by Oz Tellez
Chapter 6
The Knot Civilization
The children, slowly but surely, ascended the cliffs, taking the path of least resistance, which is the way that was easiest to go.
After crawling halfway up the cliff-side, they encounter a large cavern, leading deep within the mountain.
Jimmy turned to A.R. and asked, “A.R., is suit 1 inside?”
“Most likely.” A.R. replied.
The children enter the cavern. At first it was dark, but with enough light to see. The natural lighting became dimmer as they strolled deeper inside the cavern.
Jimmy was getting ready to turn on his night lights, when he saw a glimpse what appeared to be artificial lights within the deepest part of the cavern.
“Let’s head towards those lights.” Jimmy told Amy. “Keep your lights off. We don’t want to draw attention.”
Amy nodded and they, along with A.R. approached the light source. Carefully and quietly, they turned the corner to witness a massive system of fabricated tunnels illuminated by glowing green crystals.
There were some of the Knot species walking about the cave and crawling up the walls. Some carried what would be giant leaves that stored within them large amounts of fruits.
“This species has achieved civilization status in its most primitive form.” A.R. informed unexpectedly.
Upset, Jimmy commanded while whispering, “A.R. activate silent mode!”
“Command acknowledged.” Activating - Silent - Mode.” A.R. complied.
“Seriously?” Jimmy grunted. “You are going to get us in trouble if you don’t shut up.”
One of the giant Knot creatures passed close by the children but did not noticed them. They were well hidden behind some cavern rocks in a dark area.
After they waited for it to pass, Jimmy softly said, “Come on, dad has to be in here somewhere.”
The children entered a tunnel, moving as discreetly as possible. The glowing crystals along the walls were almost perfectly aligned. There were tunnels in multiple directions. Some tunnels led to closed rooms.
These rooms were living spaces. There were beds made of leaves and hay. They had holes in the sealing leading to upper floors.
The children stepped into one of these rooms unwillingly. The lighting was dimmer and generated by a different color crystal, a violet one.
Astonished, the children looked around. There was no one inside the room. Suddenly, Amy got the urge to go to the bathroom, “Jimmy…”
“What?” Jimmy pondered.
“I really need to go.” She replied, very jumpy.
“So? Go in the suit!” Jimmy cried. “It has a built-in device.”
“But I need to do the other thing.” Amy expressed shyly.
“What? Oh no! This is not a good time.” Jimmy sneaked out into the hallway to see if anybody was coming. “You will just have to hold it.”
“But I really need to go!” She persisted.
Jimmy grunted, “Fine! Go! I’ll watch the entrance.”
“Jimmy.” She cried.
“What now?” He sighed.
“Where do I go?” Amy asked.
“I don’t know. Try that hole over there.” He pointed to a hole in a dark corner. “Hmm? That must be the bathroom they use—interesting.”
“Jimmy, look away!” Amy demanded as she prepared to unfasten her wear. The suit was designed to put it on and take it off easily—almost automatically.
“Ok.” He replied as he turned his eyes to watch the halls. “Just be careful you don’t fall in.
A few minutes passed, when Amy is done using the Knot bathroom, she asked, “Jimmy, there is no toilet paper!”
“Of course not! We’re not at home.” Jimmy replied. “Just put on your suit. It will do that for you.” He grunted, when suddenly he saw a shadow turning the corner at the end of the hallway. “Quick! One of those creatures is coming! We have to hide!
Amy tightened her suit rapidly, while Jimmy looked for a place to hide. But the room was spacious. There was no good place to hide. So, Jimmy did the next best thing. He grabbed the sole violet crystal, the one lighting the room, and dropped into the bathroom hole.
The room went dark and the children hid in the corner. The only lighting available in the room was from the hallway.
The Knot creature, the large male with the crown or Papa Knot, approached the room and stuck its enormous head inside the entrance of the room. It spoke some words in its native language wondering what happened to the light in his living space.
He looked around, but saw only dark. Concerned, and a little scared, the creature left its room in search of another light. When it turned around to grab one from the hallway, the children took the opportunity to run and hide in another room nearby.
“Phew! That was a scary moment.” Jimmy uttered, when a low snort emanated from behind them. Startled, the children slowly turned around to see Mama Knot and the kid Knot they encountered before peacefully sleeping together in their leaf bed.
“Shhh!” Jimmy whispered, “Do not make a sound.”
In the mist of silence, the sound of approaching steps was heard. They children quickly jumped into a small burrow on the opposite wall of the room and hid there.
Papa Knot stuck is enormous head inside that room to check on his mate and child. Confused, he scanned the room but again failed to see anything wrong, and seconds later he walked away.
Jimmy sighed in relief, “Ok. Let’s see where this tunnel leads.”