Into the Unknown

Epilogue

2 weeks later

Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
6:50 AM

If Aileen could use one word to describe Lagos, she would say it was...lively. As she walked down Jankara Market, people from both sides of the street kept beckoning her to check out their products, wheather they were fish or carpets or vases. If one wanted quiet and solitude, this definately wasn't the place for them, not with everyone shouting and laughing, yelling and conversing loudly with each other.

But she liked places like that. This city, unlike most Nigerian countries, was hectic and filled with energy. With 21 million population, Lagos was the largest African country, and its economy had reached massive growth. The city had a lot of millioners, but at least 2/3 of the inhabitants lived in poverty.

She came out of her thoughts when she accidentally bumped into a woman carrying a basket full of fish on her head. She just kept walking though, not paying her any attention. Aileen shrugged and carried on.

She was wearing a long, light, colorful dress and a matching headscarf to cover her hair. So apart from her skin tone, she fit in perfectly. What she noticed though, was that a lot of people did double-takes when they looked at her. But there was no hostility in their stare, rather, curiosity and maybe pleasant surprise. Understandable, she thought, lighter-skinned people are a rare sight in this area.

She ignored everyone though and walked confidently to where she knew she'd find what she was looking for.

She smiled when she saw a man and his son, standing over a few barels of fish, negotiating with a woman about their price, perhaps. The man was wearing a red dress shirt, ripped jeans and an orange headscarf. She approached them just as the woman left with a bag of fish in her hands. Once the man saw Aileen, he smiled. His teeth were crooked and looked loke they hadn't been brushed in days.

"Aileen! Long time no see!" he exclaimed with a large smile and his strange accent.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Oban." she returned the smile. "So, do you have what I need?"

His smile turned into a knowing smirk. "Of course I do. Follow me." he said and turned on his heel, leaving his son to deal with the merchandise.

"Fantastic." Aileen bit her lip excitedly and followed him.
______________________________________

Vincent was lying down on a tall skyscraper's rooftop, hands behind his head, staring at the stars. He was lost in thoughts. He could hear the faint sound of waves crashing against hard rocks, near the foot of the building. It was strangely relaxing. He tried not to be bothered by the sounds of police sirens from the bustling city behind him, and instead try and focus on...nothing.

At that moment, he heard footsteps. He proped himself on his arms and turned to see Aileen emerge from the door, the only entrance and exit to the rooftop.

"You're back." he noticed.

"Obviously." she rolled her eyes playfully.

"How did you find me?"

"Oh please. Don't make me laugh."

She walked up to him and sat down at his left. "I can see why you like it here. It's quiet, for the most part. I find you're a fan of that. It's also the only building that close to sea, since it's built on a rock right above it. I don't even know how it still stands."

Vincent didn't reply, only continued staring at the stars. But Aileen wasn't fazed by his unwillingness.

"So tell me about your mother." she said.