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I proceed back through the Low Power Tunnel, ring in tow, procures from the Student following our battery-magnetism test. [1] Levels 11, 10 and 9 are navigated with minimal effort, their solutions requiring very little memorization…
Indeed a notion arises in my mind…
However, my contemplation is curtailed by the sight of a verdant sillhouette in the distance.
Who could that be?, I wonder.
Upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a slumbering lizard, resting peacefully.
I halt a few meters from the creature.
Intriguing. This reptile appears to have meandered into the tunnels independently.
I wonder if it possesses a caretaker on the Planet, I ponder, mildly intrigued.
Coincidentally, the Lizard slowly awakens, rising unto its hind limbs with a yawn, then gazes upon me.
I return the gaze, uncertain about how to proceed.
Pray, do not assault me, I entreat inwardly, a note of uneasiness threading my thoughts.
Cirumabulanting it deliberately, I retreat with measured steps, reluctant to expose my back.
The Lizard blinks with insouciance.
”That’s right. . . .Remain there. I shall simply proceed this way, understood?” I articulate with deliberate composure.
Once at a respectably distance, I pivot.
”Phew,” I exhale in relief.
Now where was I? Ah, yes, my project.
. . .
I awaken in the Low Power, part 6. It is morning.
I must have succumbed to a prolonged slumber, I must jestingly. I yawn and stretch with leisurely grace.
Rising, I proceed down the tunnel. Yet, something feels amiss. A subtle zephyr caresses me.
I reach up to clutch my top hat, but instead come to a horrible conclusion.
My head is bare.
‘Heavens! Where is my hat?!’ I wonder, utterly perplexed.
I turn around and swiftly retrace my steps to my resting place. It is absent. Only the yellow ring is still there. My gaze darts about feverishly, meticulously scrutinizing every inch of the tunnel for any trace of it.
Nothing.
Wait.
I squint, discerning in the dim distance that very reptile from yesterday, clutching something of ebony hue in its maw.
My top hat.
”That dastardly reptile! It has absconded with my hat!” I exclaim, incensed.
Driven by wrath, I commence pursuit, my pace quickening.
“Halt! Return that at once!” I bellow.
The scurrilous Lizard pivots and, upon observing my pursuit, emits a timorous squeal, muffled by my now-appropriated chapeau. It then scurries upon all fours, my hat clutches within its grasp.
I must concede, it’s agility is rather remarkable for a creature of such seeming indolence.
Frustratingly, it manages to instigate a spirited game of ‘keep away’ for a considerable five minutes.
But I eventually draw near, intercepting it as the tunnel inexplicably transports it back to the level’s inception, after it falls. My hat, thankfully follows.
Unceremoniously, I snatch it from the animal’s maw.
The Lizard hisses in indignation but makes no other moves to take it from me.
“Ugh. It is covered in its foul saliva.” I remark with distaste.
Nonetheless, I don it, sighing in relief.
Even a sullied hat is preferable to none at all.
I fix the creature with a piercing stare. It returns my gaze with equal intensity, almost as if it revels in its odious transgression. A smug fellow, indeed.
’Do you not comprehend that it is utterly discourteous to purloin from others, you impudent reptile? Especially items of such significance as this, “ I gesture to my hat, “For without it, I am but but another common alien!”
The Lizard stares in bewilderment, blinking once.
”Oh stars above, I concede defeat,” I say, utterly vexed.
I roll my eye and emit a loud sigh of exasperation.
Thereupon, I turn and retrace my steps, wearied by my recent sprint.
Ten minutes pass, and I move beyond the spot where I has chosen to rest the previous day. Once again, I bear the ring: thankfully the wretched reptile has not seen fit to steal that, too. Only my hat.
This causes me to muse: Why did the blighted pilfer it in the first place? What possible purpose could a hat serve for a reptile? Perhaps it sought to consume the power cells within. . . .Do lizards even partake of power cells? Most improbable.
An unsettling notion insinuates itself: that the reptile was, in fact, still trailing me, coveting my hat. I spin with alacrity, my suspicion confirmed.
Noticing my gaze, it halts, averting its eye, feigning innocence.
”BEGONE IMMEDIATELY!!” I proclaim with sonorous authority.
The creature flinches at my raised tone but remains steadfast.
Its eye remains fixed upon my hat.
Its tongue flicks in an out of its mouth. It emanates an aura of hunger.
Reluctantly, I remove my hat and extract three power cells.
I look at the lizard. Its eye watches them hungrily.
”…If I give these to you, will you consent to leave me in peace?” I inquire, my tone clear and resolute.
The lizard emits a chirp in response.
”I shall take that as affirmation.”
I toss the cells a short distance from the animal.
It devours them contentedly, appearing almost. . .endearing.
Upon finishing its repast, it gazes up at me.
I clutch my hat, poised to restrain the creature should it attempt to pilfer it once more.
However, its subsequent action takes me by surprise.
It rubs its body against my legs and begins to emit a low clicking sound, akin to the purr of a feline.
”W-What the—“ I stammer in utter bewilderment.
I attempt to depart, but the creature shadows me closely, still clicking contentedly.
I stop.
”You’re not going to leave me be, are you?” I ask, exasperated.
The reptile clicks out a ‘No.’.
I face palm.
”Well then. Ahem. I guess you’re going to be the first lucky citizen to test out the ‘Memory Evaluation’.” I say eloquently, already having given up on losing this reptile.
I take the first step into the tunnel branching off of Low Power, part 4, and the Lizard follows obediently behind me.