Day One Thousand One Hundred Twenty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All quiet today on the plain. No sign of conflict by sight or sound. By the end of the day it had been so quiet we had relaxed our vigil, especially when we sighted what we took to be the halfway point of our journey – the well to which Sy had led us – the one whose water was too low to access.

To our relief its water table had risen and we easily refilled our water skins.

Elijah volunteered for the first watch but I had no sooner turned in when he raised the alarm.

Alarm turned to joy when we recognized our intruder was our friend Reuben whom we first knew as a guard in the prison near Jerusalem.

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Day One Thousand Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All the other members of our group concur, even those who feel their purpose on this mission has been fulfilled. This despite other factors that mitigate against our continued presence here in Babylon.

We had two such encounters yesterday on our outing. Elijah learned that an internment camp for world government soldiers was nearby and asked our guard to take us there.

The guard was reluctant and after more persuasion gave in. Afterwards he exuded an air of vindication having been forced to rescue us from assaults aimed at Elijah, “the great Disturber of the nations.”

Mawuli said it was much the same treatment meted out to the group led by his parents on their journey to the promised land.

Day One Thousand Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli was restless. He complained to Elijah and me that he felt cooped up and wanted to go out but no one would accompany him. Instead of allowing him to do so on his own we agreed to go with him.

We took one of the guards with us, who for the most part was uncomplaining.

Mawuli retraced his route of the other day, so we saw in turn the Captain’s ship and the desalination plants.

Along the way we answered his questions about Stan and Moglen.

Then he surprised us both when he asked where the Spirit was leading us next. Before we could answer he shocked us further by stating he did not think we should leave yet.

Day One Thousand Ninety One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The meeting had been brief, a mere formality with the Supreme Commander. He acknowledged his debt to us and was glad to return the favor, and left us with Tomas. The press of necessity pulled him away.

Tomas dismissed the guard and moved us into more comfortable quarters.

We had a lot to share, making it another late night. The full scope of which did not completely come into focus until today.

Tomas too has performed important service for the Supreme Commander. The result of his obedience to the call of the Spirit.

He has hope for the man’s future. But as always the choice remains with him.

Then the Captain took his turn, no doubt discussing their old ship.

Day One Thousand Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We petitioned the commander to replace one of the men guarding us. He was overbearing in his treatment of our injured members. And was threatening them with instant punishment for their slow reactions to his commands.

Why he singled them out when he shied away from the rest of us baffles me. Perhaps it is only an indication of his meanness of character.

The commander heard our plea and replaced the offending guard, but substituted an even more brutish one.

Thankfully about that time a truck from the Supreme Commander’s headquarters pulled into camp and we were spared further bother. (And the guard a possible drubbing from Elijah).

We climbed into the back of the truck and were driven off.

Day Nine Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I awoke this morning with a song bubbling up from within. Its tune, the same as that given to me two days before Elijah and I met the Raj family. And the one they were singing at the moment our paths crossed.

This coupled with what Elijah shared with us yesterday sent shivers of excitement through me.

I ran to tell Elijah. And found him with Reuben and Magwich. I just barely finished my explanation when a guard interrupted us, jabbering about needing our presence in the delivery area of the prison.

Three tanker trucks had pulled into the prison and were pumping out their contents into the water cisterns.

The three drivers greeted us – Jezer, Elam, and Raj G.

Day Nine Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah made the first move. Through Reuben’s good judgment he identified the guard with the most influence with the other guards. One who has resisted the despotic bent of the prison’s commandant. And no longer kowtows to the creeds and dictates of the world government headed up by Stan.

By the end of their meeting Elijah gave Magwich what he most desired, the removal of the mark.

At this change of status he immediately offered himself to his brother guards for incarceration.

This they refused to do, instead they joined him.

The word spread throughout the prison and the commandant finding no one left who was aligned with him, barricaded himself in his office (and his despondency) and hung himself.

Day Nine Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The boot of our oppressor has ever so slightly been lifted off of our necks. It gives us hope that we will soon have more freedom of action. And eases my suspicion that knowledge of our identities had been rediscovered.

Elijah found a place apart and held up there all day. While I kept in contact off and on with the leaders to discuss future plans. But really there was little we felt we could do until we hear from Reuben, the guard who is working on our behalf.

Later we heard the most shocking news from him. The Hamashiachite followers of Raj G in the other dungeons of this prison have all disappeared.

Hence the severe crackdown of yesterday.

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 Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah passed the day in one corner of our cell. I kept watch, moving to the door whenever I heard the approach of footsteps. There was not much traffic down in this wing, and the few of which I became aware, continued on past. (Probably a guard).

As the day went on it was beginning to look like no one would be paying us a call to demand our answer and we would be given another day to accept the mark.

But that thought was interrupted by the arrival of our food. The guard who passed it through to me said it would be the last meal delivered here if we did not agree to the mark by his return.