2199 Extinction

Not On My Watch!

          I wake up on the ground outside a few feet away from the cave. I can barely make out the tree where Amancia and I lay asleep. I swear I see myself sitting up, so I take a step closer. A loud cracking sound fills the air and I quickly back up. Stupid branch! I hope I didn't wake anyone. I watch as my other self's head snaps my direction, and déjà vu floods my mind. So that's what the noise was. Not one of those monstrous bird things. I watch as my other self-calms down and then heads for the cave. I give her a few minutes to make her way through the sleeping Talfarians, and a chance to shake loose from the leg grabber; before I follow. Don't want to shock myself into hurting the baby.

          At the entrance of the cave, I take a quick look to make sure everyone is still asleep, before proceeding. I take almost the same route as last time, except when I get to the grabber, I give him a wide berth, instead taking the path that passes a female Blydin. I round the corner and creep past myself, edging against the wall, so she doesn't see me. I hear the same exchange between Malum and mother, as last time. I need to stop that kiss. Maybe if I stop it, I can prevent her from falling in love with him. But how do I stop the kiss, without killing myself or mother?

           "Why did you place the algae here of all places?" I hear her ask.

           "Because this cave system is so large, you can easily get lost and never find your way out. The algae will lead you out of here. It will take you to the grasslands, from there it's another day's journey until you reach the abandoned scientific outpost. The algae lights the path out, remember that."

           It's about to happen, again. What do I do?

           "Okay, thanks." Mother says, turning to leave.

             "Nova." Malum says, catching her by the arm, spinning her back around, and pulling her to his chest. She looks up into his eyes, as he lowers his lips to hers.

            I let out a growl that ends in a loud scream, mocking the sound a Slaphner makes. That surprises Malum enough that he pulls away just before kissing her. I collapse to the ground, and everything goes black just as I hear another Slaphner call, this time it's a real one.

            "Oof." I whisper as I bend over. You'd think I'd be used to the effects of time travel by now. I wonder if all this time travel will affect the baby. The thought attacking my mind seems to come from nowhere. But there's no time for that, now. I push the thought from my mind and focus on mother and Malum.

            "What's that?" Mother asks, fear filling her voice. "Is that another Slaphner?"

            "Sounds like it. My guess is that the Copaie followed you here to this planet and are using the Slaphner to track you." Malum says. "Let's get you back to the group, you'll be safer there."

             I watch as he leads her safely back to the group of Talfarians and then heads off in the opposite direction. Ha! No kiss for you! I spoiled your plans! Curious as to where he is going, I follow him from a distance. At first it appears that he is following the algae out of the cave, but halfway through, he veers away from it. We walk through the mostly dark cave, me following the light of his lantern for what feels like a few hours, before we stop.

            Malum holds the lantern up high and does a small circle. And then he speaks up, "I know you are in here, somewhere. I felt you watching us. Come on out."

             I temporarily freak out, and back up as close to the wall as I can get. I am on the verge of stepping forward when I hear a deep raspy voice answer.