Day One Thousand Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One look into his eyes and I knew. We all knew. Mr Kagi was a follower of Hamashiach. He credits many from the ship’s crew for his awakening. Such has been the favor shown him, that he has also been raised to be the Quartermaster of the army of the East. And in that capacity he is hard at work even now.

Direct from his meeting with us, he is to report to the Supreme Commander. Elijah drew him aside to speak to him before that event.

Before parting Mr Kagi also related some rather disturbing details. He has it on the highest authority that Stan was snatched from the gates of death through the agency of someone named Moglen.

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Day Nine Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There was a note hidden along with our food last night. It was addressed to Elijah. They identified themselves as followers of Hamashiach, formerly led by Raj G. And they are excited at the prospect of meeting him.

This news set us rejoicing that we had been brought to the same prison.

(And the thought occurred to me that the guard must have known about the message. He would have to have been blind otherwise).

All morning we anticipated the arrival of the guards sent to move us. And our elation continued despite the rather rough handling we experienced when they came in and chained us together.

The chains remained in place as we were led into the grim dungeon.

Day Nine Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Having obtained Jezer’s release, one would have expected us to return immediately to the hiding place.

But Elijah had other ideas. He wanted to continue the search for other followers of Hamashiach immediately. So we headed back into Damascus.

Besides, Elijah pointed out that any other direction would have raised the suspicions of the local police whom he was sure were monitoring our movements. And if our actions matched their expectations they would soon lose interest in us. Or as Jezer suggested we could lose them in the multitudes.

Along the way I had my little talk with Jezer about acquiring the materials with which to construct another drone for Quasimo.

He deferred to Elijah who reluctantly added his approval.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

And so it came to pass. We were standing in the same spot where Elijah exhorted and taught the gathered followers of Hamashiach. But this time we were talking to Jordan, our friend, from far to the south and so long ago.

He had come down to meet us and conduct us up the last snowy reaches to this way station encampment.

I congratulated him for I knew that his presence here could only be due to the influence of the Spirit. And he thanked me and then added that he was so glad, for he had been told by the Spirit to expect us.

I made the introductions to the other members of our troop.

Mei was decidedly impressed.

Day Five Hundred Forty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I went ashore to follow up the lead that P brought to us yesterday. I was struck by how few people were walking about – given the size of the buildings and the sprawl of the city in all directions, there should have been a teeming population everywhere we turned.

It went a long way to explain the man power shortages down at the port.

And our arrival at the city hospital answered the other question we hadn’t thought to ask. Why?

P had heard that this hospital was run by some followers of Hamashiach. And so it proved to be true.

We were not allowed in, but they came out to us.

Thus we learned about the plague.

Day Five Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has backed off on his order for all possible speed, much to the relief of the engineer. But not for the reason one might suspect.

We have entered the confinement of a waterway that restricts our movement a great deal. Our next port sits behind a cluster of small islands. We have slowed the ship the better to navigate this tricky inward passage.

As the buildings of the city come into view I am left wondering if we will go ashore here. Or might we even strike out on a journey inland in search of more followers of Hamashiach.

Elijah himself doesn’t know. However he did tell me that we shall receive direction from the Raj twin P.

Day Five Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The road is clear ahead, and I can almost smell the sea. I can’t see it through the haze in front of us, but I can sense it is there. We are noticeably descending. Elijah claims we are approaching sea level.

The peasants we rescued yesterday were grateful, but not followers of Hamashiach. Before we separated they told Elijah that people answering our description could be found in a certain household in their village.

We are on our way there now. According to their directions it should be the third village on this road.

It was quite late when we arrived in the second. Elijah, being eager, wanted to continue but I prevailed upon him to wait for the morning.

Day Five Hundred Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We left the metropolis today. But only for the day.

Jordan tells us that one minute Elijah was explaining that we would return, then we were gone, vanished.

Upon our reappearance he asked if he would be able to do the same thing some day. We told him we couldn’t say and could only advise him to stay close to Hamashiach.

As for us, we passed the day in a cold country which was covered in a thick layer of snow. There Elijah poured himself into a gathering of followers of Hamashiach. To judge from appearances they have assembled from several countries.

Strange to think that for a time we were free, and now willingly are back in our problems.

Day Five Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A momentous change over night. We left the central district of the metropolis moments before a lockdown. The local government is out, and the global authority is exercising full control.

Here in the slums there is no official authority, only that which is exerted by social groupings. So Elijah is confident we have a small window of opportunity to complete our task before they clamp down on this area too.

Already we have contacted several groups. They are alarmed by what is transpiring and thus may become natural allies.

Still no followers of Hamashiach among the people we’ve talked to so far, but one of them told us that he has crossed paths with one individual a number of times.

Day Five Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The one lead we had from the river district was a dead end. We have only a third of the metropolis left to check.  It seems more likely than not that no followers of Hamashiach remain to be found.

It is a severe disappointment to Elijah. Under his crusty exterior he is actually very tender.

We have moved again today. Our exit from the metropolis is only a day or two away. The slums will be the focus of our search next. Rather than stay in one place we plan to move about daily and stay wherever we land for the night.

I long to be back on the ship and among our friends. I wonder how they are faring.