Dear Diary

It was the first day of summer vacation and Sadie was stuck cleaning out her Grandmother's attic.  With nothing but the dust bunnies and spiders to keep her company. She sat on the floor, a large cardboard box in front of her. She blew on the top of the box, releasing the dust coating. "Great just a bunch of books." She muttered, mindlessly to herself as she began rummaging through the large collection of novels. " What's this?" Sadie said aloud, as her hand grazed over the material. " Another book... of course." As she turned the book over in her hands the cover read "Diary". She couldn't resist the urge to look inside. Making herself comfortable, the book on her lap, she began to wonder who's Diary it was. Her Grans? If so, what did she write about. She opened the book, unleashing more dust and the familiar musty smell of the attic. She began to read starting at the beginning with the first entry.

Date: April,8,1935

Dear Diary,

The animals keep dying, they can't survive the storms. Daddy refuses to leave, saying our luck will change and food will grow... I try to stay hopeful but how can I, when there is piles of dust everywhere. It's taken over the farm and our home. It litters every surface, creating a smoky coat. Our neighbors left a day or so ago, looking to escape the storm. Daddy says their quitters and things will turn around. He keeps saying everything will get better..... he's said that a lot after Mama died.

Emily

Date: April,9,1935

Dear Diary,

.I need to escape, it's all to much. The storms keep getting worse. There's no signs of life left, everything keeps dying, from the plants to the animals. We will too, if we don't leave. But Daddy's not coming with me. I'm leaving tonight. I can't convince him to leave, he has to much pride to abandon the farm, even if it is nothing more than a cloud among clouds. I've left Daddy a note, I know he'll be mad, but there is nothing left for me here....

Emily

Date: April,10,1935

Dear Diary:

I've hitched a ride. I don't know where I'm going. Anywhere has to be better than here. My school friend Maria died, just days before I left. Daddy said the dust made her sick... but he still wouldn't leave. I wonder if he'll be mad at me? Surely he will. I wonder if I will see him again? I'm scared. And I feel alone. I wish Daddy was here. I miss him.

Emily

Date: April,13,1935

Dear Diary:

I arrived in Texas, the dust it just as bad. A family has offered me food and a bed, for the evening. All I have to do is some chores around the ranch, to earn my keep. I'm incredibly grateful. They kept asking me questions. Like why a 14 year old girl was travelling all alone. I don't really have an answer. The truth is, it was necessity. I wonder what kind of job I'll be able to find and if Daddy would ever consider leaving the farm to come find me. Probably not. His life's there.... Mom's there. Tomorrow I'll be on the road again, hopefully I'll have a new home soon. The further along I travel, the worse I feel. Watching everyone struggle as we had. Death fills the air, with a looming darkness following. Can we ever escape the dust? Will it ever end? Will it be this darkness that swallows us whole?