Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 11: Lost in my head

They walked into class together and drew attention from the room. She looked at his face and walked away from him to a single empty seat. A broad grin spread across his face and he sat several rows behind her. Nzinga still insisted on being her own person, but her resolve weakened and his smile revealed that he knew he was dulling her edges.

"Quizzes going around . When you're done, return and you're dismissed to work on your projects. No class tomorrow. Next milestone due Thursday."

Before the quiz made it across the classroom , Dru was done. He returned his paper and walked out the classroom. Nzinga finished her quiz after 20 minutes but well before most students in the class. She walked out and saw Dru standing there. "I thought you left" she gripped her bag handle as she spoke.

The rest of her day was slow. She could hardly focus on the lectures, and the chatter of her classmates seemed irrelevant to life's real choices. Nzinga always felt too old and maybe even too worn for her peers. Nzinga pretended not to hear the mutterings about her being too bossy or controlling. But in many ways, it was what had saved those around her. 

"I did, you took forever. I just got back"

"Yeah, OK. Well I have other work. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow to start working on the milestone?" she muttered as she quickly walked past him to the other buildings leaving him there. 

***

Nzinga got home around 4 that late afternoon. Loud music was blaring when she walked through the door. "Hi Nzinga!" A chorus of pixies and Kitt sung out.

"Hi guys," she responded - the happy crew didn't bother to stop what they were doing and continued with their jokes and drinks. It was jovial and warm. 

Still, Nzinga needed quiet. She needed a moment to get out of her head.

"I'm hitting the bed early tonight and I'll be at yoga in the morning. " Nzinga grab some sliced watermelon and a glass of cranberry juice before heading to her room. The pixies had cleaned evidence of the night before - the signs of Badru's increasing comfort in her space were replaced with fresh linen and neatly folded laundry.  White candles lined the windows and the room smelled only of her. Nzinga  removed her clothes took a quick shower jumped in bed and turned on music as she pulled out her planner to go over her to do list for the forum Saturday. Once she was comfortable with the logistics she pulled out a book and read until she fell asleep.

***

Nzinga's alarm startled her awake. She got up, brushed her teeth , put on yoga clothes and headed out. She reached yoga class and saw a new but familiar face. Nzinga recalled it was Amina from Dave's grocery store. Even so, she felt some deeper connection that she couldn't quite place.  When the class finished, Nzinga walked quickly out the door and sped back to her apartment. Halfway there, she felt an ominous feeling, her skin prickled with gooseflesh and the air felt more chilled than the morning air should have provided. 

Nzing turned and saw nothing . When she turned back around Amina was there a smirk on her face and a finger to her lips. 

"SHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Amina grabbed Nzinga, covered her mouth and pulled her into the alley.

Nzinga pushed and kick, but she was no match. She bit at Amina's hand and drew blood - it had not seemed to affect Amina at all. Amina whispered in her ear, "shut up unless you want to die."

***

Back at the apartment Kitt shot up, her face flushed with heat and heart racing. "Sarala, Mabi, Calida! Something's wrong! " She screamed. Mabi landed on Kitt's shoulder and spoke to her sternly, " Calm your being.  Can you dial Badru?" She pulled her phone from the charger and called Badru. The phone rang less than once "Where is she?" he growled into the phone.

"Nzinga left before I woke up. Doesn't she have Yoga in the morning?"

"Can you appear alongside her?" Dru questioned sounding like a command.

"We need some physical type of connection. She usually calls me and I could use the phone call as a conduit. I can't find her! " 

Badru's voice was all animal and instinct. "I'll trace her steps from yoga. Do not leave the apartment."