The nights are long. T'challa sneaks into Erik's bed, looking for some comfort in his his scent. He finds a pineapple vape, a scribble pad and a purple durag under Erik's pillow. After much perusing he sees instructions on how to make a home made bomb, T'challa's head on a pike and other shit. Nothing Erik does surprises T'challa anymore. He puts on Erik's music mix and tries to catch some sleep.
At dawn T'challa is woken up by a huge furry warm shifty lump. Kali snuck in. After a morning cuddle and rub he heads in for a quick shower. Old spice body wash is an instant regret. Too pungent. T'challa tosses it into the trash. T'challa browses his tablet for updates as Nanny serves him breakfast. There's a loud KLANG ! as he jerks up knocking some of the contents on the ground.
Erik has been listed as an international terrorist by the west. T'challa is sick to his stomach. He rubs his forehead. T'challa lost him. Unable to follow any instructions. He should probably brace himself for the worst.
' King T'challa is there anything I can do to ease your mind ? '
' Please, I want to be alone. '
Nanny dismisses herself.
T'challa is early today at the office. He asks for Okoye. He starts barking as soon as she enters.
' Is this what you meant by testing the boy ? '
' I had a spy following him. '
' That was it ? '
' Yes. Lokithana Dinka - Lucas. '
'If I find out that you did more than you were supposed to...'
Okoye takes out her tab, to update herself. T'challa paces up and down. Once Erik was airborne they lost him.
' Erik made it home. '
' What ? '
' Plane crash. 10 feared dead. '
' Where ? '
' At the border. '
At 0900 hrs, T'challa is out in the rtf. Very anxious to know what remains of Erik. In a mad hurry he steers the ship in the sky, at lethal speed. Okoye holds on to her seat. They arrive at the border, they can see the debris of the plane crash.The plane lays on the ground split into two. Still smouldering.
They begin scouring the dry savanna.The bodies lay strewn all over with burns and bullet holes. The locales have raided the plane of every valuable down to the documents. T'challa cannot recognize his cousin in any of these people.
T'challa wonders if somebody made an artificial cloud. He can feel it disintegrate as the dew pours down from the acacia tree. T'challa thinks he knows what lies at the top. After a difficult climb. T'challa makes it to the top of the tree. Acacia trees are nasty. Entire tree trunk covered in sharp tough thorns like glitter. Sort of like Erik's personality.
His iris are white. He snaps his fingers in his face. No response. He shoves his hurt shoulder.
' Ow ! '
Erik grimaces and pushes his hand away. He's still in there somewhere. ? T'challa grabs him and puts him over his shoulder. By the time he gets down, the cloud disipates into the air. He can feel Erik's weight, he wasn't as light as before.
T'challa takes him into the rtf. He places him onto the gurney. His eyes have reverted back to the normal brown eyes. The ride to the hospital is short. T'challa asks the doctors to restrain him. Erik is going to be fine.
_°_°_°_°_°_ °_°_°_°_
Erik is woken up by the shakes. He's hangovered. Erik's eyes slowly peel open. He survived. He smiles. His joy is cut short when he tries to move his hand.
- Why am I restrained ?
Erik is starting to feel like he's had his fill of this place and T'challa.
' Welcome back. '
' Nanny ? ' he confirms.
' Yes it's me. '
' I had a nightmare. '
' About what ? '
' It was so weird. '
The nurse comes to check on them.
She speaks something to Erik.
' I think I know her. '
' She's a friend ? '
' No. She gropped me. '
' For real ? '
' Remember on market day. I was in a really bad mood. '
' If you told me. I would have done something. '
' I think she's the nurse from the first time. '
' I think Akempopo is her husband. '
' I knew she was petty for no good reason. '
Erik's back at his apartment, released on the third day. He touches the bullet wound on his shoulder. There's no scar. They did a good job. Erik had missed the adrenaline he got from living on the edge. It's something he misses everyday.
T'challa comes to check up on him.
' Your going on a trip. '
' To the UN. '
' They tried to do me like Assata Shakur and you just want to waltz abroad like... '
T'challa gives Erik a look that says he should mind his tone.
' It's nice to share your concern. '
' You think your slick. Huh ? '
' I can't afford to lounge all day like an NBA housewife. '
' Was that supposed to mean ? '
' I'm thinking of ways you can become useful. '
Erik smiles. ' I was thinking the same thing too. '
T'challa quickly darts away as Erik swipes at his arm.
Late at night Erik's beads vibrate. He presses the ' yes ' option. After a few moments he feels the bed dip.
' What took you so long ? '
T'challa silently slips into bed and cuddles Erik.
