Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Sy and two of his people have joined us thanks to the skills of our intrepid Tomas. But they brought with them an even greater tale of deliverance.

One day behind us, they were also caught in the region of the earthquake. They had been spotted and pursued by an army patrol. Cornered in a dead end canyon they had given up all hope – when the earthquake struck. Before their eyes the ground split and swallowed their adversaries. Closing over them with a crash.

After a brief rest Sy and Tomas went down to our observation lookout.

They brought back the news that a truck had arrived with a huge crate strapped to its bed. And an automobile carrying Mawuli.

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Day One Thousand Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We petitioned the commander to replace one of the men guarding us. He was overbearing in his treatment of our injured members. And was threatening them with instant punishment for their slow reactions to his commands.

Why he singled them out when he shied away from the rest of us baffles me. Perhaps it is only an indication of his meanness of character.

The commander heard our plea and replaced the offending guard, but substituted an even more brutish one.

Thankfully about that time a truck from the Supreme Commander’s headquarters pulled into camp and we were spared further bother. (And the guard a possible drubbing from Elijah).

We climbed into the back of the truck and were driven off.

Day Nine Hundred Ninety One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As we neared the desert crossroads we pushed ahead of the others with Jezer and Tomas. There Reuben patiently awaited our arrival.

He had just returned from a mission of mercy, for which he was seeking our approval, after the fact. And especially that of Jezer.

Jezer was aware of the particulars-Reuben was from the city along the road devastated by the explosion, and could understand why he would want to help.

When we assured him of our acceptance, he asked if he should refill the truck or not.

Elijah asked him to hold off. We would have to revisit our initial plans in light of the present circumstances.

I feel that everything will work out for the best.

Day Six Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The notion that this area was all so familiar came back to me when I stood at the western end of the town and took in a 360 degree view. The flatness to the east and the mountains to the west spoke to a reservoir of memories within. Similar in all respects except for the presence of the town. My recollections for this spot in my consciousness held only open fields.

My reverie was interrupted by the Captain tugging at my sleeve. He wanted to discuss our departure from here.  He had learned a truck with room for all of us would be heading west sometime in the next two days.

The next moment Tomas brought news about the army.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We made some unsettling discoveries after the truck sighting. It effected our choice of shelter and our security consciousness.

Detritus in front of one building led us to surmise that the truck had been positioned outside. We entered. In Elijah’s evaluation it was a temple of some kind. I had the same thought, but was puzzled at its barrenness. But then with that truck, its contents could have been carted away easily.

Then around in a candle lit alcove the image of Stan looked benignly down upon us.

We left immediately and looked for a place to rest far away from that edifice.

A fitful day passed with frequent watch changes.

Come night we shook its dust from our feet.

Day Four Hundred Ninety One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The terrain of our passage last night was for the most part level and easy going. I judge that we have covered the most ground yet.

As the first glimmer of dawn was stretching its fingers in our direction it revealed a town huddled around the road ahead.

Again no inhabitants were evident. Though the sound of engines rumbled somewhere within.

We were cautious on approach.

Elijah was intent on finding the best place to rest for the day. I was alert for the source of the engine noise.

Our road did not take a direct route through the town, but took a right turn off a central square.

As we took that turn we saw a truck speed away.

Day Four Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We made progress for only half the night, when the light from the moon lit our way. Otherwise we were at a crawl until it’s rise.

We found another hovel in which to rest and pass the heat of the day. Elijah acceded to my wishes and split the watch duties with me. Though he upset me again when he chose not to wake me when a vehicle passed by on the road during his watch.

As explanation he said it bore the logo of a globe, and therefore he judged it as something to avoid.

Anyway, I returned the favor, I decided not to wake him when I saw a globe logo on the side of a truck.