Day Seven Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

An earth-shattering cataclysm overshadows all else that happened to us today.

We had finally honed our co-ordination to such an extent that everyone was satisfied – and we were moving at a pace that was comfortable for all.

A flash of light, brighter than the sun caused us to look around for its source. Our starting point of the morning was far behind, and beyond that rise the flash was being replaced by a burgeoning column of smoke.

We knew in our hearts that the city on the prairie was no more.

Many in both groups wanted to turn back, but for the most part Mei and the Captain were successful in dissuading them.

Only a handful left us.

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Day Four Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

At one point we considered switching our travel time to the night hours, but our mishap with the quagmire decided us against that strategy. It would be unwise in the extreme. Instead we will move in the cooler parts of the day and so continue until we get to the end of this salt flat.

We feel it is slowing our passage, but it is difficult to measure, for we can’t tell how far we’ve traveled today. We can’t even make out our morning starting point. And when we look before us it is impossible to judge how long it will take to put this all behind us.

It all makes one wonder out loud how the Purser’s family fared.

Day Two Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Contact.

What I had hoped would not come to pass this early, did.

Earlier than expected, much earlier than I wanted.

We had set our sights on the bridge with the high towers and directed our steps accordingly. Elijah sheltered underneath its span when he first came to this city, and before he moved to the bridge under which I discovered him. He thinks it a good starting point this time too.

We had just turned onto the boulevard that crosses this bridge when we were hailed by the leader of a patrol.

Elijah led us boldly forward to answer their challenge. We were immediately surrounded and told to come with them.

Elijah said no.

Fire fell. They were consumed.