by Tara Ellis
Reaching for her with his weakened hand, he laid it over top of hers. “I’m still the same arrogant, bossy, mildly humorous guy I’ve always been.” Winking, he gave her a genuine grin, wishing he could take back all the pain he’d already caused her in the short time they’d known each other.
Looking relieved, Jess nodded back at him before turning to where Tyler was sitting against a far wall. “He’s okay,” she said, close to tears, confirming what Jason had suspected. They must have all been worried the disease had progressed too far.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing,” he said, looking at Peta and Devon. “Now we know for sure the Libi Prani stops The Kuru, as well as helps to treat The Cured. Can’t we use this information to help convince the Lokono that we need it?” Jason stopped to clear his throat and take another sip of tea, feeling slightly weakened just by the effort it took to talk. “What did the elders say? And where’s Akuba?”
Peta and Devon exchanged a look. “She left over an hour ago to go see her mom,” Peta answered.
“We haven’t spoken to the elders yet,” Devon added. “We’re apparently not all that welcome, based on the accommodations we got in the bad part of town.”
Jess huffed at Devon and waved a hand toward the men just outside the door, clearly chastising him for saying it loud enough for the Lokonos to hear and take offence. “We knew this was going to be tricky,” Jess whispered, motioning for Tyler to move in closer so they could all talk without being overheard.
Jason tried to sit up again, and accepted help from Devon to get him leaning up against an outside wall. The slight bout of dizziness passed quickly, and he was encouraged when the movement didn’t cause his fading headache to blossom. The rate at which he was improving was truly incredible, and from a medical standpoint, he was fascinated more as a physician than a patient. If the medicinal value of the Libi Prani could be harnessed and refined, they actually had a chance to save a lot of people. The thought bolstered his outlook as he listened to what Jess had to say.
“Akuba is going to have to do some serious butt kissing before anyone’s going to even talk to us,” Jess said, looking over her shoulder at the entrance.
“Right,” Devon said. “We already knew that, but I still expected a warmer welcome for her, at least. And for you, maybe,” he added, squinting at Jess. “Aren’t you like, kinda special to the Lokono? I thought you grew up with them.”
Jess shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. We’re talking about our Christian version of the rapture. This whole thing that’s happened? It’s all prophesized. It goes way beyond friendship and even Akuba being their Captain. This is like their god, Awa, fulfilling everything they’ve centered their prayers and ceremonies around for generations.”
“And Akuba walked away from it,” Peta said, frowning.
“Because of me.” Jess added.
Tyler pointed at Jess and leaned in. “Because of you, we’ve got a shot of getting the only treatment for The Kuru! Akuba didn’t do anything wrong. She wouldn’t abandon you, and now she’s still trying to do what’s right for everyone, so they have to listen to her.”
“And if they don’t?” Devon asked.
It was a reasonable question, but one that Jason didn’t like. Because no matter what, they had to collect the plant. Failure wasn’t an option.
“They will,” Jess answered before Jason could say anything. “They’re a stubborn people, but they’re also good and loving, and Akuba will smooth things over.”
“Well, your dad and his freaky friends might help convince them,” Tyler said, and then looked sheepishly at Jess. “Sorry, but we know they’re out there. The Lokono have to know they’re out there, too. Aren’t they a bigger threat than anything we’re doing?”
“You’d think so,” Peta mumbled. “Unless, they think we’re with them or something. I mean, we’ve got his daughter with us, and we brought someone into their village who was obviously sick with The Kuru—the Kra Puru. To the Lokono, from what they know, we probably are seen as being just as big of a threat.”
“They’ll understand once we explain it to them,” Jess said, sounding sure of herself.
Jason’s tired mind reeled as he thought about all of the various implications to how the Lokono might respond. Showing up the way they did certainly wasn’t how they’d planned it, and fixing it meant more time, which was something they didn’t have.
A shadow fell across the room, and Jason glanced up to see a weary-looking Akuba standing in the open doorway. She smiled when she saw Jason was awake, but he couldn’t tell from her expression if she had good or bad news.
Akuba gestured urgently for them all to follow her. “You need to come with me.” Taking Jess by the hand, she then waited while Peta and Devon helped lift Jason to his feet. He refused to give in to the fatigue that washed over him, and instead forced his legs to move.
“Where are we going?” Tyler asked as he grabbed for Marty’s collar.
Akuba stopped at the entrance and leveled them all with a look born from cautious apprehension. “It’s time to talk to the elders. To make them see the truth.”
Chapter 9
JESS
Tan Presi Rutu
Suriname, South America
Jess attempted to say hi to several people she recognized as they were lead through the center of Tan Presi Rutu. The sun was fully up by then and the square was busy with dozens of people carrying out various chores. While a couple of the younger girls smiled or waved back, the majority of the Lokono ignored her. The small amount of shunning made her acutely aware of how much harder it had to be for Akuba.
“Has there been any sign of Davies yet?” Jason asked, grunting with the effort to stay on his feet while supported between Devon and Peta.
Akuba glanced back and gave a brisk shake of her head. “I spoke with Viresh about it, and he has already increased their patrols outside the city but we need to explain what’s been happening with them to the Elders.”
“What do you think The Cured are waiting for?” Tyler asked, looking over at Jess. “They weren’t that far behind us, so why haven’t they attacked yet?”
Jess had been wondering the same thing. As the morning slipped by, she was becoming more anxious and expected gunshots to erupt or shouts of alarm to break out at any moment. Her dad’s silence was as disturbing as the jungle’s, and she couldn’t help but feel they were somehow connected. Being surrounded by the ancient stone buildings, the superstitions of the Amazon didn’t seem so far-fetched and were much easier to believe.
“There’s a lot of people here,” Peta commented, when Jason didn’t answer right away. “They aren’t going to be that easy to overpower.”
“If that’s what they’re planning to do,” Jason said, his voice sounding weak.
“Uh, isn’t that kinda the whole point to The Cured coming here?” Devon asked with a raised eyebrow.
Peta shook her head. “No, Jason’s right. That’s an assumption. As far as we know, they don’t have a clue about the plant or that it’s the cure. They were already looking for the Lokono before we got involved. Who knows what Davies is up to? Maybe he believes he can still “convert” them with the Libi Nati water after this last eruption. He definitely seems to enjoy amassing followers.”
“He wants control,” Akuba whispered. She had slowed so that there was more space between them and their escorts. “If he can’t infect them, he wants to have control over anyone that’s immune, the same way he’s been manipulating us at the preserve.”
“Through here,” one of the men leading them announced while gesturing to an ancient, impressive-looking stone building that was mostly intact.
Jess paused with the others outside the wooden double-doored entry and craned her head back to look up. It had to be at least twenty feet tall, with the top rising to a peak at the center. Various animals were carved into the stone wall, and two large pillars rose to either side of the entrance. A massive kapok tree had grown into the chiseled
rocks over the years, so that its roots traced the columns and it appeared to be a part of the structure.
It was like walking into something out of The Planet of the Apes, and Jess’s respect for the Lokono and their rich history deepened with each step. The interior was lit from numerous openings in the walls, as well as a few areas that were crumbling, but it was obvious right away that the main building was being repaired and used as a central gathering chamber.
Slaider and Viresh stood to the far side of the vast open space, and the older man was holding a tray with an assortment of wooden dishes on it. In the middle of the room sat four elderly Lokono around an elevated stone table. There were two men and two women, all dressed in full ceremonial garb. Jess was surprised to see the extravagant display, but she thought it was encouraging. The outfits were normally worn only once a year during their holiest of rituals, and it meant that whatever they were about to discuss was being taken very seriously.
She knew all four of them, and while there were over a dozen formal elders within their tribe, they were considered the leaders. Jess had been at Akuba’s house a bunch of times when her mom was meeting with them and getting advice. The Captain would have the final say on official or legal matters, but it was always with the approval of the elders. Jess compared it to the president and the senate, except with a lot less arguing.
“Akuba!” One of the elders shouted as she rushed forward and gave Akuba a big hug. Dewika then turned to Jess and extended a leathered hand. Jess clasped it in both of hers, relieved to finally be treated normally by the people she considered her extended family. “Come,” Dewika said gently.
Allowing her to lead them toward a mat positioned on the floor in front of the table, Jess hung back with the rest of their group while Akuba stepped onto the woven centerpiece. It was handmade with different colored grasses, and was traditionally used as a way to recognize who was speaking.
“I was happy to hear that you’d arrived!” Dewika said as she moved back to her seat and eased slowly down onto the stone bench, her joints creaking. “I would have gone to see you, but I only just found out.” She gave a pointed look to the man seated to her left, and he scowled at her.
His name was Maikel, and he was usually a pretty friendly guy. Jess’s optimism clouded slightly, but it wasn’t until she saw the look on the second woman’s face that she got really worried. Engracia was like a grandmother to Akuba, and her mother’s best friend. The fact that she didn’t welcome Akuba was bad enough, but the pained look was totally unexpected and caused a whole new set of knots to form in Jess’s stomach.
“Yu musu fu no kon!” Maikel spat in sranan tongo, the local language, as he slapped an open palm on the stone table.
Jess turned her head toward the others and spoke under her breath, translating. “He said she shouldn’t have come.”
“You told Slaider and Kavish we were welcome,” Akuba replied calmly, looking at each elder as she spoke. “After you read my letter. In it, I explained everything that had happened up to that point.”
“Yes,” Engracia said in English. “We agreed to allow the Arawaks of Suriname to seek sanctuary here. Yet you’ve brought sick outsiders to Tan Presi Rutu, and led those touched by the Kra Puru right to our walls!”
Jess flinched at the accusations. No wonder the woman was unhappy, if that’s what she thought.
“No!” Akuba retorted. “We hiked for nearly two days straight to beat Dr. Davies here, so we could warn you that they were coming. These are scientists and a doctor from America,” she added, gesturing at Peta, Devon, and Jason. “They are working to find a cure for the Kra Puru, and it is no mistake that they were led to us…and here.”
Slaider moved forward onto the mat before anyone had a chance to challenge Akuba. “What she says is true. They have been fighting against those that are touched. Kavish and I were attacked on our way back to the preserve.” He paused to look at Sahil, the oldest of the elders and Kavish’s grandfather. “Dr. Davies followers took Kavish, and our map. That is how they found Tan Presi Rutu. Though I’m not Lokono, I beg you to please listen to these people.”
“I don’t understand,” Dewika said, frowning as she looked at Peta and the others. “Why have you come here? We can’t help you. We don’t know why we are immune, other than it’s a blessing from Awa, as it has always been with the Lokono.”
“How can four people with useless weapons help fight off those touched by the Kra Puru?” Maikel said in halting English. “We are better off without your interference. Without you bringing someone who is sick into the city!”
“Kavish stayed because of you,” Sahil said to Akuba.
Sahil seemed sad, rather than angry which Jess almost thought was worse. She reached out to place a comforting hand on Marty’s head when he whined in response to the raised voices.
“Kavish stayed because he wanted to,” Akuba said without apology. “And he stood up to Dr. Davies when he realized what he was doing. He protected us and the preserve and now he needs our help.”
“We’ll get him back,” Jason said. He tried to step forward, but the walk there had worn him out and he sagged more heavily against Devon.
Jess put a hand out to stop him from speaking. Just his being there was seen as an insult, and speaking out of turn would only solidify the impression.
“Please,” Dewika waved a hand at Verish. “We have come together this morning to speak as friends and family. Let us share in the Libi Prani and listen to one another with respect and honor.”
As Verish handed out the wooden cups full of tea, Jess’s mind spun, trying to keep up with the differing viewpoints.
“Now,” Dewika said as she set her cup down. “Tell us why you are here.”
Peta looked at Jess and then the elders before stepping forward to the other side of Akuba, and didn’t speak until Dewika nodded at her. “We aren’t here to seek sanctuary. At least, the four of us aren’t,” she explained, pointing to Devon, Jason and Tyler. “Like Akuba said, we are here on behalf of the United States Government, searching for a cure to what we’re calling The Kuru in the rest of the world. I can give you more details later, but basically it was discovered that the source of the disease—the Kra Puru—is the Libi Nati hot spring.”
Maikel threw his hands up in the air as the other elders gasped in shock, and Peta rushed to finish before she could be interrupted. “But it’s also the cure!” she shouted, taking a step forward. Lifting her cup up in front of her face she gave it a shake for emphasis. “The plant that grows in and around the water, The Libi Prani, is what gives you your immunity, and it also cures those who are sick.”
The declaration silenced the Lokono, and they sat staring at Peta in shock. “Think about it,” Akuba begged, moving up next to Peta. “All of it is true. They have documents and tests they brought with them from over thousands of miles that proves the prions are in the water. And I have seen for myself that the Libi Prani stops the Kra Puru…and cures those who are touched.”
Maikel began to say something, but Engracia cut him off. “There were a handful of our villagers who fell ill that first week. And of course, as is our custom, we gave them the Libi Prani.” She looked at the cup still clasped in her hands, and then back at Akuba, her eyes wide.
“It’s already started to help Jason,” Slaider said. “Viresh can confirm that he was all but unconscious this morning from the Kra Puru, and less than three hours after drinking the tea, he is back on his feet. The headache and weakness are continuing to subside.”
“I figure with two or three more doses, he’ll be cured of it,” Peta added.
There was a long, drawn-out moment of silence as they all stared at each other. Jess held her breath and tried to interpret the expressions on the elders’ faces. They ranged from anger to awe and both were understandable.
Maikel was the first to speak. “So, then you’ve come here to take the Libi Prani? Why not take it from the Preserve?”
“The geyser erupted again righ
t after we got a small sample of the plant,” Peta answered. “The vegetation around and in the hot spring has been destroyed. Our only chance to collect more is from here. And while the water chemistry must be very similar, I don’t think the hot springs at the resort and the ones here are actually from the same source. I’m hoping I’m right. That it hasn’t erupted here, and the plants are still alive.”
“No,” Sahil said. “It has not erupted, but you have to understand that everything you are telling us…goes against some of our strongest beliefs. The Libi Prani is sacred to the Lokono. How can we allow you to just come in and start pulling it up?”
“We’ll just take the leaves,” Devon tried to explain. Slaider stepped off the mat and motioned for Devon to take his spot. Grinning, he shifted Jason so Tyler could take him, and then hopped forward and tried again. “Look…we don’t want to rip it up. That would be a horrible thing to do, really, because we want it to keep growing. Like, a lot. We’d be very careful to remove only the leaves. Once we figure out how to grow it back at the lab in the states, we won’t even need to harvest it anymore. We just need enough to get things started.” Bowing once awkwardly, Devon stepped back and took Jason’s arm again.
“It grows all around the Tan Presi Rutu,” Engracia said as she looked at each of the elders in turn. “There’s acres of it, and it’s in the caves, too. Growing right in the water. Perhaps we need to consider a different interpretation of what the Lokono’s role is in the Kra Puru, and who we are as the chosen.”
“We’re supposed to welcome Akuba back and allow these outsiders to take whatever they want?” Maikel barked, pushing his cup abruptly across the table.
“It isn’t just here!” Jess yelled, ignoring her own advice to Jason and speaking out of turn. Approaching the Elders, she waved her hands around the huge room. “Don’t you see? It’s not just about us. It’s everywhere! Almost everyone in the whole world is either dead or dying. You can help stop it!”
