The Last Message

Written by Jessica Bragg

[SFX - Click of recording turning on]

Hello? Hello. I think that’s recording. I haven’t used this thing in years. I’ve been stuck in the house for 2 months now. I’m not sure if anyone normal still knows I’m here.

They do, though… the huddle.

I thought at first that it was some online trend, or that TikTok had finally gotten to the young people, or maybe drugs? Although this was a very nice neighbourhood before all of this started happening. But it could have been anything. I don’t know how it started or why; I’m just a newly retired nurse with one son in the city, who I can’t contact. I don’t know if he even knows what’s going on. Or if it is happening there as well. I hope not. He’s a good man; he can’t have turned into one of these creatures…

I’ve been keeping a diary, noting down what I have noticed about them. Initially, it was only a couple of young’uns from this street, but soon it grew and now I think the whole neighbourhood is out there. They rarely go anywhere. They just stand together, groaning and swaying. They look so sick. I stayed inside to protect myself, but I ran out of food (pauses to think) about a week ago. I know they know I am here because they came into the house when I had collapsed. They pushed through my locked door. I woke up after passing out, and it was wide open. I felt so weak before this. But I managed to barricade the door shut. They can’t get in again. They don’t seem to pay me any attention. But I’m doing okay. I’m actually feeling great. The pain in my back has gone, and I managed to move a lot of heavy furniture to barricade my door. Is that strange?

I haven’t eaten in a week? That can’t be right. Why do I feel so good? I can’t, maybe I’m losing it. This whole situation is enough to drive anyone mad. When I woke up after one of them had been in my house, there was a bite on my neck. What is wrong with them that they would think to do such a thing? Maybe I just imagined it? It feels fine now. I should check in the mirror.

[SFX – Footsteps as she walks to the mirror]

Oh, oh no. I mustn’t be as well as I thought. My skin, it’s grey. And my eyes, they are dry, my actual eyeballs; there isn’t a shine to them at all. No, no, no. I’m going mad. This isn’t happening. I feel great. I am okay. I am.

I just need help. I need to know what is going on out there, in the rest of the world. What is actually happening? How far has this madness spread? Hopefully, my lovely Antony is okay. He is all I have. He is all uhhh (groan sound).

What? What was I saying? Please help me. If anyone hears uhhh (groan sound). I am so alone. I am so scare-uhhh (groan sound). No, no n-uhhh (groan sound). Please no. Uhhh (groan sound). Please stop. Uhhh (groan sound). Stop. Uhhh (groan sound). STOP THIS. Uhhhhhhh (groan sound – longer). I can’t turn into one of them, I won’t-uhhh (groan sound). I can’t. Uhhh (groan sound) Stop it. Antony, if you hear this uhhh (groan sound) I love yo-uhhh (groan sound)

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh (groan sound- longest of them all)

[SFX Click of recording turning off.]