My name is Carter Alan I was born on the 28 of November 2000 in Kakuma a village in Kenya But am I really don't know my mum told me my father is Sudanese and she is Ethiopian, I lived there for 6 years as a child until danger approached and my dad went off to war and my mother including me and my 2 older sisters filed for leave to Australia.
When we arrived confusion is all I knew it took me a year to get comfortable and learn the language but in that time the memories I had of my languages and experiences from Africa broke apart.
I had no idea what happened but as any other child would do i through it to the back of my mind and kept moving forward.
15 years go by in that time and with no skill sets or qualifications I graduate from a no name school and turn into any average day to day adult you may think I wasted all my time yes your right I did but should I regret no I had fun smoking, drinking and running away from everything especially the cops.
Three years go by as I find a love for basketball and try to pursue a professional career, as talented as I was time was already lost for me.
Today is April 20th 2023, my eyes open to the sound of wind and sand, "sand huh"
Carter sighs
"Wake up" he says to himself
I have been having this dream for years now why if you were to ask me I really don't know.
Usually I'd wake up after I realise what has happened to my bedroom ceiling and my mums voice telling me to do some sort of chore.
Her voice would combine both Amharic and English as she scolds me from the kitchen,
Cause I understand both languages it sounds more annoying she'd be telling me "hey boy are you a dog why do you sleep everyday like it's a job wake up and go get a real job"
That's what would be usually happening and for the first time I can't say I don't miss it, why if you were to ask me and I really want to say I don't know but I do.
"Is this really happening"
"My dream it's really turned into reality"
After a basketball game last night I took the long way home and it's usually pitch black roads out there, an old guy I recognised from my old club team said "would you mind dropping me off to the train station" confusing as it was I had a pretty close friendship with him back then but as I grew up I started playing for higher level teams and we grew apart.
We had a nice conversation on the way there reminiscing about the old days, he told me " I still can't forget that 25 point game you had against Padua it was like it happened yesterday and now your playing QSL 1 for Morton bay 1 step and you'll be considered a semipro" I laughed humbly and said "I'm not that great coach but thank you"
But as the conversation kept going on silence crept in as I realised I was the only one talking now.
"Okay coach we've arrived I couldn't just take you to the train station I still remember where you lived haha"
Eerie fog started to permeate the car and from the passenger side a voice like no other deep and dark said to " I think you've had enough of this stranger from beyond you must be confused but when you arrive as lonely as it would be that is your true home Carter Alan"
"Who are you what have you done to my coach" Carter says with fear in his voice
"Do not worry Mr Alan as strong as this body is, it is enough for this message and another thing the man you speak of has long passed do not blame me for using the dead because I need to speak to you one last time before you go and this form is most comfortable for you"
"Now when you arrive child"
"Arrive where" Carter says
"Patient all will follow along and you will know what you must in due time"
"All I will say to you is fear is not your enemy but also not your friend"
"Goodbye Mr Alan, the stranger from afar"