2019
Thirteen year old Numberias sighed heavily as she restlessly waited in the hospital room. Even though she had been given false hope five times before, she still had hope that this stranger would be the one to save her life.
The door to the room opened, and Dr. Nitia entered, his face drawn with disappointment.
"Well…?" Numberias knew what he was going to say, but she still prayed that this would be the one.
"It's a negative," the doctor sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes. "It's not a compatible match; I'm so sorry, my dear, really, I am. But there's someone else…"
Numberias' vision swam with tears and she huffed, storming from the room and making her way outside. On her way out, she almost ran into a tall, well built man.
"My apologizes; I was not looking where I was walking," he said with a smile. The charming twinkle in his eyes disappeared as Numberias began crying. "What is wrong?"
"I am dying," she sniffled, allowing him to lead her over to a chair in the waiting room. "From Lupis. I need a new liver, and so far, there are no compatible matches for me in the system."
"What of your parents?" was the stranger's next question.
"I never knew my dad, and mom was killed by poachers three years ago," Numberias did her best no to hiccup, but failed. "All that I know about my dad is that he's from Wakanda."
"Maybe I can help," the stranger offered. "I am from Wakanda, too. What is his name?" he leaned forward, placing his elbows onto his knees.
Numberias took a nervous breath of air in through her nose as she licked her lips.
"T' Chaka," she answered at last, never breaking eye contact. "My Father's name is T' Chaka."