The Nibiru Effect

Memory 28

STOP!" yells one of the korrigans. The cry echoes throughout the clearing, ceasing all activity. Even Jonn freezes, his hands mere centimetres from the water's surface.

"What did he say?"

"He said 'stop,'" I translate.

"Why?"

I shrug as dozens of korrigans gather around us to see whether or not Jonn will heed their warning. The tension is palpable, yet not a single korrigan speaks. It's not until the grey-haired soldier retreats from the water's edge that the tension finally evaporates.

Silence is all I hear as my friends and I all ask ourselves the same question; why don't they want us drinking from the river? I'm about to speak it aloud when a familiar voice reaches my ears.

"Make way," says the korrigan priest as he pushes through the crowd.

"What happened here?" he asks when he finally reaches us.

"My friend tried to drink from the river," I explain, "but your people wouldn't let him."

Horror washes across the priest's face.

"Did he drink?" he asks in a shrill voice. "Please tell me he didn't drink!"

"No," I assure him. "He didn't drink."

The korrigan breathes a sigh of relief while my companions and I exchange a perplexed glance.

"What's the big deal?" asks Jonn. "I was thirsty. Is that a crime?"

"Of course not," says the priest once I have translated the soldier's words. "The river is sacred. It flows down from the Mountain of Fire. Allowing a non-korrigan to drink from it would be sacrilegious."

"That's stupid," says Jonn once I tell him what I learned.

Kara seems more preoccupied with our wellbeing.

"How will we survive?" she asks.

She's right. We won't last a week without water.

"Don't worry," says the priest once I've apprised him of my friend's concern. "You three"—he points to three korrigans at random—"fetch our guests some refreshments."

The korrigans run off and return less than a minute later with what appears to be three short logs. It's not until I take the object being offered to me that I understand what it is.

It's a glass.

I sniff the orange liquid before gulping it down. It's sweet and sour, not to mention incredibly delicious and highly satiating.

"Thank you," I say as I return the glass to the korrigan who handed it to me. "My friends and I appreciate your hospitality," I add, turning to the korrigan priest.

"We would do anything for our saviour," he says, staring at me intently. "You are our saviour, aren't you?"

This is it. My one chance to reject my claim to the title of saviour of the korrigans. The last thing I want is to give the poor humanoids a false sense of hope, but Kara was right when she said the right thing to do is not always the easy thing.

"Yes," I say. "I'm your saviour."

A cheer rises. I instantly regret my decision, but it's too late. I have staked my claim as saviour and nothing short of a miracle—or a catastrophe—will convince the korrigans otherwise.

"Great," says the priest once the cheering has died down. "Now let's build you a burrow."

"A what?" I ask.

"A burrow."

"I... I'm not sure I understand," I admit. "Why would we need a burrow?"

The priest seems puzzled.

"To sleep, of course."

I know he's only trying to help, but I'm now more confused than ever. It's not until I notice the hundreds of holes that stand around us that it finally makes sense.

"Oh," I gasp. "You live in burrows."

The priest nods. "It's the only way to stay safe. The forest can be a dangerous place at night. Living underground also allows us to stay cool during hot days."

It makes sense.

"What's going on?" asks Jonn.

I take a moment to explain what I just learned, as well as the priest's offer to build us a burrow.

"There's no way I'm sleeping in a hole," says the hulking man.

"Why not?" I ask. The thought of sleeping underground may be odd, but it sounds fun. Plus, it will keep the dinosaurs at bay.

"I'm not an animal," says Jonn, crossing his arms.

I glance at Kara, and she shakes her head to indicate that not even she can change her father's mind.

"I'm sorry," I tell the priest, "but my friends would prefer staying above ground."

"Where will you sleep?" he asks.

"We could stay in the cave," suggests Kara before I can translate. "The one with the painting."

I repeat the suggestion for the priest. He smiles and nods.

"Very well," he says. "You and your friends get settled in. My people will bring you food and bedding supplies."

"Thank you," I say.

"Anything for our saviour," responds the priest.

A pang of guilt throbs through me, but I ignore it.

My friends and I make our way back to the cavern. On the way, I notice Korri following us, though he always remains at least a few metres behind. He's an odd character, but at least he doesn't treat me like the hero I'm pretending to be.

In less than an hour, myfriends and I are all settled in. My possessions are made up of two sleepingfurs, a pair of dirty white pants, and a sweat-stained t-shirt. It's not much,but I'm accustomed to surviving with little. The only thing I truly need ismillions of years in the future. I can't help wondering if I'll ever see mymother's ring again.