Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Mawuli brought us in to the hiding place with a minimum of difficulty. There was no quelling the celebration that greeted our safe return. Only the news about Tomas and the Captain dampened the spirits of some, those that knew and loved them.

At the first opportunity Reuben and Sy sought an audience to relay important intelligence. Both had just returned from Jerusalem. Stan is indeed there, gloating over his ‘complete victory.’ A conclusion he claims since he is the ‘last leader standing.’ And though triumphant the general feeling among his followers is an abiding hatred towards Elijah and his followers.

Because they realized we would soon be going there, they were begging the honor to accompany us.

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Day Seven Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were appalled. Elijah was bruised and bloodied about the face, but he brushed our concern aside and assured us that all would be well.

And he added for my benefit that his interrogators ceased their thuggish actions so abruptly that he knew I must be interceding for him.

(There is nothing like an encouraging report to buoy your spirits and for strengthening your resolve to go on). The Captain was so encouraged that he stayed awake softly singing songs of praise.

They came for me next.

They had no new questions and I had no new answers.

The main interrogator was raising his hand to strike me when he recoiled in fear.

I was ordered back to our chamber.

Day Four Hundred Eighty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have passed through areas of wholesale destruction off and on.  But those spaces in between them were empty also. I am beginning to think that perhaps we should have stayed with the ship.

Elijah continuously moves forward unperturbed. Even the sight of mangled cattle whose carcasses we have to skirt around does not slow him down.

Then the sky brightened over the road ahead of us, and my spirits were buoyed.

At one point we were climbing out of a hollow and a great darkness was mounting in the sky behind us and rapidly overtaking the smiling skies to our front.

We stepped up the pace towards a line of rocky hills and there sheltered in a shallow cave.

Day One Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The silence is deafening from the west end.

Here in the east end, things are buzzing along, as the people are very industrious. And spirits are high despite the uncertainty. Lyle has been diligent to prepare them for any eventuality, and even now is weighing a suggestion to have all the people move out to the fields and camp there for the duration of the harvest.

I am all for it, especially as it may give rise to more opportunities for our mysterious west ender to meet with us.

Lyle, however, hesitates to approve. His one concern is not knowing what may be the unwanted repercussions to our friends in the west end, Kip and Moglen.

Time to decide soon.

Day One Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A little late rising this morning. We sorted our day out quickly. I returned to the fields and took the widow’s son with me. Lyle left to attempt the west end again, this time via the fifth avenue entrance.

Though overcast at first, the sun burned through before lunch break. The aroma of the earth and growing things lifted our spirits.

The widow’s son joined the crew with which he will be working for the rest of the season. Their foreman pointed out the vast fields to the west of us, all worked by people from the west end. Their numbers appear much lower than ours.

Lyle was already home upon our return. He had shocking news – he sighted Stan.