Day Nine Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

What Reuben and Jezer shared about the road between here and the devastated city was helpful and made our decisions easier. The two towns below Reuben’s city lie deserted, their people having fled, fearing they were next for annihilation. They think that we can move by stages and take advantage of their shelter.

Though the Purser voiced some concerns, Reuben had a solution for each, and the rest of us, including Elijah, approved the plan.

So, Tomas was dispatched with the duo and a contingent led by Mawuli which they would leave in the first village to prepare for the first stage.

Reuben with Jezer and Tomas would continue to his hometown and there lend aid to its few survivors.

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Day Eight Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The visions continued. And were more and more upsetting. One by one the people who have been closest to us on our pilgrimage appeared to my mind’s eye, and then slipped from view into a roiling darkness. And my heart was wrung by a great sadness.

Then those images were blotted out by a blizzard of crimson snow. A phenomenon that proved real upon the opening of my eyes.

I ran towards Elijah then on watch, up on the rock outcropping. We met on the rock shelf as he was descending.

We took what shelter was afforded by the outcropping.

And there we conferred.

Elijah reported that it had only just started. And inquired if I had anything to share.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I still heard barking in the distance on the way and kept my attention directed to it. It appeared to gain on us, then passed off to our right. And was silent.

When I saw mounting clouds to the west, blocking out the stars, I guessed the reason behind the actions of the trailing animal. I called Elijah’s attention to the coming storm. He concurred that we needed to seek shelter.

But there was none. All we could do was watch and pray. And to our amazement the storm front veered to the south and passed by.

So another night march and still no well. Elijah remains unperturbed. We continue to keep rested each day, despite our rounds of watching.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have gained in elevation, and the temperature has dropped in consequence. So we have chosen to make a long march of it and switch over to traveling in the daytime.

Come sunrise there was no place to shelter anyway, so we had another reason to press onwards.

Past the meridian we arrived at a teeming metropolis. We experienced no problems at all upon entry. Apparently no control or restrictions are being exercised at this time over people’s comings and goings.

And we had no trouble either in finding an inn. A notable blessing, as we were exhausted and turned in immediately.

We awoke in the early evening as our bodies are still attuned to nocturnal activity.

But what now?

Day Four Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We made some unsettling discoveries after the truck sighting. It effected our choice of shelter and our security consciousness.

Detritus in front of one building led us to surmise that the truck had been positioned outside. We entered. In Elijah’s evaluation it was a temple of some kind. I had the same thought, but was puzzled at its barrenness. But then with that truck, its contents could have been carted away easily.

Then around in a candle lit alcove the image of Stan looked benignly down upon us.

We left immediately and looked for a place to rest far away from that edifice.

A fitful day passed with frequent watch changes.

Come night we shook its dust from our feet.