Day Six Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

From an early hour, Elijah was wrestling with the decision of what to do next. None of us could help him, for each of us had a different and conflicting answer. He listened readily enough, but shook his head at each suggestion.

But probably most surprising of all has been his decision to reverse himself about going to Mr. Kagi’s uncle on the other side of the city. Both the Captain and Tomas reacted as though Elijah had lost his senses. The Captain’s ire in particular has been awakened.

I stepped forward as peacemaker and pointed out that we do not yet need to take any action and that it is in our best interest not to at this time.

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Day Five Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There were no overt signs, no indication on any level that this place was given over to the enemy. Not even any posters of Stan’s image staring down from the walls.

But a brooding sense of malignancy made its presence felt at the edge of our senses.

Elijah and I remained in the ship. One look over the ship’s railing was enough for us.

Tomas took P ashore to school him in the purser’s responsibilities with the dispatcher. The other Raj twin G wanted to accompany them, but was told his charge was to remain with the ship.

Tomas brought back surprising news – we will be allowed to load several containers whose owners don’t bear the mark either.

Astonishing indeed.

Day Three Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another long day. Though we had left the bush country behind, the bleakness continued, only changing in tenor. Our senses were overloaded with the sights, the sounds and the smells of desolation left in these fields laid waste by the locusts. I’d forgotten my first passage through them because they look so much worse than at that time. Something else has happened since then.

The stubble that was evident everywhere before, I believe has all been burnt away, if I have judged aright that the marks in the soil are indeed signs of scorching.

Elijah just made faces and kept on walking. It dried up the conversation between us.

I did find Mawuli’s snake carcass again, so we’re not lost.