Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

My tears flow so freely I can hardly see. But my memory is so seared that what I witnessed is all I can see or think about.

I was obedient and kept well back from the action. And I am sure no one was aware of who I am or what I was doing there.

The ferocity of the mob’s anger was so palpable that it blinded them to the presence of anyone else except the targets of their hate – Enoch and Elijah.

Dear Enoch and dear, dear Elijah. There you lie where you fell. And there you will remain by Stan’s fiat. For all to jeer and spit upon.

I long to see those human vultures scattered.

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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.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are bone weary, but alert. Throughout the slaughter of yesterday, either Tomas and myself, or the Captain and Mr. Kagi stood by Elijah and helped him hold his arms aloft.

What before our eyes whirled in ceaseless motion, finally settled into the stillness of death behind the passage of something the likes of which I can only describe as a wave. Leastways until the clouds of carrion birds arrived. Rising and falling at their whim and gorging themselves.

Mawuli was the only one of our number who desired to descend into the valley for a closer look.

We all know he seeks Stan. He did so, against my advice. And despite the Captain claiming to have seen him flee.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah called for Tomas and tasked him to scout a new position for us on the route back to Sy’s old redoubt. He set up a camp with Mawuli a day’s march away.

It was late in the evening before Mr. Kagi, the Captain and Elijah and I caught up with them.

Yesterday the army of the East was stopped and held at bay by the elite forces of the world government. And it was clear today that Stan was sacrificing that group because the troops supporting them were being withdrawn.

They did so in perfect order and easily outpaced us.

The din from the opposing forces increased even as they dropped from view.

All was left to our imagination.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Small pitched battles pock-marked the plain as the opponents sent out feelers to test the other’s mettle. Tomas guesses that the elite troops of the world government were successful at keeping the other two armies in check close to their lines.

Meanwhile the numbers of the army of the East were swelling in their positions on their front lines. It’s easy to see that when they reach a critical mass, they will burst forth and carry all before them.

In all this, Mawuli called my attention to a vehicle circulating about the camp of the world government. He is sure it is Stan’s. When it had accomplished its purpose it set its heading and sped out to the north.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I am proud of Mawuli. He is exercising supreme control over his compulsion to wade down through these elite troops to get at his chief tormentor.

He has taken to heart Elijah’s advice (and warning) that any vengeance we could imagine to inflict upon Stan for his deeds would fall short by an infinity to the true justice he shall receive under the full weight of the Word.

For now he is content to share the vigil with Tomas and await developments.

He is as keen as I am to witness what is coming.

Later the Captain stirred more excitement when he brought news of more visitors.

I hurried to Elijah. Two of his disciples were there fresh from Babylon.

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.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We’re still sorting through the incidents of yesterday. We possess the redoubt. All its defenders are no more. Even Moglen is gone. Caught nearby the altar when fire from heaven descended at the command of Elijah.

What that all means for the future puzzles us. Does it mean Stan gains the advantage?

I can’t think so. But Jezer and a few others are fearful of unlooked for consequences entailed by his ‘sacrifice’ instead of Mawuli’s.

Tomas and the Captain are struggling with the full impact of their actions.

Elijah will talk to them after he finishes conferring with Jezer. Mei and Jezer want to leave immediately for the hiding place, but Elijah has a different opinion.

I believe we’re staying.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was in the set apart place when Elijah entered. I could sense he had arrived to talk. But he patiently waited not wanting to interrupt.

For my part I didn’t want to be interrupted either. I was intent one more time to petition the Spirit to move on Mawuli’s behalf. My mind was losing its concentration, however, and I was straining to focus.

Suddenly the Spirit interrupted me with two words. “New moon.”

I was startled so I turned to Elijah and repeated the words.

He nodded, his lips compressed into a grim line.

“The next one is in ten days. From Tomas’s report we know Stan and Moglen missed the last one. We shall thwart this one too.”

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Everyone has made the leap of logic and lines up the rumored sacrifice with the person of our young friend.

I was at the point of second guessing and backing off on that conclusion, banking on the fact that any hard evidence to the connection is completely lacking, when Elijah interjected that Mawuli is indeed in Moglen’s clutches and it is Stan’s intent to sacrifice the boy.

Then I knew in my heart that the altar had been replaced once again up on the heights above Sy’s old redoubt.

And I knew that we would be returning there.

Thankfully before that thought could immobilize me, Elijah set me some tasks around the hiding place that could benefit from my attention.