley had Alex's bracelet on. His eyes seemed dull and scarcely moving, but otherwise undamaged. The other Hadley likewise seemed like he hadn't slept in weeks, even though I know darn well he has. This piece of brass/copper is misery incarnate, it is. But they're not letting it go. What's it's point?

Onto more practical and immediate concerns, I planted some cauliflowers in the backyard. It seems to me cauliflowers sure do grow fast around here. Or this energy is making it grow faster than it would. I only watered it this morning, and I could see it raise about a centimeter before my eyes as I tipped the watering can. Just from giving it water. I never saw anything grow this fast. I'll call it the miracle cauliflower.

I hope tomorrow will bring prosperity. And knowledge. I need it, we need it. We all do.

PS, if you ever find a worthless sack of straw, and it's clearly left for you, leave it. It's awful stuff. Either Clark and Martinez did this, or someone else is watching us. Possibly that woman in Anthony and Alex and even Val's dreams is real, and she doing this from a distance. Don't ask me how.