Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah desires to make all haste to the hiding place. Governed by the restrictions dictated by circumstances, of course. But his disciples would rather have him come with them to Jerusalem.

They consider his presence there as crucial. And more importantly a call that cannot be put off to another time.

For his part Elijah is equally convinced that the next goal should be the hiding place.

This has raised tensions among us, so I suggested we all ask that a united vision be given us.

I pointed out we have at least a day or two before we reach the location at which those paths diverge.

In the meantime we will listen for the Spirit’s approval as to direction.

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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 Eight Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We got in for closer views of all three entrances, but we kept on the move to avoid scrutiny of ourselves. And as a consequence, we became quite familiar with the paths connecting the two motor roadways with the footpath entry.

The whole area is filled up with rubble that must have been carted out of the city after its destruction.

I sighed to think about all the new buildings beyond, and the people within them, facing the destruction of destruction in the day’s ahead.

We learned that very few on foot went through the motor road entries. And the central path was exclusively for those on foot. Even many not bearing the mark, by all appearances doing forced labor.

Day Seven Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas has taken up his wanderlust again, traveling in advance of us, sampling the paths that branch off of this main one. None have been judged better than the one we are on.

Elijah has ended his fast so he kept up with our brisk pace.

Tomas did beg us to join him up on a vantage point, a short distance off the beaten track.

It offered a full view of an hundred eighty degree arc of the mountain ranges west of us. They look for all the world like waves frozen in place on its march to the sands of the desert off in the distance.

But more importantly we could see that our path veers towards the west.

Day Six Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Although Elijah and I were dismayed over the absence of Tomas, the Captain was beside himself with worry. Even the reminder that neither could perish outside the presence of the other, failed to alleviate his despair.

Finally, I persuaded the Captain that inaction was not an option and got us moving again. We would continue to keep on task by chasing after the army.

I had to rein my friend in a couple of times when we came across paths that Tomas may have taken.

The Captain gave in to our bidding, but only after insisting that we leave an indication of our passage in order to prevent Tomas from heading in the wrong direction should he return that way.

Day Six Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas returned via the left fork, imparting to us the knowledge that the two paths rejoin further along. And he suggested we take the left fork as it was more level and by far more easygoing than the one to the right.

He too holds the well being of Elijah in high regard.

And come the evening we did choose that path.

Once beyond where the two paths conjoined we again came to another fork. We took the left hand one, because from where we stood the right hand branch traipsed away to the north, and the left appeared to aim, at least for now, towards the space between those two mountain peaks.

We’ll be switching back to days soon.

Day Six Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our neighbor returned in the wee hours. It was in the middle of the Captain’s last watch for the night.

He went out to greet him and learned he had indeed been to the other side of the city. In his travels he hadn’t crossed paths with Tomas. It is probably too much to expect that he would have, still we remain hopeful for our friend.

We invited our neighbor in and he gave us some valuable information. There was no military presence once he got through the city, not even any guards at crossroads.

When I explained our desire to relocate, he immediately offered the assistance of his fellow exile.

Now we just have to wait for Tomas’ return.

Day Five Hundred Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both the Captain and Tomas have finally gotten their land legs. The wait has been beneficial, for it afforded them time to concentrate on plans for the future. Elijah has been very supportive, preparing them for being on their own. For our paths may soon be diverging.

I took a walk around the immediate vicinity to get my bearings. This proved helpful for when Elijah and I made our way back into the city, we didn’t fall off the causeway into the rice paddies, going out or returning.

The city which had seemed empty from the ship in the darkness has transformed into a teeming anthill of people.

Strikingly, we each came away sensing the presence of a hostile spirit.

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 Four Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

An interruption in the night (that is, the incoming tide) chased us further up the beach.

Upon dropping us off yesterday, the fisherman pointed west to indicate in which direction the island’s port city lay. So we set our sights to explore that quarter.

So far we have encountered no roads, and any and all paths have only led us up against a high wall of rock.

The lingering fog hides the features of the surrounding area. We can only surmise that this beach is hemmed in by the sea and the towering cliffs of the mainland, and hence the beach itself is our only available pathway.

Every so often the fog rises and we see ships in the distance.