Day Six Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though we could see our way by the light of the stars, our progress was slow. By a great measure our pace improved with the rising of the moon.

It was otherworldly to watch my companions’ shadows ascending and descending the contours of the land as I followed in their wake. Our silhouettes only recognizable half the time.

We were all still energetic with the coming of day, so we pressed on. Only stopping when the heat drained our resolve.

The Captain did well, so we no longer harbor apprehensions about his ability to keep up. And I marvel at Elijah’s constitution. I do believe he could easily outdistance us all.

Turned in without a morsel, but not really fasting.

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Day Six Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sun arose unopposed by clouds. It grew warmer each passing minute.

We bid goodbye to our neighbor, thanking him for the cool draft of water his friendship had been to us.

But we had gotten no further than the crossroads when a squad of soldiers blocked our way. Their leader recognized Elijah and ordered his men to arrest him.

Elijah took one step towards them and they fell backward to the ground. Their leader raised a weapon and Elijah merely breathed in his direction.

He was incinerated before our eyes, the flames spreading to the others as they arose to oppose us.

The Captain led the way from there.

Finding the camp empty we pushed on in their wake.

Day Five Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The current realities are sending ripples of distrust and agitation through the slums, making it very hard to gain the good will of anyone we question. Most dismiss us outright, which frustrates Elijah.

But he won’t give up.

It seems the closer we come to the edge of the metropolis the more recent are the sightings of the lone follower of Hamashiach.

We’ve agreed to give it one more day here in the slums, then we will depart the metropolis and again take up our march to the other coast.

Others are also circulating the area in our wake announcing the rule of new masters in the city and handing out photos of the supreme leader, our “old friend,” Stan.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain was concerned about the narrowing gap ahead between the bloody morasses on both sides of us. Elijah pointed out that the gap is narrower behind us, and indeed has closed off at a couple points.

We are committed now. The Captain has ordered both vessels to full speed ahead.

Some time in the afternoon we came upon the missing lifeboat from the grain ship. The Purser wanted us to close and investigate, but the Captain denied that notion. Timing is too crucial.

When still a ways off we could see nothing but birds on that craft. As we passed near by our wake rocked it, setting the birds to flight, revealing the picked clean bones of three men.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our escorts (I will not say captors) have treated us respectfully. We are under no restraints of a physical nature. We could walk off at a whim if we so desired, and in any direction, but always with six or seven in our wake.

Six of them indeed did shadow us as Elijah followed a sudden urge to retreat back across the bridge. He desired to check out his old haunt under that end.

Our “companions” seemed surprised that this hidden place existed. They are an unimaginative lot, not at all curious.

Elijah settled in to contemplate. I took the hint and went topside with my threesome. Their leader met us and requested our presence back here at their encampment.