Day Five Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain took the ship out in the forenoon. We are a little lighter again, for we had nothing but deliveries in this port. There were no new shipments.

Our progress was slow and cautious as Tomas navigated the other end of the inward passage. Delighted by the view of the bright green islands floating on the blue, blue sea, the Hamashiachites lingered long at the rail.

Once we reached the open ocean, Elijah collected them in the mess hall and introduced them to other believers from the crew. Some strong bonds were forged today. In fact, the Raj twin G may leave at the next port to accompany them.

Elijah approves, but I wonder what his twin brother thinks.

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Day Three Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A tragedy transpired over night. We only know the aftermath at present. Who knows if anyone aboard knows the whole story. For certain, no one knows the reason for it except the victim, if indeed he is a victim. Whichever is the case, he is beyond our reach.

In the first watch of the new day, the guard who kept to their cabin, left it, ran to the rail and leapt over it. There were three witnesses to his action – the officer of the deck and a hand from the engine room up on a break.

And Elijah. He saw the guard’s action. And confirms that the other witnesses were present to see it too.

Elijah thinks he lost hope.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I should have paid more attention to Tomas. To his state of being.

But his duties kept him out of our sight and busy. And the Captain, not yet familiar with his personality, had no standard against which to judge any seeming anxiety or concern in his new First Mate.

Our paths crossed today. Off duty, Tomas stood idly by the rail, staring blankly into the sea. I gauged his demeanor to be due to homesickness, and tailored my comment in an effort to bring him out of his funk. It failed.

I sent for Elijah who got to the bottom of the matter. He assured Tomas that his family is safe and like him had a job to do.

Day Three Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Stan’s former cabin is now swabbed out. The crew to a man refused to do it. The Captain was at the point of rolling up his sleeves and pitching in himself, when the Purser and the First Mate volunteered for the chore.

However, the Captain ordered the entire crew forward to view the cabin before the two volunteers tackled the task. And he had them all go through it after it was cleaned. His goal, I am sure, was to cure them of their fear.

I was standing at the rail near the bow, wondering if he had been successful in his intent, when the view changed my focus.

I climbed back to the bridge to report an approaching ship.