October 13, 3141 ANW

I would say it was an ordinary day and write little about it, but then I'd be lying if I did. Nothing too odd happened to be honest, but I feel like this will be important later on.

While working in the mines (as usual), the deep mine workers started to head upwards. They didn't usually head up this early, so I asked Dad what was going on when I saw him. All he said about it was some mist was there deep in the mine today, and it was making everyone cough. Some of the scientists present began to worry if it was a flammable gas and evacuated everyone. He then started off telling me about how the mines were essential, every precaution must be taken, yadda yadda yadda. I probably rolled my eyes a little. I mean, I get it. Being an underground colony with no news about the Overgrounds for centuries, we might be some of the last people alive at this point. But I'm tired of hearing it every other day.

Anyway, after that, we took inventory and went home. Mom will probably be home late with the research team, so I should start making dinner soon. Teagan and Bridge are currently nagging me about how hungry they are. But what is the mist?

October 14, 3141 ANW

Mom got home late last night. Or maybe early this morning. Either way, I had to make breakfast. At least I don't mind cooking. I asked Mom about the mist and what the research team found out about it, but she didn't say anything except that they still need to run tests. She looked really tired, so I didn't bother her anymore.

Actually, now that I think about it, both her and Dad looked really tired. They were coughing and scratching some sort of rash on their arms. Maybe that mist has some sort of irritant in it. I hope it's nothing serious. Or maybe I'm just paranoid...

October 15, 3141 ANW

A date is written, but only tear drops stain the page.

October 21, 3141 ANW

A lot of things have happened since the last time I wrote. To be honest, I don't want to write at all, but I feel like I have to get a few things off my chest.

Mom and Dad are dead.

They died on the 16th, and it's all because of the mist. Unfortunately, they weren't the only victims. Almost half of the population is gone because of it. Somehow, the mist made it to the top of the mines, and we evacuated immediately to the higher parts of the city after knowing what it did. We didn't even have time to bury the dead. I remember how much we cried when we saw our parents gasp their last breath. I still hear Bridge crying in her sleep and call out to either Mom or Dad. It was the worst thing in the world, explaining to an eight year old that her parents are never coming back. I'm proud of Teagan though. When Bridge wakes up at night from nightmares, he would be the first one there to comfort her. But I'm still the oldest. I need to be strong for both of them.

There will be a team heading out tomorrow to attempt sealing the mines.

October 22, 3141 ANW

I can't believe it. Right when we thought the mist had stopped, it rises and covers the entire lower half of the city! Whoever refused to evacuate the Fourth City, they're no longer allowed to pass the Third City Gate. No one knows what's going on. Not even our top researchers. All that we know at the moment is that it infects through inhalation and that it has four stages. First is the coughing, then a rash appears, then you start coughing up blood, and then your organs shut down. And because of how quickly it claims its victims, there is no cure.

There aren't any signs of it being contagious, but no one is taking chances.

October 26, 3141 ANW

The mist keeps rising and falling at random intervals, and everyone is scared. There have been talks of leaving for the Overgrounds, but most groups won't let young children come without their parents. As if I could have prevented our parents from dying! Either way, I will get Teagan and Bridge out of here. There's no way we could stay and live. Not without some sort of antidote or some way to get rid of this mist. I will not let them die here.

October 29, 3141 ANW

We're leaving tomorrow. Third City has already been consumed by the mist, and who knows when it'll take over Second City. People say that the trip will take about a week to reach the Overgrounds, so it was kinda hard coming across enough supplies. Rations are low since the storehouses were in Fourth City. I invited Dr. Abby to come with us, along with the Woodlark family. Dr. Abby would be helpful having around, being a doctor and all. Plus if anything happened to me, she'd be the first I could count on to take care of Teagan and Bridge. She's always been a good friend of the family, anyway.

There were other kids my age heading out alone earlier saying, "The adults will slow us down," and such, but I think that's stupid. Even if they would slow us down, I think it's more important to keep as many people alive. This isn't a game, this is survival.

October 31, 3141 ANW

Happy Halloween! Sort of. It's been a day since we've left the colony, and I guess you could say that it's been "haunting" us about how the rest are doing. Bad joke I know, but I'm in a good mood.

The kids were a bit disappointed that they couldn't go trick or treating and get candy, but little did they know that I was hiding a few pieces. I wish I could describe their smiles when I handed them each a piece of candy. Teagan and Margaret didn't waste any time eating their taffy (their favorite), and dear Bridge...It was the first time I saw her smile since our parents died. Who knew that a single strand of licorice could bring her smile back. And as the little angel she is, she gave me half of it when she noticed I didn't bring any for myself. She wouldn't quit nagging me until I ate it.

I hope to see her smiling more.

November 2, 3141 ANW

We passed the halfway mark today, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm all that excited to see the Overgrounds. I mean, what if there's nothing up there? In books, they've said it's filled with trees and plants and large bodies of salty water called oceans and freshwater in forms of rivers and lakes. But if the Overgrounds was so great, why are we down here? Something must have happened to force people underground. Teagan and Bridge seem excited to see the Overgrounds though, so I shouldn't let my worries get to me. I don't want to worry them, too.

November 3, 3141 ANW

It's gotten colder since we've left, now that we're closer to the Overgrounds. What if when we reach the surface, there'll be snow? It seems impossible for water to fall from the sky, but ice? Even more so! If what the books say is true, then I'd like to see snow. Maybe the Overgrounds isn't so bad.

November 4, 3141 ANW

We're so close to the Overgrounds! I was a bit skeptical at first, but Teagan and Bridge's excitement is contagious. They won't stop talking about it, and for once I don't mind them talking my ear off. I'm even starting to find myself constantly talking about what I want to see in the Overgrounds. Teagan wants to see the ocean, Bridge wants to smell the flowers, Margaret wants to pet the animals, and the adults just want to feel the sun's warmth. I, however, would still like to see snow. I read once in a book that when it snows, the snowflakes act as a sort of sound buffer, causing the area to be silent. Snowfall sounds peaceful.

I bet Mom and Dad would've liked the snow, too.

November 5, 3141 ANW

We all woke up in a panic today. The mist caught up to us. I didn't even think that was possible! But if the mist is here, then that means the whole colony has been covered...I don't even want to think about how many people are dead now, but my hands are shaking as I write this. When I woke up, the mist was a few inches from my face. Thankfully, none of the others seem affected, but my throat itches, and I'm afraid to cough.

November 6, 3141 ANW

Blood stains the bottom of the page.

It's early morning as I write this. At least, what I think is early morning. I'm already at stage three of the sickness, and my hands are going numb. Heh, we're so close to the Overgrounds, but I guess I'll never be able to see it.

Teagan, I know you'll read this, and I'm definitely no good at saying touching things, but I'll write my last words for both you and Bridge here in case I'm no longer here to say it to you when you wake.

Teagan, I am so proud of you. How you've been staying strong for Bridge and being the first there for her. I know you'll continue to take good care of her the same way you do now.

Bridge, please don't be too sad that I'm gone. It's ok to cry, but don't let your sadness keep you from moving forward. I love to see your smile, and how it brightens everyone's day. So please continue to smile for me.

To both of you, I love you so, so much. So much that there aren't enough words to describe it. I wish I could be with you as you enter the Overgrounds, but it's best not to dwell on what could have happened. And when you get to the Overgrounds, I want you to continue to live. Teagan, I want you to find the ocean and see how big it is, and Bridge, I want you to smell every (safe) flower you see. But I guess I have one request from you two...

If you ever get to see snow, tell me about it, ok?

Again, I'm sorry I'm leaving you both...but I wish you the best as you explore the Overgrounds. And I'll always be watching over you with Mom and Dad.

I love you both, goodbye...

November 7, 3141 ANW

It's me, Teagan. Um, this is kinda weird... I just thought that maybe I should write in your journal to keep up your legacy, even though I used to make fun of you about how you'd write all the time. I hope you don't mind. Anyways, we made it to the Overgrounds, and it's exactly how the books described it! It's not as green, but I think it's the season called "Autumn" or "Fall". That means there should be snow coming soon, and I'll tell you all about it when it does come! There's no ocean around here, but there is a river nearby, and maybe it'll lead to the ocean. I hope it does. I plan on following it someday because I will see the ocean. That's a promise. Bridge cried a lot when you died... but now she's doing exactly what you wanted her to do, and that is to smile! The first thing she did when we arrived in the Overgrounds was find flowers, smell them, and smiled as she described them for you. I hope you heard her. But...we wish we had the chance to tell you how much we love you, too. But we promise we'll continue to live for you, and we'll try to talk to you and Mom and Dad every day through this journal and tell you everything that happens. Maybe not starting today, but we'll try! Say hi to Mom and Dad for us though.

We'll talk to you later, but we love you and miss you a lot. I wish you could have seen the Overgrounds. You would've loved it, Lore.