19 Hakim's Life

Vanessa, Hakim, and Jeff stood on the road, not far from the wooden platform leading underground.

"Well, this is it" sighed Hakim as he stepped towards the burning platform.

"What's going on here," asked Jeff.

Hakim who was now in the grass had swallowed his pride and revealed to Jeff what he had done to his brother in the past.

In shock, Jeff asked when this happened. Hakim answered that it was before he met Andres and Logan. The answer was simple in Jeff's eyes. Hakim was still a child at the time. And while he's still young, he has grown into a better person.

Hakim thought hard and asked, "Yeah, but what do I do"?

Jeff rose his voice frantically, "Whatever you want bro. This is your life to live man. Just do what makes you happy. To be honest, you shouldn't need anybody to tell you. Like that's just something me and Dani live with every day. We do wrong all the time. And sure we have a conscience. But like our parents, what more could we have done to save them"?

Vanessa called out "Hakim, my fear wasn't about clones. It was about me turning into something that I'm not. This fear of yours, I doubt it has to do with your brother. It's you. I think you are not being true to yourself".

Hakim began to stare at the house and cry with the thought of potentially seeing his brother again. He walked back and forth throughout the grass while Jeff was convincing him to let it all out.

"You know what," he said in a stern voice, "I have to be honest. The only reason I ever started playing this game was because of my brother. It's fun. But I am sorry Jeff, I don't exactly care about becoming a pro player. So I will have to just pass on this challenge and think things over at home".

Jeff began nodding, "Hey man, we play this game for two reasons. One, it's fun. And two, it's because we're a family. If this isn't what you want to do with your life, that's fine. I won't even tell anybody else until you're ready".

Hakim wiped his tears saying, "Thanks man" as he walked off the grass to give Jeff and Vanessa a hug. As Hakim was faced away from the burning platform, the fire went out.

Hakim removed himself from the hug and turned towards the platform. Right from the darkness, only two feet away from the trio, a figure emerged. Hakim recognized the figure instantly as his brother.

The tall muscular bronze-skinned man placed his hand on Hakim's shoulder. Hakim's bawled as he finally saw his brother after years standing before him. The man smiled and said, "Keep it up" and faded away. A click was heard from the mailbox by the road.

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Back at the recreation center, Vanessa, Jeff, and Hakim stood in front of the Oaka system where they placed their respective boxes

Their boxes were well received and O'aka spoke "congratulations Vanessa. You have received your reward of an anime feature role and 5,000 player points".

Vanessa grew ecstatic and began clapping her hands. A loud belch came from behind the trio with Logan and Iku standing behind them.

"Logan! that's gross!" said Iku pushing on Logan's shoulder.

"Congrats on the anime feature," said Logan as Vanessa gave him a hug.

The Oaka system had continued. "Congratulations Hakim. You will receive the reward for a $5,000 scholarship as well as an anime feature".

"Wow," said Hakim in a Seldom voice.

Iku and Logan were both experienced players to know Hakim wasn't wanting to continue playing the game anymore. But were nonetheless happy for him.

Iku noted, "We heard you guys fought Pattie. She tough".

"She was strong," laughed Vanessa. "Where's Andres"?

Iku answered, "He went home with Jaivva".

"She isn't even a she," said Logan to Iku's disgust. "That's a man with boobies. Kiki is also a boy but hides it well".

"Don't listen to Logan. He's being ignorant," said Iku.

Logan added, "We used to call Kiki D'artagnan".

"I remember that," laughed Hakim.

"Y'all are just mean and ignorant," yelled Iku while smacking her hands together. "Anyways, Pattie is strong like Carter and you guys managed to beat her. That was cool".

"It hurts so bad," said Jeff realizing his sister was missing. "Where's Dani?" he asked.