Day Nine Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The tanker truck was still a good way off when we saw it halt at nightfall.

We settled in ourselves, and then arose early to cut across the land to meet it lower down.

We took up observation on the high ground, which gave us an excellent view of the slow moving tanker truck and the winding track, both the direction from which it came and ahead where we assumed it was going.

We were watching from our perch when it rumbled by. At the sight of the driver, Elijah jumped to his feet and seemingly flew down the hillside.

There behind the wheel in the cab of the tanker truck was the former madman from the great city, Elam.

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Day Six Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The darkness has returned again. It’s like the land wanted to roll over and go back to sleep.

Even the farmers were late getting on the road. But only a few traveled towards the army camp.

It got darker. Like a storm ready to break over our heads. You could smell it in the air.

Elijah took me with him into the city. Our friends remained behind – unhappy, but obedient.

Upon our arrival in the central square a mass meeting was underway. Rain was spitting.

Elijah interrupted.

I saw his image on the building wall as he announced to the world that he was sealing up the heavens.

The rain stopped. The sky cleared. And the Spirit whisked us away.

Day Five Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has made another course correction. I was with him when he sent the order down. He was excited to show me the chart with his calculations on it.

There was a line representing our track, a bulge into the open sea, far from any indication of land. Now pointed like an arrow at an archipelago.

When I pointed to a column of figures scribbled beside the pencil track, the Captain summed it up with three words, “Two days away.”

And just like that pencil track amidst the empty space on the map, so has been the ocean surrounding us, devoid of any vessels.

And the Captain has decided to triple the lookouts. Only Elijah and I are excused.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The fasting and the time apart proved effective for me. I can truthfully say that my mind did not wander once.

Towards the end of my watch I sighted a light in the darkness in front of us. Tomas answered my call, and after observing it himself, judged it to be on land.

Based on that knowledge the Captain ordered the ship to hold up offshore until morning. And had the watch tripled.

The source of the light proved to be a village. We warily watched as one of their boats came out to us.

As it turned out the Captain was acquainted with the person in charge. And he soon agreed to transport some of their tin and bauxite.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Clouds gave way to blue skies today. Opening to our view, the seas that stretch interminably before us.

In my downtime a thought flitted across my consciousness. It was so easy to imagine that we had sailed off the face of the earth. Is there any land left out there in that vastness we have not been to?

Elijah responded to my musings. He said our journey was far from over. If only because he does not sense a release from his charge. But he added that we should take full advantage of these times of peace to recharge and prepare. For a time is coming when we shall have no respite from the storm. With every hand against us.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Land in sight. A continent by the looks of it, extending across the horizon to our front and wrapping around to our port side.

The Captain is puzzled. The port should be dead ahead, but with the onset of night, not a glimmer of light indicates its presence. Despite the Captain’s familiarity with these waters, Tomas advised him to hold off for daylight before venturing in any closer. The Captain agreed and ordered him to set a sea anchor.

No one saw the guard today. Though most thought he was catching up on some much needed sleep, I went down to check he intended no harm to himself and was pleased to find him resting.

No one saw Elijah today.

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A long day. This despite the choice to take a boat across the harbor to the grain ship. The Captain thought it quicker.  Elijah was not happy because he desired to be on land.

The boat master seemed starved for business, at every opportunity he was touting this or that tourist site off the route determined by the Captain. Elijah and I paid close attention for future reference.

When we arrived at the ship that the Captain considers his by right of salvage, a vast throng was milling about awaiting handouts of grain or locusts, all rationed under the supervision of government officials.

The Captain was denied access and ordered away. But he promised to seek restitution and their punishment.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have settled in for a lengthy stretch until our next port, at least two weeks per the Captain. A longer time is necessary to navigate the difficulties lurking in our course consequent to the Troubles.

And to his experience they are constantly changing.

Elijah wanders about talking to the crew, but spends more time scanning the horizon ahead. He thinks the passage will take longer than the Captain’s estimate.

I am inclined to agree.

And I tremble for those on the land. My times alone in the set apart cabin are filled with unsettling visions. Visions of clouds of insects falling upon ripening fields and consuming everything in sight. And those who are bitten run away in a frenzy.

Day Three Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We sighted land late in the afternoon. With the fall of night the ship will anchor at sea until the dawn. There is nothing by which to navigate, neither lights nor radio signal. The Captain will not venture near land save in broad daylight.

Elijah spends much time with him. They go over charts and schedules.  There will be three other ports of call besides the one now in front of us and the island after. Along with our ultimate destination they are all stops of our choice, places we feel compelled to visit.

I passed the bulk of the day in the makeshift sanctuary, deep in the Spirit. I drew from this time a confirmation of our chosen path.

Day Three Hundred Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Land, the very coastline, has dropped from view. The sea fills the horizon in every direction. We stay in where it is warm. Any time we’ve gone out, everyone avoids us.

It all hearkens back to when they picked us up. It wasn’t enough to witness the leveling of the city, but to have two men walking on water to the ship was over the top. They were paralyzed with fear. If it wasn’t for the insistence of the Purser who recognized us, no one would have lowered a line to haul us up.

He is the only one who will talk to us. He has arranged an audience with the Captain for early tomorrow.

Will he acquiesce to us?