Dark Retaliation: Greenwood Academy

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE: THE RECRUITS
COAL CITY, NIGERIA 2081...

Dear Diary,
I had the dream again last night, but this time it was even more vivid. I wasn't just a silent observer anymore. This time, I watched through my own infant eyes and I think he was trying to talk to me. I could feel his eyes as they stared into mine, his palms soft yet strong, cradling my small head. I could see his mouth move but no matter how hard I tried, I heard nothing. There was no sound. I felt submerged all of a sudden, like we were sinking, descending to depths farther and farther away from reality, his eyes seizing my gaze with growing intensity as he uttered silent words. And then the door sprang open, sound returned. She was calling to him, toddler Zeem wrapped in her arms, his head pressed against her chest, like letting him go would sever a part of her. She was beautiful. Her dark skin glowing with sweat, her thick curly hair flying about as she spoke. There was noise all around, noise I couldn't recognize and they drowned her words. The man turned to her as she walked over, settling little Zeem down beside me. His skin shades fairer than hers. They were so different like fire and ice and yet so beautiful together. It's been five months now since I last saw them, and I still think they're my birth parents. I just wish I had pictures to confirm it. Anyway, it's been that long since I last dreamt of them.
I wish I could talk to Zeem about my dreams; about our biological parents. But every time I bring up the subject, he shuts it down like it's some fantasy inspired by moonlight tales. He'll probably think I'm crazy if I told him I was having recurring dreams about them. I was barely two when they left. Way too young to remember anything. Maybe I should just stick to searching for them on my own. I'm not sure where to begin or why I waited this long to search for answers but I know I won't be satisfied till I find out everything there is to know about them. I know Mom and Dad wouldn't be thrilled with my plans but, I hope they'd at least understand. I just need to know what happened to them. Who they are. Why they abandoned us. If it's really them in my dreams or just my imagination. Maybe I should try asking Zeem one last time. Anything he knows will definitely help my search. The dreams only get stranger and vaguer and I need answers. Each one is different but they all have the same pattern-at least until last night's. Usually, I wake up in a strange place, like a silent observer, and I see them. Sometimes they're happy, sometimes they're sad and sometimes they're really worried; like something's terribly wrong. But the weirdest part is, unlike normal dreams, I'm completely conscious every time. I'm so aware of my environ; it feels so real and yet surreal. Almost like I'm re-experiencing moments from my past. Like I'm reliving memories. Sounds crazy right? Yeah, I know. Anyway, the end's always the same. Zeem is brought into the room and I wake up.

Ok, enough of that. 'Sides the weird events of my subconscious, something pretty amazing happened yesterday. I got an invite to Gabby Dimkpa's' back to school' party! Stuff like this never happens to me, but who knows? My luck might be changing. And to make things even better, I've finally worked up the nerve to talk to Jidenna Oti. So, I'm gonna ask him to the party. Many girls make the first move these days so why shouldn't I? I didn't spend all holiday working on myself for nothing. I'm totally gonna...

Lota jerked upright at the sound of thuds, slamming her head against her bedroom wall. "Ouch." She said rubbing the back of her aching skull. Knuckles rapped on her door again, this time, a head with low-cut curly hair poked in.

"Lo, sorry, you got a minute?" said Zeem.

Lota looked up at her brother. She tapped the screen of the tablet she held with her stylus and the screen lit up. It was barely 6:00 am on a Thursday in the last week of August. Zeem was meant to be running laps around the neighbourhood or playing Multiverse Invaders with his Asian buddies.

"It's barely sunup," Lota said. "Why are you bothering me?"

Zeem's lips twitched in a smile. "Sorry, but saw your light on and..." He paused and shook his head as if giving it a second thought. "You know what, never mind." He said. "It can wait. Meet me at the terrace later okay?" With that, he shut the door.