As the truck moved, Akamu moved his gaze away from the Officers. Going back to looking back at his past as the officers wondered how a 22 year old became this strong.
*16 years Ago*
Akamu was only 6. Soon reaching his 7th Birthday.
He wanted to celebrate it in the Village along with his family. But after these events, Akamu wasn't sure if he even could.
After that night, Lee didn't come home. Sometimes coming to change his dress, leaving immediately.
He asked Sharon to keep the food packed in his lunch box while he took a warm shower. Sometimes spending time with Akamu before leaving. Returning in the Morning to get ready for work.
Akamu began thinking it was because of him being there his Grandpa and Dad couldn't stop fighting.
Every Time they saw him, they would never see Eye to Eye. Thinking about the past.
Akamu knew how much Grandpa respected his Culture, and how much he wanted to be free rather than slaves in their own farms.
Lee however was more of a Modern thinker, and with his father's cultural beliefs hindering him from selling the Farmlands when they had a chance and then getting interrupted again when Akamu fell ill.
Lee was letting his anger crowd his judgement.
But all Akamu could think was him being a reason for them fighting.
So every night after his Mom went to sleep, Akamu would sneak to the Volcano's Foothills, returning before Sunrise.
His plan was to let his family find out he's gone missing at night. And find him near the Volcano.
Then Akamu could talk to both of them and unite them. Just like from a story he had read.
His plan slowly worked as his Grandpa noticed him missing one day, alerting Sharon and Lee.
They immediately searched the Village, finding small footprints leading to the mountains.
They soon made their way, finding Akamu. But they didn't immediately confront him, seeing what the kid was doing.
Akamu laid there and watched the Stars, asking the Volcano why it erupted and why it stopped when he cried.
Asking if he him being here would've stopped his grandpa and dad's fights.
How his mom always comes to his defence whenever the Village people make fun of his lean appearance.
Or call him a weak kid punished by the Gods for his Grandfather's deeds.
Akamu would try talking back, but his respect towards elders prevented him to.
All he could do was try before he got the courage to come here.
He was confident he could unite the family with his own strength. Before showing his strength to the Village.
*Akamu cried as he talked, his tears Falling on the Volcano's feet.
Lee and Albert looked at each other as Akamu said that, realizing how much their squabbles had affected Akamu.
They wanted to wipe the Kids tears, but saw Akamu wipe them off himself. Smiling.
"I can't be the Strongest Kid in the World if i can't wipe my own tears right.
Keahi"
*Albert and Lee were surprised at how much Akamu had grown.
Sharon was proud hearing Akamu utter those words. Knowing the boy was well on his way to his dream*
They monitored Akamu from then on. Taking turns in watching him over.
But Akamu didn't know they were watching him.
Every night Akamu would sit there for hours waiting for an answer. Only to hear soft tremors and winds blowing through the chamber.
Akamu called it 'Keahi's Snores', giggling every time he heard it. Sleeping in the foothills before his grandpa would retrieve him before the Sun showed up.
Akamu thought Keahi's snores had pushed him into the house. His childish imagination is both innocent and fascinating whenever Akamu would tell it to his Grandpa.
He was the only one he trusted with the secret of him visiting the Volcano every night. Or so he thought.
One night, during his usual sneaking adventure, he was caught in a heavy fog that descended. It was a signal for the Rainy season to begin.
Unfortunately this time they had let the Kid go alone, knowing how courageous he's become.
Akamu began making his way back home, but the fog made his progress slow.
That's when he saw a Mysterious figure running along with him in the distance.
He thought it was a shadow that casted on the mist, not wanting to think up any spooky situations in this climate.
But the uncertainty and the question of What if ? made him look again.
This time, the figure in the fog was looking at him.
Akamu stopped, his legs frozen in fear as he looked. The figure imitating him as he pointed towards it.
He couldn't move, frozen in fear as he began sweating.
The Mysterious figure didn't move from its position as well, before Akamu decided to make a run for it.
He took off, without looking as the Figure also did, going towards the Village.
The Mysterious figure followed his trajectory as well, before vanishing into the Village.
Akamu ran into the house and into his Grandpa's room, closing the door in a hurry.
"What the f--.
Whoo ???"
Albert was startled, thinking it was a burglar.
Leo and Sharon soon came to check, knocking on the door.
"Grandpa, it's me. Akamu"
"Akamu ?". What are u doing here in my room boy ?. At this time"
"I… i had a bad dreammm"
*Akamu immediately hugged Albert as he said that*
"It's alright. Grandpa's here"
Albert gently patted him, taking the scared Akamu in his embrace as he opened the door.
"What happened ?"
Sharon asked as Leo looked inside the room
"Nothing. Akamu had a bad dream and fell off the bed. That's all"
"Oh. I thought it was a burglar"
Leo said as he tried taking Akamu
Albert moved away, looking at Sharon
"I can take care of Akamu tonight. Go sleep dear. Lee -"
Albert stopped himself as he said that, not knowing how to address his own son.
"Your husband would be incredibly tired too"
Albert's pain showed in those words, as he moved his Gaze quickly from his son to his daughter in law.
Leo walked away, not saying anything as Sharon Apologized to Albert.
Lee didn't know how to make upto his Oldman as well. It wasn't as easy as the Movies showed.
Their Scars ran deep in both of them, needing as much time as they could get to patch them up before making up.
Albert closed the door after they left, letting Akamu sleep with him for the night.
The Farmlands clean up was halted due to rains, the soil soaking in the Volcanic Ash, further sinking the Villagers hope of recovering their lands.
Akamu meanwhile had avoided going to the Volcano. The Rainy season and the Incident from that night scaring him a little.
But he was curious about who it was.
And like Alice entering the Rabbit Hole, Akamu decided to follow the Mysterious Figure. Wanting to know where it'll lead him.