Sept. 30th

I met a devil today.

I had stopped for dinner at a place called Jacqueline’s, a small diner on the outskirts of Memphis. It’d been getting late and I wasn’t having any luck finding out where He went, so I thought I’d get something to keep my spirit up. I guess I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn’t realize something was off about the place until well into my meal.

For one, I was the only customer besides a hooded man who had passed out at a table. Secondly, the waitress was… odd. She had this big, perfect smile on her face, and the way she talked sounded almost archaic, as if she were living thirty years in the past. My first thought was that it was just another country town that hadn’t quite caught up to the times, but I kept watching. The waitress seemed to be the only worker present, and when she wasn’t bugging me at my table, she kept behind the bar and would stare at me when she thought I wasn’t looking.

Having been in weird situations like this before, I decided my best course was to leave as soon as possible. I finished up as fast as I could and then went to pay. When I extended cash, the waitress backed off and shook her head. I asked her what the problem was, and she said “You’re not going to find him.” Asked her what she meant, and she said “Your man in gray. You’re not going to find Him, Knight. Not without my help.” She flashed a smile at me.

Before she could say anything else, I ran. Ran as far as I could before I stopped to wonder if I was safe.

I went back to the diner a while later.

Turns out, it’d burned down a few months back.

How about that?

Sept. 28th

I’m outside Memphis. Took me awhile to get here, but I finally made it. I’m not heading into the city, though- entering any big city is a good way of getting yourself killed.

I’ve asked some of the people still living in the area if they’ve seen my man in gray. Some saw Him about six or seven months ago, back when someone was torching houses, but they don’t know where He went. So, the trail’s gone cold. Honestly, it’s been frosty ever since I left Kentucky a few weeks ago.

Maybe it’s time to give up.

I’ll ask around some more before heading out in a couple of days before I leave. Maybe someone knows where He’s headed.

Sept. 25th

I feel like every year it gets easier, almost like a part of me is starting to forget her. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, though. Ever since I set out, everything’s gone from bad to worse. The world’s gone to hell, and I’m alone.

I’m better off that way, though.

Dedication

For Moira.

You would have been eleven today.

It’s all my fault.