Day Nine Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

By the description of the people in Mei’s vision, I knew it had to be about the group led by the original Purser from the Captain’s ship. My heart warmed at the memory of him, his wife Mary and his children Mawuli and Retha.

I asked Mei if there were anything about her vision that gave a hint as to their whereabouts.

She hesitated in her reply, saying it was too confusing – light and dark at the same time.

I shook my head at that image, as it had no significance to me either. I pray that the Spirit will give us further understanding.

I was still mulling these things over when Jezer returned with Elam, Raj G and Magwich.

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Day Nine Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jezer helped us out of the tank at a remote place in the wilderness. The guards in the other vehicles soon joined us. From here we’ll make our way to the hiding place, while our trio of rescuers return the tanker trucks.

Before parting Jezer took pains to caution us. There had been many less checkpoints than usual, so he fears they have been shifted, possibly athwart the route we would be taking. Or perhaps something more sinister was afoot.

Magwich asked and was allowed to accompany Raj G.

Reuben took to the trail, walking up front with Elijah and me. With his uniform and that of the other guards we could pass for an army or a police unit.

Day Nine Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndotheWorld

Elijah and I rode inside of Jezer’s tanker truck. We had wanted to ride in the cab with him, but he explained that it would not be possible. There were too many checkpoints, and we would have looked out of place.

Reuben was in the truck behind us, driven by Elam, and Magwich behind them, driven by Raj G.

We were cautioned to speak and move as little as possible, which was difficult, for the jostling at times was bone rattling.

It’s hard to imagine how those fared who made the trip before us. There were so many more of them.

We were more than glad to be out of the confined space at the next leg of our journey.

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 Nine Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The boot of our oppressor has ever so slightly been lifted off of our necks. It gives us hope that we will soon have more freedom of action. And eases my suspicion that knowledge of our identities had been rediscovered.

Elijah found a place apart and held up there all day. While I kept in contact off and on with the leaders to discuss future plans. But really there was little we felt we could do until we hear from Reuben, the guard who is working on our behalf.

Later we heard the most shocking news from him. The Hamashiachite followers of Raj G in the other dungeons of this prison have all disappeared.

Hence the severe crackdown of yesterday.

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 Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our fellow prisoners swarmed around Elijah. I recognized many from the hospital of the coastal town we visited so long ago. I talked with two who remembered me. They were very solicitous to know any news about Raj G. How they were gladdened to hear my report.

It was a late night, that culminated with a unanimous vote – Elijah was chosen to make all the decisions going forward. He acceded to their request but only until he can affect their release from this prison and see them safely to the hiding place.

As we sought to implement better communications today, we were stopped cold in our efforts by the sudden influx of guards into the dungeon that they call home.

Day Nine Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There was a note hidden along with our food last night. It was addressed to Elijah. They identified themselves as followers of Hamashiach, formerly led by Raj G. And they are excited at the prospect of meeting him.

This news set us rejoicing that we had been brought to the same prison.

(And the thought occurred to me that the guard must have known about the message. He would have to have been blind otherwise).

All morning we anticipated the arrival of the guards sent to move us. And our elation continued despite the rather rough handling we experienced when they came in and chained us together.

The chains remained in place as we were led into the grim dungeon.

Day Nine Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It wasn’t a critter or a pesky villager outside our camp this morning. Both Elijah and I startled at the sound of Jezer’s voice wishing us a glorious morning. We rose and greeted our friend, who asked after us and we in turn after him and the others. In particular we were keen to know any news about his search.

He did have news on that score. He and Quasimo had at last located where Raj G’s people were being held. They still form a group and fill an entire prison on the other side of Jerusalem.

This put us in a dilemma. Should we drop our current pursuit in order to go to the rescue of the imprisoned group?

Day Nine Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Raj G’s joy at finding us was short lived. It melted away when he broke off my hug and fell to the floor sobbing uncontrollably.

There he remained. Begging for forgiveness between racking sobs. He confessed he had lost all of the people entrusted to him. They had been swept up by the government forces when they neared Jerusalem.

At this juncture Jezer excused himself to go out and seek those drone parts I needed.

It took the rest of the night for Elijah and me to calm our friend.

We succeeded shortly before Jezer’s return and immediately decamped for the hiding place.

Once there we discussed the situation with the leadership and formulated a consensus for our next move.