Chapter 30

October 24^th 2043

I went over to Eric's pod today and did some cleaning. I didn't want to. I didn't even want to get out of bed but Wolfie and the Stooges forced me out of bed. They just wouldn't let me be until I got out of bed. Larry and Curly went with me this time.

When I got to the pod the smell wasn't there but the memory was. The first thing I did - after crying - was clean. That took up the rest of the morning and the early part of the afternoon. Once that was done I set about sealing up the cracks. I don't know if I'd come this way again but there's no sense in letting the pod go to ruin.

Once that was done I started packing up Eric's personal things. Mostly I sorted out things I figured his family would want. Everything else I'll have to store. Some things though I brought back with me to use. Food, extra blankets, camping and hunting supplies. I not sure if Eric ever used the rifle or the pistol but I'm glad he was practical about it and brought supplies of his own to make more ammo. I've got plenty of 9mm ammo but I'm not turning down more. I didn't have ammo or molds for the Winchester Rifle though so I'm glad Eric thought to bring some. I don't know why he picked it either.

Once I had things sorted I put all of the things of Eric's I thought his family might want into a duffel bag and then started loading up any bags and boxes I could find. I found another really large duffel and a nice backpack but there really wasn't a whole lot to use. He did have things boxed up in storage under the deck but I'm going to have to bag up everything else. As it is, it's going to take several trips to bring everything over. I wish I didn't but I don't have any other way of getting everything over here without spending a day or two scouting out a path.

I thought about towing one of the boats in the garage and using it as a cargo trailer but the amphibious jeep doesn't have a hitch. I guess the designers thought it would get in the way of the engine. They probably never thought someone would want to tow a boat behind a vehicle that could float. I mean why would they? It floats! It's, its' own boat. (sigh) Oh well. After I had the back seat and the luggage racks full I locked up the pod, then gathered up Larry and Curly so we could head home.

I had a really scary moment when Curly decided to jump into the river to chase some ducks that had stopped to rest. I had to stop and haul him back in, which wasn't easy. Then he proceeded to soak me when he shook himself off. (grrr) I stopped when we reached the other side to get out a couple towels and a blanket. I dried him off as best as I could and then wrapped him in the blanket. The entire time he kept giving me this sad look.

I told him it served him right for jumping in the river and scaring me but that I forgave him anyway. I got a lick on the cheek for that. I got a fire going when we got home and I had him sit by it until he was dry. Then I unloaded the jeep. The things I could use right away or figured I could use soon I put in the cave or in my pod. Everything else I put up in the garage. There's still room so I guess I'll store the rest of the things up there too.

I guess I'll go have a long hot shower now. I feel so dirty.

October 28^th 2043

The past few days haven't been too good. I've got everything moved out of Eric's pod. I might have been able to do it all sooner but it's so far away. And okay I've been doing a lot of crying too. Still I managed to get everything moved except some emergency rations. I figured I'd leave some there just in case.

I don't know what I'll do with everything but for now I've got it stored in the garage. I've also sealed up the pod as best I can. I thought about trying to take everything out but I'm not going to try to carry it all down the cliff so I'm going to leave it there. Hopefully if I ever need more parts it'll still be there and usable. In fact I think I'd prefer to leave it there. Maybe I can make it into a lighthouse or something. I'd just need to find a bright light and a way to rotate it. I guess I'll have to think about it. Hopefully it'll take my mind off ... other things.

October 29^th 2043

While trying to figure out how to make the pod into a lighthouse I remembered Halloween is coming up. So I've decided to celebrate. I've been setting up some Anna's lights and decorations inside the cave in the spirit of Halloween. Hey, I've got them I might as well use them right? Besides I think it'd make Anna happy. If nothing else it's a nice distraction.

October 31^st 2043

Happy Halloween!

We've been watching horror movies and listing to audio books and old audio programs all day. It's been pretty fun. It's been especially fun to watch the wolves' reactions to the spooky parts. During slasher films they seem to cheer for the killer but for spooky movies they get spooked. I do to of course but that's part of the fun.