Chapter 1
Nightmare Sequence
Darkness.
Darkness and dimming blood-red lights filled the endless misshapen hallways with a little Caucasian boy, no more than four years of age, running frantically in fear. The child has yellow-green eyes (more green than yellow) with a ring around the irises matching the colors of the dawning sun, dirty-blonde hair with a medium-short mane-ish haircut, and wearing a reddish orange t-shirt with a black outline of a roaring lion head, and white socks with no footwear. The boy ran fast as he could while hearing an unknown jumbled voice, like in that of a horror film, screaming about something in a frightened and warning tone. The child kept on running as tears began to fill up his eyes almost blinding him in which he tripped and fell onto the floor. The boy tried to get up and run again but he already knew he was caught. He turned around and responded with terror seeing a giant horrific eyeball staring down at him.
November 12, 1977
Cody Wilder woke up with a startled gasp, and slight sweat, as he found himself sitting in a passenger seat of a airplane between the window on his right and a slightly obese half-balding man next to him on his left. The tourist snored obnoxiously next to the teenager making him groan.
Cody is sixteen-years-old with a thick ruffled mullet (reaching only half past his neck) with side-swept bangs and two straight ruffled sidelocks, one each, on the sideburn areas (only reaching to his earlobe). He wears a cloudy-grey beanie hat, dusk-orange t-shirt, sandy-beige cargo shorts, and tennis shoes (black and white colored).
"Honey, are you alright?"
Cody's mother called from the seat behind as his father, sitting next to her, added "You okay there sport? Sounded like you had a nightmare?"
Cody's father, Tony, has dark brown hair styled in a regular haircut (along with a anchor styled beard) as he wore a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and dark brown leather boots. And Cody's mother, Jane, on the other hand has dark blonde hair styled in a hair-bun as she wore purple floral shirt, blue jeans, and black-to-grey tennis shoes.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it." Cody said while trying to reassure his parents. But to his annoyance they began to whisper quietly to each other except he can clearly hear them which made frown in annoyance.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea to go to Kenya!" Jane said, "It's already reminding him of the incident with Ariel—"
"I didn't have that 'nightmare'," Cody said defensively with annoyance, "I stopped having it since I turned eight. It was a completely different one all because of my "neighbor" crushing the life out of me!"
Then the tourist snored loud.
"Cody, we brought your meds—"
"Dad I don't need it! You and mom need to stop prescribing them when I clearly don't use them!"
"It's only just in case Cody," Tony advised, "and watch your tone!"
"Sorry."
What they're talking is what happened twelve years ago when Cody experienced his older sister's death which he calls the "Car Accident" even though she didn't die in a car crash. Because of that, Cody has been experiencing horrific PTSD-like nightmares for about four years in which he went to many therapy sessions and taking prescriptions in which he can have dreamless dreams.
Ariel was twenty-three years old when she died. She has a bachelor's degree in both zoology and anthropology while having special interests in lions (plus they're her favorite kind of animal). Two weeks prior to the "Car Accident", she returned home from her three month long trip in both Kenya and Tanzania. She basically raised both Cody and Kyle (his brother who is seven years older than him) since their parents were busy most of the day at their jobs; their mother worked as a librarian while their father worked for the FBI. After the "Car Accident" Cody's father stepped down from an Agent to an Instructor.
The only memento of his sister is a necklace that she gave to him which she received back in Africa. It's a small wooden pendant about the size of a fifty-cent/half-dollar with an engraving of a dawning sun with African animals walking besides it and a huge tree on the back while held by a leather cord necklace which he wore around his neck and kept underneath his shirt. He never once took it off after the "Car Accident" and is highly protective of it.
Also because of the "Car Accident", Cody's father immediately began training both Cody and Kyle in all forms of survival, stealth, and combat so he won't have to lose them too. Their mother stopped him from training their children six years later since there was no point; that almost lead them to a divorce, but they emotionally reconciled afterwards.
"You know we love you right honey?" Cody's mother replied.
"I know mom."
Cody hated that he lied to his parents about his nightmare. Plus he didn't want to to get them worried so their trip won't be ruined. They received their tickets from his childhood friend's parents back in a rural small developing town between Kenya and Tanzania. Cody has known Rosabel Smith, goes by "Rosa", ever since they were both babies. But ever since the "Car Accident" back in Manhattan (where he used to live) he and his family moved to Quantico, Virginia while she and her family moved to developing community between Kenya and Tanzania a few weeks later. The only form of communication with each other is through mail, and they never stopped writing to each other to this very day.
Rosa's parents (Steve and Terri) are zoologists, anthropologists, and educators to the tribal people of Africa (also Ariel's inspiration to take the same profession as them). They don't try to force them to into the current modern way of life but share some of their culture and in return the tribes share theirs. Rosa's parents also help poor African communities as well. She loves her parents' profession since she gets to be home-schooled while also learning about zoology, anthropology, and other interesting stuff in both Kenya and Tanzania.
Also because of their constant mailing between each other, Rosa learns about the friends that Cody has made and persuaded her parents to give out tickets to them and to their parents as well. Cody's friends and their parents are also on the plane as well. The only person that not with them is his older brother. Kyle missed his plane so he'll catch up with them in two days on the next one. Ever since Ariel's death, Kyle and their father slowly became distant to which they argue at some points. He recently returned home from Vietnam two years ago, despite his parents telling not go there in the first place, with his best friend Dan Cooper. Dan was originally from London but moved to the United States due to his parents' jobs a month after the "Car Accident". He became friends quickly with Kyle the moment they met and thus he acted like another brother to Cody (since he learned what happened to him and Ariel). Both Kyle and Dan were luckily not effected/scarred in their time in the Vietnam War (physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically) and currently have a gig in a rock band while living in San Diego, California.
Cody was glad that his friends Greg Neilson, Stan Johnson, and Fred Chikafuji came along who are also the same age as him. They first met when they were all five years old in Kindergarten and they believed that the "Car Accident" was an actual car accident. Cody didn't bother to tell them what actually happened fearing they might think of him differently... or worse! No longer be his friend. His friends parents' also believed that too since Cody begged his parents not to tell the truth in which they reluctantly complied.
Greg Neilson and his parents (Milo and Liz) are African-Americans. Greg wears a circular nerdy glasses, blue colored collared buttoned plaid shirt, dark blue v-neck sleeveless cotton sweater, dark grey Sunday Shorts, grey socks, and dark brown leather shoes. He also has a flattop hairstyle and dark brown eyes. His parents on the other hand wore like a fusion between the casual Sunday and business attire. Milo has a stubble haircut while Liz has the cliche secretary hairstyle.
Stan Johnson and his mother, Roxanne, are Caucasian. Stan wears a white collared buttoned shirt with a black colored Sunday/Business attire (the reason he wears this is get to attract the ladies) with a black tie and black businessman leather shoes. He also has dark-ish blonde (not golden) colored hair with a slightly messy short-cut hairstyle and blue eyes. His mother on the other hand looks like she never got out of her reporter attire while having a slightly messy but mostly feathered long hairstyle tied in a ponytail overall colored dark brownish mahogany.
Fred Chikafuji is half Chinese (from his mom, Mei) and half Japanese-American (from his father, Jack). Fred wears a red skater snapback hat (adorns the hat backwards), brown t-shirt, dark camo green shorts, white socks, and dark brown loafers. He also has black colored hair with a mop-top hairstyle and dark brown eyes. His mother, Mei, wears the stereotypical seventies mom clothing while his father, Jack, wore the stereotypical seventies dad clothing.
Besides, that nightmare is probably a one time thing. Also I don't remember much of the "Car Accident" anyways.
"As a precaution, just take one before going to bed tonight alright." Tony advised, "It's in your luggage."
Cody sighed and then replied "Sure."
Light temporarily blared Cody's eyesight as saw the source from the window. Dawn was rising as he finally got to see the ground before him.
"If I may have your attention please," The pilot spoke through the speaker in which everyone began to slowly wake up, "We are soon to be arriving at the Embakasi Airport. Please remain seated until further notice."
Cody then let out a long stretched yawn as then continued to stare out through the window at the African landscape.
Cody and everyone else arrived out to the exit of the Embakasi Airport as they waited for their ride. Cody and his friends over-packed much to their parents' annoyance. Cody brought his electric guitar (his fifteenth birthday gift from Kyle), Fred brought his bass electric guitar, Stan brought his drum set, and Greg brought his keytar. The reason why they brought their instruments is because Cody wrote to Rosa that they recently started a band like his brother... they practiced but they haven't performed for anyone yet and he insisted to play for the people she and her parents are helping out.
"Man it's hot out here." Stan complained.
"Then you shouldn't have wore a suit!" Roxanne said with annoyance, "I've been telling you this over and over again when we were packing back at home!"
"You know I can't wear without one! It's like removing my heritage or changing my nationality!"
"You're gonna sweat like a dog if you keep wearing it."
Stan shrugged. "Better look good than not."
His mother rolled her eyes.
"When is our driver going to pick us up?" Milo asked slightly impatiently as he looked at his watch.
"Should be here by now from Tony said earlier." Jack replied while not concerned like Milo.
Then right on on cue, a bus parked in front of them as the driver (a middle-aged African man dressed in a tourist guide like fashion) stepped out to greet them with big smile on his face.
"Welcome to Africa my friends!" The driver said with thick, but understandable, accent.
"You must be Simon." Tony greeted with a smile in return as they both shook hands.
"Yup." The driver said still smiling, "The Smiths have been excited to you, your family, and your friends."
"I can't blame them. It's been so long since we talked with them face to face." Jane said with hint of excitement.
"All right everyone, lets get our stuff inside the bus." Liz said with enthusiasm.
Everyone then started bringing their luggage in side as Simon began helping them out as he then noticed the instruments.
"I see that the youngsters brought their instruments."
"Indeed they did." Mei replied with mixed accent of both Chinese and English.
"When young Rosa told the children of town about it, they got really excited that they're going to hear actual American music."
"Huh, so it wasn't pointless for you boys to bring them after all." Roxanne said with a surprised tone, "It'll be interesting to see you boys actually play in front of an audience instead of practicing in the Chikafuji's garage for once.
"Just make sure that the music you're playing is appropriate." Mei added.
"Mom don't worry, we won't." Fred replied with reassurance.
"I'm a bit nervous to play though." Greg said.
"Don't be. You're amazing at the keytar." Cody said encouragingly as he patted Greg's back.
"Yeah, because it's the only thing close to the piano."
Greg had been taught to play the piano by his grandmother and is the only instrument he ever played until he started using the keytar.
"And besides this only to test out our music in front of people and receive feedback from it." Stan said, "And if you do screw up, don't worry about it. You won't see them again since we're only staying there for ten days."
Greg groaned nervously.
"Dude, you're not helping!" Cody said.
"What? I'm being honest!" Stan replied defensively, "This will be our first time performing in front of people."
Everyone's luggage was almost inside the bust as something caught Simon's eye.
"What's this?"
"Oh, that's my skateboard." Fred replied, "I don't go anywhere without it."
"I've heard of it before. It'll be interesting to see it in action."
"You're lucky that it arrived with the other luggage in one piece." Jack said, "Stuff like that can either get stolen or broken back in the terminal."
"Lucky for me." Fred said with a grin.
"Just giving you a heads up in other future travels."
Finally everyone's luggage was in the bus as they all boarded inside.
"Next stop, the settlement." Simon said as he started the engine.
"Does the town have a name?" Cody asked.
"Not yet." Simon replied, "The mayor was going to name it after the Smiths because how much they helped out their community, but they kindly declined and instead decided let you guys name it."
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled flabbergasting. The parents wore shocked expressions while the teenagers went from surprised to excited.
"That's a great honor and all, but don't you think that's a bit overwhelming." Milo asked still comprehending what he just heard.
"I got great name for the town." Stan said with excitement.
"We're not naming it 'Boneville' dude." Cody said with his eyes upward in annoyance.
The rest of the teenagers agreed as they snickered.
"Alright then, what do you suggest on naming it huh?"
"We'll all agree on what to do once we ." Tony said.
Simon then started driving the bus as they all departed from the Embakasi Airport and toward their destination.
Almost three hours have passed after they left the airport and everyone is doing their own thing to pass the time. Tony and Jane are talking to each other what to expect since reading the letters from Steve and Terri (which they too write to ever since they left), Roxxane is sleeping (slightly snoring), Both Mei and Jack reading the books they brought along (for Jack a fictional samurai adventure novel and Mei a fictional Chinese romance novel), and Liz doing her make up while Milo was doing his paperwork.
"Milo, you said you're going to leave your work back at home."
"Better safe than sorry Liz." Milo replied while focusing on writing the papers on his lap, "Corporate wants this done before Thanksgiving."
"You promised that you would spend time with Greg. He's been really looking forward to it."
"I'll get it done in the next two days." Milo promised without taking his eyes off of the papers. Greg was sitting behind them hearing the whole conversation. He sighed sadly knowing that's not going to happen... once again. He then got off his seat and sat with the rest of his friends in the back as they were already in a discussion.
"So what are you going to do when you meet your girl my man." Stan asked.
Cody blushed. "Rosa's not my girl, she's my friend!? And I don't know, It's been so long since I saw and talked to her in person. I guess we'll just catch up what we missed."
"If you not going to make a move on her-"
"DON'T YOU DARE!?" Cody said threateningly to Stan.
"Alright I won't, jeez! Besides it would be un-bro like of me to steal your girl anyways."
"FOR THE LAST TIME SHE'S NOT—"
"Come guys." Greg intervened, "This vacation is great opportunity to learn about new things and see wildlife unlike we have back in the states."
"You kinda sound like Rosa and her parents." Cody said with a grin, "Except you don't know anything about zoology and anthropology. I only know some zoology from both my sister and the info that Rosa keeps mailing me."
"I thought you weren't the nature type of guy?" Stan asked.
"I gonna try while I'm here."
Stan leaned toward to both Cody and Fred as he whispered "Bet ya ten bucks that he freaks out when an animal approaches him."
"I'm right here you know!"
"Besides Greg, you only have your smarts in science, math, chemistry, biology, and technology anyways." Fred said.
"And darn proud of it." Greg replied proudly as he adjusted his glasses.
"Nothing wrong there just letting you know." Fred added, "The rest of us are averagely smart compared to your genius. Which is not bad since you help us out with some difficulties with our homework and school projects."
"Hey, that's what friends are for."
"Plus you got your smarts when it comes to firearms and your skateboard tricks." Cody complimented.
"That's what you get when your dad owns a gun shop." Fred said with grin, "Skateboarding on the other hand I just learned by myself."
"Don't forget about your awesome kung-fu." Stan added.
Fred frowned. "Mom keeps teaching me that stuff since it's family tradition. I don't see much use of it in the modern day anyways, so what's the point of it?"
"I think it's still awesome!" Stan said.
"We're nearly there my friends!" Simon announced which got everyone's attention and waking Roxanne abruptly.
Cody opened the window beside him as the fresh African air entered the bus. He then peered through, he saw the town closing in.
"Sweetheart, please get back in here!" Jane called out.
"Sorry mom." Cody replied as he got his head back inside and closed the window.
After a few minutes the Simon stopped the bus as he announced "We're here."
Then everyone got out of the bus as they stared at the entrance of the settlement, seven yards, before them. It looked like a slightly modernized version of wild west town surrounded by grassy African plains as some gazelles roamed near.
"Hi everyone!"
The one who called out was none other than Steve Smith, followed by his wife Terri, as they wore their safari attire (and are both Caucasian). Steve has light brown hair styled in medium length curtained hairstyle while Terri has blondish brown hair styled in a short ponytail.
"Steve you old rascal!" Tony said happily as he hugged Steve, "How have you been."
"Great." Steve replied, "We've just finished building a daycare for the town's children just an hour ago."
"Oh Jane, it's been too long." Terri said as she gave her a hug.
"Yes it has Terri." Jane said as she hugged her back. After they finished their hug, Terri then glanced at Cody as she gasped happily.
"Cody is that you?"
"Hi Mrs. Smith." Cody said with a small smile. Then Terri surprised him with a hug as he reluctantly hugged back. After they finished their hug, Terri said "My, look how you've grown."
"He sure has." Steve said with grin as he gave Cody a hard pat on the back, "I barely recognized you kiddo."
Cody was happy that he got to see them again. They've been friends with his parents ever since they met in college. Technically they're also family to him as well.
Terri then glanced around and then said "Where's Kyle?"
"Missed the plane." Tony replied, "He's taking the next one and will be arriving in two days."
"Well that's good to hear." Steve said.
"Speaking of kids, where's Rosabel?" Jane asked.
Terri was about to reply until they all heard a voice of a teenage girl yelling "CODY!"
"Oh there she is." Terri said as she and Steve turned around.
Everyone then saw a tanned Caucasian teenage girl running towards them with a huge smile across her face as only Cody and his parents are the only ones that recognized her... well not at first.
Rosa wore a pink t-shirt splattered with dried stained paint of different other colors (making it somewhat rainbow-like), khaki-beige shorty-shorts (which originally appeared to be pants but parts of the leggings were torn off) with a tribal skirt (covering only her right hip along with the front and back of her right leg which reaches down only to her knee) with the colors of both Kenya and Tanzania, and strapped hiking sandals. She has green eyes and her hair is long, reaching to the middle of her back, with half of it being dreadlocks (some ranging from thin to thick while half of them have beads) tied in a ponytail with the addition of thick feathered sidelocks reaching past the front of her shoulders ending slight past her torso while overall colored brown with small-medium with a blend of different shades of golden-blonde with the addition of small hints of dawn-like colored strands in between.
Rosa jumped at Cody, startling him, as she hugged her childhood friend nearly toppling him over.
"It's great to see you again, after all these years!" Rosa said happily as she rubbed her cheek against his affectionately.
Cody couldn't help blush bright red while comprehending what's happening. Both Tony and Steve smiled at their kids' reunion while the mothers expression are like "Oh my God, that's so adorable!", both Milo and Jack raised their eyebrows, both Fred and Greg are like "WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING?!", and Stan smirked as his expression says "They're soooooo going to get together."
Cody then remembered that his sister taught them that lions greet each other by rubbing their heads against each other, bunting, in which he began to blush even more as he and Rosa used to do that when they were younger.
DON'T JUST STAND THERE LIKE AN IDIOT! Cody thought with panic, HUG HER BACK!
Cody then hugged her back as his blush went away as he replied "It's good to see you too Rosa."
After they finished hugging, Rosa began examining Cody head to toe with her eyes.
"Your hair's gotten longer."
Cody let out a friendly short laugh. "My hair?! Have you checked yours lately!"
"You like it?" Rosa said confidently as she flipped her ponytail to the front part of her shoulder, "Yesterday, my parents and I visited one of the Swahili tribes as the young children redone my hair. I'm thinking about keeping it like this."
Cody shook his head a happily.
"Man, I missed you Rosa."
"I missed you too." Rosa replied.
Then everyone began exchanged greetings with one another as Steve then asked "So, what have you decided to name our town?"
"We'll wait until Kyle gets here." Tony replied, "The honor you gave us is a little overwhelming."
"I figured as much." Steve said with guilty smile, "Alright everyone, we'll give you all the tour of the town."
"What about our luggage?" Milo asked.
"Don't worry Mr. Neilson," Simon spoke, "I drive the bus to where you all staying and have the townsfolk carrying in your luggage."
Milo was about to object until Steve said "The townsfolk here are like family, they won't steal anything I assure you."
Milo was unconvinced until he reluctantly agreed when his wife gave him a look.
"Alright, see you all later." Simon then entered the bus and turned on the ignition... but the engine wouldn't start.
"OH, YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"
"You alright there Simon?" Jack asked, "I know a few things about-"
"No need Mr. Chikafuji," Simon declined politely, "Just go on the tour with everyone else. If I don't get it fixed in five minutes, I'll have the townsfolk help me carry the luggage from here."
As Simon got out of the bus and opened the hood to the engine, Steve, Terri, and Rosa began leading everyone in the tour of their home town.
Author's Note
Cody Wilder's appearance is inspired by Zachary "Zach" Young from the film Ferngully (except his skin color is fair toned and has a somewhat pointy chin instead) but overall stylized in a Disney like style.
Rosabel "Rosa" Smith's appearance is inspired by Yoko Littner from the anime Gurren Lagan (except Rosa is Caucasian) but overall stylized in a Disney like style.
Stan Johnson's appearance is inspired by Barney Stinson from the TV series How I Met Your Mother but overall stylized in a Disney like style.
Greg Neilson's appearance is slightly inspired by Troy Barnes from the TV series Community but overall stylized in a Disney like style.
Fred Chikafuji's appearance is slightly inspired by Freddie Wong from YouTube but overall stylized in a Disney like style.