Chapter 14
"Wake up!" my father yelled into our room as the sun tickled the edge of the morning horizon.
“10 more minutes.” We screamed in unison.
“Okay, he said but make sure you are out of here on time, and your mother is making breakfast.” He said.
“Why did you just say that from the beginning instead of coming in here like we are in boot camp?” I said to him.
“It’s a thin line Zohar.” He said.
“You smell that, waffles, bacon. Wait a minute mom is making bacon? Nyema asked as the pull of the pork dragged us to the kitchen.
“Yes, today is important especially because of Zohar’s dream last night. We need the food to weigh your spirit down a little bit because he is vibrating right now and I can feel him which will sure set off any scanners. But this along with the music will be sure to level you all out but know this is not how your diet will be here. So, enjoy your filthy swine.” He said.
“Well when you put it that way I don’t mind if I do.” Bill said chomping right into the bacon.
“Thanks Zo, have crazy dreams more often and we may not have to eat like rabbits.” Nyema said.
“Any time.” I responded
As I began to get ready for my first day of school in Phoenix, I was nervous. This was not like back home. It had been about a few weeks since we left home and the adjustment back to school was not going to be that difficult. But that dream had me rattled, the tree, the soldiers, all of it seemed a mixture of fear and freedom all in one. What was my subconscious trying to tell me?
My parents’ revelation about the tree definitely struck a chord within me, then with the addition of the drone strikes, yesterday was slightly traumatic to say the least. But there is a silver lining in it all because we have a way out. It is up to us four to put in the effort and work after our school studies as we embark on this journey through this tree which has given our parents such ability to keep us alive where we may be the only hope left.
“You all ready to go, we only got a short walk to the school.” Bilal asked excitingly.
“I need some normality; all this seems like something off a TV or movie. I need a lunch room, homeroom, and any other room in a school where it is not as serious as it is here. I do not even know what sport season they are in to try out for, it is so warm. Do they play baseball and soccer year around?” he continued.
“We would move faster if you stopped running your mouth about all that you are going to do, let’s get out of here.” Nyema interjected.
“I do not see why being normal is so special for you, if you have not learned anything how we are, what we are, and what our universal duty is has kept us alive up until this point.” she said.
“Okay, we can leave because you are not making any sense right now; being who we are is why we are in the predicament.” Bilal yelled.
“Everyone is under the thumb of the elite. We are lucky to conscious of it all, and I would rather know and be a threat than be dumb and blind to what is going on out here. Bilal you need to get it together before we head out, your need to be normal can get us killed.” Nyema rebutted.
“They at it again Zo?” Skylar said as she poked her head into our room.
“You know how they are, best friends and worst enemies.” I replied
“Well let’s get out of here; we cannot be late our first day.” Skylar said
She was right, all the bickering stopped and we all put our iPods in with our music to bring our energy signatures down as we made our way to school. Nyema and Skylar were in the same class where Bilal and I had to fend for ourselves in our new environment. As we separated for the day I felt butterflies as I walked around the building because it looked just like my dream. But that was impossible because I was never here before; I remembered our parents’ discussion with us about new abilities coming to the forefront now that we were in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. So, I just attributed it to that whether right or wrong, all I knew is that this experience was new but familiar. Still, there was a sense of comfort because at the end of the day I knew I had complete control of the environment.
As I walked into the classroom, I had a certain confidence the glowed which caught the attention of everyone in the room.
“Who is the hotshot?” I heard whispered amongst the students in the class.
“Students meet your new classmate Zohar, he just moved to the area and he will be with moving forward.
As I took my seat in the class, I felt all the students looking at me. But I was happy to be starting fresh in a new place. As I opened up my book I was able to keep up with ease because my parents had always made sure that I was ahead in my studies. With three children all within three grades of each other they stressed the need for academic achievement for scholarships to allow us to go to the college of our choosing. This seemed far out of reach given our current situation but business as usual was our mantra and I carried on.
During lunch I saw Bilal, Nyema, and Skylar eating at the lunch table and I grabbed my food sat with them.
“So how is your day going?” I asked everyone.
“Well, it was okay I guess, basketball season is almost over. But I can still try out for baseball in a few weeks.” Bilal said surprisingly. It was like he was some sort of robot hardwired to be only an athlete although he was brilliant as well, he did not like to show that side of too much to others but wondered why every one of his friends was always shocked to find out he was an honors student.
“I hate starting a new school, I feel like all the guys are watching me.” Nyema said.
“It is because we are always the cutest in the school.” Skylar responded.
“Can’t lie about that.” Nyema said. They shared a laugh and a high five as they continued to deep dive in their own beauty. Bilal and I could not help but to roll our eyes because these two had to be the most conceited girls in the school and we had only been here a few hours.
And then without notice two girls from my class came over to our table. Nyema and Skylar greeted them with a smile and hello. Bilal and I were a little less cool about the situation.
“Hey, Zohar right? My name is Shekinah and this is my friend Binah. Welcome to Carter G. Woodson High School if nobody has officially welcomed you yet. You mind if we sit with you all.” she asked.
“Of course not have a seat.” I replied.
Bilal elbowed me in my side.
“This is my brother Bilal.” I said honoring his request.
Shekinah and Binah were absolutely beautiful. I noticed them in class but wanting to get my bearings first I kept my distance. But I understood Bilal’s need for an introduction; I would have been the same way. Hey in the midst of the worst situations we were still teenage boys.
“So are you two brothers?” Shekinah said as she began her questioning in an attempt to get to know us.
“What gave it away, the fact that they look almost identical?” Nyema said.
“Don’t mind her, that’s my little sister Nyema and the other one might as well be our sister since we have known each other as long as we took our first steps.” I said hoping not to lose the chance for Bilal and me to make acquaintances with these beautiful young ladies.
“No worries, I have a brother too and I am worse than that.” Shekinah elegantly replied.
“I like her Skylar said, she has a backbone.
“So where are you all from?” Binah asked.
“We are from our nation’s capitol, the land of democracy and freedom.” Nyema responded.
“We just recently got into town; our parents had us relocate from Washington DC because my father got a new job here. Beautiful place, it is completely different to where we come from but we love it out here. “I said.
“But enough about us, tell me a little about you.” Bilal said cutting me off.
“We have lived here forever; it gets kind of boring from time to time honestly. I cannot believe you all are excited about being her
e and you are from DC. What I would not give for some real city life.” Shekinah said.
“But with all the terrorist out there causing all these problems with the government, it is probably best to be in a place like Phoenix.” Binah said.
“My thoughts exactly!” Bilal said giving me a look that almost had me burst out into laughter.
Ring, Ring!
“Well, that is the bell we have to go back to class you want to walk with us Zohar.” Shekinah asked.
“Of course, Bilal why don’t you come with us being that your class is right down the hall.” I said.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Bilal responded.
“Nyema and Skylar, we will meet outside once school is over and head home.” I instructed.
“Boys”, they both said simultaneously.
“Your sisters seem really cool, crazy but definitely cool.” Binah said.
“Yes to both observations.” Bilal said.
“So how is it that two ladies such as yourselves do not have the boys in line here trying to talk to you?” I asked.
There are so dull here, they have no soul to them they all just seem like robots.” Shekina informed us.
“Yeah, you all are a breath of fresh air.” Binah said.
“Well that is good to hear, how about we get your phone numbers so we can talk some time? I asked.
“Zohar I see you’re getting too comfortable, we haven’t got our phones here.” Bilal said to me without speaking it was a look that he gave me where I was able to feel everything that he was trying to convey.
Nevertheless, they passed us there numbers as we made our way back into class for to get through the rest of the day.
As the final bell rang, I was just happy to make it out of the day without any incident outside of the normal. As I met up with the crew we discussed our day and the work that we had to do for the night. I was really interested in what El Ra Sun had planned for Skylar.