Day Five Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One plus about this jungle – we do pass other travelers, and thankfully none of them are officers of the global government. They are either merchants or peasants traveling to or from the metropolis.

Elijah queries each one upon encounter about Hamashiach. But so far all have hurried on, expressing no curiosity by asking any questions in return.

One merchant even became belligerent, and would have struck Elijah except that he clearly saw that Elijah’s staff was bigger than his.

With a snarl he continued on towards the metropolis.

I am sure he fully intends to report the encounter to the authorities.

But we should be through this jungle and well on our way before anyone can get up a pursuit.

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Day Five Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The trash from the slum is the refuse of the refuse. The slum grew up around the dumping ground of the well-to-do, and is minutely combed through by the slum’s denizens. What is left to be carted out, no guard would deign touch.

So, our friends covered Elijah and me with the most foul-smelling and messy collection of trash possible.

And thus we took our leave of the metropolis. And after cleaning up in a safe place and a change of clothes we were on our way again.

Elijah is confident that Jordan will bear much fruit to the glory of the One. And I am glad at the prospect of seeing our friends on the ship.

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 Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jordan has not left our side since we discovered one another yesterday. And Elijah wasted no time in seeing to his instruction. He has big plans for him. Or more accurately stated God does.

It has something to do with the people here in the slum, or more specifically with those who have expressed a desire to understand  the meaning of the times in which we live.
The promised things are closer now than ever before.

A battle is ongoing for the allegiance of the peoples of this metropolis. Those in the well-to-do sectors have already surrendered to it, for they clearly see that their continued prosperity depends upon their submission.

Next they will seduce the slums.

Day Five Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are being hemmed in. By other people, by circumstances. Our expectations and plans lie in tatters.

The global security forces have locked up the ingress and egress points around the entire metropolis. Which puts us in a dilemma. We are closer than ever to catching up to the Hamashiachite. But if we stay another day to make that happen, we may never be able to leave.

Elijah remains upbeat, exhorting me with the truth that it will all work out for the good.

He is especially moved by the fact that the attitudes of some of the people in the slum are changing towards us. A few are even responding by asking us questions.

For now we will stay.

Day Five Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The current realities are sending ripples of distrust and agitation through the slums, making it very hard to gain the good will of anyone we question. Most dismiss us outright, which frustrates Elijah.

But he won’t give up.

It seems the closer we come to the edge of the metropolis the more recent are the sightings of the lone follower of Hamashiach.

We’ve agreed to give it one more day here in the slums, then we will depart the metropolis and again take up our march to the other coast.

Others are also circulating the area in our wake announcing the rule of new masters in the city and handing out photos of the supreme leader, our “old friend,” Stan.

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.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have moved again. The area of the river has proven a disappointment. No shop under the sign of the fish has yielded any followers of Hamashiach, though we have one lead that has taken us further into the metropolis.

It took longer to find a place to stay, as this new area is central and quite populous. So many people chase the same vacancies. However, we were able to ask questions as we went about that business.

The bigger crowds were thronging the temple-like structures similar to the one we were in five days ago. I learned they have all been recently converted and are now places to honor the supreme leader.

With that knowledge we avoid them.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah decided to change inns, to go on into another section of the metropolis. Our canvass of the first area had come up empty. Not even a hint of any followers of Hamashiach anywhere.

We moved to an inn situated near the banks of a river that flows through this end of the metropolis. There are many fish shops all along its course that Elijah deems worthy prospects.

So far it has been easy to avoid encounters with government officials, both of the local kind and of the global.

Elijah has also made another decision. No longer shall we part ways, even if such a course would be helpful. He feels it important that the two witnesses be always together.