I’m in and out of consciousness, and everything feels like a dream.
I hear voices around me, all of them panicked, but I can’t really see anything. It’s like I’m stuck in the darkness, with no real way to escape.
I hear monitors, and I feel something being stuck in my arm. I’m trying to ask questions, but even though I can hear myself, it doesn’t sound like anyone can hear me. I’m almost yelling into the ether while trying not to panic at the same time.
What in the world is going on?
“Yasir, come back to me, please!” I hear Zahra yelling at me. “Don’t leave me. I need you to fight!”
I muster as much strength as I can to push through and get to a small light that looks like it’s miles away. As I get closer, the light gets bigger, and I see a doorway, and the light shines through the cracks around it. The closer I get, the farther away it moves, frustrating me the entire time.
I don’t understand what’s happening, and I’m legit freaking out that I can’t find a way out of whatever this is surrounding me. I have to get back to Zahra, no matter what it takes.
Out of nowhere, all of these memories start flashing in front of me, almost like I’m playing a highlight reel of my life, but the things that I see are confusing me, to the point where I feel like they’re someone else’s memories. They can’t be mine, can they?
“Let’s get him into triage and get him stable while we still can,” I hear one of the medics explain as I watch the scenery change from the top of the ambulance to the blinding lights of the hospital hallways. “Zahra, sweetie, we’re going to need you to wait in the reception area until one of the doctors can update you.”
No, I want her here with me. Don’t take her away from me, please!
I fight with everything I have to get back to the doorway, but my energy is completely spent, and I feel myself falling into the darkness again.
But not before I hear a voice I don’t recognize calling out for me.
“It is not your time, Yasir.”
Who in the world is that?
I have no idea who the hell decided to make such a statement, but whoever they are, they need to keep their opinions to themselves.
And how are they able to speak to me when I’m stuck in literal darkness?
“I know you can hear me, Ya-Ya.” The accent is thick, but I can still make out what they’re trying to say. Not that I want to listen, anyway. “Ignoring me will not help matters. I am here now, and there are some things we will need to discuss once we get you out of here.”
Yeah, I’m ignoring him. This is unreal.
I’m not sure what sounds more unbelievable, though…hearing another voice in my head or having a full-blown convo with that voice. I have to get a grip on things, for real. It’s obvious he wants my attention.
The sooner I can deal with him, the sooner I can dismiss him and move on.
“I’m trying to figure out how you’re so familiar with me and how you know my nickname, my guy. Who are you?”
“We can have that conversation soon. Right now, you need to wake up.”
“And how do I do that, huh?” I shout back, but the voice doesn’t respond right away. “Oh, nothing to say when I need something useful, huh? Typical.”
I continue to wander in the darkness, not knowing which way is up, trying not to freak out. The isolation I feel…this ain’t it. For the first time in my short life, the concept doesn’t work out so well in its actual application. I’m getting out of here, and right now isn’t soon enough.
“Wake up, Yasir.” The voice returns, repeating the command.
“How?!” Frustration makes itself clear and present, and fear begins to take up residence. “How in the hell do you expect me to just wake up like I’m in a dream that I can control or something?”
“Trust me, Ya-Ya. Just wake up,” the voice insists. “Just follow my voice. We need to get you out of here.”
Out of nowhere, a door opens, and an ambient light illuminates the doorway. The warm glow is soothing, and I hear Zahra’s voice as I move closer. I feel itchy, like I’m shedding an old skin and slipping into a new body.
The light flashes as I step through, bringing a sharp pain with it. It only lasts a few moments, and I’m grateful for that because…whew. It takes a few more minutes to open my eyes and adjust to the brightness in a…a hospital room?
How in the fraggernackle hell—Unk’s phrase, not mine—did I get here? I was on the boat with Zahra and the crew and… How long have I been here?
Where’s Zahra?
The next thing I hear while I sift through the myriad questions in my mind is the answer to one of them. “Yasir? Baby?”
I swear those are the…Best. Words. Ever.
Anger’s gone. Yep. Iced. Over with.
The fact that she’s here tells me everything I need to know.
But what’s the answer to the million-dollar question? A little help, please? “Hi, Z. How did I end up in the hospital?”
Zahra gives me this look like I’m supposed to know the answer to my own question. I return her confused expression with one of my own, and I do my best to suppress the growing fear rising deep within. “Do you remember anything before you fell overboard?”
Wait…pause. What? “What are you talking about? Is that how I got here?”
Nana slides out from behind Zahra and into my field of vision. How is she here? She’s supposed to be in Atlanta. Zahra and I were on a boat earlier tonight before… Wait, I was arguing with Amber when I started feeling dizzy.
It’s coming back to me now.
Events come flooding back, almost overwhelming my senses. Amber’s attempts to coerce me into a private area while on board. Her taking my glass to try to get me another drink. Trying to get back to Zahra and having her block me. “The last thing I remember was getting away from Amber.”
“Baby, you fell overboard, and we heard Amber screaming. Kyle and I jumped in to get you.” Zahra wipes tears away as she attempts to fill in the gaps. “We almost lost you twice on the way to the hospital. You almost drowned.”
That hits me hard.
Puzzle pieces start to come into focus. So that’s why I was stuck in the dark? I don’t know how to process that information, but seeing Nana struggle to hold back tears of her own almost shatters my soul. Being in that void inside my mind, with no way out, comes close to the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.
I glance at the clock on the wall across from my bed, and while it reads that it’s a few minutes before midnight, I can’t get a quick gauge of whether today is still Sunday. “How long have I been out?”
“That is what does not make sense, Ya-Ya,” Nana speaks up for the first time. “The doctor told us that it would be another day or two before we had any idea that you would awaken. It has only been a few hours. How do you feel, grandson?”
I must have really taken a few hits while I was in the water. “I feel fine. I don’t have any headaches or anything like that.” I check my wrinkled fingertips, the only real indication that what they’re telling me actually happened. “I feel like I’ve been in a long-distance swim event, but that’s about it.”
“I’m going to get your uncle and let him know what’s going on,” Nana tells us before she steps out into the hallway. “I will also tell the nurses to go get Dr. Forrester. She is liable to be in as much shock as we are right now.”
Nana disappears in seconds, leaving me and Zahra alone in the room. We stare at each other like we haven’t seen each other in…like, ever. I ache…really ache for her to come closer. I’m desperate to feel her fingers on my skin.
Whether she senses my urgency or not, I don’t care anymore, but in moments she’s at my bedside. The anticipation kills me, dying with every second she takes to grab my hand, caress my arm, anything to put me out of my misery. The moment her fingertips trace a line from my ear and across my cheek to my lips, I want to combust right there on the spot. It feels so electric, like I’ve been awakened. I mean, I’m awake, but something else inside me senses her and reacts to her.
Reacts to her touch. Her scent.
What in Nyati’s name is happening to me? And…why am I speaking of the Divine Mother like it’s second nature?
“You gave me quite a scare, pretty boy.” She cuts through my thoughts, keeping her hand on my cheek the entire time. “If you wanted my attention, all you had to do was ask me.”
Even the sound of her voice enchants me. “I did ask you…but you took your time answering me.”
“Well, then, ask me again.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I probably look like I feel right now, and I feel like I’ve been hit with a steel beam. By Nyati, I probably look like pure trash.”
“Okay, I’m gonna have to get used to you saying that,” she confesses as she slides her hand from my cheek to interlace her fingers inside mine. Damn, I feel better already. I only hope she doesn’t let go. “Trust me, Ya-Ya, you’re still my sexy one.”
My eyes grow wide. “I’m…yours?”
The grin on her face triggers all types of thoughts I shouldn’t be having…especially when I’m wearing a whole hospital gown and very little else. “Yes, you’re mine, Mr. Salah, if you still want to be.”
“Keep playing with me if you want to.” I pull her down to steal a kiss or a dozen. I want to hold on to this moment for as long as I can in case I’m dreaming. “You’ve been mine, well, in my head you’ve been mine since the first time we met.”
Zahra blushes, and I swear I see her eye color change from their usual hazel-green hue to the most stunning shade of platinum and a smoky white color. I couldn’t explain it if I tried, but I don’t want to take my eyes off them.
When did she have the ability to do that?
She catches me gawking at her, blinking the entire time. “Baby, are you okay? You’re… By Nyati, stop staring at me like that. I shouldn’t be thinking what I’m thinking when you stare at me like that.”
“Ahem—I would say he’s better than okay.” Dr. Forrester interrupts our moment. Ughhhhh, I want to scream. Doesn’t she know how epic this was about to get? “Mr. Salah, I don’t know how you managed it, but welcome back, young man.”
“Thanks, Doc, I appreciate it.” I keep Zahra close so I can prepare for my next question. “So when can I leave? I really would like to get out of here.”
Dr. Forrester gives me a curious look, and I’ve already braced myself for the “medical speak” over why I have to stay. “I wish that were possible, but there are some abnormal results in your bloodwork that we need to understand before we release you. Not to mention your CT scan came back with no damage. After the fall you took, and the concussion the paramedics reported when you arrived, in addition to the bruises and lacerations you suffered…nothing’s adding up.”
Nana and Unk come in with one of the nurses as Dr. Forrester explains things to me and Zahra. The worry on Nana’s face gives me chills. “What was that you were explaining to my grandson about his bloodwork without either of his guardians present?”
Dr. Forrester clears her throat, turning to face them. “As I was telling Yasir, Mrs. Salah, we found some abnormal markers in his bloodwork, and we need to run some more tests, just to make sure things are okay. I also want to order a follow up CT scan. I can’t make sense over how he has no head trauma.”
Nana winks at us before she switches her attention back to the good doctor. She stares into Dr. Forrester’s eyes for a few moments, and Dr. Forrester adjusts the collar on her shirt. “I do not believe more tests are needed, Doctor. In fact, the blood needs to be discarded. Yasir can be released tonight.”
Dr. Forrester nods, confusing everyone in the room. “Yes, I believe Yasir can go home. Just make sure that he gets plenty of rest and that he hydrates properly. And have him follow up with his primary doctor within the week. There’s no need for the blood to be retained.”
What in the Jedi Mind Trick just happened?
“We will do just that, Dr. Forrester, thank you.” Nana shakes her hand as she instructs Zahra to grab the bag with my clothes so I can get dressed. “We will make sure Yasir is properly cared for.”
Nope, what we’re not gonna do… Did my nana just… Come on, now?
Nana slides over to the other side of the bed, plants a kiss across my forehead, and gives a knowing wink. “Nana has a few tricks up her sleeve when the occasion calls for it. Now, you get dressed so we can get you home.”
“I’ll make sure that the paperwork is handled and Zahra gets to her car in one piece.” Unk ushers them out of the room. “The nurses will probably wheel you out instead of letting you walk on your own.”
Zahra stops Unk for a few seconds, skipping back to my bedside to steal another kiss. She stares long…longer than I think she would, and I’m here for all of it. “Please take care of yourself tonight. I’ll be back in the morning to see about you. We still have things to talk about.”
I take a few moments after they leave to get my head together. I start to get different pieces of what happened to me earlier in the evening, and I don’t know whether to be angry about what Amber tried to do to me or if I should be upset with myself. Being in the room gives me a little too much time to think, but at least I can be alone for a few minutes.
Or so I thought. “I like her. We should definitely keep her.”
I snap my head in the direction of where I thought I heard the voice. There’s no way I could be hearing voices in my head right now.
“Yes, you are hearing what you think you are hearing, Yasir.”
I flinch, covering my ears with my hands, willing the noises away. I can’t be hearing things. I’m not going crazy.
“No, kiddo, you are not going crazy. There is a conversation we need to have, and soon.”
“Who are you? What do you want?” I shout to the empty room. “Where did you come from and why are you here?”
“Go look in the mirror, and I’ll show you who we are. Once you see for yourself, then we can go and have that conversation. Do you have somewhere that we can go?”
“If…and that’s a big if…I see what I see, and it’s something we need to convo over, then yeah, I got somewhere we can go.”
“As you kids love to say, say less.”
I’m completely out of my skull, listening to a voice in my head. I have to be dreaming or hallucinating or something. I didn’t hear whoever this was before. Why am I hearing him now?
Wait…pause a moment. Think, Ya-Ya, think on it.
I have heard him before; I just ignored him.
And I heard him before I woke up from my concussion, but it takes a minute to connect those dots and figure it out.
It’s obvious to me he wants my attention for real, for real.
So he wants me to see who “we” are, whatever that means. Okay, let’s see what he’s talking about.
I go back to the mirror, and at first, I don’t see anything that would freak me out.
Until I open my mouth and notice—wait a minute. Are those fangs?
Nope. I’m not seeing this right now. My mind’s playing tricks on me. The doctor said I had a concussion, remember? Yeah, that’s what we’re gonna blame this on, right now.
I rub my fingers over my eyes, try to focus, and take another look in the mirror. Instead of seeing my face, there’s a combination of my face and that of a beast, almost like a split screen right down the middle. The black fur and the pointed ear adorned with an earring, the snout jutted out just enough for me to be able to tell the difference between its features and mine. The fangs are fully out of my mouth, and the eyes are wide open, like it can see beyond just what we’re looking at in the mirror.
I stifle a scream to keep anyone from coming into the room to see why I’m legit freaking out. Make no mistake, I. Am. Freaking. Out! How in the hell is this happening? This isn’t possible. There’s no way.
His eyes glow bright purple, almost like a pure amethyst stone. In the calmest voice that doesn’t sound like mine but is coming from my lips, he introduces himself with two simple words.
“Hi, kiddo.”