Evolution

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

We were mesmerized. The sounds of nature and the abundance of creatures filled the kingdom. Everywhere we looked, wolves, lions, podradiles, and a whole slew of baboons taunted us. They neither attacked or left, they simply circled.

Our stomachs quivered as we sat forcing Jedd’s “Magic Stew” into our organs. The very last of the meat, and the only thing that separated us…from them. I could hear the pod creatures insatiable hunger pangs in many different forms. So different, yet all with the same meaning. They wanted  us. They wanted to chew on us, savor us, and finally digest us and move on.

With our food supply diminishing, we knew it would only be a matter of time before we had to move on. It was now a race of starvation. I finished the stew, a little better this time around. I had managed to kill a bird and roast it, splitting among us all, watering down the flavor a bit. 

We listened to Jedd speak and for the very first time, we did listen. We hung on every word and deciphered it all. We digested his wisdom as if it was our last supper. He explained the difference between the pod core and the pod creatures. Rather, He made us realize, There was no difference. The entire world was thrown into chaos by a single plant. 

The creatures was nothing more than its feeding mechanism. Though Jedd described this as the Mars fly trap. The alien cousin to the Venus variety. All of this seemed fascinating and we asked a million questions to Chief Jedd, but only one question seemed relevant. How do we stop it?

I was hoping for some words of wisdom, something so far fetched and brilliant that all of Alex’s fathers research would seem like child’s play.  I could see the regret in the crazy mans eyes as the fire reflected his pupils. I already knew the answer before he said it. 

An eternal silence seemed to hang into the air, before the man answered. His reply was very short and sugarless. Sour. 

“We don’t”

Boomer just sat upon the log and frowned, not confused more desperately annoyed. We listened as he continued.

“It fears its own creatures. Its afraid it can’t control that many different creatures all at once, An Auto-immune disease. The silly little plant is afraid of eating itself. I reckon I would be afraid of eating myself too.”  He chuckled loudly 

“I imagine it would hurt.”

I was still unsure of the situation. Maybe it was just nerves, or maybe it was our old civilization’s brainwashing techniques, but instinctively I raised my hand like a scared school boy waiting to share my thoughts to the class.

I waited. I waited some more. Then I felt a sharp pain on my side. The wind caught in my throat and my expression was colored with confusion. On the ground beside me was the culprit. The rock that left Jedd’s hand at enough speed to sting but not damage my flesh. 

“WHAT WAS THAT FOR!” I screamed

Jedd smiled slowly

“I thought we were just doing meaningless random things. You raised your hand and I threw a rock. I reckon I was expecting Alex to stand up and hula or something!”

“No” 

I thought about this a moment, and burst out laughing.

“N-No I had a question, just a question, but now I kind of feel like dancing.”

Jedd looked at me, his expression flatly stated “I’m seriously serious.”

“Do Both!” 

Feeling odd, but smiling for the first time, I stood and started dancing near the fire, wiggling my hips and flailing my arms in a truly nerdy fashion. I felt myself winded and tried to talk, but the volume control to my voice box seemed wonky.

“WHAT DO we do now JEDD? DO WE just wait FOR THEM to starve?” I huffed.

To my surprise, The old man stood. His bony legs shaking a bit and his feet leaving little prints in the dirt as he danced.

“YES MY dear boy, I THINK ITS TIME we leave this place. I DON’T THINK PRINCE SHELDON is coming back. IT’S UP to us. ALSO BETWEEN YOU and I HE WAS KIND OF A JERK TURTLE.”