The sun beat down relentlessly on Shihon Point's impure streets, producing deep shadows as the area was packed with activity. Meneye emerged, and the air was filled with the aroma of charcoal and sizzling meat. He was used to cookouts, so the action seemed normal. 

Old-school hip-hop was played from a boombox mounted on the bonnet of an automobile. Civilians in Barrio filled the air with laughter and talk. Meneye was from Ussurimki, which was far from Barrio. It was only an island. Aside from Sahira, this island has so much more to offer.

"Who is that boy?" Tylissa pointed out. "Don't talk to him, he look me." Told Deyadria chewing on a lollipop. People at this cook out were different, they dressed in bright colors, mix of high and low fashion, snapback hats, beanies, and chunky chains. Bold graphic prints and logos are a hallmark of urban wear. All he had was a giant white shirt, maybe it was grey but fit perfert.

Drama brought him here. 

"You like the scene?" he stood 7'1 while Meneye was much taller. He looked around and spotted a girl with peculiar teeth. "You sure you ain't from here? You tall as hell." asked Drama.

"Nah," he smirked. "I'm from Ussurimki."

"Ah!" huffed Drama. "I've never seen Ussurimki. What y'all got up there?" he sat across Meneye at the table. "Gold." he smiled. "Silver."

"What about that thing called the black nickel?"

"You some black smoke?" he raised his eyebrow. "How much is that?" Drama grinned. "About a 100 Yukk for a single. Two Yukk is NOT 200." he stressed. "That's actually about 150. Not a dollar either!"

The two engaged in a long discussion about money comparing the Shira quarter to the Yukk in Ussurimki. 1 Yukk as told by Meneye was 100, but two was 150; yet 3 yukk was 300. The amount bounced every one hundred and fifty cents.

Sahira was different. The island focused on trade, if it cost 300 that would equal to 12 Sahira 4th Dollars. Water in Ussurimki was 110. The black nickle was form of change known as a Dud or Dubl. The black nickle worked differently. If a man had a car, and the tires were 150000 Yukk; a black nickle took off 75%. If anything, Drama thought of stealing nickles.

Meneye looked around the cook out. In the north, he caught sight of someone. Black wavy hair, pink thin oval shades, a garment, possibly wearing gothic or latex. Maybe her favorite color was pink but her black hair had white streaks through it. She had a hourglass figure, he stared at her hips. He tapped Drama's hand. "Who is that?" he gestured to that woman. What was it about dark skin he liked so much? "Lori Nkosi." he rolled his eyes. "She's my stepmom."

"Why you mad?"

"I hate her." he narrowed his eyes. "Hush." he took a drink from his cup. "I got her pregnant..."

Maneye quirked a brow. "What happened?"

–

Meneye found himself at the junction of a narrow, graffiti-covered lane with flickering lamps. The uneven illumination cast swirling shadows, expressing his sadness. He felt bewildered, much as Lori did, encircled by the city's towering facade, which seemed to shut in on her. The city's murmur was hardly audible, yet its remoteness was crushing. No passing individual looked to throw a scornful glance, their faces reflecting the ideals she had worked so hard to disprove. 

How was this happening again?

Lori was very forward about her past. They laid together after the cook out. He touched her hand, she seemed to sweat thinking about the past.

[Lori moaned deeply as Meneye pressed his massive inside her. She kept crawling at his back. Her breast were big. He swiped his hands under them as he hoisted them up for him to bite. "Meneye!" Lori called. 

He pressed her into the bed. He dropped his left hand between her legs. "What?" he questioned and slid two fingers inside. His thumb played with the clitoris. Lori shook her head about as pleasure and minor pain course through her voluptuous frame.

He placed a kiss on her lips, she looked away shyly. "All I did was come to the party." he said. "I didn't think to meet a man as good as you." she smiled. As the fun ended. Meneye and her sat near the edge of the bed. He was shirtless and Lori wore her lingerie.

"You are such a beautiful woman." he complimented. "The shape of your face, your body, and full lips."

She blushed. Lori covered her mouth. "Boys on Shahira don't like black paint."

"I'm a man." he tilted her chin up. "It's stunning on you."

Her cheek grew hotter. "You flatter me without knowing a thing about me."

"Then tell me." he said. The sparkle that lit was gone. "I'm a Sata. Do you know what that is?"

"I don't. I'm from Ussurimki."

"As an Usher. You know about The Bone Mother?"

"In the abandoned warehouse. She was a witch that ate her nine children." he explained.

"She gave one to Akasha, a Sata like me." her eyes began to shimmer a new light. Pink glowing hues had Meneye in awe. "She created the Iron Pelvis made from the Bone Mother. There is a male pelvis but the female doesn't need it to give birth. Akasha doesn't know her father. But the bone mother is her mother and she had many children. You cant't find onenn but--"

"She ate all her kids." Meneye finished.

"But one." said Lori. "They say that it is a son."

"He must be ugly as hell..." he jested.

"Meneye..." she kept a giggle hidden. 

"Why ask about a fairy tale?"

"Have you heard about the letters?"

"Messages?"

"No. Letters, the letters of words. However, the letter will reach you to reveal your soulmate." she eyed Meneye. "You have such lovely eyes. The letters are also connected to the Lanes. You'll be able to find the bones of the Iron Pelvis."

"And what will that do?"

She was silent for a minute. "Allow a birth..."]