by Sheri Vie
Rama laughed. “Heck, child, you scared the skin out of me. Okay, lead the way.”
Sighs of relief echoed through the truck, and Siya poked his head between Kriaka and Rama, pointing the way down a red sand path, onto the side road.
“Man, this is donga land for sure!” Rama drove Jen like a dodgem car to avoid the crater-like potholes deepened by the storm.
Kriaka breathed easier. “Thank goodness the storm stopped.” She glanced at the back. “We’ve enough time to settle in Prince Jali before meeting the Firs—” She lunged forward and reached out in time as Rama screeched Jen to a halt.
Siya flew through the gap between Rama and her, and steadied himself.
“Oh, man!” Rama said.
Ahead of them, a large herd of baboons blocked the path.
“Keep the windows closed!” Rama said.
Kriaka patted Shiana’s knee to assure her of their safety, but her sister appeared unperturbed.
Herby rounded his lips to blow Kriaka a kiss as a sound at his side caught his attention. He pulled off the blanket, and smiling, winked at Kriaka.
“Tuttles.” The prince’s soft voice filled the air.
The baboons sauntered toward the truck. A large baboon headed to the side where the prince lay. It struck the window, rocking Jen, and peered inside, looking directly at Prince Jali. The other baboons surrounded him, each taking a turn to peer at the prince.
The leader let out a penetrating scream and beat at his chest. He moved his arms up and down, and the gang of baboons followed his action.
“They are bowing!” Siya said. “Hayibo, wow!”
“They like Prince J-J-Jali,” Shiana said. A radiant smile lit up her face.
“Tuttles, Tuttles!” the prince repeated.
Rama raised his hands in disbelief. “Well, I ain’t waitin’ to find out if they like him or not.” He steered through the unobstructed path ahead, leaving the baboons behind.
Kriaka patted Rama’s shoulder and pointed to the trees on each side of the path. The branches swayed in rhythm and leaves rained on the pathway. He stared tight-lipped as a clearing appeared.
Siya pointed ahead and they came to a halt.
“Yebo, yes,” Siya said. “This is it.” He kicked open his door, sprang out, and inspected the surroundings. Shiana, Rama, and Kriaka joined him.
He directed them to the sloped trail on the left. “There, see, we walk up there.”
They drew their attention to the top.
“There’s the opening to the cave!” Siya said with joy and disappeared into the trail.
Rama opened the back of the truck and Meosic leaped onto Shiana for her rub. Herby smiled, and nodded toward Prince Jali. The boy’s skin color had returned to normal and his eyes opened.
He looked at Kriaka. “Mama, it is you,” he said, before he closed his eyes and drifted off.
***
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE CAT ALLIANCE
MAMA!
The prince’s utterance rang in Kriaka’s head as Rama lifted Prince Jali. Herby’s eyes glistened. He hugged her and planted a tender kiss on her forehead, before they removed supplies for the night and hastened to the calls of Siya up the trail.
He shouted from the branch of a tree and waved down to them still at the foot of the trail. “Found it!”
Shiana huffed and puffed behind Kriaka, motivated by Meosic who sped ahead. At the top Rama sanctioned the plateau.
Jumping down from the tree, Siya led the way into the cave. “It’s still dry!” he said, and with his arm brushed leaves from a flat rock on the inner left side of the cave.
Kriaka unpacked a few cotton blankets from the crinkled duffel bag that hung on Herby’s shoulder. Unable to resist the temptation, she held the faded material to her face, and a wave of nostalgia swept over her. The images of her parents filled her mind as she prepared a bed of blankets on the flat rock for their unexpected visitor, Prince Jali.
Meosic snuggled at the boy’s feet. The prince smiled in his sleep.
Did that dot on his forehead move a little again? Kriaka dismissed the thought and unpacked the food and water for Siya and the boy.
At her side, Herby assessed the prince’s skin. “It’s remarkable. His temperature has normalized!”
Rama hurried them. “Quick, we must get to the meeting, before we’re missed.” He helped Kriaka unpack the lights, then turned to Siya.
“You have to turn on the lights and take care of the boy and the whole setup here?”
“Yebo, don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Do you know—?”
Rama interrupted him. “Do you know that we have no contact with you until we get back?” He stared at Siya.
“Yebo.”
Kriaka touched the prince’s head. Be safe, little one.
Shiana tried to pick up Meosic. “Come, Meosic.” But the cat did not budge.
They accepted her affinity for the lost prince and bid her farewell before she purred and curled beside the bed.
Rama had already warmed up Jen when they approached the base of the trail. His fingers rapped on the steering wheel and they rushed into the truck.
Kriaka leaned out the window and waved to Siya at the top of the trail. She hoped that the boys would be okay on their own. She looked up again; something seemed different up there. A cluster of trees fenced the top, and a flock of multicolored feathered friends settled on the bushes.
She twisted her lip in disbelief and turned to Rama. But the narrow path en route to the main hut and their apocalyptic world seemed to capture his attention.
They were on their way to the momentous meeting.
***
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
PRINCESS REENA
SIYA WAITED UNTIL THE LAST CHUG of Jen’s engine melted into the forest. He swung down the tree and landed with a thud, catching his breath.
Those group of trees weren’t there before! Hayibo!
A troop of squirrels gathered at where the entrance of the cave once was. Even in the last speck of sunset, red, orange, and yellow butterflies rested on the bush next to where the cave had opened.
What’s going on? Where is the opening? He poked around and a thick carpet of ferns gave way to the cave.
He stood in amazement and made a quick full turn as he scanned the outside, lifted the plush cover over the entrance, and entered.
The ferns flapped firmly on his back, pushing him into the cave. Remarkably, the thick door did not darken the cave! Instead, a glow of soft lights welcomed him. Fireflies hovered around the ceiling.
Siya’s heart raced, and he rushed to the bed. Empty. I lost the prince!
He slapped his face hard. Idiot, domkop! He searched, panic-stricken. There, on one side of the cave, stood the prince, surrounded by birds and squirrels. Fireflies danced above his head, and Meosic lay stretched out by his feet. The prince’s gaze fixed on Siya, who drew a quick breath and ran toward him.
“Hayibo, I didn’t lose you! Wow, Prince,” he said and again slapped his own face as he danced around the silent figure. “How you feeling, Prince?”
No response.
Oh no, he’s become a zombie!
“Your body, Prince, it’s hurting? Are you okay?” Siya stopped his ramblings. A nervous smile edged upward on his warm face, and he stared at the silent figure. Hayibo, I hope it’s not a ghost! He slapped his stinging face again.
***
Jali watched as Siya ran around him. What an odd boy. His brown hands moved back and forth, slapping his face every so often.
Yes, he does not have a Third Eye.
Perhaps he needed to console the boy and stop him from hurting his face.
“Siya, I am well. Thank you for taking such good care of me. My temperature is regulated.”
Siya grinned, flashed his shiny white teeth, and danced. He smacked his head and rushed to the items near the rock from where Jali had risen, and brought Jali an object.
“Water, amanzi,” Siya said, encouraging him to
accept it. “Doc said you must drink lots of water. Take it, take the bottle.”
Jali tilted his head and hesitated before accepting it.
He pressed the bottle and it squeaked and crinkled. Befuddled, he watched Siya. The boy turned the narrow end of his bottle. It popped. He removed the top, slanted the bottle toward his mouth, and drank.
Siya stopped. “Hayibo, Prince, sorry, sorry.” The boy hooked his empty bottle between his legs, repeated the process with Jali’s bottle, and handed it to him.
Jali imitated Siya, emptying the bottle and licking his lips.
“Water bottle,” he said.
Siya laughed. “Yebo, water bottle, water bottle.” He dashed off and returned with another bottle. This time Jali opened it and guzzled.
He pointed to the empty cave. “Where are the other two-eyed people, Kriaka Adi, Rama Adi, Shiana, and Doctor Herby?”
Siya chuckled, bopped his head crazily, and calmed. “Off to important meeting with the First Ones.”
Jali looked around the cave. He missed Zooka. “I must talk to Reena. The Zookian Glass—”
Meosic meowed, the birds fluttered. A bright blue light filled the cave, and Siya dropped the empty bottle.
“Reena!” Jali ran to the Zookian Glass. Reena and Commander ZW1 were in the Control Chamber. They wore worried expressions on their faces.
“Jali, you are stabilized. Your thermo has regulated.”
“Reena, what is happening?” Jali asked.
“Prince Jali, you are safe for now,” Commander ZW1 replied.
“Are you okay, Reena? What happened? Why am I here?”
“An unidentified radiation interfered with the Transporter. We were prevented from entering the planet, when the Transporter triggered a destruction sequence, trapping us. You courageously reached in and tried to save the Magnificent ZW7 and me. But you switched places. You beamed over, and we were left behind.”
Jali’s heart skipped a beat and his ears twitched. “When can you beam here, Reena? When can I return to Zooble?”
She frowned. Commander ZW1 said, “Prince Jali, all efforts at reconstructing the Transporter have failed. Magnificent ZW7 are working continuously to mold a robust system and to overcome the complications of planet Earth’s radiation field. Our immediate concern is to beam you back to Zooble. Princess Reena and our team will transport down and continue our mission after we finalize the repaired Transporter.”
“Jali, we are ready to extract you right away,” Reena said.
He smiled and turned to Siya, still frozen at the corner of the cave.
“Siya, I must depart now. I thank you and Kriaka Adi, Rama Adi, Shiana, Doctor Herby, and Meosic for your hospitality and assistance.” He held the bottle close. “May I take the water bottle with me?”
The boy’s shoulders drooped. He dragged his feet and looked at the Zookian Glass and back at Jali. “You are leaving us.” His mouth turned down.
“Yes, Siya, I must. Do not be concerned. My sister, the great Protector, Princess Reena, and the Magnificent ZW7 warriors will beam over as soon as they can. Their mission is to rescue your beings.”
Jali bolted to the center of the cave. The fireflies fluttered around and the birds and squirrels streamed in and watched. Meosic curled her tail around Siya.
“Prepare to transport, Prince Jali,” Reena commanded. The Zookian Glass faded.
A bright blue light surrounded Jali. He smiled, tapped his feet, and waved to Siya who waved back.
Ring One descended on Jali. It swirled round and round and round…
Ring Two descended on Jali. It swirled round and round and round…
Ring Three descended on Jali. It swirled round and round and round…
The Three Rings swirled.
And swirled.
And swirled.
Nothing!
Again, round and round and round the Three Rings swirled.
A red light sparked, crackled, and burst.
Darkness filled the cave.
***
Siya bent low, covered his eyes from the bright light, and turned away. The birds fluttered and chirped in frenzy, and the squirrels hid in the corner as Meosic clung to him.
Sheer darkness replaced the bright lights, and a hollow throb filled his stomach. His space friend was gone. Tears rolled down his face. His firm grip on his water bottle crushed the container; Meosic meowed and jumped away.
Siya grasped the distorted form, and shutting his eyes in an effort to block out the sorrow, he wiped his wet face. The birds and squirrels scattered past, and a cool breeze swept over his body. Reluctantly, he dragged open his heavy eyelids and adjusted to the dark cave. Light crept in. Fireflies spotlighted the center of the cave where the rings had disappeared. He squinted, and jumping up he sprinted to the spot. Curled in a bundle on the floor lay the prince!
***
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE PORTAL
A HAND GRIPPED HIS SHOULDER, and Jali opened his eyes. “Reena,” he said, trying to see through the dim light as he touched the hand.
“Prince,” whispered a soft voice. “Are you okay?”
Siya! Oh no, I did not beam over.
A shiver ran down Jali’s spine, and he closed his eyes. Painful sobs racked his body. He tried to clear his head.
“This is a dream. This is a dream. Reena, Grandma, wake me up. I must have eaten too much cacao cake. Wake me up. Do not leave me behind!”
Hands shook him gently. “Prince, please wake up. Are you okay? Please be okay.” Siya’s teardrop alighted on his face. The boy’s cries wrenched at him.
Jali looked up into the depth of his big, black, tear-filled eyes and calmness blanketed the two little boys, cradling them with infinite love. They reached for each other and hugged.
Birds chirped and fluttered around the figures on the floor of the cave in the heart of Africa. Squirrels skipped at their feet, starry fireflies danced above their heads, and Meosic stretched her neck and meowed a song of hope. The cave filled with fauna and flora; they shadow-danced on the ceiling. The Cosmos had come to them.
The boys held hands in the middle of the cave, looked around at the wild party, and burst into laughter. The ferns had crept in and painted the walls bright green. The flowers peered in from the entrance. The pair laughed again.
Siya turned to Jali, took a deep bow, looked up, and winked.
“Prince Jali, welcome to South Africa, where we jol in style!”
He danced and jumped around Jali, bending his legs low as his arms alternately swung back and high. Jali joined in and they roared with laughter.
In a few minutes, the party quieted and the animals and birds gathered around the boys. Jali stood motionless—so many eyes fixed on him.
Siya watched him with deep respect. “Prince, I think your sister Princess Reena has problems with getting you back, ja.”
“Yes, Siya, you are correct.”
Siya spoke with determination. “Tell me how I can help.”
Jali looked around; every gaze was set on him.
“How can we help you, Prince?” echoed the birds, squirrels, and fireflies.
“First step,” Jali said, “I must counsel with Reena straight away.”
With confidence, in the middle of the cave, he closed his two eyes, and took a deep breath. Feeling enthused by the energy all around him, he focused his own energy on his Third Eye.
And he waited.
A bright light filled the grotto. Siya let out a gasp, and the creatures squealed with delight as the Zookian Glass emerged.
Reena materialized with Commander ZW1, who paced back and forth. “Prince Jali, the Zookian Transporter is dysfunctional,” he said. “We cannot extract you from the planet, nor can we transport Princess Reena to you.”
Jali felt an emptiness deep within him.
Reena said, “Jali, listen, for now we encounter the problem with the Transporter.”
His shoulders drooped and the hollowness inside him worsened.
/> “We counseled with Grandma and Protector 1,” Reena said.
Jali looked up. “Grandma?” His heart raced.
Reena smiled and spoke with excitement. “We are advised that there is a location, a short distance from you, that holds a Portal. But you need the assistance of the purest of Earth beings to unlock the Gateway to it and create the perfect transportation conditions.”
Jali stood on tiptoes; his Third Eye fluttered. “Yes, Reena, I can do it.”
His new followers cheered around him. He took on a regal stance and pushed his chest out. “Reena, what are the coordinates for the location?”
She smiled and winked.
Commander ZW1 said, “28°46′21.07″S -28°52′21.72″E in the Mont Aux Sources, where the three rivers for the country of South Africa once rose. Within is a cave; the energy is astronomical and prime for transportation in seven Earth days.”
“Jee, time is short.” Reena said. “The sooner we extract you, the sooner we beam to planet Earth, the sooner we can rescue the beings. Use your Zookian capabilities, my dear Jee.”
His Third Eye fluttered; a rush of energy rose within him. “I will rally the beings, find the Mont Aux Sources and prepare the Portal for the exchange, Princess Reena,” he replied in the manner of a gallant Zookian warrior.
She smiled, winked, and saluted. “Zookian wishes to you, Prince Jali, and to your team.”
Siya bowed, the creatures drew close to Jali, and they all cheered as the transmission ended.
He turned, to find all gazes glued on him, and his little heart drummed. He straightened his shoulders and said, “Fellow Earth beings, we have a vital mission to accomplish to save your planet. Are you with me?”
“Yes, Prince Jali!” the beings roared.
“Yes, Prince Jali!” Siya said.
“Our founding purest Earth team comprises all those gathered here today. You go ahead and inform the others. I will counsel Siya.”
The beings curtsied and exited, leaving behind a troop of fireflies to create light and Meosic to guard the cave entrance.
Siya blinked nonstop. “Prince, you talk to the animals and trees and birds?”
Jali wrinkled his eyebrows, puzzled. “You cannot?”