Day Eight Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

While now we saw the cage with which Stan thought he could contain us, I was left wondering by what means he meant to neutralize us. By that I meant, kill us.

I no more expressed that thought out loud when Elijah motioned me to be silent.

He turned and announced to the empty room, “You can come out now.”

A diminutive man did so.

He’d been ensconced behind a sliding panel in an alcove behind the podium of the audience chamber. His hands held high, and one holding a dagger. As he advanced he let it fall harmless to the floor.

Having observed us the past few days, he had decided to defy his master and help us instead.

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Day Six Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept warm last night, having ignited wood left in a fire pit at the center of the chamber.

Tomas, as ever, made the most helpful discoveries. He rummaged around beyond the limit of the light from the fire and fell into an alcove that contained a gasoline generator. He was able to crank it up and we had lights.

We thus learned that this place was a whole lot bigger than we thought. Other tunnels branch off the chamber to sleeping quarters, ammunition stores, and food supplies.

So we ate well and rested while awaiting the storm to subside.

The Captain regularly went outside to check the storm. The last time he was ushered back in by two soldiers.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We made some unsettling discoveries after the truck sighting. It effected our choice of shelter and our security consciousness.

Detritus in front of one building led us to surmise that the truck had been positioned outside. We entered. In Elijah’s evaluation it was a temple of some kind. I had the same thought, but was puzzled at its barrenness. But then with that truck, its contents could have been carted away easily.

Then around in a candle lit alcove the image of Stan looked benignly down upon us.

We left immediately and looked for a place to rest far away from that edifice.

A fitful day passed with frequent watch changes.

Come night we shook its dust from our feet.