A silvery white tree was on the horizon, silhouetted by the sunrise. It had no leaves, leaving the lone bird roosting within it visible to any observer within a kilometre. It lifted off, flying towards one such observer. As it flew it obnoxiously screeched at any that would dare lay their eyes on its magnificence. It was larger than many other animals of the feathered variety, at half a metre high. Its feathers were a blemish less white, save for the yellow crest that struck fear into all of its adversaries, and from which it gained its name; the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. The bird came in at a gradual arc before arriving at its destination, a low but spreading mandarin tree.

“Hey Toby! The savage is back!” exclaimed Stanley. He was watching the creature from his window.

“Ah, the evil one. I see,” said Toby as he entered the room.

The creature of interest observed its surroundings, looking for what must have been its favourite meal. Upon spotting a fleck of orange, it lunged at the object and impaled the unlucky one with its sharp claws. The proud bird proceeded to bring it up to its beak and tear at the fruit’s insides. This continued for a few minutes as two people watched.

“I wouldn’t mind if it ate the whole thing. But to always leave the mangled corpse of the mandarin on the ground, with over half of it uneaten, it’s a bit wasteful,” Stanley commented.

“Indeed. So you’re doing better today?” Toby asked, observing the book that Stanley had laid out on a desk.

“Yeah, did what she recommended and I’m feeling a lot better. Thought I’d try to record some of the stuff that’s happened. Think I’ll be able to write a book by the time this is all over haha,” Stanley said waving the new diary around.

“Good,” he said, making to leave the room. “Kerala has been asking after you. Don’t keep her waiting too long,”

Stanley winced slightly, before nodding. “I’ll try my best. She really is one crazy hard worker. Hard to compete with that one,”

“True,” he said with a slight smile.

Left alone in his new room. Stanley prepared himself for what was to come. “I’ll record my life story with one hand,” He intensely observed the pen he was holding, as if it were a weapon of mass destruction. “And with the other, I’ll take a potato chip. And eat it,” with a large sweeping motion, he brought the chip to his mouth. What followed was a crunch that could shake the very foundations of the universe. So began his recount.

Seems like ages since I last wrote in here, so much for consistency haha. Been a wild couple of weeks, got into a car accident, lost my house and got abducted by a weird disembodied voice. Hope I was able to help him. I did call the police though, now that was an interesting conversation haha. They might think I’m a little crazy, but I feel like honesty is important. Especially in situations like these. If this happens to someone else, I’m sure there’ll be a more in depth investigation. The results of their search of the area I found myself in were within my expectations. Which is to say they found nothing. Same deal with the ball of fire that destroyed by house. Annoying.

On the topic of the house, I was frankly shocked by the generosity of the landlord. She was right there on the night it happened and got Toby and I set up in a new place nearby. People familiar with renting will tell you that you’re not always going to get along with the landlord. Glad that’s not the case here. Sucks that we lost so much stuff though. Probably miss the collection of video games (physical ones haha) and books the most.

Other than the first sleepless night or two when I pondered whether the roof of the new place was going to suddenly explode, I feel like I’m taking this pretty well. One thing that isn’t so good though is that I’m pretty sure I’m sick now. The long term kind unfortunately. Was going to write it off as just being tired at first, but it’s definitely different. Losing something like 70% of my energy for a week without any other symptoms that would normally accompany a cold was a bit of a giveaway. Only just feeling better today. I know someone who had similar problems and went to them for advice. Trying not to knock the medical system, but it’s one of those things that they aren’t very good at diagnosing. Anyway, got help, doing substantially better now. This puts a dent in the whole travel the state and change the world plan though. Might need to approach that problem from a different angle now that my energy is so much more dependent on what my health is doing. Haven’t talked to anyone about my future plans yet either. Should do that.

Also, something strange. I’m having trouble remembering some things regarding the time just before the fireball. I feel like maybe there was a dog there or something? I don’t know, it’s weird. I’d write something like I’m definitely going to remember to write in my diary more. But I feel like it’s probably better just to do it when I feel like it. Less stressful haha.