Wayne Gray

Yeah. Poor boy. However, like you, I do think finding this determined, scrappy kid is a hopeful thing. He's easy for the guys to accept into their sanctuary, with obviously useful skills. Wayne and Mark are now paired up in more ways than one, and maybe the future will be brighter than it otherwise would have been now that they know they have each other and that there are others out there to find. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂

Thanks, tim. I write poetry in the moment, and that's all. So I'm glad this appealed to you. It's just what is rattling around right now. 🙂

Listening to music with headphones way too loud. Washing over me, pulling emotion out. Beating like a drum, thudding right along. Nothing really matters. Nothing but the song. That's a great place, this hidden little glen. So few understand, so few comprehend. So sing it out loud, or just enjoy the ride. The music won't stop, a rising cresting tide. Oh ... what an awesome ride.

Just so you know, I've had both. And the cats we currently have are weirdly dog-like. Hopefully that helps. 😜

Yep. Others are alive and kicking, and they've just found proof of that. Well, they discussed others joining them after Garrett went to bed. Mark is pragmatic, almost to a fault, while Wayne wants to save the world. Mark made Wayne understand that everyone MUST offer something to the group, or the group will fail, while Wayne made Mark realize not all contributions are obvious. We'll get to see that play out too. Mark can be tenacious. And when it comes to his friend, he's not going to let up until things are okay. Yes, being friends allows them to handle one another in this intimate, knowledgeable way others might not enjoy. I like that. Hahaha. Oh, pups. Switch to cats - they're much more aloof. But you might have to hold the door open while they stand in it, deciding on "in or out". Thanks for reading and commenting, kbois. Glad you're here for the story.

Yes. you did this with Changes, Again, and it worked so well. The dynamic certainly changed, but I think it was fantastic. In a similar way, I'm hopeful Garrett can add something new to the story we've not yet seen. you're right about the journal. Wayne was disgusted with himself, and he needed to hear that he was wrong. His subconscious forced him to take a chance and "forget" the journal out in the open. Luckily, it worked out. And no. No need to tell me. And I'm glad that worked out too. Thanks for reading and commenting, tim. This one doesn't get a lot of eyes on it, but I'm enjoying the feedback I do get. They're the cool kids anyhow. 🙂

You've got a great question about Garrett's family. According to the news and radio broadcasts, this thing is killing the majority of those it infects. Like, 90%. Yet ... Knox County and its communities seem to break closer to 50%. Nobody is really sure why just yet, but that's how it is breaking down. But that means there's a genuine chance Garrett's mom and sister survived (especially considering his sister has the same parents as him, and his mother shares half his genetic makeup). But, even if they lived through the fever, did they live through the after? Time may tell. Wayne left the journal out, not really thinking about it. His subconscious steered him down that path, to be sure. And Mark's reaction was pure Mark. He doesn't think he's good at the whole "feeling" thing, but I think he did great in this case. Right when it mattered. And ... yes. Mmm. I don't envy the guys their situation, but I do think they're lucky to get to enjoy one another the way they do. You're right. Each new person will alter things. I believe all people have a place, but maybe don't fit in all places. When there's no choice but to make something work, how will things end up? Thanks for writing and reading. Glad you're along for the ride.

July 21, 1993 Wednesday, 10 AM So this is why you're acting so off. No, man. Just no. We're talking about this right now. July 21, 1993 Wednesday, 120 PM Well, that was a fun way to be told I'm wrong. I'll back up to this morning, though. Mark and I got up and got to work pretty much immediately - taking advantage of the early light and great weather. I got another three panels on the roof, bringing us up to fourteen, while he toiled away on the fence. About an hour after we starte

It was fun to talk about the story. Thanks, astone!

Here's one I saw that made me crack the hell up.

I'm glad you both have Dan in your lives, Mike. Without him, it'd be easy to believe that voice ... the one telling you that it was your fault. Without him, maybe you're right, and tim wouldn't be there. Everything tim tells me about this man makes me happy he has found you both. Because it wasn't your fault. It wasn't tim's either. It happened through stress and chemistry, and it's a trial - one you're all getting through together. Don't worry about why you're here writing this. It doesn't matter. You have, it's here, and that's all. That's your right. That said, I believe there's strength in reflection. In looking at things you'd rather forget and making them known in the hope that maybe someone else can take solace from knowing your struggle. tim is my friend, and he belongs with You, and now Dan too. Though it means nothing, there's no place I'd rather he be than with you two. Congratulations on your program. I won't speak for tim, but when he tells me about it, I can see the pride between the words. Good luck to your Dad and your family, Mike. And anytime any of you guys need anything, you know how to find me.

I do not envy dental pain. I've only had one problem with my teeth, and it was awful. I do not recommend a cracked molar to anyone. Hang in there, tim!

I'm sorry for the need of a distraction, but happy I could provide one. I hope you're doing all right, kbois. You're right about our pair of guys. They're finding a nice distraction in one another. Now ... if they could just figure out how to deal with their relative guilt about needing a distraction. That'll take a moment of reckoning, and someone will need to initiate it. Right now, we have to wonder if either is capable of that, but we'll see. Thanks for the well wishes and for reading. See you next chapter. 🙂

Only for The Gays. oh … wait …

Man … what I’d give to be able to eat whatever I wanted. 😕 That’s a super power!

They are. You're absolutely right. And I am with you - they have found something nice in one another, magnified by the horribleness of their surroundings. The smallest light is visible from a great distance when it's darkest. Though they might be adapting to their new world, that process is painful. So yes, if they can get over their guilt, they're going to wring every bit of comfort from each other they can. Thanks for reading and commenting, Dave! I appreciate it.

Thanks for saying so. I like this spin on the genre, and I'm going to continue in a similar fashion. I agree - it is sad when even something as nice as sex and love engenders feelings of guilt. Particularly when it's the only spot of happiness either of these guys might have for a while. You're right in that these guys need each other. Yeah, those needs vary, and the intensity ebbs and flows depending on the day and what has happened. But that need won't go away. They're linked by their circumstances, and both are leaning harder on that connection. There's more to come. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Thank you, tim. I feel for them too. There's guilt, desire, a need for comfort, plain ole hormones, terror at the state of the world, and more. I can't begin to imagine how I'd deal with this situation myself - I think they're doing pretty well, considering. But it's still going to be hard going. The Last of Us (series) is phenomenal. I didn't want to like it, but it's great. And at the hidden part ... LOL I'm trying to do something a little different with this zombie tale. I'm approaching it like I did Silverwolf - I want things to look familiar to those with experience in the genre, but tweak just a few things here and there to make it my own. We'll see how I do. 🙂

Where's the fun in that? 😛 I'm kidding. Yes, these two need to actually talk to each other. Maybe Mark doesn't even know why he allowed things to go where they did. Maybe he's horny and wanted to try. Maybe he's terrified of being alone and wanted to add one more thing Wayne would miss if he left. But Wayne will never know which until they talk to each other. Wayne could tell Mark wasn't himself. That's his big issue with what happened. He knew Mark was vulnerable, and though he kept checking in with him, he feels like he took advantage of his friend. That's a kick in the gut. When you've got alarms going off, but you ignore them because you're getting something you've dreamed of for years. Thanks for reading and for the comment. More to come!

You're right - sex can certainly screw things up, and Wayne is terrified that he has allowed that to happen. Heh. Yeah. You never know who is going to take charge in the bedroom, and you never know who's going to top vs receive. Those are different things, by the way - Wayne just happened to take on both aspects in this particular coupling. As for the way Wayne feels about the whole substitute thing - I think it'd be hard NOT to feel that way, considering what he has been through so far in life. But we'll have to see how that goes. There's a two-acre clearing around the house. It had already been partially fenced, and now they're working to fully enclose it. So, yes ... it's a big area to fence in. But they're motivated to get it done since so much of their safety depends on it. And they are close to finishing it (relative to the whole fence project). Maybe you're right about the note. But Mark can't do anything else. He had to try, and Wayne knew it. Though Wayne hasn't said so in the journal, he had the same thoughts as you. I'm happy you enjoyed it. I'm excited again for the tale. Thanks for reading/commenting!

July 20, 1993 Tuesday, 945 AM Okay. We're home now. He doesn't want to admit how much the stress of the last few days has affected him, but I can see it. We've also not said a word about what happened last night or how we woke up with him spooning me. I guess I'll wait for him to talk since I don't know what the hell to say. But … at least now I know why going to town was such a big deal for him. We got up early and loaded the van with our gas can and the two others we found in Bob's shed

I know. I took a break because of The Last of Us. That show mirrored my plot so close, I had to stop and reconsider my story entirely. But I'm about half way through my next chapter now that I've redirected. It's really wild though - I knew nothing about the plot of The Last of Us before I planned and started my story. And it was seriously close to my own story. Too close.

Yes - I can attest that tim has a deep, commanding cake-shaped hole in his heart.

Thank you! I’m making sure to reply here thanks to the comment about dialogue. When I write, I speak every word of dialogue aloud. It helps hearing it. It forces me to write something the character would actually say. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.