Kayleigh Tanner 1

5/11, Tuesday.

I found this in room 451 this morning and figured I may as well use it. Don’t have anything better to do and its previous owner’s sure as hell not going to care. So, yeah. Introductions first, I guess?

I’m Kayleigh. Five feet of freckles with some hair on top, though I cut it pretty short on the first day and it hasn’t recovered much. I’m writing this from the top of Saint Mary hospital, looking out over the remains of the city. Under me in their rooms are Jed, Kate, John and Derek. Sarah and Chris are out there somewhere, getting us supplies. The grocery on Second ran out of food on Sunday, so they’ve had to scout closer to the city centre.

The others are pretty alright, took me in. Dealt with all this better than I did, that’s for sure. Jed and Derek are brothers, but you couldn’t tell just from looking. Jed’s all dark hair and dark eyes and silent-broody, you know the type, and Derek’s all blue-eyes brown-haired life and laughter and… yeah. They’re close, though. I guess they have to be. They were here at the hospital first, right from the day one.

Chris got here before Sarah, and both before I did. Chris was here in the real early days, sometime in the first week. He spends most days scouting supplies and when he is here he doesn’t talk much. Sarah goes with him a few days a week, but otherwise pulls her weight around the hospital. She’s the best cook of all of us, though I’d like to think I’m not far behind.

John and Kate are father and daughter. They got here pretty soon after me, just a few days. John’s the oldest in the group by about 15 years (next is Sarah), but he is one hardcore son of a bitch. If this group has a weak link, he’s not it. Kate’s not exactly a pushover either, but she’s less gruff than her old man. Out of everyone, I like her the most.

And then we’re back to me. Short, not exactly strong and with no real useful skills. Mostly I just try to help out with all the odd jobs that need doing: washing, cleaning, scavenging around the hospital, stuff like that. I’ve got a collection of odds and ends in my room, pens and books and a couple of snowglobes, other things that have no real use any more, but help make my room feel less empty and more… mine.

The sun’s going down and my hand’s cramping, so I’m going to stop writing now. If anyone’s reading this… well, welcome to the life of Kayleigh Tanner.