Nimbus 2056 Part 17 Take 1

The more they pushed, the more bear’s weight rolled back into them. Anastasia ran over and threw her body into the fray. With her help, the bear budged, and they were able to free Took Took’s body.

A shade above pulverized. Took Took’s figure was demolished. Bones snapped and cracked from the bear’s massive weight.

The two women wailed at the sight. Niata began a ritualistic chant. Nuck Nuck stabbed a knife into the pelt of the bear. His grip squeezed the hilt of the knife and dragged the blade down.

“What, what are they doing?” Stuckey said aloud.

“It’s a funeral, I suppose.” Fableton chirped back in, his gaze lost.

Eventually, the two women departed from the scene. When they returned they carried thick saplings over each shoulder.

Nuck Nuck had removed a large swath of fur from the bear. They then wrapped Took Took in the hide. Now with the timber that the women brought, a raised structure started to appear.

Took Took’s body lifted up to it’s final resting place. Nuck Nuck ran into the forest, the others knelt down and wept in song. It was many cries later when Nuck Nuck returned from the forest. His arms outstretched over a bundle of kindling.

A fire was to be made. Systematically Nuck Nuck assembled the wood he brought into a flammable stand. Two sticks were bound together, then a husk of pine needles was placed at the bottom. Rhythmically Nuck Nuck swept the bow across the spinning friction stick. The faster his hands moved the more rapid it rotated. A small puff of smoke began to whiff upwards.

It then quickly disappeared.

“Where’s the damn lighter?” Stuckey yelled.

“I think Gelben still has it.” Fableton answered.

Stuckey crawled over to the lifeless Gelben. A smile frozen across his cheeks. Stuckey’s hands fumbled about the different pockets Gelben’s suit had. Finally the lighter fell into his grip. Nuck Nuck was still aggressively working. Stuckey crawled over and flicked the lighter. The tiny flame quickly leaped from the neatly stacked kindling to the timber. The flame was now under its own volition.

Nuck Nuck, Maia, Tani started to circle the growing fire.

“I’ve seen this before.” Anastasia said, “They did this before they brought me to you.”

“They can do this a long time.”

Anastasia was exactly right. The native people paid their respects to the brave fallen warrior. It was melodic wails of sympathy and consideration.

“Fableton.”

“Fableton”

“How are you feeling?” Stuckey asked.

“I think… I think I am coming down.” He answered mesmerized.

“Do you remember what happened?”

“I think.. I was right about those mushrooms right?”

“Yes, and also you spoke to the old one. Do you remember that?” Stuckey prodded.

“Yeah man, I could understand them. But I don’t remember what they said.”

“That doesn’t make any sense!” Stuckey countered.

“Nothing here does! Try it for yourself! You will see what I mean.” Fableton answered.

“Fuck it!” Stuckey said and chomped on a mouthful of whitecaps.

“Oh God! That’s terrible!” he immediately choked.

“What do I do now?”

“Just relax the best you can.” Fableton.

Eventually the fire was the brightest thing, save for the night sky above.

“Are you sure those were the same mushrooms? I don’t feel any different.” Stuckey damn near yelled.

Nuck Nuck stopped his dance and looked at him. He started to walk over. With each step he came closer, he seemed to grow taller. When he was within reach of Stuckey he towered above and then knelt down. The fire made the shadows dance from side to side across his face.

“What do you think those mushrooms are supposed to feel like?” He said extending out his hand to Stuckey.

“I don’t know! The way Fableton described it he said everything was twisting or twirling.”

“Look up!” Nuck Nuck pointed to the sky.

When Stuckey’s gaze wandered upwards his mouth flew a gap and drool pooled to one side of his lips.

“What the fu”

The stars, flash strobe back forth, leaving trails of amber and opaque. Figures began to take shape.

“Do you see?” Nuck Nuck asked.

“Yes, I see. The stars are dancing.”

“Do you hear?”

“Yes, Yes, I hear.” Stuckey answered.

Stuckey was pulled back into this reality, he focused back on the death song being sung.

“NO!”

“You can’t be serious! I can understand you?”

“Do you have an answer for anything else going on around you?” Nuck Nuck questioned.

“What does that mean?”

“I was hoping you were going to tell me. I’ve lost a lot since I saved you from that tiger.” Nuck Nuck answered.