Friday - September 22, 2017
Kareem and Azam finally make it to the car. "Ab said we gotta hurry."
"Why are you always rushing to get somewhere?" Azam starts the car and quickly pulls off. "What are we hurrying for?"
"He said I'm going to go see my mom."
"Oh shit, really?"
"Yeah. It's weird, he didn't say anything about it this morning."
"Maybe he was going to before you decided to break the doorknob." Azam laughs.
"Oh my freak, that was an accident!" Kareem puts his hand over his face.
"Here you go with this freak shit again."
3:43 PM
The two make it home and open the door to see Kareem's dad standing behind the counter.
His dad clears his throat. "Ah, Kareem! Alhamdulillah, you made it. I already have everything packed and in the car." He grabs his keys off the counter and walks towards the door.
Kareem holds a confused expression. He then looks down as he feels a small hand grabs onto his own. He sees Asem holding his toothbrush in his hand.
"Can I go with you?"
Kareem chuckles. "Maybe another time, Asem."
"I never get to go anywhere."
Kareem smiles and sets his hand on Asem's head. "I promise I'll let you go with me one day, okay?."
Asem drops his head and slowly walks down the hallway.
Kareem shakes Azam's hand before turning to walk out to the car.
"Ibn, are you excited to see your mother and adoptive siblings again?"
"Yeah."
"That's good. I'm sorry it was all so sudden, ibn.
"It's ok. Sorry about the door."
"It's fine, it's all fixed now so."
Kareem nods then pulls out his phone and begins to scroll.
"How was school?"
"Good."
"Okay."
The two sit for what seems to be forever, during the rest of the unsettling quiet car ride. Driving through the somewhat familiar neighborhood, Kareem reminisces on his childhood.
His father doing the same.
Kamran thinks about when he was happy with his son's mother.
As he turns, he sees the house. He begins to sweat as he turns down the driveway. He clears his throat, trying to hold back tears. He parks the car.
"One moment son, I'll be back." He gets out of the car and jogs up the steps. He rings the doorbell and waits. He looks back at Kareem, who's watching him from the car. He then lifts his hand to ring the doorbell again, then freezes as the door opens.
He stares. "Natasha."
"Hello, Kamran. How've you been?"
"Good."
Natasha nods and Kamran keeps his eyes fixed on her smile.
"That's good to hear."
"Yes. How are you?"
"I'm okay. How is he?" She nods towards the car.
"He's growing." He chuckles. "Ever since Chicago, I've made sure to keep my promise."
"Yeah well it's been a week so I'd hope so. Wish that was the case before you left."
Kamran slowly casts his eyes downward.
"...I'm sorry. I just really wish you'd see where I was coming from then. And I know you wish the same thing."
"Yes, but I am no longer affiliated with those people. It is clear to them now. And Kareem knows nothing of it."
Natasha nods. "Okay. Then we'll talk."
"Yes." Kamran nods his head before walking back to his car.
Kareem watches as his dad opens the trunk to take his luggage out, then looks at his mom who's leaning in the doorway. He waves. She smiles and waves back.
He jumps out of the car and runs to hug his mother. They embrace each other and he feels her breathing slowly get heavier.
"Hey, baby." she says, her voice quivering.
"Hi, mama."
She looks at him, staring back up at her. "Those pretty green eyes of yours really make you look like your grandfather." She chuckles.
Kamran watches from the car before bringing Kareem's luggage up the stairs.
"Okay Kareem, I'll see you Sunday."
"Okay."
Kamran turns to walk down the stairs.
"Wait!" Kareem calls out, signaling his dad to come closer. He wraps both arms around each of his parents.
Natasha and Kamran look at each other and wrap their arms around their son.
After his dad leaves, Kareem brings his luggage into the house. He turns to see his adoptive siblings standing.
His face quickly lights up with joy as he goes to hug the three of them.
"Damn bro, your shoulders!" Apollo, the second oldest, says as he repeatedly squeezes Kareem's shoulder.
"Yeah." Kareem lets out a nervous chuckle.
"Obviously, he's strong." Adonis, the youngest, begins. "He knocked out Victor Balbuena!" He and his older sister, Taylor laugh hysterically.
Kareem's eyes widen. "How do you know about that?"
"Bro that dudes like the number one fighter in all of the GRINS, everybody knows."
"The what?"
"You got into a fight Kareem?" His mother asks.
He freezes. "I mean it wasn't really a fight fight."
"Did you start it?"
"No."
"Did you win?"
"I mean...yeah."
"Okay, then you get to choose what we have for dinner tonight. Boys bring your brother's bags to his room."
"You better not pick some nasty shit." Adonis says, grabbing Kareem's bag.
Kareem holds a slight smile as he looks around the living room. He drops his shoulders, taking in the feeling of relief. He then shifts his eyes to his sister.
"Have you seen any friends yet?" She asks.
"Uh, not many I've only seen one person I knew before...Dani."
"Oh, I remember, that's your girlfriend right?"
"NO!"
Taylor fails to contain her laughter. "What?"
"She likes me, I don't like her."
"Why not?"
"She's ANNOYING! When I left, she wouldn't stop texting and calling me. It's like everything she does just pisses me off."
"Don't be mean." She puts her arm around Kareem and walks him to the kitchen.
"Oh my god!" His mom exclaims, shifting his attention to her. "Have you talked to Treasure?"
"Uh, no actually, not since I left."
"What? Are you two not best friends anymore?"
"No, I mean we are, but I just haven't talked to anyone from here since then."
"Tomorrow, if you want, you could go say hi. She's not too far from here."
7:17 PM
After dinner, Adonis and Kareem go to take the trash out.
"Aye, what was that you said earlier? About the Grinch?"
"The GRINS?"
"Yeah, what is that?"
Adonis stops and looks at Kareem. "You don't know what GRINS is? You're A PART of it! Everyone wants to go to the GRINS. You don't even have to say what school, if someone asks where you go, you can just say 'GRINS' and you automatically have status."
"Can you just answer the question please?"
"GRINS is the five schools in the city, all connected in some way.
George Harvey, Royal Crown, Inglenook, Northern, and St. Clement's.
Basically, all the students that go to a GRINS school know and hear about each other. And YOU beat the most popular fighter in all of the GRINS in a fight."
"Hm. I did." Kareem pulls the trash bag out of the can and walks outside.
"Hell yeah. You have definitely been talked about. Shit, I heard people talking about it at school." Adonis says as he flips the top of the dumpster open.
Kareem thinks to himself for a second then picks up the bag to throw in the dumpster.
The two watch in awe as the garbage bag goes flying over buildings.
"What the fuck?" Adonis exclaims.
Kareem turns to look at him. "Yo..."
"What was that?"
"Bro I don't know, so much weird sh-stuff has been happening to me."
"Did you see how high that went?"
"Bro I—" he stops. He thinks about his body changing, the fight, and Dani's hand.
"The nosebleed."
"The nosebleed?"
"Yeah, it's what happened when I broke some girl's hand. It happened a bunch this week."
"When did it start?"
"Man, I just woke up one night with—" He pauses again. "The ghost-bird thing..."
"What are you talking about? What?"
"Oh my god. There's no way I have superpowers." He whispers. And turns to Adonis.
"Yo there's NO way I have SUPER STRENGTH!"
"I mean— Shit you actually might."
"I— uh, how— Holy freak!"
"Are you gonna tell anyone?"
"Why wouldn't I? The GRINS would go crazy wouldn't they?"
"You could be like a superhero with a secret identity."
Kareem's eyes widen. "Oh shins you're right!"
"Bro do something else!"
"Okay!" He looks at the dumpster and takes a deep breath. He puts his hands under and slowly lifts it above his head.
"OHH!!" The two yell in unison.
Kareem lowers the dumpster and laughs. "Yo this is wild bro I actually have super strength... I have super strength."
Saturday - September 23
Kareem wakes up and checks his phone. 6:11 AM.
"Why did I just wake up at six AM?"
After hours of laying in bed thinking to himself. He throws the cover off himself and stands up. he takes a second to look at his bed. He puts one hand under the frame and lifts it.
"Holy freak it's really real!" He chuckles. He smells breakfast being cooked in the kitchen and hastily makes his way there.
"Oh, good morning baby, I thought I'd have to wake you up."
Kareem watches as his mom pours chocolate chips into the pancake mix.
"Mornin' ma. You need help?"
"No I'm fine, thank you son, but Treasure's coming to have breakfast with us in a little over an hour, so do what you need to do to get ready."
"Dang, already?"
"Yep, she was really excited to see you."
Kareem feels the butterflies in his stomach "Oh..okay."
10:37 AM
After getting ready, Kareem and his siblings head to the living room to watch TV.
Kareem sits, thinking to himself. (What am I gonna say?) He looks at the clock, then at the translucent glass on the door. He feels his heart beating in his chest.
"You had any more nosebleeds?" Adonis asks.
"Nah." Kareem turns to his brother. "I think something serious has to happen." He says trying to keep his voice low.
"Mhmm..." Adonis thinks to himself.
The ringing of the doorbell makes Kareem's heart drop.
"Be right back!" He yells, running down the hall. He shuts his bedroom door and quickly locks it.
"Holy freak she's actually here!"
"Kareem!" His mom calls.
He takes a deep breath and then slowly opens his door. He steps out and sees her. He locks his eyes with hers. Shifts to her white smile, then back at her almond-colored eyes.
"Oh my god!" She softly exclaims. They embrace each other. "How've you been Kareem?"
He stares for a moment. "Yeah."
Treasure laughs. "What?"
"Oh wait what?"
She continues to laugh. "I asked how you've been."
"Oh I've been okay. Actually great. I missed you."
"I missed you too. So much has changed, your hair, and you're tall now. And strong." She says, squeezing his harm.
"Yeah, I've been in the gym." Kareem and Adonis grin at each other. He thinks to himself for a moment. (I can't believe I have super strength.)
"We have a lot to talk about." Treasure says as she takes her seat. She turns the chair next to her and looks at Kareem with a smile.
He smiles back and sits in the seat next to her.
12:01 PM
After breakfast, and some time of catching up and watching TV, Kareem turns to the superhero news channel.
"Today, we are celebrating the heroic life and mourning the tragic loss of Kristina Siete, professionally known as, the Raven."
Kareem watches as videos of a large group of people gathering at the site of Raven's funeral appear on the screen. He then sees multiple pictures of the hero herself, in her black and purple suit.
He feels goosebumps on his arm. Then a tingling in his head that quickly shoots down his spine.
"That's so sad, she looks so young." Treasure says.
"Yeah, I'll be right back." Kareem rushes to the bathroom.
"Did he eat something before breakfast?"
Everyone stands puzzled.
Kareem looks at himself in the mirror, leaning on the sink. Oddly familiar memories flash through his mind. Visions of multiple people, heroes, and even recollections of him fighting villains.
He drops his head, waiting for the feeling to fade. It shoots to his eyes.
"Ahh!" He exclaims, rubbing his eyes. He looks up at the mirror to see his eyes glowing, surging with purple energy.
"What the fr—... My eyes. This must be something new!"
The odd sensation fades and his eyes go back to normal.
"What the freak. What was that?" When he finally catches his breath, he slowly walks back out into the hall and makes his way to the living room.
"Those pancakes kinda got to me." He chuckles, rubbing his stomach.
3:49 PM
After some time, the five of them finally head out to look around the city. The group goes their separate ways, leaving Kareem with Treasure.
"Are you sure all you did was say the group was corny? It seems like a lot for something so small." Treasure laughs.
"I know! It was weird. A lot of stuff has been weird lately."
"A lot of stuff like what?"
"Uhh.. I mean just, ever since coming back nothing has been the same."
"I get that but you'll get used to it. That's all a part of moving, you have to make adjustments."
"Yeah."
"Also, I meant to tell you there are these parties every weekend my boyfriend throws th—"
"Boyfriend?" Kareem interrupts.
"Yeah. We've been together for about a good two years now."
"Dang, y'all are basically married!"
"You aren't?" Treasure laughs."No, but seriously, he throws parties and they are always so fun, you should come."
"Ahh. I'm not really an outside person I don't wanna kill the vibe or anything."
"Trust me you'd want to go. I'm going to be there, Xavier, Anthony. You remember them?"
"Yeah... My boys."
"Then you should go and see them. They'd want to see you. Do they even know you're back?"
"Uhh...they might, they might not. That's really their fault if they don't."
Treasure laughs and shakes her head. "And look, I also have someone I'd want you to meet. I think you'd really like her."
"Who?"
"You'll find out when you come."
Kareem drops his head backward and lets out a heavy sigh. "...Fine..."
"And don't get into any fights." She smirks at Kareem.
He stands confused.
"I saw your little video."
"Ah. Yeah.." He looks down scratching the back of his head.
Treasure bursts out laughing.
"Wait." Kareem pauses. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Kareem walks to the end of the block and the sound of many screams catches his attention. He stands trying to figure out what's going on as people flee in his direction.
He turns to see Treasure running the other way.
Kareem then turns back, standing in awe at the man on top of the building wearing a metal exoskeleton. His arms surging with static and electricity.
"Kareem!"
He turns to see Adonis.
"Come on!"
Kareem looks up at the scene, then turns back to Adonis.
"I have to help."
Adonis nods with a smile before fleeing.
Kareem's startled by an explosion nearby.
"Why would I do that? What am I gonna help with?" He watches the man shoot a giant blast of lightning out of his palms.
"WHAT THE FU— Yeah say goodbye."
The man turns his attention towards Kareem, who's the only one near the scene.
(Is he looking at me?) He thinks. "Freak."
He watches the man jump off the building, quickly descending. He reaches the ground and speeds toward Kareem.
"Oh sh—" Kareem quickly turns the corner.
"Where are you going?" He hears the man laughing from behind. "COME BACK!"
Kareem continues to run. Doing so, he notices he makes it to one block, then quickly another, and the next, taking no more than three steps to do so.
"Damn, slow down!"
"No, leave me alone!" He looks back, watching as the man gets farther away. He laughs hysterically, realizing how fast he's going. He runs faster until the man is out of sight.
He comes to a complete stop when he reaches his mother's house. He then sees his siblings and Treasure all out of breath.
"Hey, are you guys okay?"
"Yeah." The siblings all respond in unison.
"I'm sorry I left you, Kareem, I thought you were behind me."
He smiles, struggling to hold in his laugh. "It's okay. We're all good now."
"Yeah, but we can't tell mom. She'll never let us go out again until she thinks it's time for us all to move out." Adonis says, still struggling to catch his breath.
The siblings all go inside and Kareem and Treasure wait on her mom to come pick her up.
"It was good seeing you today." Kareem says, leaning on the railing.
Treasure chuckles. "It was good seeing you too. Scary, but good." She smiles at Kareem. "I hope to see you again next weekend."
"Yeah. Super excited"
They both laugh.
"How are you really feeling though?"
"Umm.. good?" Kareem stands confused.
"Since the move. And your parents splitting up."
"Ahh. Yeah I mean, I don't know. It's been like this for three years but it's still something I'm not used to and I still don't even know the reason why."
"I don't think it's something anyone can get used to."
"You know it's weird when we left he said that mom just wanted to stay in Canada and we'd be back. And now we're back and here WE are having this conversation right now."
Treasure looks at up Kareem with sorrowful eyes.
"But it's whatever."
"It shouldn't be whatever."
"There's nothing I can do."
The honking of a car horn catches their attention. Treasure's mom waves at the two.
"We'll talk later, okay? I'll send you the info for the party if you still want to go."
The two embrace each other and Kareem watches as Treasure gets in the car, and drives off.
11:41 PM
Kareem lays in his bed, thinking about everything that's been happening. Exhausted by his thoughts, he closes his eyes. Soon after, he feels more memories flash through his mind but this time they're still. It's one.
(The Savior Seven... all looking at me?)
He watches as the vision quickly turns to Raven's wings cutting through the wind as she soars through the air.
He opens his eyes. He slowly gets up and makes his way from his room to the balcony.
He looks at the sky, then at his body as he holds a purple, glowing aura.
"Holy sugar honey iced TEA!" He yells before immediately looking back to make sure no one heard him.
He feels goosebumps on his arms, then his back from which a black flame-like aura emits.
Kareem stares watching it swarms his body and taking the form of wings.
He looks at his vague reflection in the window, shocked to see a an onyx colored suit with violet accents, highlighting his eyes, fingers, and Raven logo on his chest.
"Woahhh...The Raven. This is so dope!" He softly exclaims.
He looks up at the sky once more and jumps. He takes in the wind hitting his face and the howling of the wind in his ears. The feeling of excitement and fear mix in Kareem's chest. Just as he gains a sense of control, he struggles as a strong current pushes his body from the opposite direction. Sending him tumbling, higher in the air. Everything's spinning. He propels himself upward and then comes to a complete stop.
He looks down at the city lights.
"How the freak am I supposed to get back home from here?"
Arabic Translations
Alhamdulillah - Phrase similar to "thank god"
Daniel C. Forrest