The Nibiru Effect

Memory 35

What's wrong?" asks Kara. She has to yell to be heard over the cacophony of angry cries that come from outside the cavern.

"What's that noise?" wonders Jonn.

I ignore them and focus on Korri.

"Is there another way out of here?" I ask.

He hesitates, then nods.

"Follow me," he says. Moments later, he's scurrying away.

"Where's he going?" asks Jonn.

"There's no time to explain," I say. "Follow me."

We hurry after Korri. The cavern is narrow but deep. Deeper and deeper we travel until we're progressing in near total darkness.

"I can't see a thing," complains Jonn.

"Ow!" says Kara. "That was my foot."

"Sorry."

I roll my eyes and keep going. I keep my arms outstretched, but they never touch the walls. It's not until I hear the crunching of leaves beneath my feet that I realize we're no longer inside the cavern.

I look around. Tall, dark shapes. Rustling leaves. Twinkling stars. That can only mean one thing.

It's night.

That's good. The darkness will keep the korrigans from knowing we escaped. Unfortunately, it will also make it difficult for us to orient ourselves. As if to prove my point, Jonn slams into me.

"Watch it," I snap, though I regret it as soon as the words leave my lips. Fortunately, Jonn doesn't seem to care.

"Where's Kara?" he asks.

"I'm here."

Now that we're all here, it's time to come up with a plan.

"Any suggestions?" I ask.

"We should fight," says Jonn.

"We can't take on an entire village," says Kara.

"Maybe you can't, but I'm pretty sure I can," retorts the soldier.

I can almost hear Kara rolling her eyes.

"Korri?" I say. "Any suggestions?"

"We should return to the cave. We can spend the night there, and in the morning we'll sneak over to the kaar pen and make away with them."

"Isn't that risky?" I ask.

"The cavern is sacred," explains Korri. "They won't dare venture into it. They'll peek in, and when they see you're not there, they'll leave. We should be safe as long as we remain in the depths of the cavern."

I translate his proposal, and we all agree it's the most logical strategy. Mere minutes later we're back in the cavern, settling in for what will undoubtedly be a long, uncomfortable night. Against all odds, I pass out mere seconds after resting my tired body on the hard floor and let the exhaustion of the day wash over me.

I wake to someone's hand pressed firmly against my mouth. My eyes fly open and my adrenaline level spikes, but I soon calm down when I see Jonn's face hovering before mine. His index finger stands by his lips, indicating the need to be quiet. Feeling the now familiar heat of a shift growing within me, I nod to indicate I understand.

Jonn releases me, and the heat recedes. I breathe a sigh of relief as I sit up and glance around. Both Kara and Korri are already awake. They look worried.

"What's wrong?" I ask in a soft whisper.

"They entered the cave," reveals Korri.

"I thought you said they wouldn't do that."