3 June, 1215, the Year of Our Lord:

Just when I think things are getting better, we are hit again with a second wave of the killer plague.  So far, nobody around me has shown any symptoms; however, there's rumour that people are becoming sick, showing signs of coming down with the dreaded disease people have come to call "the black death".

Symptoms of this illness include sudden high fever, severe headache, severe prostration, painful nodules forming in a person's groin, armpit, or neck regions, a rash, and difficult breathing.  Death comes swiftly; by the times symptoms appear, people might as well prepare to die.

In just the last few days alone, over twenty people have come down with the illness, and already six have died.  It terrifies me; I might have to be forced to leave my trappings behind, flee elsewhere:  anything to get away from this nasty pestilence.

7 June, 1215, The Year Of Our Lord:

So far, people closest to me have remained free of illness; however, what's to say it won't strike??  The illness shows no mercy:  it hits the infirm, the downtrodden, the rich, men, women, children, even animals have died of this plague.  I've already lost my family to the illness; why am I being spared like this, only to watch people around me suffer, then die so painfully, horribly??

16 June, 1215, The Year Of Our Lord:

Am now in a different county, Belgium, I think.  Don't know where I am, really; yet have to flee to get away from the illness.  Seems it continues unabated; it shows no mercy to its sufferers, shows no sign of abating.  It is a very terrifying time nowadays; I can't imagine the horrors people must face as they become ill or see loved ones, friends, fall ill, and then die, right before their eyes, or wait to die themselves.

This plague, it's a most terrible thing.  I've seen its deadly mark, seen its deadly work; it's no wonder I can't sleep at night.  Too many painful memories of my own family, friends, acquaintances suffering, then dying, seeing bodies littering the streets, trying to deal with the nauseating smells of burning or decomposing bodies, seeing rats all over, no matter where you look.

Those curs'd rats!!  They are to blame for this filthy plague; they must be vanquished at once if we are to keep our sanity!!

4 July, 1215, The Year Of Our Lord:

More death, more pestilence.  Times are really becoming desperate now.  Is there anyone who won't become a victim to this horrible plague??  It seems more and more people are falling ill, then dying; will I be next??  Will I be the only one left alive as the plague continues to decimate people all over the world??  Where will it strike next??

The thought is too terrifying to think about.

25 July, 1215, The Year Of Our Lord:

I don't know if I can handle too much more of this.  Several families around me have become ill, I must find elsewhere to travel.  I am living by my wits; trying to find substinance, doing everything I possibly can to avoid other people, for fear they might be infected with the plague.  So far, I've been most blessed; but what's to say I won't be next in the line of victims??

29 July, 1215, The Year Of Our Lord:

A sweet girl I'd come to know has fallen ill.  She has the symptoms of plague.  I haven't seen her in a few days; wonder if she's even still alive.  A  neighbor told me about this; I am most concerned; pray for God's mercy upon this sweet little cherub. 

Is there anything that can be done to stop this, this pestilence, in its tracks??  It is so relentless in its hunt for victims; it's akin to a hungry wolf stalking its prey!

Later~

The girl has died.  She died this morning.  Only 12 years old, one year younger than I.  I am so beside myself, I don't know what to do anymore.  This illness is wearing me down, no, the thought of this illness, is wearing me down.  I can't eat, sleep, even think.  Seems all I ever think about is the plague!!

*To be continued.*