The Barren Grounds Chapter 11

Summary

In Chapter 11, Morgan struggles with her surroundings in a swampy village, experiencing darkness and physical weakness. She encounters Eli Drew, who supports her, and they discuss the connection between their world and another. Morgan blacks out and later awakens in a warm room, where she has a vivid dream about a woman and a child. Upon waking, she realizes the woman was her mother, evoking a mix of emotions. Eli and Morgan bond over their shared experiences, and she learns she's been there for two weeks, a revelation that shocks her. The narrative explores themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.

Takeaways

• 🌌 Morgan experiences a disorienting journey to a village where she feels overwhelmed by darkness and physical weakness.
• 🐾 The Fisher, who supports Morgan, explains the connection between worlds, suggesting the reality of their situation.
• 😵‍♀️ Morgan loses consciousness and is carried by the Fisher, experiencing a dream that feels very real.
• 👩‍👧 In her dream, Morgan sees a woman rocking a child and humming a song, which seems to be a significant memory.
• 🌲 Morgan wakes up in a warm room, finding comfort in Eli's presence and the realization that she's safe.
• 🔥 Eli and Morgan discuss the meaning of a word from her dream, 'kisy sitot', which translates to 'don't forget yourself'.
• 😢 Morgan realizes the woman in her dream was her mother, leading to a mix of emotions including anger and sadness.
• 🏠 Eli reassures Morgan that her memories are important, and they share a moment of empathy.
• 🕰️ Morgan learns that she has been in the village for two weeks, which is a shock as it felt like only hours to her.
• 🗓️ The concept of time differing between worlds is introduced, causing Morgan to question her perception of reality.
• 🚪 There is a sense of urgency to return home before Morgan's absence is noticed, highlighting the importance of time management.

Q & A

What is the setting of Chapter 11?

Chapter 11 is set in a village surrounded by swampy areas, where Morgan is experiencing difficulty standing due to her knees feeling like they are about to give out.

Who is supporting Morgan when she feels weak?

Fish, a character in the story, has his paw firmly under Morgan's armpit to support her.

What does Morgan ask Eli Drew about the strange phenomenon she is experiencing?

Morgan asks Eli Drew how it is possible for her surroundings to be spinning into blackness and how the situation is real.

What does the Fisher tell Morgan about the connection between worlds?

The Fisher tells Morgan that all things are connected, including her world and the one they are in, the sky and the land.

What happens to Morgan when she starts to lose her fight against the darkness?

Morgan's legs finally give out, and she starts to fall, but is caught by the Fisher who lifts her into his arms.

Who is Och, and what does he do for Morgan?

Och is a character who catches Morgan as she falls and carries her into a warm room to help her recover.

What does Morgan dream about in the warmth of the room?

Morgan dreams about a woman rocking a toddler, humming a song, and crying while whispering the word 'kisy sitot' to the child.

What does the word 'kisy sitot' mean according to Eli?

Eli explains that 'kisy sitot' means something like 'don't forget about who you are' or 'don't forget yourself'.

How does Morgan react when she realizes the woman in her dream was her mother?

Morgan is initially shocked and then overcome with anger, pushing Eli's hand away and burying herself under a hide blanket.

What does Morgan accuse Eli of, and how does he respond?

Morgan accuses Eli of not thinking about how his actions would make her feel, to which Eli responds by expressing his own longing for home and understanding her anger.

How does the concept of time differ between Morgan's world and the one she is in now?

Time in Morgan's world and the one she is in now is significantly different; hours in her reality can equate to weeks in this new world.

What does Oek reveal to Morgan about the passage of time?

Oek reveals that it has been over two weeks since Morgan arrived in his world by showing her the notches he has been making on the wall to keep track of the days.

Outlines

00:00

🌌 Chapter 11: Morgan's Visionary Experience

Morgan struggles with her knees in a swampy area, supported by the Fisher. She's overwhelmed by darkness and questions the reality of her situation. Eli Drew explains that all things are connected, including her world and this one. Morgan loses consciousness and wakes up in a warm room, experiencing a dream where a woman rocks a child and hums a familiar song. The woman whispers 'kisy sito' to the child. Morgan is pulled from her dream by Eli, who reassures her that she's safe. She realizes the woman in her dream was her mother and feels a mix of shock and anger. Eli comforts her, and they discuss the significance of the word 'kisy sito', which means 'don't forget who you are'.

05:01

🗣️ Language and Memory: Morgan's Realization

Morgan and Eli discuss the word 'kisy sito', which Morgan recalls from her dream. Eli explains the meaning and its importance in remembering one's identity. Morgan realizes the woman in her dream was her mother, leading to a surge of anger and sadness. She confronts Eli about leaving home, expressing her fears and frustrations. Eli shares his own longing for home and they find common ground in their shared experiences of displacement and the struggle to remember their pasts. Morgan's anger subsides as they bond over their mutual understanding of the importance of memory and identity.

10:02

🕰️ Time Dilation: The Multiverse Theory

Morgan and Eli discuss the passage of time and the possibility of being in a parallel dimension. Morgan is concerned about returning home before her absence is noticed. Eli reveals that she has been in this world for two weeks, a shocking revelation to Morgan who feels like only hours have passed. Oek confirms the duration with notches on the wall, marking each day since Morgan's arrival. The discovery of time dilation between their world and Morgan's reality adds a layer of complexity to their situation, raising questions about the nature of their existence and the implications for their return.

Keywords

💡Swampy Creas

Swampy Creas appears to be a location or region referenced in the script, possibly a setting for the story. The term suggests a marshy or wetland area, which could influence the environment and challenges faced by the characters. In the script, the speaker apologizes for potential mispronunciations, indicating the importance of this place name to the narrative.

💡Morgan

Morgan is a character in the story who experiences physical and emotional distress. Her struggle with her knees 'giving out' and the sensation of the world 'spinning into blackness' illustrate her vulnerability and the challenges she faces. Morgan's interactions with other characters, such as Eli and the Fisher, are central to the plot.

💡Fisher

The Fisher is a character who provides support to Morgan, both physically and emotionally. His role as a guide and helper is highlighted when he catches Morgan as she falls and reassures her about the reality of their situation. The Fisher's dialogue about connectivity between worlds is crucial to understanding the video's theme of interconnection and the fantastical elements of the story.

💡Connectedness

Connectedness is a central concept in the script, as the Fisher explains to Morgan that 'all things are connected', including 'your world and this one'. This idea suggests a deeper link between different realms or dimensions, which is a key element of the story's fantasy setting. It also implies a shared destiny or interdependence among characters.

💡Eli Drew

Eli Drew is another character who interacts with Morgan, and his response to her question about the reality of their situation indicates his knowledge and experience. His character seems to play a role in guiding Morgan through her journey, as seen when he sits next to her after she wakes up.

💡Kis, saso

Kis, saso is a phrase repeated by a woman in Morgan's dream, which turns out to be a significant memory. The phrase, when translated, means 'don't forget about who you are' or 'don't forget yourself'. This concept is crucial as it relates to themes of identity and self-remembrance, which are central to Morgan's emotional journey.

💡Memory

Memory plays a significant role in the script, as it is suggested that Morgan's dream may actually be a memory. The distinction between dreams and memories is blurred, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. The revelation that her dream was a memory of her mother is a pivotal moment that triggers strong emotions in Morgan.

💡Multiverse

The concept of the Multiverse is introduced when Morgan contemplates the possibility that they are in a parallel dimension. This idea is central to the video's theme, as it explores the existence of multiple realities and the implications of traveling between them. The Multiverse concept is used to explain the time discrepancy between Morgan's world and the one she is in.

💡Time Discrepancy

Time Discrepancy is a key element in the script, where hours in Morgan's reality equate to weeks in the other world. This discrepancy is a significant plot point, as it affects Morgan's sense of urgency to return home and adds tension to the narrative.

💡OCH

OCH is a character who confirms the time discrepancy and provides physical evidence of the passage of time through notches on a wall. His role is to validate the fantastical elements of the story and to anchor the narrative in a tangible reality, despite the strange occurrences.

💡Emotional Turmoil

Emotional Turmoil is evident in Morgan's reactions to the revelations about time and her past. Her feelings of anger, longing, and sadness are central to the video's portrayal of a character grappling with personal loss and the passage of time. This turmoil is a key aspect of her character development and the emotional core of the story.

Highlights

Morgan's knees feel like they're going to give out, indicating her physical struggle.

The Village is described as spinning into blackness, suggesting a disorienting or magical environment.

Fish supports Morgan, showing a caring and supportive character.

Morgan's struggle with darkness overtaking her vision symbolizes her internal conflict.

Eli Drew explains the connection between worlds, introducing a key theme of the story.

Morgan's legs give out, emphasizing her vulnerability.

Och's introduction as a character who carries Morgan and offers warmth.

Morgan's dream of a woman rocking a child introduces a mysterious and emotional subplot.

The woman's crying in the dream signifies unspoken sorrow.

Morgan wakes up to find Eli, establishing a bond between them.

Eli's change in clothing indicates a cultural or personal transformation.

Morgan's realization of the word 'kisy sito' being a Cre language word reveals a connection to her past.

Eli explains the meaning of 'kisy sito', adding depth to Morgan's dream.

Morgan's emotional response to recognizing her mother in the dream shows her deep connection to her past.

Morgan's anger and frustration after realizing the dream's significance highlight her emotional turmoil.

The revelation that Morgan has been in the other world for two weeks, contrasting with her perception of time.

Och's notches on the wall as a physical representation of time passing, confirming the time discrepancy.

Transcripts

and chapter 11 uh as I said some of

these are in swampy creas so although

I've practiced a lot I may as well

apologize just in case I've uh

mispronounced uh some of the words or

have the accent in the wrong place so

chapter 11 I I have questions Morgan's

knees felt like they were going to give

out at any second she was bracing

herself against the long house standing

near the front door The Village she'

just been introduced to was spinning

into Blackness the fish must have

noticed he had his paw firmly under her

armpit for support but it didn't feel

like

enough how how is this even possible she

asked Eli Drew this it's not real the

Fisher laughed esquis the boy may have

drawn misah but it's very real but but

how Morgan widened her eyes to keep them

open to fight off the darkness that was

overtaking her vision how and she was

Los losing the fight all things are

connected the Fisher said your world and

this one the sky and the land all that

is so you you know about humans oh yes

he said I know about Morgan's legs

finally gave out she started to fall

only to be caught by the Fisher he

lifted her into his arms and their eyes

met to her his eyes were at once black

endless and

kind who are you she asked I'm Och and

we need to get you into the warmth

there'll be time for questions later Eli

Morgan whispered deliriously Eli

everything went

black Morgan felt the sensation of being

rocked slowly back and forth she was

being carried but the howling wind and

the cold were gone in their place was

warmth and the sound of a woman humming

and the song was familiar Morgan felt

the same tug that she'd felt when

standing in the snow facing the great

tree in the forest behind it drawn to

the sound and the warmth and the rocking

she opened her eyes and was standing in

a room with a lamp on a small table a

rocking chair and nothing else except a

window outside the window were ancient

trees thick and Tall then there appeared

a woman on the chair and a toddler a

girl in the woman's arms the woman was

rocking the sleeping child humming a

song to her it was sweet and gentle and

the girl looked peaceful but the mother

was not peaceful the mother was crying

trying not to sobb sobbing might wake

the

girl kis

saso the woman whispered to the girl

after the song had finished kisy sitot

taso a voice pulled Morgan away from the

dream somebody was calling her name she

opened her eyes to to find Eli sitting

next to her you're here Morgan touched

his face just to make sure it was

actually him and he she wasn't

hallucinating you're awake he said

Morgan propped herself up on her elbows

she felt stronger and she was happy to

be in the warmth she was lying on a bed

of spruce boughs with a thick and heavy

hide over her body there was a small

fire in the pit beside her a bed casting

light across the wooden walls a chair

sat unoccupied in the corner of the room

beside an opening that led to a room

beyond that there was another empty bed

of spruce boughs on the opposite side of

the fire it was warm in the room but the

cold was still there outside the long

house it pronounced itself with

announced itself with the wind howling

and pushing against the walls Morgan

looked over Eli carefully he wasn't in

the clothes he'd been earlier in earlier

in the night he was dressed like oek

wearing grayish pants a brown jacket

with a hood and white moccasins the only

thing the same about Eli was his braided

hair neat and tight braided hair the

woman in her dream had had hair like

that too hair like strands of midnight

Morgan pictured the woman sitting in the

chair rocking the baby singing to her

Whispering that word kisy Sito

taso Morgan shook her head I was having

a dream

no this is real oh no that's not what I

meant she said I was literally having a

dream but it felt so real Morgan focused

on the woman and repeated the word she'd

repeated to the toddler it wasn't

English it was something else cre dreams

can tell us important things Eli said

where you're from your community do they

speak cre Morgan expected the smile to

leave Eli's face At The Mention of his

home Community but it didn't yes swampy

cre it's a Creed dialect do you speak it

she asked I mean I know you know the

words and stuff but are you

fluent uh eh he nodded the woman in my

dream she kept saying this word to a

little girl she was humming a song and

then she said one word over and over

what word was it Morgan tried to say it

properly recited it deliberately The

Sounds were hard and clumsy

kiss kiss

[Music]

Ito say it again like you remember it

Eli said like you can speak it like

you've always spoken it but I haven't I

never did but you know it even if you

don't think you

do the boy who she'd known for a week

seemed much older and in only a matter

of hours it's in his eyes she thought

he's so quiet and sure she took a breath

and thought of the dream and the woman

and the word just just came off her

lips I know that word he said in English

it means something like don't forget

about who you are or don't forget

yourself that'd be the

closest why would I dream that word she

asked why did I dream that woman well

sometimes you can dream a memory he said

H A Memory Morgan held on tight to the

dream even as it tried to pull away and

leave only fragments she held on tight

to the woman's face and Morgan gasped

put her hands over her mouth and A Tear

fell that was my mom Morgan Eli reached

out and put a hand on her shoulder the

shock of the realization the longing

she'd felt left in a snap in its place

all she could feel was anger the burning

in her chest boiled over and coarsed

through her body like blood she pushed

the hand off her shoulder and buried

herself under the hide blanket what were

you thinking going off like that huh she

said did you ever even think about how I

would feel I did it's just it's just

what you can't possibly have a good

excuse for what you did you could have

died and then what she pulled the

blanket just low enough to see him it

reminded me so much of home when I saw

missah for the first time he stared into

the fire I miss home so much damn it Eli

Morgan's breathing went from almost

hyperventilating to calm in no time she

looked at him from under the security of

the bedding I'm sorry for saying what I

did and pretending this was your

home I can hardly remember that he

grinned warmly at her don't worry about

it you know I think I was just jealous

you know because you can remember your

memories not just dream them it doesn't

matter he said not anymore you know what

messed up Morgan got out of the Hide

blanket entirely so that she and Eli

were sitting across from each other the

way you feel about here I kind of felt

in my dream even I don't know even now I

know it was my mom I mean for all I know

that was the last time I saw her before

she let me go Morgan fought back tears

if she didn't want me to forget myself

well she should have kept me

around well maybe she should have maybe

she didn't have a

choice well don't say that cuz you don't

know that sorry anyway Morgan shook it

off how can anybody remember who they

are when they've never been in the same

place for more than a couple of years

she felt the anger bubbling again right

inside her chest hot and quick she's

just a stupid memory to me now and

that's all so her shout fell to a

whisper so is whoever she wanted me to

be okay he looked like he was going to

cry tears were welling up in those huge

eyes of his Morgan tried to steady her

breathing I'm not angry at you you're

just here that's all all a long silence

followed all they could hear was the

crackling of the fire and the gusting

wind during that time they looked at

each other then away from each other and

then all around the room Morgan spent

time assessing Eli's clothing and how he

had changed and thought it was

remarkable that he looked this way after

such a short period of time how much

time exactly she wish she hadn't left

her phone in her bedroom how long was I

out she asked any thought for a moment M

an hour maybe an hour and the walk here

had taken who knew how long because she

had passed out again she was becoming

the fainting Queen by now it will be

getting close to mourning back on Earth

well Earth was this not earth it

couldn't be Earth did not have Talking

Animals Her Fantasy reading brain kicked

in leaving behind for a moment her worry

about time it couldn't be Earth but they

couldn't be on another Earth either

because because they hadn't actually

traveled anywhere they just stepped

through a portal not flown somewhere on

a spaceship maybe this was some kind of

parallel Dimension that had to be it

she'd read about parallel Dimensions oh

Morgan's heart skipped it was like the

Multiverse in Spider-Man and like lots

of other comic books Morgan Eli said I

said you'd been out for an hour hello he

waved a hand in front of her face okay

she took a breath or two and now that

the theory of the Multiverse had been

solved she returned to her worry about

time actual time it was close to morning

that meant they had to start going now

she stood up we have to get moving he

sprung to his feet and said what where

home where do you think she moved for

the door he stepped in her way and said

no

why well because Katie and James are

going to be up soon and I don't want

them to freak out that's why now move

Morgan tried to push past but he didn't

budge it took you two weeks to come find

me and all of a sudden you're worried

about me getting home before

morning what two weeks you've been here

for two weeks Morgan held her head with

both hands like she had the world's

worst

migrain okay what no why would you say

that say what he asked I'm just guessing

I don't have a calendar or phone ask

goek

he

weeks um give or take a day you're lying

she

said I I don't know what you want me to

say I left the secret room maybe a few

hours ago Eli at most and you left the

room maybe 2 hours before

me but this is she sat back down on

Spruce boughs because because she felt

like she was going to faint again well

this is hm now it wasn't just a

Multiverse but time too hours in her

reality weeks in this one was that why

Eli looked so different was he telling

the truth how could that even be you

have to be lying you've got to

be I'm afraid the boy is telling the

truth oek entered the room and sat down

in an unoccupied chair it has been over

2 weeks since he arrived in miswa I've

been making notches to count the days

since H since what Morgan tried to keep

her voice calm seeing oek for the first

time when she wasn't Delirious from the

cold was very

unsettled to count the days since the

white time began oek said show me she

said which may as well have been her way

of saying prove it there is no way that

Eli had been gone for 2 weeks OCH got up

from the chair follow me Morgan and Eli

followed oek into a living area it was a

modest room with one shuttered window

and furnished with two benches on either

side of a fire pit arranged on shelves

were baskets holding what seemed to be

dwindling amounts of preserved food and

medicine and plates and Cutlery and cups

that were made out of bone and Clay

almost every inch of the wooden walls

was marked with notch

one for each day countless notches OCH

was near the front door crouching in

front of a small span of unblemished

wood near the floor Eli and Morgan knelt

down on either side just in time to see

him make one more Notch see here he

pointed to a mark yeah said Morgan well

this is when I saved Eli from the barren

grounds just like I saved you from them

today oek then methodically tapped each

subsequent Mark until stopping at the

one he had made today right here all

told including the freshly cut notch

Morgan counted

15 2 weeks and one day this can't be

happening she said trust me OCH struck

the knife into the wall and it stayed

there it

is