The Nibiru Effect

Memory 74

Kara's missing?"

Jonn nods. The sun's morning rays peek through the foliage, illuminating his worry-stricken face.

"Are you sure?"

"Certain."

"Maybe she wandered off," I suggest.

"She doesn't 'wander off,'" says Jonn. "She's been taken."

"Taken? By who?"

Jonn doesn't answer. He doesn't have to. There's only one person capable of doing such a thing.

Avalon.

"What's the plan?" I ask as I scramble to my feet. I'm still sore from all I've been through over the last few days, and the pain caused by Korri's death is still present, but I would go to hell and back to save Kara.

"There's only one thing we can do," says Jonn. "We continue the mission."

"What about Kara?"

"Avalon has her. We find her; we find Kara."

Wow. That's cold. Logical, but cold. I want to object, but there's nothing for me to object to. Jonn's right. The only way to save Kara is to locate Avalon. And the best way to do that is to continue the mission.

"Let's go," says the grey-haired soldier. He grabs the satchel containing our supplies and heads off.

We travel for nearly an hour before reaching a deep ravine. A rickety rope bridge spans its twenty-metre width and makes up the only path to the summit of the Mountain of Fire. The mere sight of it is enough to halt my advance.

Jonn doesn't even break stride. He marches across the narrow bridge as though it were the most natural thing in the world. He takes a dozen steps before realizing I'm not following.

"Come on," he calls back. "We're wasting daylight."

"I can't," I say.

"Why not?"

"I-I'm afraid of heights."

Jonn rolls his eyes. "Of course, you are."

He retraces his steps and plants himself before me. I half expect him to pick me up and carry me across, but he merely peers deep into my eyes and says the four most unexpected words.

"Do it for Kara."

He's right. I've lost count of the times Kara risked her life to save me. It's only right I repay the favour. Not to mention the fact that taking down Avalon will ensure the remaining korrigans and arkanes get to live long, happy lives. But most of all, victory will mean returning to my time and being reunited with my mother.

I can do this.

It takes a while, but I finally muster the courage to overcome my fear.

The first step is the scariest. Or so I think until I take the second. Now that my full weight is on the bridge, I can feel the sway of the structure as the gentle breeze tugs at it. I hold on to the rope guardrails with such force my knuckles turn white. I will my feet forward, but they refuse to obey. I try again but fail once more.

"Move," growls Jonn.

"I-I can't."

Jonn shoves me. Not hard enough to make me lose my balance, but enough to make me understand his patience has limits. I take a shaky step forward, followed by another. The planks groan beneath my feet, but I ignore them and take another step.

The progress is slow but steady. As long as I focus on the planks beneath my feet and not the plummet to certain death that lies beyond it, things should be fine.