Queen Slay

Oakland

Growing up in Oakland in 1992, nine year old Lena Davis lived in a small apartment complex with her father and it was just the both of them. Lena's mother died when she was six years old from a car accident and died instantly by a drunk driver.

Lena's father, Charles always worked to provide for himself and Lena. He worked two jobs to keep all the bills paid every month, but sometimes it was hard to a point that there was barely no food in the fridge and he let Lena eat the last instead of him.

Charles meets Gerald Stevens one day outside when he was leaving for work. He introduces himself and he introduces his brother James and his son Erik. Lena comes out the door handing her father his keys he forgets all the time. Gerald asks her
"Well hello.. what's your name sweetie?"

"Lena"
"Lena that is a pretty name..how old are you?"
"I'm nine"
"My son Erik here is ten..say hello Erik"
"Hi Lena"
"Hi Erik"

"If it's okay with you Charles, Lena can come over anytime for her and Erik to play and we can watch her not to be in your business but I noticed that you don't come in until after eight in the morning"

Charles replies"I actually do.. I have two jobs..I think that would be a good idea I worry about Lena all night hoping she is okay and I can't leave work"
"Sounds good, Lena would you like to stay over tonight til your dad comes home in the morning?"
"Okay I guess.."

Lena heads back in her apartment and packs a overnight bag and heads next door. She walks in the apartment and Erik was watching tv on the couch. Lena makes her way over
"Is it okay if I sit here?"
"Yea it's cool"
"What are you watching?"
"Cartoons"
"Cool I love cartoons"

Erik and Lena sat and watched tv til they fell asleep on the couch. Lena slept on one side of the couch and Erik slept on the other side. Gerald walks in the living room and places blankets on the kids. James walks in and looks at Gerald.

"We have business to attend to Prince N'Jobu"
"Of course Zuri..there is something about this girl..look at her.. I picked up a great presence on her earlier and I think she can help Erik..I worry about him having no friends here"
"Time will tell my prince.."

Erik wakes up in the middle of the night and gets a snack in the kitchen. Lena wakes up and sees Erik in the kitchen. She walks in and asks Erik
"What are you eating?"
"Chocolate chip cookies and milk"
"Can I have some"
"Sure let me get you some"
Erik hands Lena cookies and gives her a glass of milk
Lena asks Erik "So how long have you lived here.. I haven't seen you around here"
"I moved here six months ago..I barely go outside I like to stay to myself"
"That's why I haven't seen you outside when I play"
"You think I'm weird?"
"Weird.. no you just need a friend"
" I don't have any friends.. it's just me, my dad,and my uncle James"
"I can be your friend Erik.."
"Really?"
"Yes"

As Erik and Lena sit at the table laughing with their milk and cookies, they talked about what they liked to do and enjoying each other's company.

What Erik didn't tell Lena is that he is the prince of Wakanda and his real name is N'Jadaka but he was going to tell her another time.

They head back to the living room and go back to sleep. A light knock hits the door and Zuri answers it.
"Hello Charles, Lena is on the couch sleeping"
"Okay any problems with her?"
"No she was watching tv with Erik til she went to sleep."
Charles wakes Lena to let her know he was there to pick her up.
As she heads back home, she says goodbye to Erik who just woke up.

Things progressed with Erik and Lena months later as they were hanging out more after school and became best friends.

He was going outside playing with the other kids and of course Lena by his side. He would play basketball with the neighborhood kids and it became his favorite sport to play. Lena would watch him play and be his cheerleader encouraging him.

It was getting dark one night and Erik was playing basketball with some of the boys and Lena was talking to her classmates she went to school with.

Erik was playing and hears something and looked up in the sky. He saw a blue ship landing on top of the roof of the apartments. He knew exactly who it was and runs into the apartment. Lena yells for him but he doesn't hear her. She runs and tries to catch up with him.

Erik had to go up five flights of stairs to get to his apartment. By the time he gets there, he finds his dad on the floor and tries to wake him up but he sees holes in his chest like panther claws. He knew that his uncle was there King T'Chaka. He calls for Zuri and no answer. He holds his father and cries.

Lena makes it to Erik's apartment and sees Erik on the floor with his father crying. "What happened?"
"He's dead Lena, my dad is dead"
"Who did this?"
"My uncle.."
"Uncle James?"
"No..King T'Chaka of Wakanda..
"King?"
"I've heard my dad mention about him so what does that make you?"
"Prince N'Jadaka..my wakandan name"
"A prince?"
"Yes"
"Erik is my American name"

Erik gets up and opens a door that Lena didn't know about. He opens up a box and has a book and a necklace that he puts on with a ring hanging from it

"This is a journal that my father kept and it tells the story of Wakanda and where he traveled. He was also trying to find more vibranium to help us all so we won't struggle anymore"

Erik opens up another box but smaller and it is a necklace that is gold and heart shaped.
"This was my mothers.. I would like for you to have it"
"Erik I can't it's yours"
He puts on the necklace
"Promise me you will keep it on"
"I will"
Erik pecks her cheek and gives her a hug

A neighbor walks by and sees N'Jobu laying on the floor dead and calls an ambulance. The door was wide open where the ambulance and police were there to they head inside and Charles had to tell the police that Lena was in there and they let him go to get her. He grabs her and by the time he tries to get Erik, police escorts him out of the apartment screaming and crying.

Lena tries to run after him but it was too late.. her best friend was gone and she cried in her dads arms.