Birthright: A Phoenix is Born

Reunion

Hello peps, feel free to critique. Like and appraisal comments appreciated.

Catch you in my stories,
GaisceKid.

Kumar

"You're stepping on my foot."

"I thought it was a twig."

"Will you two shut up?"

I didn't see a bush in Koju's plan. To be frank, I didn't see much of this in Koju's plan. The four days since that weird advertisement had blurred together. Complete with brutal taunts for Damian to forfeit this challenge by Koju and constant sparring practice. Worst of all, Damian himself. Fulfilling each drill without complaint or error. He no longer wore that mask of a frail pathetic boy. Jeer and be snapped at, sneer and he'd attack. He displayed his true colours in full and it was only a matter of time before he chose red again.

The three of us squatted in a hedge outside a small U shaped shopping complex. Koju's massive frame pushed me to the edge of our rather small hiding place. This left me at the mercy of both swiping winds and prickling branches. I swore at the uselessness of this material. Some kind of black spandex suit with weird imprints Koju made us wear, coupled with ski masks made from the same material. They did nothing to keep out the cold on this starless night.

From this distance, the sounds of their tight breaths travelled clearly to my ear. As did the draw of the engine from the last vehicle in the carpark. Insects too croaked in the limelight. I wondered if they noticed the pounds in my own chest.

If I faked a heart attack they would have to abort this suicide mission.

If I pretended my joints had locked up from sitting too long...

If I.......

My thoughts halted at Koju's upheld palm.

"Alright, time to move. Unless of course, Damian has decided to give up this foolish endeavour."

Damian pulled out from his spot, littered in leaves. Kumar followed suit. Both of them left a trail of the bush's previous inhabitants. I watched them, amazed at how they moved. Koju's head tilted to the side. Dark pupil perceived mine. Dumbstruck, as a chill seeped into my limbs, compelling them to move.

My pleas fell on deaf ears when informing Koju for this mission. Sometimes resulting in an additional doll of drills. Yesterday after finalising the plan, I protested again, he just smiled, patted me on the back and said "Stop whining."

How could I stop when I knew who we were going to face?

My head bobbed as we crept. Days of light insomnia kicked in. I was thankful for last night's five hours until it warped into the worst dream yet. This time two giant snakes appeared, one short and fat, the other tall and slim. I quivered at their hiss, the way their abrasive scales coiled around my arm, the poisonous stench as they unhinged their colossal jaws to take a bite.

Not even aware, we reached the base of the U, Downtown Community Centre. Koju raised two fingers, we nodded and followed the instruction. In a straight row, we crept behind the building. The coarse pebbles attached to the wall scratched my skin. But I moved in silence. Koju had warned me once for slacking. There wouldn't be another.

Behind the building, a large cream window plane displayed itself. Just like the 3D hologram exhibited on Koju's Pe-Mi when I described the site. Even then I didn't expect to be here. I didn't want to be here.

Koju gently dropped the duffel bag slung over his back. Every stalled zip sent bitter acid to my mouth. A silver crowbar made its way to Damian's hands, while our leader took time unveiling his battleaxe. Damian pried the window with ease.

How was he so calm?

Koju large palms held the jarred window open. I was the first to enter, followed by Damian. Koju brought up the rear and returned the plane into position.

Fortunately for us, Muna and Fiq only rented the top floor. Yet every step dried my throat further. I turned back to Koju to object once more, yet croaked out the words. Damian continued to push me forward. Hunched over, we skipped past the small hall that composed the ground level. Our movements never made more than a bulge in this eerie silence.

At the base of the stairway, we switched positions. Battleaxe drawn Koju took the lead and began the ascent. I questioned the sturdiness of these stairs, each step moaning under Koju's weight. He swivelled his head, lips flapping a thick "shush".

YOU'RE THE ONE MAKING NOISE.

I squinted at the bright lights above, forcing me to rely on other senses. The fluff of the carpet below, tictok rhythms of my heart, dampness around my armpits, a strange meaty smell. Koju and Damian made space for me at the top. Anxiety reaching its climax as I saw.....nobody.

The place itself was as remembered. To the wall to the right hung a large poster of a mihrab in front stood a podium. Four rows of red prayer carpet, split at the middle stretched from wall to wall ahead of the platform. Scattered to my right were the foosball tables, dartboards and a pinball machine. The walls were decorated with the emblems of every noteworthy club in the Premier League. A twinge of melancholy swirled inside. Damian nudged me out of relapse and pointed towards the door where light shone underneath. Koju's glare spoke volumes.

Be Ready.

As if on cue, the door swung open.

Two girls scuttled out. Both donned hijabs which hung lazily from their crowns. Scattered dark hair hid their faces. Yet I knew how they looked like. Broken. We avoided their path to the staircase. Whatever they endured, I didn't wish on my fiercest enemy.

"Come back anytime for more Arabic lessons." Teased the first voice.

I shuddered at the realization of its owner.

"We scored big time with the Imam's daughters." Laughed the second.

Two golden sand toned men strode out the door. One short and fat, the other tall and slim. They differed in many aspects. The first had hair combed to the right, the other to the left. One had beady slits for eyes, the other large orbs. A patchy beard on one, an unkempt jungle on the other. Both wore cheap simple cotton tunics. Strange zebra patterns spiralled their clothing.

They stopped cheering after spotting us.

"Muna, who are these people?"

"I don't know Fiq."