Day One Thousand Two Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli had slipped away from Sy and Reuben only two days out from the redoubt. He eluded their attempts to retrieve him and followed after us. (He promises to apologize to them at their next encounter).

Mawuli asked after the rest of our party, and when he learned what they were doing, he went out to join them.

The Captain came in shortly after, thankful for the respite.

In the morning I delivered some food and water to Tomas and Mawuli. I was gladdened to find Tomas fast asleep while Mawuli kept the watch on the troops below.

The Captain traded places with me throughout the day. Come my evening turn, Mawuli was quite agitated.

The boy had spotted Stan.

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Day Nine Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Quasimo and I made short work of completing the new drone. Then Elijah and I sent him off to rejoin Jezer to take up the search again.

We then had a brief respite to catch our breath before the next demand on our attention.

When it came, I shouldered it myself as Elijah had sequestered himself with the intercessors in their labors.

A dispute had erupted between members of Quasimo’s group and a few from that led by Mei over the distribution of the daily allowance. Unable to locate Mei, Meesa stepped in to help defuse the tempers. After Mei surfaced, a solution was quickly reached, and consequently the women announced their decision to administer rather than join the search.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have been soaking in the respite of the past two days. As well as taking in the fresh water from the snow melt which pools on the rock shelf at the base of our mountain. Full to its brim at our arrival, it has noticeably diminished since then.

Its level does not concern us in the least. Elijah begins his day on an outcropping above the rock shelf where the stream pools before cascading down to the lower level.

I take over his position by midday and there remain for the balance of the day.

I am having visions but they are disturbing. Not at all what I expected. I won’t discuss them with Elijah until the proper time.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our attention was driven to another topic today – the cold. We are so thankful for the extra clothing that the Supreme Commander had ordered for us. We kept moving as the best means to combat it, lingering long in those areas we could stay out of the wind.

From each respite we pushed on in silence. Something easy to do, for we wrapped our heads, covering our mouths.

I had a lot of time to think as we went along. I have a growing burden – to talk with Mei, and relay to her some small insights that should help her through the days ahead.

I am thankful for this time to formulate my ideas into a cohesive and comprehensive expression.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Clouds gave way to blue skies today. Opening to our view, the seas that stretch interminably before us.

In my downtime a thought flitted across my consciousness. It was so easy to imagine that we had sailed off the face of the earth. Is there any land left out there in that vastness we have not been to?

Elijah responded to my musings. He said our journey was far from over. If only because he does not sense a release from his charge. But he added that we should take full advantage of these times of peace to recharge and prepare. For a time is coming when we shall have no respite from the storm. With every hand against us.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have found respite after a long day crossing what we thought was a deserted sector of the city.  Or what yesterday had appeared to be empty from the twentieth floor. It was anything but.

Unburied bodies lay everywhere. The anguish of violent death marred the visage of those who still had heads. The only sign of life was the wriggling masses of vermin.

Elijah found a path through it all. With each step the vermin fled from before us. And even the stench was dispelled.

When the way grew clearer, he turned to me and cautioned me against touching anything.

Like I needed that admonition.

Thankfully we made it through as night fell.

We shall see what tomorrow brings.