Light at the end of the Tunnel.

Wednesday, June 9th, 2032

The days keep flowing by. We have made lots of progress recently. Justin has started helping out around Acorn. A few new people have shown up. Peyton and her group from Utah, including Jake, Nicole, Liam and Elijah. Some people have come and gone, some are friendly, some are not.

With this influx Acorn has started to sprout. We have started working on gaining clay from the mines and caves around Oregon. Our biggest achievement surrounding this is our newly furnished brick over.

I am happy with where we are and how far we have come. Yet, I'm tired. It's a lot. I need to do more. We have this new breakthrough with the bricks, if I keep going we can start creating more. Houses, fireplaces, pottery, there is still so much. I need to do more.

Monday, July 12th, 2032

It's been a little over a month since I've written here. Life has been rough. All in all "There seems to be no end to what the living world will demand of you." (137, Butler) is truer than it's ever been. I've been working continuously with this clay. The gray mush is starting to get to me. I am starting to like watching the flames dance around the bricks in the kilns.

It's starting to become a problem apparently.

Harry has taken over kiln duty. He's not good at it and tends to burn himself every once and a while. He always pushes me away and tells me to take a nap, to take a break.

I can't though, there's so much to do. There's things I have to teach Justin. I need to weed the crops. I need to go out and scavenge for any nuts and berries around. I need to do more. I need to check on everyone. I need to prepare for the colder temperatures. I need to clean up the guns and knives. People could stumble upon our abode at any time. There is so much I need to do so much.

I need to do more.

It does not matter how tired I am.

I need to do more.

It does not matter if I'm missing meals

I need to do more.

And more.

And more.

I do not expect myself to write here for a while.

I need to do better.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2032

They have resorted to locking me inside my house.

This is no fun.

I have work I need to do.

Maybe I'll take a nap.

That sounds nice.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2032

Hi Lauren! It's Zahra.

Don't worry I haven't looked through your journal. I assume it's personal and I respect that. No worries.

You need a break from all the stress you put yourself under. Figured I'll record our plans here so you can remember all of this afterwards! You're asleep right now, so I've decided to help a bit.

Right now it's about 10 am. Your sundial has come in very useful for that. Thank you for that! So I'll summarize our plans for you.

10:00 am - we've started on your hazelnut cake! You have gathered one too many hazelnuts. I mean, seriously. There's so many.

10:30 am - scout out the surrounding area and make sure it's safe. Make sure everyone is awake.

12:00 pm - It's time to start cooking!

1:30 pm - Set up the dining area and bonfire.

2:00 pm - Another patrol around the area.

4:00 pm - Time to wake you up.

5:00 pm - Dinner time.

5:30 pm - Sunset watching.

6:30 pm - Light the bonfire.

7:00 pm - Just have fun/free time!

I really hope you like this. You deserve a break. You do a lot for all of us here in Acorn and we hope to enjoy yourself tonight. Thank you for all that you've done for us.

Thank you.

Wednesday, August 23nd, 2032

Yesterday was great. I needed that.

I needed a break.

It was refreshing to just sit back and enjoy life. Everyone was so happy last night, it was calming. It was hard not to just sit back and feel it all. All the joy, relief, the peacefulness of the moment. I was happy.

They talked to me after that whole ordeal. Telling me I needed to take breaks, I'll take that into consideration. For their sake.

And maybe mine as well.