Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was disappointed. Instead of being back in the hiding place and resting, we were trudging up and over hills avoiding the major pathways.

As we neared the Damascus-Jerusalem road, my attitude improved for I recovered my bearings. And soon after Quasimo took the lead as he was more familiar with these approaches to our destination.

Elijah held me back and picked up our conversation of the other day. He shared that his dreams about the end have returned and are stronger than ever. He confessed that he does not dwell on them but finds that as the time draws closer, he did not want to let the opportunity pass to thank me for my constant help and companionship.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Everything has changed over night – for Tomas – for Elijah and myself. But especially for Tomas as to attitude. He is no longer swallowed up by doubt and indecision. He has grown in confidence that his place for now is here. And he knows with surety that he will be called away and has been given a sign upon which to wait.

This development, to my thinking, is all the more remarkable because the suspicions we have been harboring have been confirmed to him. The Supreme Commander, indeed, purposes to keep us with him.

As for Elijah and me, we now know our departure will be soon. And we will be leaving Tomas behind.

The prospect saddens me. Spirit, prepare us.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas called early for Mei to take her to meet with Lung. Quasimo’s cousin asked to go along to support her and to perhaps bring another perspective to share with her former comrade.

Elijah and I went out at the same time and accompanied them into the megapolis where they dropped us off before continuing on. Tomas had arranged another audience with the Supreme Commander for us. First to thank him again for his kindnesses, but to also reveal to him the end of days rushing towards us all. And his specific end should he continue on his course.

He heard us out with respect, but it seemed to me, his attitude was quite unconcerned and unmoved by my descriptions.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The attitude of our guards changed after our interchange with their commander. They deferred to our needs in all interactions since then.

Another tanker truck arrived this morning, just as the first finished filling up. The commander will be staying here while sending the full one back. (The second belongs to his command also).

He will keep us here until he receives an answer to his communication.

Elijah has made it known to everyone his decision not to go backward. He is open to accepting any provisions the Supreme Commander may release for our use, but he won’t appear before him as a condition to receive them.

Tomas took me aside to ask if he had made the right decision.

Day Five Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both the Captain and Tomas were thankful for their deliverance, and the Captain contrite about his attitude of yesterday.

They had been swept up by a patrol when a merchant raised a hue and cry after our friends tried to make a purchase without the mark.

Thankfully such a fervor has not spread out to this area. Yet.

For now the two are content to stay put and consider their options.

Just after noon the darkness returned. I thought it providential in that it would hide us from any pursuers. Elijah, however, considers it a finger pointed directly at us. But he says that without any concern.

Certainly we see no one walking about in the murk.

We’ll know tomorrow.

Day Five Hundred Ninety Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Fog has settled over the area and unlike with the mysterious darkness, we know there is a sun somewhere up there. This, however, has not led to a change in attitude on the part of the denizens towards us.

The Captain went ashore (Mr. Kagi in tow) to initiate the handover of the ship.

In their absence, a robotic warship paid a call. And Tomas directed the transfer of the two deck containers to that craft.

The silence surrounding it was simply eerie.

Upon the return of Mr. Kagi and the Captain, we learned the fate of the ship. About the time we finish unloading Mr. Kagi’s possessions tomorrow, the global transport service official will arrive here to assume command.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The atmosphere on this island is distinctly unfriendly. The Captain is puzzled by this and he admits to a battle within himself to not be hostile in return.

The cleanup on shore goes on around the clock. So perhaps the attitude could be ascribed to exhaustion and a seemingly unending undertaking.

But Elijah and I made a couple more forays and brought back another explanation.

The prevailing talk points to their deep sense of guilt over their lukewarmness towards the cult of Stan. (Some attribute it to their abandonment of the past, but they are a minuscule minority).

Because they will do anything to appease Stan, we predict things will get uglier.

The Captain concurs. We need to leave – soon.

Day Two Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We stopped by Sy’s parents to offer them a place with the group that will be lead out of the central city by Elam. They declined to go with this contingent. “Besides,” the father joked, “who else will feed you?”

Who else, indeed?

But it’s times like these when you consciously evaluate just who you are going to trust. Plus you must never lose sight of where your ultimate trust must lie.

However, it did give us a glimmer of hope that they may yet say yes to a future exodus before the twenty six days run out.

We also noticed a change in the attitude of some of the people gathered in front of the administration building.

Undisguised hostility.