Chapter 1
May 08, 2023
Roots HQ Building- Presidents Office
10:22 AM
There's a tuneful knock on the door. It's been sixteen years since Huey last heard that knock. He straightens his posture behind the large mahogany desk bearing a few picture frames and a small stack of paper. "Come in."
As the door opens, Huey begins considering covering the distance from his desk to the door to save his visitor the trip. Besides, this was far from a formal meeting.
"Huey!" shouts Neil gleefully. He walks in with a huge grin upon his brown face. Huey pushes out of his seat and goes to greet him. Neil hastens in his step, as he seems to be more anxious to fill the gap in between them. Huey extends a firm knife hand, but Neil ignores the handshake completely and wraps his arms around him. The first response Huey has is to slip from his grasp, but Neil's embrace only tightens.
When Neil finally uncoils his arms from around him he then grabs his cousin's arms to push him back just enough to get a good look at his face. The irate look in those large olive brown eyes only encourages Neil to smile larger. "You just refuse to let go of the fro, huh?"
"Yea," Huey gives him a polite tap on his arm. Neil takes the hint and allows him to get some space. "You haven't changed much in appearance as well."
The thirty four year old didn't seem to age much since 2007; yet, something seems so different about this man standing in front of him now. His black hair is still cut low, and his eyes still give off the effect as if he is in a daze. It's something about the smile on his face that stands out to Huey. Is he really that happy to see him?
"Now," Neil begins. "I don't want to make assumptions, because it would be so easy to do just staring at you with your fly fit on," he flaps his arms as if he is a bird. "And the fact that I had to take an elevator to the top floor of YOUR building." Neil points at Huey to emphasize that the building is indeed his. "So, update me on life, cuz."
Huey stands with his left hand in his pocket. "Decided I wanted to give running a business a try. I attended Northwestern University, got my degree and realized that I had a passion for business after all. Had a few friends in high places; got a patent on a good idea and it turned out to be successful." he shrugs it off. "Luck of the draw, I guess."
He holds his casual stance, confidently awaiting another question. Yet, three seconds too many passes by. Neil still doesn't open his mouth; instead, he stares at him as if he had just been shortchanged five dollars. The look makes Huey feel like he just told a not too funny joke. He folds his arms in an attempt to block out that feeling. "Yep, that's about it. What about you?"
Huey could honestly care less about his cousin's life at the moment, but he didn't too much like the attention on himself either. However, the grey t-shirt and the cargo shorts he wears really nag at his curiosity. What has he been up to?
The warmth in Neil's face returns. "Let's see, well, I'm currently a part of Refined Hearts Ministries. I get my preach on from time to time," he says with spunk. "But I really just try to make myself available to…"
"So you are religious now?" Huey blurts out.
Neil furrows his thick brows as he ponders on his next words. "Far from it…"
"So what do you call it?"
Neil gives him an even stare before answering. "A relationship filled with love."
"Great." Huey tosses his hands up. "Now you are about to try and convince me about some wonderful relationship with this spiritual father."
"So you can shake your head at me?" Neil chuckles. "Maybe some other day."
"Spare your breath. In reality, this subject is nothingness."
"And how do you know this?"
"Enough." Huey places his hand back in his pocket. "It's more important matters I have to deal with before I can even take consideration of this fantasy you have gotten yourself involved in."
Neil chuckles again, causing him to become slightly annoyed. "Fantasy or not, I do know this. My life is complete now." He smiles.
***
Huey's Apartment
6:33 PM
An orange glow pours into the din of Huey's apartment through the sliding doors leading to the balcony. Huey can feel a warm buzz on his face from the rays of the sun- due to the fact that his table sits a few feet away from the sliding doors. He glides the cursor carelessly over the stocks displayed on his laptop screen, as most of his attention is directed to his phone.
"So Neil is a 'Holy Roller' now?" says Caesar. "This doesn't surprise me at all."
The comment causes Huey to sit up in his chair and lean on the table. The stocks are now long forgotten. "Why is that?"
"For starters, it was always a fine line he couldn't cross when…"
"Can we not discuss that right now?"
"I warned you. I just knew he didn't have it…"
Huey drops a heavy fist down on the table, rattling the laptop. "Caesar, I said don't want to discuss that!"
There's a small silence on the other end of the phone. "Sorry." Another moment of silence. "But have you also taken into consideration that he already had a religious background?"
Huey stands up and walks to his dining room. The space between his entertainment system and dining room table seem to be a suitable place for him to pace. "That brings me to the other thing that I can't seem to fathom. He refused to be recognized as religious."
"What does he call it then?"
He stops pacing and places his hand on the back of his neck. "A relationship filled with love."
Caesar grows silent again. Huey take it that he's thinking. "Haven't we heard this record before?"
"Yea, and that's not it. He also says his life is 'complete'."
There's another pause on the other end. "No way! You think…"
"Let's not."
"Fine, but tell me this. Are you going to take up on that offer for lunch, because if not…"
"Talk to you later."
***
May 9, 2023
Big Mama's Coffee Shop
11:30 AM
Big Mama's Coffee Shop has always been a busy place every since Joy Robinson opened it up forty-four years ago. Today was no different. As two people exits, four more enters. The small diner is filled with constant chatter and waitress bustling all over the place while trying to stay out of each other's way. Despite the liveliness generating inside, the booth Huey shares with Neil is dead silent. The only words spoken were the exchange of greetings and the placing of orders. The next sounds were the small clanks that come with the plates being placed on the tabletop.
After taking a few bites out of his toast and a sip of water, Neil finally decides to break the silence. "Remember Mercedes that use to work here?"
Huey cuts his pursuit to his fried egg short. "How could I forget her?"
Neil cracks a smile. "Boy, could she sing! Where is she at now?"
Huey smirks. "New York. Don't be shocked if you see her on Basketball Wives."
Neil eyes widen as his jaw drops. "You kidding me, right?"
"The name Terry Jones sounds familiar to you?"
Neil slaps his hand on the table. "Didn't we go to middle school with that dude?"
"That's him alright." Huey sits back and place his arm on the table.
Without realizing it the cousins branches off to a stroll down memory lane. The discussion went all the way to when Neil first moved in with Huey, his brother, and grandfather when they both were just in the fifth grade; to front row seats at an N.E.R.D. concert; and to everyone always piling up in Huey's first car. Together they shared the reminiscence of many more experiences not paying attention at all to the two hours that passes by.
Neil takes another sip of his water after laughing. "Ah man, good times I tell you. So," He takes a noticeable pause before continuing. "How is the revolution coming along?"
The grin on Huey's face melts into a frown. "I gave up on it."
Neil appears stunned. "Oh really? Wow, and you were so set on it." He clasps his hands together and places it on the table top.
"As you surely know, people tend to change over time."
"Can't argue with that, but do you mind telling me why you quit?"
"I lost interest and like I mentioned before I discovered a new passion."
Neil begins to stroke his chin as he takes in what was said. "Huey, now you know a story is going to be needed in order for me to believe you gave up on the revolution to run a hair product company. That don't even sound like you at all."
Huey clenches his jaw. Why is he so unyielding on this subject? "The revolution was hopeless. The end. Next topic."
Neil nods his head in an understanding fashion. "Gotcha." Silence slowly begins to work its way back between the two. Huey takes quick notice to it, and decides to spring back with a big question of his own.
"Maybe you could go over with me about this relationship you have established with God." He speaks in a bold tone.
"Well," Neil stretches out his arms. "As you may know, I've always believed in God."
"So what's so different about you now than back then?"
"I actually know God now."
Huey finds himself a tad baffled off that statement. "But I can recall you praying on many occasions."
"How many people do you have to talk to due to you running a business?" Neil spurs off.
Huey is hesitant to answer as he tries to figure out the reasoning behind the question. "I would say many."
Neil nods his head. "Right, now how many of them actually know you for who you truly are?"
Huey could feel a slight wave of irritation attack him. "Few, but what point are you making?"
"Just because you talk to someone doesn't mean you know them."
Huey's understanding begins to subdue the irate feeling. "Valid point, but tell me this. How did you come to know God?"
A smile returns to Neil's face. "A good friend of mine kept weighing down on me to come to church with him."
"And let me guess, you recited the sinner's prayer afterwards?" Huey scoffs.
"No," His tone begins to sound slightly defensive. "But I did get a taste of something I have never experienced."
"Which is?"
"Freedom."
***
?
Jacob Nickerson slowly opens his eyes to encounter even more darkness. He could feel the tight bind of cords cutting into his wrist and they were even tighter around his ankles.
"Wake up." The sound of the deep, muffled voice stirs up fear inside his heart, but it's the solid object slamming into his knee that really gains his attention. As he begins yelling, the bag over his head is yanked off. After calming down some, he realizes that he is in the spotlight. His head becomes a swivel as he takes notice to the masked figures watching him from the darkness that surrounds his tiny circle of light. When he stops, he feels his heart leap as his eyes fall on a black, metallic-like mask now standing directly in front of him. Goose bumps begin to grow on his skin as he stares into the visor of the mask knowing that the masked menace is peering back at him with cruel intentions.
"You failed me." It's the same voice from before.
Jacob could feel the perspiration sliding down his now cherry colored face. "Please, don't do this. I… I-I can explain…" He stammers.
"Save your breath. You have spoken enough already."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Seek."
A figure wearing a teal mask emerges from the darkness carrying a laptop. He places it on Jacob's lap and slowly opens it. Jacob's eyes widen as he sees his face headlining the CNN website. The black masked man motions with his hand and places it behind his back. Another masked figure departs from darkness carrying a bat. Without warning, he slams it into the already bruised knee of Jacob. He screeches much louder than the last.
"I did not ask a lot of you." He motions with his hand again and two more blows are delivered to the same knee. The captured man is now in tears from the excruciating pain. "And not only did you fail me," He finally walks into the light; black cape swaying gently over the dust-covered floor. Seek moves to the side and allows him to occupy the space in front of Jacob. With a gloved hand, he navigates his way on the laptop to a video link. "You also mocked me." He clicks play and allows his guest the viewing pleasure of himself.
"Am I afraid of Phantom Underground, you ask? Of course not!"
Seek stands to his right performing a poor imitation of the next phrase, obviously mocking his high pitched voice. "I will not bargain with the likes of no good terrorist!" Seek shakes his head. "You weren't saying that last week, boss."
The black masked man closes the laptop and hands it to Seek. "My point exactly."
"Those demands you want me to make are imposturous!" Jacob yells in his defense.
"Yet, you somehow managed to get a three thousand dollar increase in your salary." He responds in a cold tone.
"You have no idea…"
"What he's talking about?" Seek cuts in. "Come on, Jake! You know us better than that. We are all up in your business, because we got connections on top of connections. Oh, and you might want to check your calendar. You and Rachael's anniversary is coming up pretty soon."
The black masked man withdraws a printed paper from behind his back. "Here is a signed document showing your hidden agreement." He places it in his lap. "What's done in the dark shall come out in the light." To his surprise, Jacob begins to chuckle. The masked man cocks his head and looks at Seek. Seek only shrugs. "What do you find so funny?"
"I would have never thought that the notorious Melanin was religious."
Even if Jacob was on untied, he would not have been able to dodge the lighting-quick fist colliding into his jaw, which sends him tumbling over. "Sit him back up!" Melanin speaks sharply. Two masked figures shuffle from the dark and pick him back up. Jacob stares at the striker in a daze. "If you live pass this meeting I swear if I ever hear those words spoken from your fat head again I will personally slit your tongue myself." Anger surges throughout him as he jolts forward and wraps his hand around his throat. "This is your only warning."
He snatches his hand back and walks off abruptly with his cape swishing behind him. Seek shakes his head once more at the captured man. "He gets another chance, boys. So give him some motivation to do the right thing and let him go." Seek begins to follow after Melanin, ignoring the cry of Jacob as multiple masked figures surround him.