Day Six Hundred Forty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Twenty-four hours have passed in our new location. It has proven a very pleasant choice. The Captain found a water well some distance from the caravan trail. It’s on a well worn offshoot from this main route.

The water is a bit brackish, but drinkable. Perhaps traces of minerals are leeching into it.

There was evidence that a group of travelers had passed through here recently. Ashes from cooking fires, and bits of garbage collected in a pit.

Elijah found a nearby cave, or rather an overhang just beyond the well. It is now our place of meditation.

But it has no view southward, so the Captain sticks to the caravan trail. He doesn’t want to chance missing Tomas.

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Day Five Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have come safely through the jungle. But not without problems.

First there was the issue of that irate merchant, whom I could tell was delighted by thoughts of doing us harm. Such a mind will only succeed in consuming itself.

Then, just today, there was a ferocious attack by a big cat – not a lion – but a jet black cat about the size of a lion. And not upon us, but upon other travelers, a family of peasants.

Elijah waded straight into the fray swinging his staff left and right. The cat bobbed and weaved, and took a swipe at him, but at the same instant Elijah caught him with a backhand, sending him sprawling.

Stunned, the cat fled.

Day Five Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One plus about this jungle – we do pass other travelers, and thankfully none of them are officers of the global government. They are either merchants or peasants traveling to or from the metropolis.

Elijah queries each one upon encounter about Hamashiach. But so far all have hurried on, expressing no curiosity by asking any questions in return.

One merchant even became belligerent, and would have struck Elijah except that he clearly saw that Elijah’s staff was bigger than his.

With a snarl he continued on towards the metropolis.

I am sure he fully intends to report the encounter to the authorities.

But we should be through this jungle and well on our way before anyone can get up a pursuit.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The drought of people has come to an end. Scores of travelers, all lighting their way with torches, passed us on the road tonight, heading to the town behind us.

Elijah questioned the first group. They are under orders to proceed back to their homes and are to be in place before a scheduled census. To a man they are filled with praise for the world government and are eager to please its supreme leader.

Subsequent individuals related the same sentiments and were questioning why we were headed away from the town.

Elijah simply replied that we were under other orders.

With the new day it was difficult to find an unoccupied shelter, as many travelers had the same thought.

Day Three Hundred Eighty Six late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

The Captain has finished offloading this port’s cargo and is now loading containers for future ports.

He is convinced that his family did not come this way, so he will look elsewhere. So, he wants to get underway as soon as his freight is aboard (with or without Enoch’s party). To that end he is seeking permission to leave. So far the answer is in the negative.

We have re-evaluated at which gate to look for our travelers. The southern one seems the more likely.