Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

Today was beyond dark. To me. The sunny blue skies open to everyone else were closed behind the shutters of my denial.

I can still hear the sounds of celebration around the city – voices raised in laughter and exultation. Happy throngs weaved about the streets calling to their fellows, congratulating one another for their triumph over their foes.

Then they began to lavish gifts on one another, declaring their independence from any and all restrictions.

I kept well away from them all.

I would almost despair if I did not have faith in the promises. There was a time before when these feelings would have crushed the very life from me.

I tell myself it will all be over soon.

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Day Nine Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The wind changed and was at our backs when we walked out of the wilderness into the village. The streets were deserted but we didn’t think it strange, given the time of day- early afternoon.

The only building not closed up was an inn on the main street. We entered and were greeted by the innkeeper. He remained friendly even after we said we would not be staying. When Elijah asked after the news of the day, a youngster sweeping the floor sidled away.

The innkeeper had just finished his account of police patrols combing the area for two strangers, when in burst five men who seized us.

As they placed us in their vehicle I saw the pesky villager.

Day Five Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our uncertainty continues.

We accompanied Tomas ashore in the Captain’s gig. It took some time to find an appropriate place to dock. All the while we did not see a living soul.

What we could see of this city is promising. The buildings and streets appear to be new construction. I surmise it has risen recently from the great destruction.

After a brief detour through the streets near the docks, we returned to where a ship was moored.

We were hailed as we ascended the gangplank. A lone sailor was overjoyed to to see us.  And he demanded that we take him away to our ship without delay.

Which we did.

By his account, fear has caused the city’s evacuation.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The medical supplies were accepted with hardly a word of thanks. I did not consider this an indication of bad manners but rather the extent of the shock they had suffered, and by which they were still affected.

The fact that most of the supplies were machines and not immediately of use due to the lack of power to run them, may have colored their reaction. But there was no corresponding change in attitude when we handed over two container loads of generators.

Elijah and I did get ashore and did our best to walk the clogged streets.

It was on this outing that we came across an ancient temple, now repurposed and plastered inside with giant posters of Stan.

Day Five Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

When the Raj twins failed to return from the shipyard over night, the rest of their family begged us to seek them out.

Since Elijah and I were aware of the push to finish repairs on our ship, we weren’t too concerned, and explained our reasoning. This calmed them until rumors electrified the streets that global security forces were entering the city.

We left immediately for the shipyard, taking the family with us. They realized that now is the time.

We were the first to arrive at the yard with the news, and in turn were surprised to see our ship again afloat.

The Captain brought everyone aboard, reuniting the family with the twins.

We standby for our next move.

Day Five Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

This city is a jumble. The people are milling about everywhere. Many have taken up residence in the streets, and thereby impede all movement.

We have spent a good part of the morning trying to find a way through to the harbor area. No street runs straight. We would choose a likely prospect only to be disappointed when it lead to a dead end or took a turn to the opposite direction.

Everyone we ask either doesn’t know where the harbor is located  or didn’t even know there was one. Seems we are all new to the city. And all strangers.

Then turning one corner, first Elijah then I heard the melody I had awakened to just two days ago.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah made a brief foray into the busy streets of the metropolis last evening, just to get oriented. I took the opportunity for some alone time with the Spirit.

A good thing. Otherwise I would not have been open to Elijah’s proposal this morning that we spend a few days here searching for followers of Hamashiach. I would have much rather been pressing onward to our rendezvous with the ship. But the Spirit has made it very clear we are not yet released to continue on our trek.

There is a great hubbub everywhere. The people are resettling back into their homes after an absence. And everywhere you turn representatives of the world government are facilitating and controlling it.

Day Three Hundred Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

While awaiting direction, Elijah kept to himself and remained at the inn. I roamed the streets of the riverfront town. I think I had it covered all before noon.

I’d hardly seen any of it my first time through with the Purser’s family. Now I consider myself an expert. I could give tours.

Our inn is surrounded by markets, which are constantly supplied by traffic from the river. I took notes on schedules and fares, should we be led up or down river.

Moving out from there I finally came upon the route used by the followers of Hamashiach in their flight from the area. I have the strongest feeling that our course lays along that way.

Let Elijah decide.

Day Three Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

More than the scheduled containers were waiting to be loaded, including two that are billed for the island not originally on the planned port of calls. The Captain is pleased with this development, as he now has an economic reason for his course change.

Elijah and I went ashore while the loading process was underway. The look was the same as the great city before it was taken down, with new structures rising from the ruins, but a whole different feeling emanated from the people in the streets.

Elijah questioned a passerby who directed us to a meeting hall whose entrance was marked by the sign of a fish.

We returned to the ship, confident that here all is well.

Day Three Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We bid Elam goodbye and God speed, as we sent him off with the last group of those wanting to get out of the city.

Elijah advised him to tell Sy to move everyone beyond the wall, and explained how to do it.

We passed the day out walking in the streets. The crowds are gone. We only encountered workers, and they were easily outnumbered by the ever present soldiers.

We were unwelcome at every turn, yet they feared to oppose our movements.

Stan appeared when we returned to our quarters, and we watched as they put a cordon in place around the building.

Their obvious plan is to hold us in place for the next six days and beyond.