Day One Thousand Two Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

I walked down to the square where the bodies of my friends lay open to the air. They were cordoned off. Their removal forbidden still.

Nor would the guards let me linger – but through repeated blows forced me away.

I found a quiet spot to write this, wondering when the promise would be fulfilled.

A commotion erupted among the guards and they scattered falling over one another as Elijah and Enoch stood to their feet and were drawn upward – alive.

There they joined those around my heart’s cherished longing, Yeshua. And I saw my name written on the palm of his uplifted hand.

I set aside my pen to reunite with my friends.

In the beginning of forever.

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Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

My tears flow so freely I can hardly see. But my memory is so seared that what I witnessed is all I can see or think about.

I was obedient and kept well back from the action. And I am sure no one was aware of who I am or what I was doing there.

The ferocity of the mob’s anger was so palpable that it blinded them to the presence of anyone else except the targets of their hate – Enoch and Elijah.

Dear Enoch and dear, dear Elijah. There you lie where you fell. And there you will remain by Stan’s fiat. For all to jeer and spit upon.

I long to see those human vultures scattered.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Besides Reuben and Sy, all the leaders asked to accompany us to Jerusalem – Elam, the Raj twins, Quasimo and his cousin, Jordan, Jezer, Meesa, Lung, Mr. Kagi, the Purser and Mary, and Mawuli.

Only Mei did not.

I took her aside and surprised her with a request. I knew that I had to lay down my writing chores and asked her to assume those responsibilities.

At first she demurred, proclaiming inadequacy. At that point Elijah stepped in and placed his hand upon her head.

As he spoke over her I saw the strength of the Spirit descend.

Then we told her she would accompany us.

And after bidding our friends farewell, the Spirit bore the three of us to Jerusalem.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli was the one to discover their bodies. We had passed the night without them in a place chosen by him. We unanimously decided not to leave the area until we could learn their whereabouts.

Judging by their final position and it’s great distance off our current path, Mawuli surmises that they encountered a patrol and led them away from us. Ultimately sacrificing themselves.

With care, Mr. Kagi and I buried their mortal remains.

Mawuli then assumed the chore of directing our way back to the hiding place.

Thoughts crowded in upon me – remembrances of all our times together- both at sea and on land. Through it all they were the most steadfast and faithful helpers for Elijah and me.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Had we entertained beforehand the thought of going to Damascus, we would have changed our minds when the city came into view. It was a city no longer. What was left was little bigger than a village. A village broken down and smoldering.

I had a flash of concern for our people in the hiding place. And wondered if what befell Damascus had spread its impact that far afield.

Elijah spoke up and put my mind at ease with his assurances.

Tomas, soon after, diverted us onto another path and what was left of Damascus slipped from our view.

I wish I had talked once more with Tomas before he and the Captain took the lead and departed this life.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There were signs of a recent occupation when we reached the village at the edge of the wilderness. But we didn’t realize just how much until we set out this morning.

One entire building was filled up with dead bodies, our attention drawn to it by a swarm of buzzing flies. A makeshift hospital I assumed, but Mr. Kagi called that into question when he observed that all of them wore the uniform of the army of the North. A detail that bore a more sinister connotation.

While Tomas and the Captain ranged ahead, picking a way for us off of the beaten path, Elijah walked with Mawuli.

Mr. Kagi and I marveled at the depth of the lad’s understanding.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We found the redoubt empty and in disarray. It had been abandoned in a hurry. Whether it was to join the battle or to flee we didn’t know.

Mawuli and Tomas opted to keep vigil. Through the whole night.

But I took over at midnight and sent them in for a much deserved rest.

Actually there was nothing to watch or guard against. Save wild animals. And none put in an appearance.

Elijah led us out in the early morning. He wants to reach the village at the edge of the wilderness by tonight.

No matter how late.

Along the way the Captain shared a premonition. He doesn’t think he and Tomas will arrive at the hiding place with us.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

When Mawuli failed to return over night, all of us went down to look for him. Vermin which had joined the scavenger birds slunk away at our passage. We found him on the far side of the valley on the one spot of ground not soaked in blood.

He said not a word as the Captain gathered him into his arms.

Rather than return to the heights right away we skirted the edge of the valley until we made out the stone bridge far above. Mawuli was recovered enough to walk on his own and he aided Elijah and myself. After a short search we located the stream bed and took the path that paralleled it up to the heights.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah called for Tomas and tasked him to scout a new position for us on the route back to Sy’s old redoubt. He set up a camp with Mawuli a day’s march away.

It was late in the evening before Mr. Kagi, the Captain and Elijah and I caught up with them.

Yesterday the army of the East was stopped and held at bay by the elite forces of the world government. And it was clear today that Stan was sacrificing that group because the troops supporting them were being withdrawn.

They did so in perfect order and easily outpaced us.

The din from the opposing forces increased even as they dropped from view.

All was left to our imagination.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas had to reposition himself at his lookout point to stay out of view of an observer set up further down these heights and closer to the skirmishing.

The Captain, after talking with him, was just about to do something to this interloper, when Elijah appeared and settled him down. Indeed, he said there was no need, as we would soon be departing back for Sy’s redoubt.

As though to confirm his point, the army of the East burst forth from their forward positions at that very instant. Just in time to vacate ground that erupted under an artillery barrage.

I turned to see my friend already consumed in the throes of intercession.

It proved to be an interesting day.