Day Eight Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It happened much as Elijah planned.

We entered Jerusalem with the morning crowds. And made our way to its heart. There were depictions of Stan on every side. Much nicer than the paper posters we’d seen to date.

And soldiers stood guard on every street, scrutinizing every passerby.

In fact, one left his post to follow us. Elijah took the attention in stride. I moved to keep myself between the two. And to shield Elijah.

We emerged onto the Temple court and there Elijah announced to the multitudes the continuation of the drought. And closed his announcement with the promise of its deepening.

A great roar of anger arose.

And the guard made to seize us, but we were gone.

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Day Four Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have moved again. The area of the river has proven a disappointment. No shop under the sign of the fish has yielded any followers of Hamashiach, though we have one lead that has taken us further into the metropolis.

It took longer to find a place to stay, as this new area is central and quite populous. So many people chase the same vacancies. However, we were able to ask questions as we went about that business.

The bigger crowds were thronging the temple-like structures similar to the one we were in five days ago. I learned they have all been recently converted and are now places to honor the supreme leader.

With that knowledge we avoid them.

Day Three Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We bid Elam goodbye and God speed, as we sent him off with the last group of those wanting to get out of the city.

Elijah advised him to tell Sy to move everyone beyond the wall, and explained how to do it.

We passed the day out walking in the streets. The crowds are gone. We only encountered workers, and they were easily outnumbered by the ever present soldiers.

We were unwelcome at every turn, yet they feared to oppose our movements.

Stan appeared when we returned to our quarters, and we watched as they put a cordon in place around the building.

Their obvious plan is to hold us in place for the next six days and beyond.

Day Three Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our room has a view of the harbor. Ships crowd the docks. And many more are out in the roads, waiting to come in, or awaiting the best conditions to depart. We will have to find one that is going our way before the clock ticks down the last eight days.

Elijah led us into the highways and byways to proclaim the warning.

It was as though all had blinders on, eyes open to their tasks, and ears closed to anything outside their focus.

Then we noticed that the streets were filling with soldiers trying to separate us from the crowds. And Stan stood at their head.

Elijah resisted and they fell back in a swoon.

Stan could only retreat.