On reaching the international airport, to catch my flight taking me to Africa, I was receiving so many text messages, calls and voicemails that I could barely put in exact number. Incase— I'm positive you're asking why all the Cyber harrassment. Here's why. Because, the next king and ruler in line to take over after my father, the present ruler of Wakandans is me, Erik N'jadaka Killmonger.
The one and only heir to the throne.
I'm of royalty, a true son of my father so that's why I've decided to drop all the comfort, hard work and achievements I've gained in all my life while living in America, another man's land, as a fashion model to finally reach out to my true people. Reluctance was the case at first but when I started to get multiple council sessions from my mother and cousins which you will soon meeting later on, I had a change of heart.
Now, I'm willing to take up my responsibility and face it like a true native of my tribe.
By now, I'd already boarded the plane in the first class chamber. I was sporting a blue Pac-Man hoodie along with some Nike sweatpants then blue/white Triple S trainers underneath. Casual but stress-free. During the plane flight, I started to reason how all my stance in life would liably change after ascending the throne and taking all the baggage it came with. These thoughts made me feel helpless in a type of way causing me to run my hands through my hair— which were now braided instead of the natural dreadlocks they used to be.
Slightly chuckling at the earful I'd have to get from my mother in our dialect once she sees the new change since the last time I visited home which was during our last annual festival celebration, approximately seven months ago.
The plane arrived at my destination after what seemed like minutes, I knew I felt that way due to the endless trains of thinking I was having.
"You got this," I breathed before alighting from the aircraft.
Then, I retrieved my single luggage which compromised of some clothes, care products and my basics from the baggage claim before exiting through the airport computerized double doors.
Taking in the fresh atmosphere of my country as I strutted over to the many travellers and identified my oldest cousin W'Kabi holding forward a cardboard with my initials E.N.K on it. My luggage rolled behind me on it's tyres as I approached him.
"Wow, long time no see bro," We hugged each other before pulling back to do our signature handshake which resembled the Halulu Cult's but ended with a hand squeeze instead of a fist bump.
I nodded in agreement while looking around briefly, "Yeah, you barely come to the States and when you do visit, a thoughts about me are forgotten."
W'Kabi played it off with a chuckle.
"Honestly, it's not like that and you know it, I'm mostly sent over there on errands and within that same day or maximum the next I'm on my way back to where I came from." His English still perceived a bit of isiXhosi accent, our language.
W'Kabi was the first son of my father's elder brother, KanTa, who was killed during the war of peace with the rival tribes back in the days, before any of us except W'Kabi, were even concieved. Due to that, my father had to take up the baton and step in to the shoes since he was the second heir.
He was an aspiring lawyer before he became the king, one of the inspirations to why I'm willing to embrace my birth duty in the first place.
"Alright," I smiled a bit and patted his shoulder, "No hard feelings, man."
He gave me a curt shrug before pulling up the already unlocked cartrunk to the black van belonging to the royal family, I knew that cause the number plate was customized. After he put in my bag, I entered the passenger side and he did the same in the driver's side before pulling off into the main street.
Minutes flew by swiftly like the cars, buildings and pedestrians by the road as W'Kabi drove over 150mph as indicated by the speedometer.
But there was tension.
I sensed something foul.
"The ride might be a bit long so have these to while away time," he handed me a to-go box of what looked like stir fry with eyes still fixated on the road.
"Aw thanks, like you knew I was starving," I took the box of food, tearing off the taped chopsticks from the top before opening the seal. "Smells good too."
I referred to the mouthwatering aroma it filled the air with.
"Sure taste's good too. Try it,"
Clamping some of the durum pasta between the chopsticks, I filled my mouth with it. Humming at the deliciousness then ate more of it until the box was empty. W'Kabi handed me a bottle of Stillwater afterwards.
"Mmmm, thanks Kabi, it was really a needed meal," I told him as I threw the empty box into some plastic bag then placed it down on the car floor.
"The pleasure is mine, Erik. So mine." Something about the way he said it didn't sound right but—
Hearl!
I was interrupted by my own vomiting. Throwing up everything I just ate on myself and the dashboard followed by a feeling of nausea and sickness washing over me.
"W-W'Kabi, I'm not feeling so good, sl-slow the car down." I tried to catch my breath but then heaved again leading to more vomiting.
"Tsk, tsk," My gaze slowly turned to him, to see him smirking at the road, "Tsk, tsk, my king."
Then it hit me. He did this. Who the hell am I kidding, he's responsible for this shit.
"You betrayal," I attempted to move but my nervous system seemed to have shut down. "Fuck! Did you do to me?"
His evil, mischievous cackle was all I heard before everything filled with black dots.
