Day One Thousand Two Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

I walked down to the square where the bodies of my friends lay open to the air. They were cordoned off. Their removal forbidden still.

Nor would the guards let me linger – but through repeated blows forced me away.

I found a quiet spot to write this, wondering when the promise would be fulfilled.

A commotion erupted among the guards and they scattered falling over one another as Elijah and Enoch stood to their feet and were drawn upward – alive.

There they joined those around my heart’s cherished longing, Yeshua. And I saw my name written on the palm of his uplifted hand.

I set aside my pen to reunite with my friends.

In the beginning of forever.

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Day Six Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We all made the trek to the city. Beforehand we prepared by rehearsing among ourselves what to do if stopped and confronted. We intended to scatter and make our way back individually.

Elijah was silent throughout our time in the huddle. We took it for his tacit approval.

None of us knew what to expect actually regarding this announcement. We saw giant speakers mounted in the square, so it seemed natural to assume a satellite radio connection.

We were shocked along with the whole crowd when Stan’s moving image appeared above the speakers on the walls of the building behind them.

Stan declared peace to the world, and made extravagant promises.

We had no problem returning through the cheering crowd.

Day Two Hundred Ninety One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We decided to visit one of the construction projects today. It was Elam’s idea. He arranged our arrival to coincide with the noon lunch hour.

One can see order and purpose being reimposed out of the haphazard jumble. The small square at its entrance filled with hungry workers at the appointed hour.

They were hungry for more than just a meal. Elijah spoke and no one interfered.

Elam was encouraged and I saw him set off into the crowd. He conversed with any and all comers. Soon he disappeared from sight, and would reappear at intervals with those listening from perches on higher stories.

I was thinking more yet may escape in these last eighteen days.

Then they took Elam.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We did not return to the home of Sy’s parents last night.  We did not want to chance jeopardizing them.

Instead we passed a quiet night in the square. No one disturbed us.

Come the morning we had a little incident. A raving maniac rushed Elijah, but fell at his feet when Elijah turned and stared him down. The poor fellow has been tagging along after us ever since.

We took up a position in front of the administration building, and waited. A crowd soon gathered when word circulated that a former madman sat docilely with us.

Then, Elijah stood forth and announced, “In thirty days this city will be destroyed!”

The crowd drew back and we left through them.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The quiet of the night was interrupted by shrieks and clashing sounds from the square, though from my bedroom in the upper story, peace enveloped the household still. I rolled over and went back to sleep.

I learned later that Elijah had sallied out and confronted the “reprobates.” I guess that was the clashing or crashing noises I heard.

His bravery impressed Sy’s parents. So they did not stop us when we went out with the morning crowd.

Our plan for the day was simple – get to know the area well enough so as to not get lost.

We came across a worksite. And next to that an administration building, newly opened.

Marked our list and returned home before night.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It would have been a quiet night in the square if not for the revelers at midnight. They appeared intent on hassling anyone in their path. Catching sight of us they came straight for us in a booze fueled fury.

Elijah stood to his feet and around the rock of his presence the subhuman tide split and fell to fighting amongst themselves.

We were not bothered the rest of the night, though we did take turns on watch.

With the dawn we took note of which residences surrounding the square did not disgorge any occupants. The second such house as it turned out belongs to Sy’s parents.

They invited us in. And listened eagerly to the news about their son.

Day One Hundred Ninety Six Evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

My captors act crestfallen. My non reaction to their threats upsets them.

Upon their exit, they declared that I am responsible for what happens tomorrow in the square.

Day One Hundred Eighty Eight evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

I’ve been moved. To Moglen’s in the second district, with a view of the first district square and its golden statue.

Day One Hundred Forty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The first district gate was wide open when we arrived mid-morning. Kip was not waiting for us outside. We found him inside, seated in the square.

Lyle had wanted to come alone and leave me with the harvest crews in the field. There is some wisdom to such a course of action, but I could not acquiesce. Still he made me state my case before relenting. I brought up two points: one, Kip was expecting both of us, and two, Grazie, if there, was expecting me.

As it turns out, Kip was alone, and he has never heard of anyone named Grazie. But he did share the same warning, beware his fellow leaders, especially Moglen. He returned with us.

Day One Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

No word from the west.  Lyle and his leaders have decided not to change their normal routine.

As Lyle went out to the fields, I checked out the different gateways.

All was quiet and still. They were all closed except the gate into the first district of the west end. The same district I found empty and devoid of inhabitants on my first foray into the western half of the city.

Still no inhabitants, but now in the once empty square, a pedestal now stands at its center, awaiting a statue.

Lyle doesn’t think it has any significance for now. But then again he was more concerned about the person he saw waving to him from the west end fields.