Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are bone weary, but alert. Throughout the slaughter of yesterday, either Tomas and myself, or the Captain and Mr. Kagi stood by Elijah and helped him hold his arms aloft.

What before our eyes whirled in ceaseless motion, finally settled into the stillness of death behind the passage of something the likes of which I can only describe as a wave. Leastways until the clouds of carrion birds arrived. Rising and falling at their whim and gorging themselves.

Mawuli was the only one of our number who desired to descend into the valley for a closer look.

We all know he seeks Stan. He did so, against my advice. And despite the Captain claiming to have seen him flee.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was shocked to hear all that Elijah’s disciples have been through. They have borne the brunt of the enemy’s fury in the region. Steadfast and uncomplaining. And they have kept the hiding place safe. No word of its location has escaped their lips.

Elijah was deeply affected. He went around the circle and hugged each one and prayed over them.

We agreed with their advice that it would be good to set out in the dark immediately, and we concurred to do our traveling at night going forward.

We maintained a strict silence enroute to where they passed last night. And held up there through the day.

Lots of martial activity-in the air, and down in the valley.

Day Seven Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took the Captain’s usual advice and gave wide berth to the hunters’ village. Yet time after time Tomas had to adjust our way again as village after village cropped up across our path.

The whole process moved us steadily away from our desired compass point.

Finally, Tomas brought us all atop one hillock to see rings of villages between us and a city at the edge of the prairie.

I looked to Elijah and he nodded.

I knew this city was our next stop. But then we debated how to get there.

Did we dare enter one of these villages? They were more than likely responsible for the attack we had overheard.

And had they driven out the Hamashiachites?

Day Seven Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I puzzled over the meaning of Mei’s dream. Even after Elijah pronounced it sound advice. Right up until the time that Jordan led the last group out of the way station. It was then that understanding dawned in a rush.

Our small group will remain behind to cover the tracks of Jordan and his people, and hold off any pursuit.

I couldn’t say for sure from what quarter they will come at us. Yet I strongly suspected that we needed to watch the skies.

When silence fell over the camp after Jordan’s departure, Elijah put us to work dismantling all the rigid structures.

By day’s end we had progressed markedly in making the way station disappear. Mei proved very helpful.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas brought back a lot of intelligence about the habitation in the clearing. We sifted through it, point by point before making our decisions.

The habitation is marked by signs of the presence of the world government. Tomas saw their flag at the entrance on the far side of the compound. So, the Captain’s advice seemed most appropriate.

There is a very good road leading out of this area upon which Tomas had observed tanker trucks. Thus Stan and his people have the same idea as the Supreme Commander’s army.

And so, we will have to steer clear of that access. More’s the pity.

We wait again while Tomas searches another exit.

All of us, including Mei live in hope.

Day Five Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain was conflicted. With the satellite network re-established the ship’s navigation will be so much easier and exact – no need to rely on the old methods. But it does mean we will be tracked wherever we turn – wearing “a mark” of another sort.

He turned to Elijah for his advice. Elijah thinks that at this stage their system will lack the sophistication  to be used against us. He is all for using it to speed us on our way and to perhaps increase our lead. Still, as a precaution he suggested that Tomas be assigned to monitor any changes as they manifest themselves. And then revisit the decision.

Later, Tomas brought word that we should make landfall tomorrow.

Day Four Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah tells me I worry too much. I had been explaining to him my concern about the mysterious container, and the fact that it is buried so deep in the hold that we cannot get at it while we are underway, that he stopped me mid-explanation and told me to forget about it until such time that I can do something.

Sage advice. But how to put it into practice. I feel such responsibility to the Captain, to the crew, and to the ship.

After expressing this sentiment, Elijah gave me a sterner talking to, but in the end let me down gently. I felt more peaceful afterwards. And I realize now I can last til the next port.