Saturday - September 30, 2017
11:39 AM
With the current brushing against his wings, Kareem looks down on the city from the clouds.
"Do I tell her? No, I can't, she's gonna be talking about it nonstop. I can't tell anyone. But I can't keep making Dani cry."
He sighs.
"Moments like this make me feel like I should tell somebody so I can talk about this."
He lands on top of a building and pulls out his phone. He looks down at the street as he waits for the ringing to stop.
"What?"
He quickly turns his attention to his phone. "Hey, Dani. Where are you right now?"
"Why?"
"I need to talk to you."
"If it was that important you would've called me earlier."
Kareem sighs, pacing back and forth. "I wanted to talk to you in person. I know I messed up and lied, I'm sorry. But that's what I want to talk about. I need to tell you something important."
"What is it?"
"If you let me come talk to you in person I'll tell you."
Dani sighs. "...I'll send you my address." She says before quickly hanging up the phone.
Kareem looks at his phone waiting for the text to appear. As soon as he feels his phone vibrate he lunges off the building, zooming to Dani's house.
When he arrives at the block he carefully lands on the corner, before checking his phone. 11:47 AM.
"Freak maybe I should wait. Nah it'll make sense after I tell her."
He jogs his way to the front door and rings the doorbell. He sighs.
The door quickly opens and his eyes widen at the sight of Dani's dad.
"Hey...Mr. Ridley." He says with a nervous chuckle.
"Kareem." He steps through the door and closes it behind him.
He drops his head, bracing himself to be scolded for the past few times he's hurt Dani.
"You're actually here? How've you been man?"
Kareem slowly lifts his eyes toward Mr. Ridley. "Good..?"
"That's good. Oh my god man you're so tall! Wow I mean, I heard your name brought up a few times but I did not expect to see you here. What brings you by?"
(He's not mad at me?) "Oh yeah, I got back like two weeks ago. To be honest I... I just wanted to spend some more time with Dani. You know, ever since I got back I haven't had a lot of time with her."
"Weren't you guys together before we left?"
"Oh yeah... I guess it was just a long week." Kareem chuckles. "I just need to talk to her."
"Understood." Mr. Ridley calls Dani to the doorway.
Kareem watches as she steps right outside the doorway with a confused look on her face. He notices her dad looking out the window.
"How'd you get here so fast?"
"Azam gave me a ride."
"I thought he was busy with your little cousin."
Kareem freezes. "Oh..."
"What's your problem?" Dani scoffs before she turns around and Kareem grabs her hand.
"Wait. Can we walk and talk? Please?"
Dani sighs and walks back into her house.
Kareem drops his head and slowly turns around. He takes a few steps and then quickly turns around when he hears the door open once more.
"My dad said it's okay."
He nods and the two begin walking down the sidewalk.
"Uhh so...There's something I've been thinking about saying. I've been thinking about this all week."
"Mhmm."
"I'm really sorry for making you cry, Dani. Ever since that first time, I felt bad. And you weren't even mad at me. And then I f-worded up again—"
"Yeah, you did. And then you did the same thing two seconds ago when you lied again."
"I had to because your dad was in the window and you're the only person who can know about what I'm about to tell you"
"You're getting involved with drugs?"
"Yea... NO! What? Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Then what is it?" She chuckles in frustration. "Since there's a reason you keep lying. If you're just playing games with me, tell me. I'll leave you alone."
He freezes. "Oh my god." He drops his head backward. "I didn't think I'd be having this conversation with anyone this early."
"What are you talking about?"
"I..." He lets out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry. I can't."
Dani stops and Kareem slowly turns to face her. "Just as I thought. Wasting more of my time." She begins walking off.
Kareem rests his hands on his forehead, keeping his eyes on the clouds.
"But one thing...one thing I won't lie about is how I've been feeling. I've been so frustrated honestly, just been a lot. So much responsibility and adjusting to just coming home after my parents separated and now I'm back but they still aren't together. I've been clueless as to why for two and a half years and it's like, whenever I see everyone else with both of their parents around it just...it's just like freak man that hurts, you know?" He sighs and turns around.
Dani stares at Kareem in morose.
"I'm sorry, I can't tell you everything and you might still be mad but hopefully you kinda understand where I'm coming from. Sorry for saying the f-word." He slowly begins to walk with his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the ground. He looks up as Dani speaks.
"I'm sorry about that Kareem, but that's still not a reason for you to keep lying to me."
Kareem nods and walks off, keeping his eyes on the pavement.
Kareem silently follows his siblings. He sighs. (Should I just have told her? Nah. Maybe? No. If I keep doing this superhero thing then she'll be in danger if she knows. Especially if it's someone like me who has the same powers as Raven. I still need to come up with a name anyway. Super-Black? No, Tronic would definitely laugh at that.)
"Kareem!"
He snaps his head back to his siblings who are sitting on a bench. He turns to walk back, scratching his head. He goes to take a seat next to them, then the sound of sirens catches his attention. He feels his heart pounding in his chest and his hands start shaking.
He freezes. "Uh...I gotta go dookie." He turns to run.
"Sonny!"
His eyes widen as he turns to see his old friend, Xavier hastily stepping toward him, with treasure following.
"X?!"
"Wassup Son?" Xavier shouts back with his arms extended sideways.
Kareem paces towards him and the two embrace each other.
"I missed you, man."
"I missed you too bro!" Kareem calls, keeping his arms around Xavier.
"Aye bruh, that's a little too tight." He grunts.
Kareem quickly unwraps his arms around Xavier. "My bad, I've been in the gym...doing stuff lately."
Xavier Chuckles. "Nah, it's all good. When did you get back?"
"Like two weeks ago."
"You didn't tell anybody, man?"
Kareem shrugs. "You know I'm a little famous now people wanna see me left and right."
They both burst into laughter.
"Damn man. Yo, I didn't believe Treasure when she said you were gonna be with us."
Treasure laughs. "He was about to cry when I told him."
"No, I wasn't." Xavier says in a stern tone.
Treasure laughs watching as he goes over to greet Kareem's siblings. She then turns to Kareem, sending him a wide smile. "You remember that girl I wanted you to meet?"
Kareem slowly lifts his head. "Yeah..." he gives an annoyed look.
"We're going to pick her up next. Her name is Amber."
"Oh..." his shoulders drop. "Look I'm just not interested in anyone right now."
"Are you nervous? Don't be nervous you're good with girls."
"Where did you hear that?" He asks in a flat tone.
"Am I wrong?"
"I don't try enough to be 'good with girls' so."
"You'll be alright, KK." She says walking past him to greet the others.
"Oh my freaking gosh."
Kareem, Treasure & Xavier all make their way out of the mall.
"Sonny, this party is gonna be so packed!" Xavier exclaims. "Can we walk up? It's gonna be over by the time we get there."
"I think you just need to calm down sir." Treasure replies.
Kareem's attention is caught by the sound of sirens. (What the freak?) He pauses.
"Kareem, what's wrong?" Treasure asks.
"You guys hear that?"
"What?" Treasure and Xavier ask in unison.
"Uhh...nothing. But I think I forgot my wallet. Don't we have to pay to get in?"
"Don't worry my boyfriend already told them to make sure you get in for free."
"Oh..."
Kareem slowly follows as his friends walk up the steps to the doorway. Treasure looks at him with her face beaming.
"You ready?"
Kareem holds a blank stare. "Sure." He quickly replies in an emotionless tone.
Treasure rings the doorbell and shortly after the door opens. They instantly lock eyes. His sight quickly shifts to her oak brown curls, to her perfect white teeth, and then back to her almond eyes that nearly match her melanated skin.
"Kareem." He slightly tilts his head to the side as he extends his hand out.
The girl matches Kareem's gentle smile and shakes his hand. "Hi, I'm Amber." She keeps her eyes cast on his.
Her soft, acute tone makes his chest feel hollow. After she greets the others, they walk to the car. Kareem looks back to see Amber no further than a foot away from him.
He feels the sweat under his arms and on his back. As well as the soft trembling in his legs with every step he takes.
He walks in silence for what feels like an eternity.
He paces up to the side of Treasure. "Um.. I don't think she really likes me as much as you thought she would." He whispers.
"What makes you say that? Did you not see how she was looking at you?"
"We're not even talking."
"It's okay when the time for you two to talk happens it will happen. Just give it time." She smiles and Kareem slows his steps to get back to Amber's side.
After a few blocks, he notices Amber quickly walk up to Xavier.
"Do you think he likes me?" He hears keeping his eyes on the pavement.
"Yeah he does, trust me." Xavier replies.
"He doesn't really seem interested."
"He's like that. He doesn't really talk unless someone talks to him. It may be a little weird but you just gotta get to know him a little. Once he's comfortable with you, you're in there."
(It's not my fault I'm like that!) He thinks.
He looks up to see Amber back at his side with her mesmerizing smile.
"So do you go to these often?"
"Nah, it's my first time."
"Mine too. My parents are pretty strict." She chuckles. "After I introduced them to treasure it took them MONTHS to let me go out with her. They only let me this time because I said we were going to a church event."
Kareem lets out a soft laugh.
"Is this your first because your parents are strict too?"
"Nah, I actually just moved back from Chicago."
"Really? Why'd you move?"
"Uh...pops had some work stuff."
"Oh okay." She nods.
Kareem takes a soft exhale and slowly moves closer to her with every step. He feels his shoulder touch hers and turns his eyes toward her, seeing as she keeps hers on him. They both laugh, turning their heads in the opposite direction.
A lightness strikes Kareem's stomach as he feels Amber's arms wrap around his.
The four make it to the venue and Kareem looks in awe at the line wrapping around the corner of the block.
Treasure shrieks in excitement and embraces the boy at the door. She turns to Kareem.
"So this is my Brandon."
"Yeah, HER Brandon." Brandon laughs. "Wassup man?"
"Wassup?" Kareem nods, greeting him.
"You Azam's cousin right?"
"Yeah. How do you know Azam?"
"Played football with him. He's tough but this year y'all are getting blown out."
Kareem smiles. "I don't know man I heard he's good."
"You don't play?"
"Nah. Just not something I'm into."
Brandon nods. "Shit, you should. You're a unit."
"I wouldn't say a unit but..." he chuckles.
"After tonight if you're interested text me. We can get you into it. Treasure can send you my number."
Kareem nods.
"Aye but right now we're about to get lit."
Kareem follows the group through the doors. He looks around the giant room with dozens of people. He feels the booming of the music vibrating his eardrums.
"You guys have fun." Xavier says, grinning and walking off with a girl holding his hand.
Treasure and Brandon laugh. "That boy has no control." She says.
"Nah he has control just not of himself."
Kareem walks along the wall, checking his surroundings. He stops, seeing Amber talking to her friends. He locks eyes with a girl walking up to him with two drinks in her hands.
He sees her lips moving but can't make out what she saying. She lifts the drink for him to take. He opens and drinks it, feeling the weight of his shoulders fade.
The girl takes him to the middle of the crowd. She wraps her arms around his neck, putting her body on his. Kareem drops the empty can and stands watching her face get closer to his.
He looks up at Xavier who's in the corner kissing a girl. Then turns to Treasure and Brandon who are doing the same.
He looks around and finds Amber, who's leaning against the wall. He gets out of the girl's arms and stumbles his way to her. He locks eyes with her and extends his hand. He nods, signaling her to dance with him. She smiles, taking it and Kareem leads her to the middle of the crowd.
They both laugh as their bodies slowly move with each other, to the music. Kareem wraps his hands around Amber's waist and locks eyes with her. Their smiles fade as they pull each other in closer, close their eyes, and kiss. Suddenly, all sounds are muffled and the only thing he feels is Amber's soft lips pressing against his.
"Yeah, Sonny! That's my son!" He hears Xavier call out.
The two smile, keeping their lips together. After one last kiss, Amber slowly unwraps her arms.
"I'm sorry, I have to go now." She kisses him once more and Kareem stares as she walks towards the exit.
Shortly after, Kareem makes his way to the bathroom. As he washes his hands he looks at himself in the mirror and smiles, nodding his head.
The sound of screaming and sirens catches his attention once more. He runs out of the bathroom, coming to an abrupt stop when he sees Treasure.
"I saw you getting it on with Amber." She laughs. "Did you get her number?"
"I gotta go. I'll text you!" He dashes out of the building and into an alley. He jumps, quickly ascending, and notices a flaming building, forming a cloud of smoke.
He spreads his wings, zooming toward the orange light, feeling the current whistle in his ears. As he gets closer to the flaming building he feels his hands shake. He notices somebody out the window of one of the higher levels right before they jump out. (Sh—) He tries to boost himself by shooting purple energy out of his hands. Nothing comes out. (Freak!) he thinks.
Everything around him slows down as he speeds lower to the ground, desperately trying to catch up to the body. He strains, opening his arms and after what felt like forever, he catches it. He looks at the man whose tears are flowing from his eyes.
"Thank you." His voice quivers.
Kareem stares. "You're welcome." He nods.
He lays the man on a stretcher and hears the firefighters talking behind him. "Sixteen people inside. Ten are still alive!"
(Oh shoot!) He zooms into the building, breaking through the bricks. The pressure of the scorching air causes Kareem to quiver. He puts his hand over his face, trying not to breathe in the fumes.
He quickly goes in and out of the building, searching and taking the people to safety. He freezes at the sight of two bodies trapped under burning wood. A mother with one arm wrapped around her child, fully engulfed in flames. They lay still...silent.
He hears a faint cry for help and quickly ascends through the ceiling, to see a woman trapped under a steel beam. He dashes towards her, attempting to lift the beam. The heat of the metal causes him to quickly retract his arms.
(No one else is here to help. I have to do this. If I wanna be a hero I have to do this now.) He takes a deep breath and reaches under the beam once more. The heat causes his arms to shake. He grunts as he feels the heat on his hands. "Just like THE RAVEN!" His voice cracks as he calls. His grunts quickly turn into screams of agony as he lifts the beam upward. He throws the beam which hits another, causing the ceiling and floor to collapse, then quickly grabs the woman before zooming out of the building.
He looks at the body as he descends. "Holy f—" He whispers, setting the woman's body on a stretcher. He places his ear on her chest. Her heart is still beating.
He lets out a sigh of relief and ascends to the top of another building before closing his eyes and falling.
Daniel C. Forrest