The Nibiru Effect

Memory 72

We travel in silence. It's awkward at first, but I soon grow to enjoy it. Not only does it allow me to process everything I've been through in the past few hours, but it spawns a thought I have up until now failed to consider.

What if I actually am a hero?

It's a ridiculous notion, but it's one the korrigans believe with every fibre of their being. There's also the fact that I escaped death nearly a dozen times in the past few hours. Sure, Kara helped a lot, but in the end, it was my decision to overcome my acrophobia that saved me. Wasn't it?

The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds.

Me. A hero? Yeah, right!

I want to scoff, but all I feel is hopelessness. For a brief moment, I let myself believe I was destined for greatness. And it felt good. But deep down I know it was nothing more than wishful thinking. Still, it was fun.

We keep walking in silence until I hear what sounds like something massive moving through the jungle. It's the second time this has happened. I'm debating whether or not to tell Kara when we reach an intersection.

Two paths merge into one and continue up the mountain. While innocuous, the sight fills me with joy. Why? Because if our trail led us here, it's safe to assume the other will lead our lost friends back to us. That is if they're still alive.

"Should we look for them?" asks Kara, glancing longingly at the untravelled path.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

I want nothing more than to be reunited with Jonn and Korri, but the truth is our friends are probably dead. Uncovering proof of this would not only crush Kara's spirit, but it would force me to accept the fact that I'm responsible for their demise, something I honestly don't think I can handle at the moment.

"They probably already passed through here," I lie. "They must have come looking for us, and upon reaching the cliff, assumed we would try to find a way around. My guess is they continued up the mountain in the hopes of meeting up with us at the summit."

"It's possible," admits Kara. "But what if you're wrong? What if they didn't make it here yet?"

"The sun is setting," I say. "Let's set up camp for the night. If by morning they haven't shown up, we'll keep going and meet up with them at the summit."

"All right," agrees Kara. "Let's make camp before it gets dark."

"Later. I need to rest."

I lie down and close my eyes. The plan was to rest for a few minutes, but when I awake, it's completely dark. A roaring fire crackles nearby. Kara sits next to it, staring deep into the flames.

"How long was I out?" I ask as I sit up.

"A few hours."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's all right," says Kara, but I can tell it's a lie. She's worried about her father.

"I'm hungry," I say, hoping to distract her.

Kara hands me a piece of bread, what may or may not be cheese, and a couple of lilis.

"You're not eating?"

"I already ate."

We spend the next few minutes in silence.

"Today was pretty insane," I say once I'm done filling my rumbling stomach.

"Yeah," agrees Kara.

There's another short silence.

"Thanks," I say.

"For what?"

"For everything. You saved me so many times I lost count."

Kara smiles.

"You would have done the same for me."

I want to believe her, but the truth is the one time I took charge, it ended up fracturing our group. And now Jonn and Korri are missing. Or worse.

No one speaks for the longest time. There's something that's bugging me, but I'm afraid to ask. Then again, if today has taught me anything, it's that the future is unpredictable and opportunities rarely present themselves twice.

"Can I ask you something?"

Kara nods.

"Back there, when we were in the tree..." I begin, but my voice trails off.

Why am I such a coward?

"Yes?" says Kara.

"Well... I was just wondering... Why... why did you... kiss me?"

Kara smiles.

"I needed to distract you. It was the only way to get you to jump."

My heart sinks, and I immediately regret asking.

"So, it meant nothing?"

"No," she says. "It meant nothing..."

Kara stares at the flames for a moment before completing the sentence.

"...at the time."

My heart skips a beat.

"W-what do you mean?"

Kara grows quiet. I wait, but nothing happens. Just when I'm about to give up, she peers deep into my eyes.

"I can't stop thinking about that kiss," she whispers.

Joy explodes from my chest. It feels like my entire body is on fire. At first, I think I'm shifting, but then I realize the heat has nothing to do with my mysterious ability.

"I've been thinking about it too," I whisper.

I can't tell if Kara hears me. It doesn't matter. Our lips are now so close I feel her breath on my face. Her eyes twinkle with excitement. The pounding of my heart and the crackling of the fire are all I can hear. I can't feel my fingers or my toes. My entire body has gone numb.

Our lips grow closer. Mere millimetres now stand between them. Kara's eyelids slide shut. So do mine. Our lips are just about to touch when...

"What the drowned are you two doing?" says a gruff voice.

I jump back, a frightened yelp escaping me. In the confusion, I trip on the satchel and lose my balance. I nearly fall into the fire, but a pair of powerful hands emerge from the darkness and yank me away.

My saviour is strong. And big. Not to mention smelly. There's something familiar about him, but it's not until he releases me that I finally recognize him.

It's Jonn.