Inka’s Curse Part 23: A Prayer

Titan tries a bunch but they all fail. He can barely complete a sentence.

“Alright then I need you two to be as quiet and as still as possible.” At that point, she knelt down and closed her eyes.

“Listen to me,” Rachel said out loud, “Listen to my prayer and enter Mother Nature’s arms. Find safety and peace within her.” She recited her short prayer. The ship shook minutely as Rachel chant some words she probably thought she lost with the rest of her memories. They rolled off her tongue, and she prayed that Mother Nature would manage to hear her. Then Rachel yelled one out. 

She prayed over the men we buried to Mother Nature before continuing our trip. I listened in on her whispers. I did not join her then and will not join her now. Mother Nature has never been for me. She hadn’t been there for my parents. I don’t need anything from her anyway. I’ll have to save myself, I told myself. 

Then she clasped her hand, bowed her head and waited. When all was still, she thanked Mother Nature for granting them life, for taking care of them, and for taking their souls into the heavens. I breathed in about out rapidly not realizing that I had been holding my breath in the whole time.

It feels as though time had stopped. The ghosts were gone. They disappeared. I checked on Titan to see if he was alright. Nothing serious but he was exhausted. At that time we heard a sound. It was Rachel. She was crying. “I remember,” Rachel said.

“Remember what?”

“These people. All these men dressed as knights. They were knights to the kingdom. I was one of them.” She started remembering her past. She wanted to bury these bodies. I don’t think it's possible. Their fish food for now. 

“It is possible you're wrong. That doesn’t make sense. Queen Ellen most know something. We’ve got to go back to her,” Titan said. 

“But we really need to get the armor pieces first before doing anything,” I reminded them. “She won’t listen to us if we don’t complete this.”

The box called to me knowing I have to complete the set. I have to put them on. My death trap is an excellent fit. A sigh of relief seemed quite loud in the silence.

"Wow. Looks good on you," Titan said. 

"Looks like it was meant for you.” They’re just being extremely kind to the dead girl. Right now I have the appearance of a warrior. Right now I look like I'm meant to fight a dragon. But am I really? 

We get back to the top of the ship. It feels unusual. What was once disturbing now seems sad. Our boat has been destroyed. We'll have to swim to shore. But Rachel’s not leaving until we take care of the bodies. 

We stack them up. I comprehend what I have to perform but it's pretty awful. I gulp as the sword cooks the bodies until there's nothing left but the smell.

By Cristina Collazo