1 Welcome to America.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Date : July 19, 2001
"Olumide Herbert Olushola get down here this instant and wash these plates! I've told you time and time again! You have until I change!". Ten year old Olumide could hear his mother shouting. His mother, a nurse named Lola works the early morning to mid afternoon shift at a public hospital. She is often overworked due to the lack of staff at the hospital and comes home tired and with mild annoyance.
He skillfully hops off his bed and flies past the stairs in a bid to take care of the mess he made while making lunch this afternoon.
'Before her cane finds my ass again' Olumide reminisces about the last week and his body shakes remembering the trauma. He is kind of tall for a ten year old and his hair is kept to a lowcut as his mother demands. His eyes a light brown and his pearly whites makes him adorable for most.
'Sadly most doesn't include my mom'. He sighs and starts washing the dishes.
"Lola! Lola!". Olumide could hear his father's voice through the window. His Father a man named Fade works in the ministry of finance as an accountant and one of their auditors. The pay is meagre for someone who worked his ass off for a first class in the university. He has recently been applying to a finance and auditing firm in the US.
'But that shouldn't be right? He is not due for another few hours'. Olumide looks at the time. Assuredly it 2:32pm, his father isn't supposed to be at home for another 5 hours.
"What!". Olumide heard his mother reply with mild annoyance.
"I got the job! The bank says we are to get our Visa's ready!" His father shouts.
"Praise the Lord!" His mother, every the devout Christian chooses to praise God first and his father says Amen. However Olumide isn't thinking bout praising God.
'Hopefully she forgets bout the plates'.
His mother quickly rushes downstairs in her shirt and long skirt and embraces his dad who walks into the house.
"This is great news, Olumide forget the plates, let's go out to celebrate". He smiles and quickly rushes to hug his parents before running upstairs in preparation for the night out.
'Things have been pretty strained lately' he thinks to himself as he enters the room.
"But after this, things are surely to get better" Olumide says entering the shower and thinking bout what living in the US will be like.
'I heard they have trains everywhere'.
"Olumide!, what do you think bout going to the zoo?".
6 hours later.
Back home.
"The snakes and the monitor lizards were the best to me" Dad said as he opened the front door.
"I like the parrot more, it was so funny. Olumide what was your best part" mom asks me.
"The food we ate after" Olumide says matter of factly as his mother giggles.
"You and food, hope food doesn't kill you one day. Now get to bed, and remember to read your bible and pray before you sleep".
Olumide goes upstairs, removed his clothes and is about to throw them randomly when-
"And no clothes on your floor!". He adheres his mother's warning and carefully puts his clothes on his wardrobe door. He enters his bathroom, brushes his teeth then leaves to pounce on his bed. He picks up his bible and opens a random page. He then stretches and retrieves the Captain America comic book in his drawer and puts it in the bible letting the bible cover the comic from being seen by anyone that enters his room.
"Hey Olumide, did you use my credit again" Dad says entering his room.
"No dad, you were almost out a week ago, when you were doing your interview".
"Ha I'm an old man now" he steps forward and lifts his son from the bed, Olumide quickly dropping the bible in a way that covers the comic. 'Dad might not be as hard as mom with religion but he'll find it very offensive'. Fade spins while Olumide laughs. When Fade was done he drops Olumide safely onto his bed.
"We are heading to America son, when we get there we will be able to earn more, and if you get good grades we will buy you a computer". Olumide's eyes lit up at that and pumps his fist in the air while his father laughs.
"Remember, only if you do well enough" his father says as he turns around and leaves. Olumide starts feeling today is the best day ever. He picks up the comic with the bible still placed over it and starts reading.
"Olumide when you're done reading your bible, come and take some cake!" Mom shouts from downstairs.
"Yup, best day ever".
6 months later
12th January 2002
Mid Flight to New York
Intercom buzzes to life.
"This is your pilot speaking, due to severe weather conditions, we will be making an emergency landing in North Carolina". Everyone on the plane groaned in annoyance.
"We apologise for the inconvenience, everyone will have free accommodation at a hotel reserved by Rand Airlines, food and necessities will be provided. Thank you". The intercom buzzes off.
"They are saying that flights might be canceled for 48 hours but please do know that Rand Airlines will give you our full support during this period, till we get you safely to New York" a pretty flight attendant said flashing a smile. My father groans and curses in Yoruba.
"Mr Wesley won't be pleased I'll have to call him when we land" my dad says with a disappointed look on his face. He looks at his family all looking similar in fashion: Sweater, jeans, thick boots and head warmers.
"It'll be okay, if we cannot complete the trip by air, we have some money saved up, we will try to go by bus".
"Hopefully the weather let's up before it comes to that". Fade says before reducing the volume on Olumide's headphones which are connected to the tv in his front.
"He likes movies too much" Lola says with a laugh.
30 minutes later
North Carolina Airport.
Time: 10:30pm
"Please sir, I'm not sure we can make it" my dad pleaded in a public phone booth. He was speaking to his boss. He was dejected once more as he placedthe phone back in its place.
"He says I have to be there in 24 hours or he'll dock my pay". My mom gasps.
"Let's just spend the night at the hotel okay, a good nights rest will help us, we are all tired" Lola says looking at Olumide who is half asleep.
"Where are the power puff girls mommy" Olumide says dazedly while his parents chuckle.
"They aren't real you know that" Fade says rubbing his son's head.
"Rand Airlines, Flight to New York! This way to the shuttle that will take you to the hotel".
"That's us" Fade says as they all gathered their bags with Olumide putting his school bag on his back. They followed the crew and entered the shuttle. The journey was quiet as everyone on the bus was tired and frustrated. They reached the hotel and are given the keys to a shared room.
"Well this isn't bad for the night" Lola says. Olumide pushes his bags in and heads to the couch he notices at the other side of the room, leaving the bed to his parents. He immediately curls up and goes to sleep with his clothes on.
"Well let us follow his lead, we have to be up early tomorrow, whether to take a plane or otherwise" Fade says. They both lay down and fall asleep with their clothes on also.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Lola" Fade says.
"It's too cold in the US" Lola says matter of factly. There was silence then they both laughed.
"Our new life starts from here, goodnight my love" Fade says.
"Love you too" Lola says sleepily and soon starts snoring. Thirty seconds later her husband joins her in dreamland.
13th of January
7:26 am
Airport Hotel.
"This is your weather report on CNN, all flights to the New York and New Jersey remain cancelled as we expect the weather to get even worse. Please expect some heavy rain and snowfall soon, -" the weatherman continued his report but we were no longer listening.
"Let's go see if we can find a bus heading to New York". They call the valet and have their things brought down. Olumide sits by the luggage while his parents speak to the receptionist.
"Well I can get the shuttle to take you to the bus station, but I'm not too sure buses will be going that way, but if it's truly an emergency you'll have to take the chance". They hopped on the shuttle with their things and moved to the gas station. Olumide looks out the window, staring at the all white environment.
"Dad look snow! it's so pretty!" Olumide says ecstatic.
"Yes Olu it looks amazing, but when we get to New York, we will go see the Statue of Liberty. It's huge and it stands on water" Dad says. Olumide's eyes light up at the thought of the statue in his Captain America comic book. They reach the bus station and get down to talk to the attendant.
"Hello we need tickets to New York" my dad said.
"Oh hello there, I'm sorry we don't have buses heading to New York right now" the young male attendant says. He's a bit pale and skinny with a mop of blonde hair in his head. Everyone once more groaned as my father sat on the pavement.
"I haven't even made it to work and I'm gonna be fired" Fade said dejectedly. The setting seemed gloomy.
"Well if it's really that important to ya, I got a family member heading to Denver, from there you could get a bus to New York. That is if you're willing to sit in the back of his van". Everyone immediately perked up. My parents a bit unsure but willing to take this chance".
"When are they leaving?" My dad asked.
"An hour or two I reckon, road is pretty free this time of the year, not a lot of drivers willing to drive on the ice roads. You up for it fellas". My mom and dad looked at each other.
"Yes! Thank you so much" my dad said.
"No problem mam, I'll make the call. If you haven't gotten any breakfast you could get some snacks at the shop right there. You'd prolly need some for the road too" The attendant said.
"Thank you very much mr..."
"No mr sir, my name is James and I'm happy to help you mr..."
"Fade" my dad says.
"Well Mr Fade, welcome to the United States" James says giving a wild grin.
Thirty minutes later.
A blue van pulls up as James is smoking a cigarette in front of the bus station.
"Hey James, heard you got some folks that need a hand" a Caucasian man with a southern accent steps out of the car. He's wearing a t shirt and some faded jeans and has brown hair.
"Yeah Jim, they heading to New York, I told em you were stopping at Denver" James said.
"Well I gotta make it to house and pick up that order then I'll be on my way, so where are they?".
"Inside the waiting room, let's head in". They walk in together and can see the black family in front of them. Not a usual sight for them, but a good sight to see.
"Hey guys, your driver is here. Meet Uncle Jim, Uncle Jim meet Fade, Lola and Olu, they will be the ride along on your journey". Jim surveys the black family in front of him and gives them a wide smile.
"I heard bout your problem, I'm ready to go but I gotta stop by my house first to pick up an order. You ready?". They immediately stood up and nodded their heads.
"Yes thank you very much. We really appreciate this" Fade said.
"No problem. Welcome to America" Jim says stretching out his hand and Fade shakes it, both men with a smile.
"Hey lil fella" Jim says and shakes Olu's hand.
"This is great, thank you very much James, Jim" Fade says says. Lola gives a "lord bless you" that gets a chuckle and a smile from the two white men.
They all head out and Jim opens up the back of the blue van. After that he pulls a light switch to let light flood the back.
"Gets pretty dark round winter time" James says to the Olushola's and they nod their heads.
There are two benches on both sides and a stack of boxes at the end of the wide space. It was neat and tidy, looking to be used for delivery. It had a few windows which were closed. Fade hops in helping lift the bags inside.
"So why you headed to New York" Jim asks.
"I just got a job as an accountant over there, my wife hopes to get a job as a nurse" Fade says.
"An accountant? You must be one of those brilliant minds. And a nurse? Can't say we don't need more of those around". Fade and Lola blush at the praise.
They finish loading the bags and the Olushola's hop into the back.
"If you want to talk to me there is that window right there" Jim says pointing to a window that shows the front car of the van. Olu nods his head and Jim closes the door. Jim and James both work to the front and Jim gets into the drivers seat. He closes the door and starts the van.
"So Jim what's for dinner".
"Martha's thinking roast. You good with roast?".
"I'm great with Roast" James says with a smile and walks back into his attendant station. Jim pulls out, sliding onto the main road and begins the journey to his house.
Inside the back...
"It's a bit chilly" Lola says. She opens up a bag and pulls out blankets for all of them and they all snuggle up to each other.
"Let us pray" Lola says and leads them in a little prayer of thanks and safety while her husband and son chorused "amen". When she finished they all fell into silence.
"Aaah! I knew something was wrong!" Lola exclaims and her sons tense due to the loudness of her voice.
"What is wrong dear? It seems right now everything is going fine".
"I forgot to turn off the tap at home. The bathroom must be flooded!". Her husband gives her a raised eyebrow and is about to crack a smile.
"Uhmmm is that our problem anymore? We live here now" Fade says chuckling a bit.
"Ohh right, I'll still feel bad for Mrs Sanya downstairs. At a point it'll affect her home" Lola says.
"Then we will give her a call when we get to New York. Everything is fine Lola" Fade said calming down his wife and wrapping his arm round her.
"At least we didn't forget our son like that movie" Fade says reminiscing bout their time watching home alone together as a family.
"Don't be silly" Lola said with a smile on her face.
20 minutes later...
Jim's House.
The van slowly stops in front of a house made of stone, the environment is covered in snow.
"It seems we've stopped moving" Fade says. A minute later the door to the back opens and Jim comes into sight.
"Hey y'all, hope you're doing fine guys" Jim shouts. The wind is way now.
"Yeah we're doing good. You need anything?" Fade asks.
"Yeah" Jim says. He reaches down and brings up a shotgun pointing it at the family.
"Get down now!" Jim says in a cold shout and Fade quickly pushes his wife and child unto the floor.
"Please take what you want, but spare our lives!" Fade shouts to Jim who still has the gun on them. Jim swiftly knocks the butt of his gun onto Fade's head as his wife screams. Fade drops unconscious and Lola jumps on Jim.
"Olu run!" Lola shouts as Jim tries to get the woman off him without killing her. Jim immediately tries to reach for her neck to choke her unconscious.
Olu looks at his parents and listens to his mother. He jumps out the back and starts running to the forest. He is about to make it into the woods when he feels a bursting pain in his thigh. The force of a crossbow bolt fired by a woman standing on Jim's porch taking him off balance and off his feet. Olu feels pain erupt in his right leg and tries to crawl into the woods when he hears footsteps crushing the snow. He turns around and views Jim walking towards him. He tries to crawl faster, leaving a blood trail on the ground. Jim reaches him easily and raises his left leg pressing his foot down on the boy's right thigh. Pain floods Olu's mind and he cries begging Jim to stop.
"That's what you get for running stupid kid". Jim raises up the butt of his gun and knocks Olumide unconscious. He puts his hand into the bloody snow before raising it to his lips, tasting the blood.
"Delicious".
Next morning.
Jim's Cellar.
Light comes into focus for Olumide Olushola as he opens his eyes. He could hear chains rattle as he moved.
"Where am I?
A throbbing pain on the right side of his head and right thigh fully waking him up.
"Mom! dad!" Olu screamed as he remembered what had happened. He looked around him and in front of him was a metal door. He looked to be in a square room with some boxes around. The room lit by a single light bulb. His right hand is chained to the wall by a long rusty chain. A bit of blood on the floor and on his jeans and sweater. His blanket beside him.
'I have to get out of here!". Panic floods his mind and Olu starts pulling on the rust covered chain. It rattled but held firmly, the pain from moving hitting him and calming him down. He moved his left hand to his forehead feeling the swelling on it He looked down and saw the crossbow bolt still in his leg.
"How long have I been here" Olu says looking around the room. 'I need to find a way out'. Olu looks at his injured thigh, checking it to make sure it isn't infected just as him mom taught him.
"Wound still looks fresh, Can't have been here too long".
'Now to find my way out and get help'. He looks around him once more and this time notices a box glowing with silver energy.
"What is that?" Olu says. He crawls towards the box on the other end of the room and opens it. Inside he sees a few black bottles filled with liquid.
"What's this?". He opens the bottle and a strong smell of alcohol enters his nose making him turn away repulsively. Then it hit him.
"I could use this, but what was that silver thing surrounding the box before". He takes a bottle and looks around the room again. Immediately he notices the blanket looks to be covered in a similar silver energy to the box before. He crawls back to his previous position with the bottle of alcohol and sits down. Immediately the crossbow bolt still in his leg lit up with wisps of silver light.
'What is going on'. Olu looks intensely at the bolt.
"Well it doesn't matter, no need to tell me twice" he says. He reaches for his blood soaked jeans and pulls the sticky clothing away from the wound.
"Ouch!" It stings but he bears through it. Once the clothing is raised enough he works his index and middle finger of both hands into the hole in his jeans. This takes bout a minute as the hole is originally too small but expands as he works on it. Once he does that he pulls the material apart, although his strength isn't much to actually rip the jeans, he does manage to get the hole wider. He gets a good view of the bolt in his leg.
"This was hard enough" Olu says with grit teeth. He tried his best but still hit his wound and bolt a few times. 'How will I cut the blanket into strips, I don't have the strength to-' Olu pauses as he sees a faint silver glow on the wall. He grabs the blanket and crawls over to the glow.
"A nail!" He says ecstatic. He pierces the blanket and carefully pulls cutting the blanket into long rectangular strips. Once he's done he crawls back to his first position and bottle of alcohol. He looks at the bolt and once again silver wisps of light surround it. He picks up the bottle of alcohol. He grimaces as he is about to place the alcohol on the wound but stops before a drop is poured. He looks at the bottle and takes four quick gulps of the drink and swallows quickly. He retches afterwards as the alcohol stings his throat and a bit of warmth from his stomach spreads through his body.
'Well that helped with the cold, let's hope it helps with the pain". He immediately douses the bolt and wound in alcohol.
"Aaaaarrrrrrrr!" He screamed as the alcohol burns and heats up the area. He grits his teeth reaching for the bolt and pulls it out in a straight practiced motion so as not to tear through more flesh than necessary. He drops the bloody bolt onto the floor beside him.
'Seems like helping out at the hospital during summer for the past few years has really paid off'. Everyone there helped him out in learning first aid since he always wanted be a doctor.
"Saving lives is cool" Olumide says with a nod while pouring some alcohol on some of the blanket strips and using them to clean and bandage the wound tight. Once he was done he felt a little itchiness from the area and moved to scratch it but stopped himself. The pain lowered a bit when the itchiness started.
"That's weird" Olumide says. 'Can't mind it now, my parents need me'.
'Now to free myself from these chains'. The bolt on the floor immediately showed signs of the silver energy again and Olu grabbed it with his right hand.
'Guess this will be useful, but what for'. The lock around his right hand springs to life with silver energy. Olu uses his other hand to turn the lock and the keyhole has a light that keeps going from high to low in intensity. The bolt then starts to copy the keyhole's actions. Olu studies the bolt. "It looks like it could fit, and I do have experience using other people's keys to open my locker back ho-".
'Home. Nigeria was home and probably for a long while america won't be a home to us'. He passes the bolt to his left hand and holds the bolt as natural as he did with his right. He then proceeds to put in the bolt and turn it left and right slowly while moving it in and out in a rhythm. The lock having not been maintained is weak and the lock mechanism falters after a few seconds, Olu drops both lock and bolt to caress his right hand.
"Now to get out of here". He shakily begins to stand up and manages to do so while favouring his left leg. He walks toward the metal door and tries to push it. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't budge.
"Well I guess that's not an option" Olumide turns around and looks at the room. 'Any other way out? Immediately he sees little balls of silver light appear and they formed a trail of stars twinkling in the cellar. Following the trail, it went up the wall and into a vent. After a few seconds the trail of light disappears
'Well I guess that's the way out, but how do I get up there'. Immediately the boxes in the room lit up with silver energy. Olumide grins like a madman.
'Maybe now I can beat dad in chess!'. He moves and starts pushing the heavy boxes together.
'I should probably check these for any thing important before stacking them'. I open the box in front of me.
"Hmmm dried apples... more dried fruit... Could this get any quicker?" Silver wisps of light appear round three boxes. 'I think I've figured this thing out. I just have to think about what I need to know and it'll assist me". I walk over to the first box that's lit.
"Hmmm, jars of honey". Olu opens one and lathers some on the swelling on his forehead. He then eats some of it to regain his energy. He closes the jar and moves to the next box. He opens it to find it filled with bottles. He picks one up and opens it bringing it to his nose.
"Apple cider Vinegar? This is useful". He walks back to the the remaining strips of clothing from the blanket and took the largest piece. He poured the apple cider all over it soaking the material and the smell of apple cider spread out into the air. He wrinkled his nose but he knows he'll have to bear with it. 'The smell of apple cider vinegar increases blood flow and helps with headaches and migraines. It also increases blood flow to the brain and keeps your brain sharp. It also smells pretty bad'.
He drops the bottle carefully and squeezes the material till it's damp. He then puts the cloth to close his nose breathing in the vinegar odour. He puts the cloth on a box.
'Gotta let it dry a bit more before taking it. Can't have too much of it on my face". He shuffles over to the last box and opens it and views a few old pots and pans.
"What am I to do with this?". I see a little white light under the pots and pans. "That must be it". I lift the pots and pans and pick up the item.
'A spatula? What am I supposed to do with this?'. He looks around and assuredly the vent glows white. He shrugs and places the spatula in his pocket.
"Hmm. Could I go farther with this thing? What's the best way to stack the boxes?" The wall immediately lit up and white wisps of light formed the outline of how the boxes should be stacked, with a proper placement and enough risk to get the height he needs.
"Okay, let's try another one. What is the best way out of here?". The starlight path came to life again as the boxes disappeared. The starlight went up and into the vents.
'I can also do this without speaking? Best arrangement for boxes!'. The starlight path disappears and the boxes appear once more. Olumide moves as he starts putting the boxes together. It was a hard and sweaty job, but after a few minutes the boxes are in place and the light vanishes.
"Could I say one word and hold the idea of what I want?". He looks at the boxes and vent. 'Right now I need that starlight path, so how about -'.
"- Guide!". He looks around, lo and behold there are no wisps of light.
"That's prolly wrong, is it cause I didn't hold an idea of where I want it to go?". He looks at the boxes and vent then holds unto the idea of finding his family.
'Guide!' And instantly the starlight path appeared. He takes the handkerchief smelling of apple cider vinegar and wraps it round his face. It should keep him energetic for a while. He follows the path and takes the right side of the stack of boxes to the top. He stands stably and looks into the vent. He tries to open it but it doesn't budge.
"Screwed shut".
'This is a problem. But I have a helping hand'. He focuses on the idea of opening the cover.
"Let's try Hint!". The bottom of the lid shines silver and Olu touches it, dragging his hand across it slowly till he feels a part of the lid is elevated. The lid is not completely sealed shut, cause a few pests have tried to break into the cellar overtime. He tries to put his finger in but they are too big and he could injure them if he forces them in. He then notices the weight in his pocket. He removes the spatula and assuredly the flat wooden spatula slides in after he works on forcing it in.
"Ha" Olu says with a smile. He starts to use the spatula as a lever and he makes his way to the two bottom corners where the screws are. He pops both of them free and has worked up quite a sweat. He raises up the vent lid and worms into the dusty space.
'Guide!'. The starlight path showed itself.
"It's easier now that I know how it works". He follows the starlight path in the dark ventilation shaft. He notices that the Starlight path doesn't brighten up the surroundings but only leading him on where to go.
'Hopefully, i won't bump into any animals in here'. He keeps going passing by a few vents here and there but keeping to his path. After bout 3 minutes he sees the Starlight path going into what looks to be an office.
'Now to get this open as quickly and quietly as possible. Hint!' Two silver footprints showed on the two bottom corners of the vent lid.
"Foot?" He looks behind him and sure enough his boots are covered in silver light. He hugs his body to himself and manages to turn around and get his feet facing the vent. He pulls back and kicks the bottom left corner, that end is no more sealed and the white foot print disappears. He then proceeds to kick the other corner as quickly as possible. The space increases and a third footprint appears. Olu doesn't hesitate and kicks the lid open.
'This is gonna hurt' he slides his way out and falls onto the stone floor making sure to try and favor his left leg.
'Still hurts!' He mentally agonizes over the pain. He suddenly feels something dangerous and ominous and turns to look in his left direction. The door was glowing dark red.
'That looks bad! What do I do?". Instantly the starlight path showed itself and it snaked across the room to underneath the main desk. He moves quickly and gets there just as the door opens.
"Damn this weather that won't let up". Olu hears the voice of a woman and puts his hand to his mouth so as not to make a sound. Someone sniffs the air.
"Do you smell that, Jim must be at it with the alcohol again" James says.
"Yeah, the damn idiot, this winter is gonna be ruined again" Martha replies. "We need more food".
"Well, at least we got food, that should last us a few days Martha" James says. Olu's eyes widen with shock at hearing his voice.
"A few days? With Jim around? Ha" Martha says. She walks to the desk and places some stuff on it.
"Oh no he didn't again" James asks.
"You know he gets, he was horny, played with her for while, after that it's hunger and he ripped her to shreds. I managed to catch him midway though, saved you a thigh and breast" Martha says while Jim gives a sigh.
"Fucking Asshole. What about the kid?".
"He's in the cellar, I sent Jim out to get some medicine for his leg and candies. You know how I like my meat".
"Yeah yeah super sweet" James says with a snicker and they both leave the room. Olu stays under the desk and as seconds tick by the sense of danger he had goes away.
'Well I guess it's safe now'. He crawls out and looks at what is on the table. He identifies the items as his parents wallets, their passports and other papers of Identification. There was also about a thousand dollars broken into various denominations in an envelope and a set of keys. What truly grabbed Olumide's attention though was the wedding rings and the fact that is mother's was glowing a blue color.
"Why is it glowing like that?". Plu reaches out his hand and touches the ring. Something that he's gonna regret very soon. The moment Olu touches the ring he feels like he is grabbed and sucked into the blue light. It gets all bright for a moment, but it begins to become darker and things come into focus. The setting seems more grey and the surroundings aren't as detailed as before.
"I'm outside?". He looks around him and sees a path in the snow with footsteps. He follows it into the house trying to go as quiet as possible. The path in the snow turns to a carpet that he keeps on following. It's like a compulsion to him. The path calls him and everything else is insignificant.
The carpet comes up to a room that's unlocked. He enters the room and sees his mom tied up in ropes in a bedroom. She is currently crying. He rushes to her.
"Hey mom it's me! I'm glad I found you!". She doesn't even acknowledge his presence. He want to try again but hears footsteps in the hallway. He rushes to the closet and enters, swiftly closing the door. The door to the room opens as Jim comes in. His footsteps echoing louder and giving this grim feeling.
"Seems we have some time to play with each other". Jim says. The smell of strong alcohol wafting off his body. He walks to Lola and raises her to her feet by the hair. She starts to beg.
"No, no, no, please please!".
"You know the best part of all this?, watching the faces of you aliens when you realize that you were better off staying in whatever fucked up place you came from". He threw her onto the bed and is about to jump on her when Olu rushes out.
"Mom!" He cries out!. He rushes towards Jim's frame and punches the man with all his strength. Surprisingly, Jim flies out of the room and is impaled on a tree outside.
"Whoa!" Olu says marveling at the dark purple energy fluctuating on his hands till he hears the sounds of footsteps. They sound similar to the last one except this time there was another door to Olu's right side. Two Jims walk into the room in the same manner as the previous one did.
"Seems we have some time to play with each other" they both say at the same time and walk towards my mom on the bed. Olu is scared but he balls up his fists in a bid to protect his mother. The purple energy now surrounds his fists once more. He punches at the one on the left first with his right hand. A force blast comes off his hands blasting Jim on the left back. He flies out the window behind him.
'I could get used to this'. The Jim on the right dashes towards him. Olumide tries to adjust in time but he has overstretched his body. Jim punches him on his shoulder and a crack of pain hits Olu. He stumbles back and hits the bedside.
Olumide struggles to stand up after that and Jim slowly walks to him.
"You know the best part of all this?, watching the faces of you aliens when you realize that you were better off staying in whatever fucked up place you came from". As Jim moves to kick him, he panics. He raises up his hands and blasts Jim back with a blast of purple. The house explodes and there are now two huge holes in the walls. Olu tries to stand up but his legs feel like jelly.
'I feel so tired after that, I controlled so much of that stuff. It's like I'm absorbing it from somewhere but I can't pull too much of it'. He looks around him and sees his mother still crying on the bed.
"Mom it's gonna b-". He stops when he hears four sets of footsteps. He turns and notices two new doors.
"The room got bigger". He gets into a stance that he learnt from karate class. The doors open and four Jim's step out.
"Seems we have some time to play with each other" the four chorus together. As the four Jim's move and Olu's hands light up with dark purple, a monster enters the room from the hole behind the four Jims. It's a dark blob that looks to be made up of many parts.
'What is this?!'. The four Jims turn to face the monster and rush to it but the monster releases tentacles and binds them and drags them into its black mass. The monster grows larger. The monster then begins to move towards Olumide. It releases tentacles once more. Some attach to the room and some slowly make their way towards him. Olu shakes in fear but stands his ground in front of the bed.
'This time I need more!' He begins to pull on the force inside him and his hands blaze with the purple energy. It slowly begins to make its way through his body lighting up his veins. His eyes light up, and the dark purple energy leaks from his eyes. He is about to blast the monster when the monster quickly stretches a tentacle and strikes Olu in the stomach. It then begins to absorb the energy from him.
"Wha- iz -urghhh" Olu feels dizzy as his transformation leaves him. The monster begins to grow larger. Olu looks at his body and notices that he appears to be fading bit by bit.
'Mom needs me' Olu thinks as he tries to gain the strength to move but can't. Everything turns white and he hears his mom's voice faintly.
"I love you".
The white bleeds away and focus returns. Olu is touching his mother's ring in the office. Suddenly he drops to his knees and blood drips from his nose. He has a huge headache and his face drops beads of sweat.
'What was that?... Where was I just now? Is any of that real?' He closes his eyes and ignores the headache. He tries to draw the purple energy from that place again. As soon as he starts his headache turns for the worse and he grabs his head with his hands. He struggles to breath for a few minutes and gets up.
"Guess I'll try that later". He feels his body for the injuries sustained in the fight with Jim and is shocked to feel that his shoulder feels good.
"Hmmm, weird". He stands up and looks at his mother's ring. All he sees is a ring that looks burnt in a fire. He picks it up.
"The blue light that surrounded the ring is gone". He takes the envelope with cash and puts the two rings inside it. He then folds the envelope and puts it in his pocket.
'I can't carry too much, I'll be too slow. Let's only take useful things. Hint!'. Daniel looks around him. A painting to his left is lit with light. He walks towards it.
'It seems I didn't spend a lot of time in that place, the sun coming in through the window looks the same'. He makes it to the painting but can't seem to reach it. He carries the wooden chair at the desk and places it under the painting. He climbs the chair and he can get a good look at the painting.
'Why is this painting so important anyway'. It's a black and white painting of a Caucasian family. The two parents were in it wearing a suit and a gown respectively. The children, three boys and a girl all looking proper in suits and a gown also. 'None of the boys look like Jim and James, is this even their house?'. He reaches for the painting and grabs it lifting it off the wall. Once he lifts it the light disappears and Olu's eyes look at the safe that has white wisps of light covering it.
'So not the painting, but what's behind it'. The safe has a combination lock though like in the movies. What's the password though. Hint!'. The number '3' on the lock lights up. Olu reaches and turns the knob quickly to 3. After the number 7 lights up. He quickly turns the knob to 7. After that it was 4 and 0 being the last numbers. The safe clicks open.
"Hmmm, the movie guys usually have that so hard. He opens the safe and inside it is some documents and a small bag with a belt. He notices some papers and opens them.
"No Jims, No James and no Martha on any of these". He puts them back in place.
'So what's important? Hint!'. The small bag lights up and Olumide pulls it out and it feels a bit heavy. He opens the bag and pulls out a pistol.
"A gun? This could be useful". He closes the bag which is actually a holster and attaches the belt to his waist.
'What else is there? Hint!' He sees a white light wrapping some kind of metal rod. He walks towards it and picks up the rod. It turns out to be a large Q-tech wrench. He looks around and there are no more white lights.
'What do I do with this? Hint!". He looks around him again and sees no white lights.
'Guess it's coming with me". He removes his belt from his jeans. They fit just right so they won't fall. He uses the belt to strap the rod to his back.
'Now to head to my parents. Guide!'. The starlight path shone once again. The twinkling path going out the window. Olu walks to the window and even though it's daytime can still see the path clearly outside. It goes into a barn. He opens the window, the cold filling the office.
'Is this really the best path. How do I get down from here? Hint!'. Light shines on a few of the stone bricks. They were just enough for him to get down and make a jump.
"My leg is so gonna hurt so ba-... my leg!" Olumide moved his right leg around a hit his thigh. He releases the bandages and sure enough the hole in his leg is gone with no scar to show for it.
"Feels good as new" Olumide says happily. 'Although humans don't heal that fast. What's going on? What am I? And how am I doing these things?". He climbs the window and puts his right leg on the first brick. He slowly extends his other leg down and it gets to its destination. He keeps this up doing it clearly till he gets to a ledge that demarcates the first storey and the ground floor. His two legs land safely on the ledge. He turns away from facing the house and Olu looks down and is a bit scared.
'Do I really have to jump? Hint!'. There is a silver light in the forming a little area in the snow.
'Guess that should be my landing spot'. He counts to three and jumps into the area of snow. The snow is cold but surprisingly helpful to his landing. He lands in a heap but doesn't break anything.
"Let's get to the barn". Olu stands up and drags himself in the snow into the barn. Once he enters he hears someone crying.
"Dad?". The path continues on and Olumide closes the barn door and walks inside. He sees his father tied to a pole in the middle of the barn. He runs towards him but slowly stops and sees his wretched state his dad is in.
'He has taken a beating'.
Fade looks at his son who has to see his father in such a state. Olu walks towards his father and the man looks ashamed.
'Being rescued by my own son... especially after I couldn't save Lola'. The man continues to cry knowing the horrible fate his wife suffered.
"Wait here dad let me find something to help with these ropes".
'Hint!'. Olu looks for the silver light and sees it in the corner. He runs towards the light. He finds a saw and grabs it, rushing back to his father. He begins to saw his father's ropes.
"Dad, is mom here too? Was she with you?". Fade looks at the ground as his son keeps sawing the ropes.
"Olumide, Ma-Mama is de-dead" he says with a shaky voice. For a moment Olu stops sawing the ropes, he then continues with more determination.
"That's a lie. I'll show you. Guide!". Olu commands while thinking of his mother's location. This time however there is no starlight path. 'No no no it can't be'. Olu says remembering the incident with the ring. He was about to breakdown into a mess but all that anger and pain bolstered his hatred for one man, and the need to kill him. Tears just fell down his eyes as he kept sawing his father's ropes till they came loose. The ropes drop and he rushes into his father's arms. They sit there in silence for a bit before Fade talks.
"We have to go." They get up and Olu separates from his father. He removes the loaded gun and gives it to his father. His father takes it gingerly. Although he has never used one before, it's a pretty good fear tactic.
'So Mom is dead, I'll return for these bastards, and no matter where they go I'll find them. Guide!'. The starlight path returns and goes through the barn's other exit. Him and his father make it there, but as they open the door, the original door Olu entered through opens. Olu and his dad immediately move outside and start running.
"This way!" Olu shouts and his dad follows him into the woods. Olu and his dad just feel like they could make it when Fade's leg enters a bear trap.
"Arghh!" Fade screams. Olu stops and turns, he takes a step ready to assist his father when voices reach them.
"They are this way!" Martha shouts. Fade looks at his son and shouts to him.
"Run!". With tears falling from his eyes Olu turns around and keeps following the path.
'I can't throw this away! Dad I love you!'. Ten seconds later three people come upon Fade.
"Martha and James keep going, I'm the slowest. I'll handle this guy". Jim walks slowly towards Fade and is shocked when Fade pulls a gun on him.
"Fuck you!" Fade shouts and shoots at Jim. He shoots six times and the gun clicks empty.
"Wh-" Fade didn't finish his sentence as Jim walks over to him and snaps his neck, his shirt now having four bullet holes. Martha and James immediately start running remembering their duties.
Ola is presently doing a marathon and is surprised that he isn't out of breath.
'In fact every few minutes I think I'm getting faster'. The path goes above a fallen tree branch and Olu dextrously uses his hands to help him leap over. Once he lands he keeps going.
"When did I get this healthy?".
He feels the danger sense he got in the office flare up and the guide bends its path round a tree. It was straight before but Olu follows the bend.
"THUNK!" is what he hears behind him and he hears someone swear.
"Fuck" Martha says and keeps up the chase. Olu can tell what it that hit the tree.
'Gotta keep moving!'. He follows the path and keeps gaining speed. He suddenly feels danger and sees the path change making a sudden jump to the left. He doesn't hesitate and dives in that direction. He feels a breeze behind him and turns around for a second. He sees James who just landed at his previous location from nowhere.
'How did he do that'. James is shocked for the moment and Martha passes him.
"Keep moving you idiot!" Martha shouts not bothering to turn around. James shrugs and starts running after Olu again.
'Did he get faster?'. James and Martha share the same thought as Olu starts to cover more ground.
'Fuck,I haven't eaten in a while, how is he going through this forest though, it's like he runs through forests for fun. He's an idiot anyway, going uphill, we can just take this leisurely and catch him when he sees he has nowhere to go'. James thinks to himself. He slows down so as not to exert too much energy and martha keeps pushing ahead.
She raises her crossbow and fires. James watches as the boy suddenly drops and rolls, the bolt flying above his head. James frowns but can't help poking fun at Martha.
"Best in Archery my ass" James says as he matches her speed.
"It's cause it's fucking daytime!" Martha shouts, very vexed.
"Even with the blood moon you'd miss" James says with a little laugh. "No need to move so quickly, the boy is heading in the direction of the cliff. When he gets there and sees no way out we will lie to him about letting him see his dad. He'll come with us then". Martha hears this and slows too.
"Tch the little bastard. Can't wait to feed him all those delicious candy". James snorts and both of them keep following Olu from farther distance. Olu however doesn't know this, and if it did he wouldn't care.
'Who the fuck are these people?! No it doesn't matter. I'll make them pay no matter what. I swear it!' Olu narrows his eyes and keeps running . He's slowly coming to a cli-.
"A cliff! No no no no". He reaches the cliff edge but shies away, his fear of heights not helping his confidence. He sees the path reach the cliff end and go off the cliff. 'Yeah, but that looks like death. How do I survive this? Hint!'. The path vanishes and silver light coalesces into a wrench in his left hand.
'The wrench! Have I been carrying it this whole time? Why is the weight less noticeable than before?'. He pulls the wrench from his back.
'What's next? Hint!'. He looks for any sign of the silver light around him and finds none.
'Could it be?'. He looks down into the abyss and can make out a silver light going across the abyss.
'Is that a line?'. He suddenly hears the sound of whistling and footsteps in the snow. Olu doesn't turn around to look at his hunters.
"Well kid this is where it all ends, let's go back, don't you want to see mommy and daddy?" James says with a smile. Martha has her crossbow on Olu.
Olu's breath hitches as he hears James mention his parents and resolve fills his heart. He takes the step and falls into the abyss.
"Shit!" James dashes forward but can't catch him. Olu falls into the white mist and isn't seen again. 'Fuck!, He's not even gonna die with a complete corpse. At least that would've been better, we could at least eaten him'. James looks over the cliff and sees nothing.
'He's gonna be in so much pieces'.
"Did you guys get him?" Jim's voice comes through and he appears. His body is covered in blood and pieces of flesh.
"Jim you didn't" Martha says. She starts to massage her temple while Jim just coughs embarrassedly.
"Oh fuck you Jim" James says. He storms off back towards the house.
"So I guess it's locals this year huh" Jim says with a grin and Martha looks at him mouth agape.
"fuck you Jim!" Martha shouts!. 'Why couldn't I become a normal fucking vampire!' At least then I could be in a coven instead of with this fucking dumbass. She walks off leaving Jim to follow behind her.
With Olu as he jumps off.
'Gotta time this right!'. He stretches the wrench in his left hand and it catches the line. Sadly this does nothing to the momentum he was falling with.
'Aargh!' Olu cries as his left shoulder makes a pop sound. Tears fill his eyes as he let's go of the wrench but manages to use his right hand to catch it in time. He then begins a quick and painful descent clutching onto the wrench for dear life.
Few minutes later, he slams into the snow on his left side, the dislocated shoulder popping back into place. He screams into the snow and can see lights in his vision from the pain. He lies there for a few minutes and gets up, the pain reduces as his shoulder starts to itch. He uses his right hand to hold his shoulder and begins a walk into the snowy wasteland.
"Gu-Guide". The starlight path shows itself and he follows it. He goes ten minutes before collapsing into the snow, devoid of strength. He tries to get up but his body gives nothing.
'I- I don't want to die' he thinks to himself as his eyes slowly close and he goes unconscious.
January 14th, 2002
9:17 am.
Unknown Location.
Olu wakes to the sun in his face, still in a daze from sleep. He is on a bed in what looks to be a sick bay. He's wearing a hospital gown and has an IV connected to his right hand. He raises up his left hand to block the light.
'Left hand?' Olu looks at his left hand for a moment, then all that happened the day before hits him and he begins to cry.
"Mom... Dad...". The sounds of him crying attracts attention. He hears a knock on the door and quickly wipes his tears. The wooden door opens and in comes a Latino man with dark hair. He has a charming smile on his face and looks well built. He's wearing a striped shirt and blue jeans.
He waves and comes over to Olu, his smile never leaving his bearded face.
"Hello there, My name is Bakuto'.
CHAPTER END.
Powers Displayed :
Regeneration
Psionic Energy Manipulation
Psychometry
Unknown
