Tristan MacFallan - 13

So that's it, we're out on our ear. No more community and its people to protect us. They'd always been suspicious of us, and my elevated status seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back.  After walking all day and avoiding the mobs that roam the landscape looking for easy pickings, I've managed to secure a little shanty with more holes and spiders than shelter. My wife is disconsolate, basically given up the will to want to live. Is it possible to have pre-natal depression? I have no idea. But I'm thinking she is the one who now doesn't want to bring a child into this world.

Chief Rita Songworth - 13

I no longer take much notice of the people outside the training area that is sectioned off for the aircrew and soldiers who will soon board the ES Siren. At least we're getting fed and keep warm. The training is just something else to take my mind off all the shit that's happening in the world and my parents dire situation. If I could take them with me I would, but only the fittest and most skilled are welcomed aboard the Siren. And my parents and weak and sick, made ill by pollutants and the stress of survival. I can only hope to make them proud.

Chief Rita Songworth - 12

I've always felt privileged at being one of the lucky ones to start a new life, yet all around me even the most malnourished 'outsiders' are giving us and the rest of the crew pitying looks. I've heard the gossip. Many people don't think we'll even make it halfway to the new world of Solitaire. Many others imagine the whole idea is make-believe, a way for the elite and the government to get rid of a whole lot of prisoners and people from a world already overcrowded.

Tristan MacFallan - 12

One of the members of the community recognized me today. I'd seen him watching me too many times not to know something was up. Of course now the whole damn community knows who I am it's elevated myself and my wife in their eyes. I'm back to being a celebrity of sorts, but I can't help but hate being in the limelight, with everyone's focus on us. I can't shake the feeling it's not going to do us any good, not long term.

Chief Rita Songworth - 11

So Zane put forward a proposal to me today. He'll look out for me if we share a bed. It's selfish to admit I felt some relief at the idea as I've heard the men will greatly outnumber the women. That's like putting gas near a hot flame. Despite my rank, I can't see me being safe from men who aren't getting their quota of sex. But with Zane as my lover and protector, I'd be strictly out-of-bounds. I know it's worth thinking about at the very least.

Tristan MacFallan - 11

I found a small community today. They've let us in, for now. But I can't help but feel we're outsiders and that any little so called transgression will see us kicked out for good. In the meantime I've been relegated to the worst possible jobs, like burying the sewerage and killing and plucking the half-starved poultry whose egg-laying days are too few and far between. But my wife and I are safe enough here and I'll do whatever I can to stay for as long as we can.

Chief Rita Songworth - 10

The visit to my parents has left me feeling flat. I can't muster any enthusiasm for the journey ahead, at least not right now. Not while I imagine my parents left alone to die, and my mother probably the last to go. Who will look after her? Who will bury her? It doesn't bear thinking about. Grief is my middle name and I can only hope my guilt at leaving my mom and dad behind will fade the farther away we get.

Tristan MacFallan - 10

I think my wife blames me for present situation. Yeah, I hated the towers, but there I wasn't stupid enough to want to try and live in the real world while supporting a family. Hell, I'm not sure yet where my wife will even have our baby. The hospitals are full, the care factor of the few remaining doctors and nurses, almost zero. Everyone seems despondent now and ready to give in to their fates. Though I've heard the people supposedly lucky enough to board the Earth Ships that are heading toward Solitaire and its Colony, Unity, seem to revel in their newfound hope. Huh. Good luck to them. I have my doubts living on an inhospitable rock could be any better than Earth - if they even make the journey.

Chief Rita Songworth - 9

I visited my parents today, a bittersweet experience and one that I'm almost glad not to repeat. My father hasn't got long left on this world and my mother - I think her heart will break long before her spirit. She asked me not to visit them again, she doesn't want my memories of them to be blighted by seeing them sick. When she gave me a precious, hand-knitted blanket to take with me as something to remember them by, I had to choke back my tears. My parents are everything to me, but I know that by staying on Earth I might well be signing my death warrant right along with theirs.

Tristand MacFallan - 9

We've been out of the towers for a week now and already my wife seems  listless and disinterested in the world that's dying around us. I don't blame her, of course I don't, but our child is growing inside her and is the one spark in the hell that has become our lives.
I've heard there are some groups forming their own villages, self sufficient and sustainable - though how this is possible with our parched world, I have no idea. I can only hope it's true, and only hope one of them will accept us into the fold.

Chief Rita Songworth - 8

I'm so glad I decided to try out for a position on the ES Siren. We mightn't get much, but we're fed, given clean clothes and a shower once a day. That's a hell of a lot more than what I've seen everyday civilians get. Guess this is my new family now. I can only hope my parents are still proud of me. I'm going to go and see them on my next training day off. Especially now that everything seems to be in place for us to leave any day now. It might be my very last chance.

Tristan MacFallan - 8

Guess I should thank my lucky stars I didn't end up in prison, or worse hung by the 'lawmen' under the control of the people from the towers after being accused of stealing. Ha. What a set up. And even though my wife knows I was framed - no pun intended - she's still blaming me to some extent. She loved living in the towers, away from all the crap that reminds her how close to starvation and chem-lung we are. Now I just have to find us some shelter and do whatever needs to be done to protect our unborn child.

Chief Rita Songworth - 8

We trained with the electro-whips today--no use having guns when one bullet could destroy the whole ship. So much voltage in one handy little unit, I feel like a cowgirl about to lasso a bad guy. But it's serious stuff. The whips could be the difference between life and death, I'm determined to master handling it.

Tristan MacFallan - 7

Well I was right, our so called 'good fortune' at being given some rooms at the towers, wasn't ever going to last long. I was accused of stealing a priceless sculpture from the knob head who was formerly my employer and biggest fan. Odd though how much I wanted to leave, and now I'm scared shitless at what my wife and I will face out there in the big wide world. All alone again. I'm the provider...but what the hell can I find with drought, famine and overpopulation. Not to mention the pollution that's choking the air.

Chief Rita Songworth - 7

With all this training I wish we could just leave already. I've had little to no time to spend with my family and I've begun to get used to the idea of being on my own. Still, beneath my self-assurance I'm nervous about having no one to protect me, no on there for the unconditional love that we humans take for granted. Zane's persistence is really wearing me down.

Chief Rita Songworth - 6

Zane introduced himself to me today. I can't help but feel flattered. He's above me in the ranks and everyone seems a little in awe of him, even a little afraid. I'm not sure what everyone is afraid of - he's only ever been nice to me. But maybe that's because he's attracted to me. In this world, finding someone to watch your back isn't to be scoffed at...of course, now I'm wondering if he's the man for the job.

Tristan MacFallan - 5

Well I've caved in. I can't let my wife and unborn child starve. We're now living in one of the towers, in utter luxury compared to what we'd been reduced to outside the walls. My wife couldn't be happier. Me? I feel sick at even being here. I've sold my soul to the bastard who uses me only to satisfy his artistic side. Deep down I can't help but question how long it will last before we're thrown into the street once again, where we come from. In some ways I wish it would come sooner rather than later.

Chief Rita Songworth - 5

I knew training would be rigorous but I'm determined to better myself and chase a better life, if not for myself, then for my parents and their belief in me. Still, I never in a million years expected to be elevated as quickly as I have through the ranks. Chief Songworth...who would ever have believed it? One things for sure, I'm never going to take things for granted.

Tristan MacFallan - 4

I'm seriously worried about my wife, Katrina. We estimate her at now being five months pregnant and yet she's losing weight fast. I'm doing all I can to provide for her and our unborn baby, but it doesn't seem to be near enough. I'm tempted to accept the position offered to me by the senior member of the elite Zane's, but the thought of working under such a self-gratuitous man sickens me right to the marrow. There's always a catch when accepting work at the towers and I don't want to sell my soul to the selfish bastards who turn their backs on the rest of mankind. Seriously though, I'm fast running out of options.

Chief Rita Songworth - 4

I made it! All that rigorous physical and mental testing and I passed the first phase of being a soldier. Top of the class in fact. Huh, who'd have thought. I have a few days rest, but most of us have forgotten what rest means. It'll take me four hours good solid walking to see my parents, but it just might be my last opportunity to see them one last time.
Can't believe it might be a goodbye.