The Beating Shonota

  Boom.

  Boom.

  The ground rocked. I instinctively picked up the transmitter and pressed it to my chest.

  The elder’s round table shook, and so did everyone. Eralla grabbed me and wrapped her arms around me to help me stand up straight.

  Despite my cruel words that day, she still stood by my side. Whether it was to protect her family from the disaster waiting for us—or because of something else—I didn’t want to know.

  I didn’t want to get my hopes high.

  We weren’t meant to be together.

  What she wanted — I could never give it to her.

  I looked over across the uneven plain; in the distance I could spot my hut in the open space that looked like a small chip or a rock.

  I turned my gaze back to the heating pot.

  As I went to check it, heat bit into my finger.

  Tss.

  I pulled my hand back, orange blooming beneath my skin.

  In the corner of my eye, I spotted Eralla with her head buried in her knees.

  Was she taking a nap?

  I shouldn’t care.

  I really shouldn’t.

  But the beating shonota* has its own will.

  I reached out, gently pulling her hair aside. Her eyes were closed.

  My finger traced along her face, touching the brown freckles dusted across her nose.

  Eralla.

  Eralla.

  Eralla…

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  When the shaking finally stopped, her arms still lingered around me, whispering into my ear.

  “You okay?”

  I nodded my head, standing up straight. Her hand lingered before leaving my warmth completely.

  I put the transmitter down with a soft thud.

  “The shaking is getting worse.”

  Ouubuutt commented.

  “Indeed.”

  I replied.

  “Is it ready?”

  Donttano asked.

  I carefully put the transmitter down on the table. I leaned over, pulling the red button down. That was going to supply it with power. Heat powered it from the teared seams of Ma-Oktava.

  Buzz.

  It produced a soft buzz as it turned on. The green light flickered dimly. I felt everyone’s eyes on me, but I ignored them. I gently tapped the light outlet, but it only dimmed.

  “Can I try?”

  Eralla asked, standing beside me. I leaned back, letting her have a go with the device.

  My pupils dilated when her hand curled up and slammed into the device.

  I expected it to shatter.

  She backed away, letting me see the damage she had caused to the transmitter.

  My jaw fell open. Did she…

  The signal light brightened more than ever—the signal was ready.

  I didn’t waste a single moment before pulling the lever and pressing down the big black button.

  “Is it done?”

  Tohthorayn asked.

  “Are we going to be saved?”

  Ouubuutt said.

  I let out a sigh, looking up at the sky.

  “I don’t know. I sent the signal. Now, hopefully, the Guardians of the Unirex or someone out there picks up the signal and receives our message.”

  ???

  Txetia Glossary

  Shonota (Sha-noah-tah) — means “heart.”