Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed into very familiar territory last night. By tomorrow we should be back in the hiding place.

Some things raised concerns and momentarily threw us off our stride. For instance, once we had to find another route when the normal one through a canyon had a collapsed wall. The debris had blocked off all access.

It had not been that way when Reuben last passed through.

And it was eerie to tiptoe around the abandoned army outposts that before had complicated movements in and out of the hiding place.

Tomas surmised that all army personnel have been collected into the valley of decision for the battle we all know is coming.

Thoughts about that coming event intruded my rest.

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Day One Thousand Sixty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our movements we feel were well beyond the army’s patrols. And the lack of drones too, was a comfort.  All the more so as we came down from the hills and onto the plain.

Sy directed us to a well by midday, but it proved a disappointment. He said the water was simply too deep to reach.

Thankfully our need is far from pressing. There was a point after Sy had spoken when I looked to Elijah, but he shook his head, so I knew that it was not quite the time.

Elam was a great help. For he had driven his tanker truck through this area many times, and knew the best places to pass over those routes undetected.

Day One Thousand Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It has become evident that the army patrol from the checkpoint is not on a routine sweep. Otherwise they would have turned back with the onset of night.

I can only think that since we sometimes have them in view, they must likewise see us, despite our conscious efforts to shield our movements.

Thankfully they show no signs of gaining on us. Elijah quickened his pace during those times when we were blocked from view. With the result that the time between sightings lengthened.

And in one of these blind troughs we headed away from our destination, and we hoped from our pursuers too.

That’s when we ran into the man who had accosted us down on the main road.

Day Nine Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our movements have become greatly restricted, even within this commodious dungeon. The number of guards has dropped, but whereas before there were none to interfere with our secretive activities, now even our mundane ones come under scrutiny.

We can barely speak a string of a dozen words before being silenced by a nearby guard.

Thankfully that changed when a certain guard reported for his shift. He was the one responsible for the note in our food from Raj G’s people.

In the guise of giving a reprimand he offered his services and we accepted.

First, he brought news of the well being of members of their group separated in other dungeons. Next he will bring them a word from us.

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 Ninety Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Settling into camp last night had been a ragged affair. Hardly unexpected given we were a large group trying to do something together for the first time.

The five of us, plus P, met early in the morning to talk about better co-ordinating our movements. Thus we were able to lumber off with the minimum of aggravation, taking up the same marching order as yesterday.

We agreed to maintain the same order when we halted.

The one question we did not resolve right away was Tomas’s position in the column. Both Mei and the Captain wanted his help with their groups.

At the last I decided that he needed to be out front where he does best, scouting ahead.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We thought those flying lights had given up, but they had only moved back their appearance by a couple of hours. They were unhurried in their movements, making wide, lazy turns over one particular area, closer to us than last night, but far enough away not to raise our concern.

However, what was markedly closer was that campfire out in front of us which we assume marks an encampment. They must not have moved at all yesterday.

We were about to turn in for the day, when Tomas discovered a source of water. He had been watching a flock of birds when of a sudden they left the sky. They led him to a pool fed by a small stream.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The two incoming vessels made no moves to block our exit. This heartened us and caused us to re-evaluate. Perhaps we were misreading our situation.

The robotic warship was riding station a good distance away and showing no signs of interest in our movements.

The Captain ordered the ship to half speed as the distance closed, and on his mark Tomas set a new course in an easterly direction.

The warship continued to ignore us, as our ship picked up the pace to cruising speed.
Our sense of relief grew with the new day and no signs of pursuit. I fell to contemplating other things.

What was it that Emil had given in trade for these three cargo containers?

Day Three Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We bid Elam goodbye and God speed, as we sent him off with the last group of those wanting to get out of the city.

Elijah advised him to tell Sy to move everyone beyond the wall, and explained how to do it.

We passed the day out walking in the streets. The crowds are gone. We only encountered workers, and they were easily outnumbered by the ever present soldiers.

We were unwelcome at every turn, yet they feared to oppose our movements.

Stan appeared when we returned to our quarters, and we watched as they put a cordon in place around the building.

Their obvious plan is to hold us in place for the next six days and beyond.

Day Two Hundred Twenty Five Afternoon #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

As this fast lengthens, realize the need to lessen my movements and exertions.

My world is shrinking. And it must be so. Through the eye of the needle.

It also means Stan may no longer be avoidable.