Day One Thousand Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I had a dream over night. Everything about it was unexpected, but not unsettling. In fact, I found it a comfort and an encouragement.

In it Grazie came to speak to me, though uttering not a word at first. Her countenance beamed with serenity. Which enfolded me like a hug and communicated more than her voice would have.

And, in effect, shut down a nightmarish vision that lurked at the periphery of my consciousness.

Only after she had my complete attention did she speak.

She simply said, “A child shall lead you.” And smiled.

And was gone.

I shared the dream with Elijah. And at the moment I finished Mawuli walked into our camp. And asked when we were leaving.

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Day Nine Hundred Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I almost asked Mary about her daughter Retha, but a closer view of Mary’s face told all. Lines of sadness were stamped into her countenance.

She hugged me, then embraced her son who held my gaze, an apology in his eyes for not preparing me.

The Purser directed us to a spot to rest. Instead Elijah and I found their special place and spent the night in intercession.

The area atop the plateau could easily accommodate a larger group, as we learned when the Purser showed us around.

And so it had at one time.

Now their numbers are dwindling through disease and untreated injuries.

More than ever we felt a renewed impetus to bring them to the hiding place.

Day Seven Hundred Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei came all the way from the front, back to talk to Elijah and me. Sadness tinged her countenance, but she spoke with resolve.

She was certain that the forces of the world government must be looking for us, and was puzzled how they could miss such a large group since there were only four roads for them to check, leading out of the now dead city.

And so she put her questions- was Elijah responsible for this? And was this something she should know how to do?

I was taken aback. Not for the questions themselves. But for the fact that she had an intimation of what will be required of her in the future.

Elijah took her aside.

Day Four Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The base camp for the drone may have been found, but that left some questions unanswered; such as, who placed it there – who tended it – and are they still in the vicinity.

It had occurred to me that it may not be just one individual. Elijah supported my supposition and advised setting a watch on the accesses to the promontory heights. The Purser made the assignments.

I again went out to finish my canvass of the settlement. But instead of Mawuli, Elijah accompanied me. (So I surrendered his staff back to him).

We were at the furthest reaches of the camp when Elijah raised his countenance and his staff to the sky. And a flaming star fell from its height.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Upon stepping onto the bridge, we were greeted by the Purser, not the Captain. He had stood watch the entire night, and was beside himself about the prolonged absence.

He was at the point of deputizing me to take the watch and dragging Elijah along with him in search, when the Captain was returned under armed guard.

His countenance was combustible, but he calmed down enough to give us a rundown. Because the First Mate bears the mark he has been given undisputed claim to the grain ship, and because the Captain won’t take the mark we are being expelled with these guards to accompany the shipment.

But the Captain swears that he won’t leave without a new first mate.