Day One Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All the “I”s are dotted and “T”s crossed on the paperwork for Kip. Lyle remained behind to accompany him.

I left early from the second district to make a run out to the fields and vineyards to look for Grazie.

Only a few people were at work in the western fields, while ours were a beehive of activity.

I took my time and scanned each individual. I waved at a likely candidate and was rewarded by a salute in return.

Grazie was overwhelmed with thankfulness to encounter me. This marked her last day in the vineyards. At her request she accompanied me to our encampment.

Lyle arrived alone. Kip was refused exit due to a protest from Moglen.

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Day One Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Kip has not talked to Moglen since he heard that his former colleague agreed to receive the mark. He is in the dark as to his reasons for accepting the city’s detente with the world government. Therefore we don’t know how that will complicate matters when we help his daughter Grazie to come over. Kip and Lyle feel the obligation to talk to him.

I do not.

I have a bad feeling about all this. Especially since Moglen did not reply to an invitation from all three of us yesterday.

I gave it a lot of thought today out in the vineyard. With their harvest in, practically no one was in the western fields. Grazie may no longer be allowed out.

Day One Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle had to battle his leaders over their objections to Kip staying with us. They have taken his assurances, so Kip has joined our work in the fields.

He says he is never going back.

Working side by side, we were able to continue probing into his knowledge of conditions in the west end. And I gave him a description of Grazie. This jarred him. He then told us that this sounds like Moglen’s eldest daughter Terresta.  He added that she is known to work in the western fields.

I turned to observe that area and was surprised to see many machines at work in their harvest.

Kip confirmed that they are gifts from the world government to obedient signatories.

Day One Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

An eventful day. I doubt if I can write it all down. Hopefully I won’t forget or leave out any important details.

I have met Grazie, the woman who waved to me from the western fields. Lyle was not with me, as he had wished. It happened on my inspection of the gateways into the west end. All were still shut, except for the one into the deserted first district.  Decorations were spread everywhere. It made no sense. I was at the point of leaving when she materialized at my side. She had not expected seeing me either. Of all she shared the most riveting was her warning – not to submit to her leaders.

And that the gates reopen tomorrow.

Day One Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The whole east end is camped outside. The first day of the harvest is in, with many more days ahead of us. The leaders tell Lyle that the harvest will be a very great one this year.

For my part, the physical exertion was welcome. It relieved my mind of troublesome thoughts. Though my gaze wandered from time to time over to the western fields. There is a noticeable increase in the number of their laborers. But I saw no one look up from their work, nor look over our way.

Comparing their numbers to the size of their fields, I don’t see how they can get it all in.

Lyle wants me to check the west end gateways tomorrow.