Luke's Diary: An Unlucky Man in a Zombie Apocalypse. Days 201-400

Friday 24th March 2017 23:37

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Day 210
Friday 24th March 2017 23:37

It's been a weird and emotional day and we've found out who's been sending us the nasty notes.

It was Mike's "funeral" today. TJ was told by Adrian that he couldn't see Mike's body because it was against procedure. I told TJ that he should have argued with Adrian and demanded to see his brother's body. "Oh stop going on," said TJ, "We know that Mike's not dead, why are we bothering to do all this?" "You know why," I said, "We talked about this yesterday. We've got to attend a funeral in a few minutes for a man we know is still alive. If you'd have insisted on seeing the dead body, we'd have had the proof that this lot are lying." "Luke, get a grip," said TJ, "Do you think if I'd have demanded to see the body they'd have just shown it to me? Of course they wouldn't. They want to keep this covered up." "I know!" I loudly said, "That's why we need to prove to everyone that they're lying." "Why?" asked TJ, "Why does it matter so much?  God there's always some drama isn't there?" "TJ, aren't you bothered that they're making out your brother's dead when we know he's not?" I asked. "No," TJ said bluntly, "I'm not bothered. Whether he's dead or alive, he's not here is he? And that's that. I've got more important things to worry about." There was a pause. "Trudy?" I asked. TJ gave me a frustrated look and walked off. I told Millie that TJ had been refused permission to look at the dead body and that the only way we could prove that Mike's body wasn't in the makeshift coffin was if we opened up the lid. Millie slowly turned to look at me, as a smile started to appear on her face. I took this to mean that she was considering my flippant remark as a realistic option. "I wasn't being serious," I said, "You can't really be considering removing the lid off the coffin." "Why not?" asked Millie, "It'll prove to everyone that Mike's not dead." "And it'll prove that you're off your head," I said, "What are you going to do? Just lift up the lid and make a big scene like you're in EastEnders?" Millie said it was frustrating to feel so powerless and in a defeated tone I told Millie that maybe we had to accept that we weren't going to be able to prove that Mike was still alive.

It was so weird being at a funeral for a man we know isn't dead.  I kept exchanging awkward looks with Millie and TJ. The vicar said that Mike was now at peace and had been reunited with his sister. I hope not, I thought to myself, they'll be fighting like cat and dog. I was stood next to TJ who looked angry and contemplative. "Look upset," I whispered. "What?" asked TJ. "It's your brother's funeral," I quietly said, "Look upset." "P*ss off, you f*cking look upset," TJ said. "He's your brother," I said. "So? He was your f*cking boyfriend," said TJ. As TJ and I continued to bicker, our voices started to get louder and people looked over at us. Naomi and Mary threw us both a shocked and disapproving look, non-verbally communicating that we should shut up. The vicar asked if anyone wanted to say anything about Mike. Silence followed and everyone started looking around to see if anyone was going to speak. It felt a bit awkward. As the silence lingered I was about to say something when TJ suddenly stepped up. "I'm Mike's brother, TJ," he said in a firm, emotionless tone, "We didn't always get on and I suppose you could say we had a strained relationship but, I suppose, at the end of the day he was my big brother and he's the only one I had." I thought TJ was giving a good performance but then a tear ran down his face. I felt very confused. This wasn't a performance. TJ really was upset. "I'm really sorry, Mike, mate," said TJ plainly, "I'm sorry I was a cr*p brother, I'm sorry you're not here anymore and I'm really sorry for sending you away." I looked over at Mia, Naomi and Mary who were crying. I looked over at Millie and she looked as confused as I did. "I know you tried to kill me a few times," said TJ, "But it doesn't matter now. I probably deserved it. I wish I'd have been a better brother. Maybe if I had, things would have been different. Wherever you are, I hope you're OK and I hope you can forgive me. I'm sorry Mike." TJ wiped away his tear as Mia went over to him and gave him a hug.