[COMPLETE] African Pride

12. Far From Home

I woke the following morning to find the house... bizarrely quiet. With a soft groan, I rose from my bed and walked to my bathroom, rubbing my eyes. Turning on the warm water, I began to wash my cheeks, tear-streaked after I fell asleep crying. My fingers briefly brushed over where Baba had struck me. Physically, the pain had long been gone, but mentally... I still couldn't believe that he had hit me. Growing up, Baba never so much as spanked us, not with his hand or switch our grandmother offered. He didn't believe in it, so to finally be struck...

Sighing, brushing out my disheveled hair before pulling it back into two braids. It was time for me to face the music. The good news I guess was that Baba had seen me using my powers, so I didn't technically break the rules. I didn't tell him, he found out about my secret life on his own. Perhaps, now that he knew the truth, he could help me find Jiona.

Leaving my bathroom, I walked down the stairs, looking for Baba, needing to talk to him. The door to his office was cracked, and I could hear soft music playing inside. Stopping outside the door, I took a deep breath to center myself, before knocking twice.

"Come in," Baba's deep voice, called from within the room.

I peaked my head in, my eyes sweeping the room. Baba sat behind his desk, and he appeared to be alone in the room. However, his face was grave, drawn, almost... regretful maybe?

"Asubuhi njema, baba," I whispered.

"Good morning to you too, Karasi," Baba said, nodding his head.

"So... about last night..."

Baba held up his hand. "I don't want to talk about what happened, and I would prefer to forget it even happened."

My eyebrows show up. "Wait? Are you serious?"

Baba nodded. "Yes. I while I can't understand it entirely, I'd much rather look to the future."

"That's... that's great! Baba, you don't know what his means to me! Now we can work together to find Jiona!"

"Jiona?"

"The white lion cub that was stolen, Baba. With your help, I know that we can do it. I even have a couple of theories in where..."

"You misunderstand, Karasi. You are not going to find that lion cub."

"If I'm going to find her, then what am I going to do?"

Baba rose to his feet and walked to the door, leaving the room but coming quickly back with Anne and Henry. The three of them stood there, staring at me. In the hands of Anne and Henry, I saw passports.

"You are leaving?" I asked, trying to hide my joy.

Anne nodded. "Yes, we are."

She was smiling in a way that made me feel... uncomfortable, as if she knew something that I didn't.

"I'll help you with your bags. I hope you have a safe trip."

"We won't be going yet, Dear," Anne said. "After all, you need to pack your bags as well."

I chuckled, looking to Baba. "Baba, she's joking right?"

My father's face was hard as stone, his eyes on the floor.

"Baba," I repeated. "Tell me... that she's joking."

"Atieno," Anne said sharply, turning to my father. "Tell her what we agreed."

Baba took a deep breath. "Karasi, last night has opened my eyes. I've given you too much freedom, and it has allowed you to do... fall down the wrong path. I'm worried for you Karasi, and—after talking with your grandparents—I have decided that it's time that I put my foot down."