March 3rd, 2077
I never thought it would happen, but it did. The only reason I survived the outbreak was because of my background. I'm still surviving. I just keep going. Never staying in one place too long, because that's how you get killed. Whether it's by other survivors, or the dead.
When the disease broke out, many people died. The disease kills you fast, then regenerates the body. Once you are one of the dead you are faster, stronger, and more likely to kill then be killed. People couldn't fight them, that's why they died.
My name is Zarella and I am fighting through this one day at a time. I don't have a plan, but who ever does in this situation? I found this journal, and decided I would write my story in it. I titled my story Forever Surviving, because that's what it feels like. The more you read of this journal, the more you will either love me or hate me.
If the world must come to an end, God, don't let me be the only one left to watch it fall.
Antique store owner Liz brings home a Victorian taxidermy hound from auction, unwittingly unleashing dark forces on her wife and son.
*****
Nat Loman has finally married the love of her life, Liz, and is getting used to her role as stepmother to Liz's 5-year-old son, Liam. The Loman family runs a bustling antique business so they attend a sale where a striking, black taxidermied hound is up for auction. Liz picks it up for the business, but it ends up being stored in their home, where Nat notices strange things occurring. She quickly discovers the past residents had died violently. Then she hears from a friend about the myth of "the devil's dog", a hound that perches in the shadows, tearing families apart from the inside. Soon, people around the Lomans are dying, and Liz is changing, darkening. It's up to Nat to save the woman she loves from the darkness closing in, and to save Liam from danger no matter what she has to sacrifice.
[[Winner of the 2018 Wattys "Hidden Gems" category]]
[[word count: 60,000-70,000 words]]