Day Eight Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Despite our times on and off watch through the night and then the daylight hours, Elijah and I continued to gain strength. Partaking of the well water liberally, helped tremendously.

I was on the last watch before our departure when the jackals returned. I nudged Elijah awake.

As it was still light, we had a better view of these animals than last time.

They were horribly deformed, as well as emaciated. Their obvious hunger was spurring them to the attack.

Elijah cracked the lead one on the head with his staff. Its skull fractured in pieces and its body fell in a heap. The other jackal turned and fled.

We set out as planned, remaining on guard against its return.

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Day Eight Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were exhausted by the time morning rolled along, having been awake and moving all day and night.

Our path was easy going, helped along by the glow of the moon while it was up.

Still, as we turned in for the daylight hours, my mind was overfull with the trek so far.

The events from the bridge to the rock formation run over and over in my thoughts, colored by my apprehension that a drone might overtake us before we found it. And the trek through the desert night carried its own unease as we were alert to find our next landmark. A well that should mark an end to this effortless pathway.

It helps to breathe and pray.

Day Six Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The caravan route has been easy to follow. And we have moved quickly upon it. When in the few instances it disappeared, Tomas unerringly led us to where it reappeared again.

There are magnificent mountains to the south of us, and no matter how far we progress, they remain stationary. We wonder if the army would be found on the march in that sphere.

Elijah has fallen into a new habit.  He rises hours before us each morning. Then lingers behind, joining us on the route later in the day at lunch.

I brought up the idea of night travel. Something Elijah and I have done in the past. But the others want to keep to daylight hours for now.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We would have (and could have) traversed the underground passage in the space of the daylight hours. But we had some unforeseen obstacles and equally unforeseen discoveries, all of which decided us to remain down here for awhile.

First, our progress was impeded and slowed down by a blockage. A section of the tunnel ceiling (a floor from the structure above) had caved in and all access around was cut off. We were at the point of turning around when Elijah found an entrance into a building. We entered and by trial and error made our way up and over the obstruction.

It was all providential. Our delay meant that we encountered a band of people that needed our help.

Day Two Hundred Eighteen Afternoon #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

Have decided it best to camp beside the first pool of water found on the first day in the oasis. Drink from the second. And pass the daylight hours in my special place of meditation.

Soak in the peace and quiet at all times.

Day One Hundred Ninety Nine Evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

We kept to the house last night and throughout the following daylight hours.

I asked Grazie if she had any plan for our next move. She replied that it was nothing other than what I had taught her – just wait for direction.

Evening was coming on, when she announced that she was going out to find her father. Shocked, I wanted to accompany her, but she declined and assured me she would be back.

Before midnight she was.

Within minutes we slipped out into the darkness of the night.