Drowning in a Ocean of Dreams

Time to go

I put my car in park and shut it off. I grabbed my bag and put my dog on his leash and started on my way to Riri's dorm room. When I got there, the door was shut but I could see the light was on. I knocked on the door and heard Riri shout to come in. I walked in to find her packing a bag.

"Why are you packing? Where are you going? Are you going on the run? What happened with that woman? I need answers, Riri!"

"Look, I don't have tons of time to ex— why do you have a packed bag? And Otis?"

I paused and looked to the side and back to her. Her face went from confusion to realization.

"Your dad kicked you out, didn't he? Asshole!"

"Yeah, he did.......but seeing as your packing, I figure now I can go with you wherever you're going! Speaking of which, I need you to tell me what's going on!"

She took a deep breath and began to tell me all about what happened 6 months prior. How she was being hunted by the U.S and was brought to Wakanda for protection. She told me how she and the princess were friends now. I couldn't believe it.

"So.....that's where you were."

"Yeah. I wanted to tell you then but o was sworn to secrecy. I wasn't even allowed to tell my mom!"

"Well, why are they blowing up your phone then? Are you being hunted again?"

"No but.......other people are."

"What do you mean?"

"A.....neighboring tribe of Wakanda is being hunted for. The U.S sent some equipment to look for the tribe and they want me to learn who's mainly looking for this tribe."

"I don't understand why the U.S would be interested in Wakanda! They have done nothing to make us go after them......have they?"

"That's why I'm going! Because they need the help and I want to help."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Riri got up to answer it. When she opened the door, there was the Princess of Wakanda, Shuri.

"Are you ready to go, Riri?"

"Uhhhh....almost."

Riri was blocking the princess's line of sight to me. But that didn't seem to help as the princess tilted her head and we made eye contact.

"Who is this?" She asked nicely.

"This is Alora. She is my best friend."

The princess walked in and held out her hand for me to shake.

"Nice to meet you Alora. I'm Shuri."

"Trust me, I know who you are." I said as I shook her hand with a small smile on my face.

"Riri, does she know where you were 6 months ago?"

"Whaaaat? You were gone 6 months ago?!? This is news to me!" I said not very convincingly.

"So she knows."

"Well, not about all of it." Riri said cautiously.

"All of it? You mean there's more?!?"

"Yes. Much more. But since you now know about most of it, I'm afraid you'll have to come with us."

"Come with you? To Wakanda? Oh, no. No, no, no. You don't want me there. I'm not technical or smart or anything. And even though I know things, I promise not to tell."

"I'm not fearful of you telling anyone. But you do know. Which means that maybe you can help us. Any help right now would be useful."

I looked at her with confusion. Didn't she hear me? I said I'm not smart. What could I realistically do to help?

"We must go now. I will have someone come in and grab your stuff. And that little dog I see in the corner." Shuri smiled at Otis as he lifted his head to look at her. She then turned to leave.

"Riri, how can I help? I'm not experienced in anything besides dry cleaning! Oh god! I have work tomorrow! Shit!"

"I'm sure that shuri can get you out of that. That's how I've gotten out of class for this little 'vacation' I'm taking. And I know you love your job but maybe going to Wakanda will expand your......vision on what you want out of life."

I squinted my eyes at her. She had no idea about what my dad had said to me tonight and now she wanted me to get 'vision' for something different. And maybe I should. I sighed and nodded my head. The weird lady that was here earlier came back in to tell us to get a move on. Apparently, her name is Okoye and she is a very skilled fighter. So you can bet that whatever she told me, I did it without batting an eye. When we get outside, there was a car waiting for us. Before we got in, I took a look at the sky and wondered how I would be of service to the people of Wakanda when I don't know the situation fully. Riri smiled at me when I got in the car and I smiled back. What a day this has been.