SABIS the SURVIVOR

Chapter 14: Changing Landscape

Chapter 14: Changing Landscape

The numbness started on his cheeks and spread like an unwanted frozen blanket across his body. He moved in an almost robotic-like march. Step, step, pull, pull. Each step on the ice meant another pull of the sled. This pattern numbed his mind to where he had forgotten the reason for his quest. His head and shoulders sagged to where his knapsack rose up to where his head should have been. He resembled a futuristic, teenage, ice-age quasimodo.

"I need rest, Oh Mother Earth!"

Sabis spotted a nearby snow pile and decided that he would reconfigure it into a shelter.

"Daris, we can escape the bitter and biting cold hand of SkyGod. You help with the digging. Just like back home Daris. This will be like searching for worms, except that you'll dig to make a hole large enough for both of us to enter into this snow fort."

Sabis removed his shell helmet and started the excavation. He scooped out a pile of snow and placed it aside.

"Now Daris, you do the same with what I'll give you."

Sabis uncoupled the sled ribs and tied one of the ribs to Daris' head.

"Go ahead friend, you can scoop out snow with this tool from Mother Earth."

Working together as a team brought Sabis into the moment. He no longer felt the burden of his people's affliction on him. His hunger receded while his thirst and fatigue faded. He started to appreciate his good fortune for finding a loyal creature such as Daris. This quest had brought him face to face with so many strange creatures.

"Mother Earth! Thank you for this quest and for your bounty."

Now that they had formed a refuge from the wind and snow, Sabis and Daris lay down side by side; Daris' rear abutting the neck of Sabis. Then Sabis heard something odd ─ the sound of snoring. He noticed that for a small creature, Daris spread himself out wide and occupied a lot of space.

Sabis remained still and quiet, trying not to disturb Daris. He carefully shifted his body to find his sweet spot so that he could rest. He watched Daris' rib cage and abdomen move up and down with each breath cycle. At first, Daris' snores creaked like an ancient tree slowly bending under a blanket of ice. Then the snores became a rumble as at the onset of a thunderstorm, like a warning alarm for all of Mother Earth's creatures to hear: leave now from this place, a thunderstorm approaches and lightning will follow! Moments later, Daris' snores melted into the soft and gentle ebb and flow of the ocean's waves, as if they were lying on the beach somewhere on Mother Earth's coastal regions, enjoying a relaxing snooze.

"You really are tired, my four-legged friend," he sighed to Daris.

On this journey, Sabis had lost count of how many times his life had been in jeopardy. He felt numb inside, as if there was a hollow emptiness that spanned the entire length of his existence, as far back as he could recall. How had he managed to stay in the moment when he had almost drowned in the frigid waters? What allowed him to react so expertly and without hesitation when he was charged and threatened by the enraged carnivorous beast? Did he have a death wish?

Why was I so keen to leave my home to save our tribe? Why couldn't someone else have gone in my place?

His mental and physical fatigue also caused him to lose track of the passage of time. In SkyGod's domain, time passed differently. There was no regular steam cycle. Nor was there the 'honouring of Mother Earth' ritual that took place after every seven steam cycles. He also missed the regularly occurring harvest of crops from the hydroponic greenhouse, family meal-time (or any home meal come to think of it), and especially those warm hugs from his Mother. He also missed the rhythmic caresses of the cave air's warm currents, along with the drippity drips from the cave wall condensation.

How long would he have to travel and remain away from his home cave? Until his facial hair turned grey? Or his vision failed?

"Oh, how much longer Daris, my yippy companion?"

There hung a haze of grey-pink mist that hid the horizon from view. This served to both lull Sabis into a daydreamy state and annoy him.

"Will we ever reach our destination?"

After a time, Sabis and Daris woke from their much-needed respite. Sabis felt sticky from the dried perspiration that covered his skin. He stood up to stretch while Daris did his 'downward dog' stretch. As Sabis gathered their belongings, suddenly the hard earth floor gave way under their feet and they plummeted feet first down a long and dark blue channel. Sabis held his breath and heard his companion Daris yipping and rolling downhill somewhere behind him. The air was much colder in this passage and Sabis hoped that it would release him shortly. His teeth chattered and his knuckles and toes clenched as he landed on a mixture of firm ground and slushy snow.

He let out his breath and there was no visible condensation! In the next moment, Daris arrived with a head of steam and almost fell on top of Sabis. As he scanned the surroundings, Sabis espied green pastures and a landscape that resembled his recent dream.

"Am I dreaming again?"

He jumped up, patted his thighs, and carefully unwound his heavy beast-material boots from his tired feet and legs. His calloused soles thanked him for the plush and lush green carpet.

"Mother Earth. You do answer prayers."