13.

"Hello, my dearest, my son, my firstborn. I have missed you greatly and I am delighted that you are back. Speak to me,"Mom expresses warmly. I have been lingering on my phone in my room, which bears a resemblance to a haunted house with spider webs, broken toys, and dust on my TV and game consoles. I had locked my door from the inside and have not heard from Darth in hours, which is quite peculiar.

"Ola!!!"Wow, I adore my name. My mother knows exactly how to melt my heart. I rise and unlock the door to welcome her in.

"Find something suitable to wear, meet me downstairs, let's discuss 2014."

"No, 2013."

"Yes, I meant 2013. Don't be upset, my darling,"Mom remarks, looking as radiant as ever. It's hard to believe she's my mother; she appears too youthful with a flat but slightly rugged stomach. I sometimes ponder what her stomach looked like when she was younger.

I nod, rummage through the room to find appropriate and clean attire, shower, refresh my appearance, then leisurely walk downstairs in my new attire.

"Hey man, have you seen my brother?"Star in her British accent asks me like I'm a stranger.

"Yes, I saw him flee from the witch,"I whisper. She smiles, comes closer to give me an incredible hug, and exudes a pleasant fragrance in her usual crop top and shorts.

"Let's go, you don't want to keep the Witch waiting,"she whispers as she links her arm with mine, and we stroll into the vast living room. Mom is seated on the sofa in her customary manner, legs crossed and resting carefully on top of each other, her heels gleaming as if she is possibly heading to an appointment later, even though we know she isn't going anywhere.

She places her phone, an iPhone 7, black in color, on the wide transparent glass table across the living room. It's almost indistinguishable from an iPhone 6, and I have no idea why she acquired it. Star and I sit adjacent to her as she mutes the ongoing television show.

"Ola, Ola, Ola, how many times did I call you?"She asks, setting down her wine glass on the glass table.

"Three times, mom. I apologize for my reaction yesterday,"I add.

"That's why you went without food all day, right?"She remarks, and I gaze into Star's eyes. "You snuck him food last night, didn't you?"she says to Star.

"I can't help it, mom, he's my brother,"Star says, gripping my right arm tightly.

"So, Ola, what brings you here?"

"Mom, where was I in 2013?"

"Only your father can tell you."

"Why?"

"You were involved in an accident, you were unresponsive but breathing, a coma, as he calls it. He took you to the United States for medical attention, and upon your return, you left for school. After the exams, you chose to stay away from me following one of our minor quarrels,"she says nonchalantly.

"I was taken out of Nigeria?"

"Yes, you are a U.S. citizen by birth, and it wasn't the first time. You almost died and he would take you to the United States for medical check-ups."

"How many times? Mom!"My tone carries a hint of frustration as I feel like my life has been a joke, and my mother has been oblivious.

"About four times, but the most recent was on December 25, 2012. You didn't return until mid-January 2014. Your father claimed your health was deteriorating, and I cried endlessly, fearing I was going to lose you,"she says, the terror she experienced back then evident in her eyes.

"What happened, Hybrid?"Star inquires.

"What's going on, Ola?"My mom translates.

"Nothing,"I reply with a smile. "Where's Dad?"I ask.

"He left for the States a week ago for some medical advice,"she says, picking up her wine glass.

"How have you been, Olami?"She asks after taking a sip of wine.

Truth be told, she got me with that name. "Mom, I'm not well,"I confess with my head bowed.

"Come on, what's the matter?"

"What's wrong, Ola?"Mom translates once again.

"I'm fine, I miss home,"I fib, the first of its kind, irritatingly so. I'm sure Star can tell I'm lying, but she says nothing because I'm known for my honesty. Mom picks up the remote, unmuting the TV.

"How's my crush?"Star inquires, referring to Darth. I know she has a soft spot for him, especially his name. "He's probably gone or in a bad state somewhere,"I say as I head back to my room.

"Loner!"Star calls out to me.

"Well, I am indeed a certified loner,"I reply, checking my phone but receiving no text from Darth. He might be in trouble, I contemplate.

I return to my room, lock myself in, and dial the only international number I know. It rings, and he answers.

"Hello, Dad,"I say in a deep baritone.

"Hello, I heard you're back,"a deeper voice responds.

"We need to talk."

"If they've come for you, it means they're close. Run!"he instructs.

"What?"

"You heard me. You're smarter, faster, stronger, as you used to say when you were a child. You're God. Run!"

"They're already after me; we have to put an end to this now!"I hear him say, not to me, but to someone or something else.

"I'll explain everything when I return, Hybrid,"he says. I can sense fear in his voice.

"You won't be going back,"I hear from the other end of the line, someone speaking to him.

"Ola!!! Tell your mother to check Annex A in my chamber. You are my legacy. I love you,"he says, his voice trembling, followed by a loud gunshot.

"Dad! Dad!! Dad!!!"I shout, as Mom and Star rush upstairs and urgently knock on my door.