Blue sky, white fluffy clouds; the perfect day shines down on The Kingdom of Midday. The newlyweds are on their way inside the castle to be greeted by a cheerful friend. It’s Nite-Nite.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUi2cz3AwC
“ooo, look who's back! Had fun?” Nite asks, mockery lacing the undertones of his voice.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN3eXqa3lY
Lullaby shoves his head; a playful gesture.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCVacmAw1C
“Don't be jealous.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavvUHJwOEM
Nite laughs putting his hands behind his head following beside them.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboqWaC6aT5
“Please.” Nite scoffs.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEXuV8Jcyu
Prom walks ahead and puts her hands behind her back. Her shyness is a battle hard to win, she likes to avoid being seen romantically in public as much as possible; yesterday couldn’t be helped.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyaVdi57Tx
“Oh looks like everybody's ready to go,” she states.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfJHzgyyQ7
End, Hershie, and Qiyamah have their luggage ready to go.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TP4w2i2iC
“End, Hershie, if you don't have a place to stay you can always stay in the kingdom until you get one. But it's completely up to you.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG6Q82A2dY
End and Hershie don’t have families, they grew up as orphans. They’re not the only ones.
Pageant comes up folding her arms. She talks for Prom, something she may do often.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpYwSkG1Nn
“Hmph. Or, perhaps, she's saying she wants you to stay.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UGGVsiEJr
“Ugh, was not!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8xoWsAcIO
“I don't care.” Hershey says. It sounds like a better idea than what they had in mind.
End laughs resting his hands behind his head.
“Then what are we all packed for huh?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21NqVcXE5x
Prom smiles at them. They’ll be better off here, safer. They have a place to call home here.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO3h8dy4Y4
“Oh, Lullaby. Is it okay if I take them to—”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ320w5zqqVO
“Sure, we're not going to stick like glue all day long.” he says and pinches her cheek. “Only a part of the day hun.”
Let's be realistic here, even couples need their time away from each other.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPtTtLt0Qx
Prom gave a slight smirk as her hair slipped in front of her eye. She pushes his hand away.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW98qlMuodr
“Thanks. Okay, come on guys.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEN816AzTc
“Where we goin’” End asks.
“Part of the day? Das crute.” Hershey lingers on that point, hoping to gain a good laugh.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0v5oknKHF
Prom shakes her head, their chatter growing more distant as they proceed up a grand staircase.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVRjsSDUA0
Now just Lullaby, Nite-Nite and Qiyamah remain. Lullaby’s eyes drift towards her.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEZoL02v2B
“Eugh, look at you Qiya!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErvoKtxXav
She’s all dressed up still standing there holding her luggage.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8obJC0vGy8
“Eugh! Look at you Lully!” she snaps back. What’s this boy’s problem?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gz0REpx8d
“Ugh, It's just, I guess this means you're going home now?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgtMzEQzpv
He looks to the side visibly upset. Hopefully she changes her mind.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNdV2oj5Ox
“Mhmm.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1fIGG1F3L
She said that without hesitation with a firm nod. She has no intention of staying here. Considering everything, he has to come to terms with it.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41fqa4PWmL
“Well, I guess you have to at some point huh? Just uh- Let me take you home huh?” Lullaby insists.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdUipZ350n
“Um... Uh... I guess it'll be ok…”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zbbNv45tz
Something different creeps onto her face. It’s unsure, but something else too.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSDF0uNPQ8
“Yeah, I know you're a long ways from home... So, what do they wear in your country?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIVYPzcEtY
“Um, normal stuff.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpBHzpN2dx
Her eyes became big as they revolved around. The kinds of questions he chooses to ask just don't make sense sometimes.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4PsnTJmzw
“What does it matter anyways?” Nite asks curiously.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpuXaHSKJe
Lullaby shrugs.
“That way I'll be at home.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxHhJ9Qb1f
“I guess. But don't think you two are leaving me here by myself!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfBAlucTvB
“Course not, what's a trip without your best bud huh?”
Nite laughs.
“Yup!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhfliVp3xq
Qiyamah is looking at them up and down. They’ve just invited themselves, haven't they? ‘Cause who else did?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAduCviNFBT
“Just don't get me in trouble,” she demands.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrj5EgDaEb
“Trouble? Pffft, Qiya just give me–”
“Five Hours!” Nite blurts out finishing Lullaby’s sentence. Remember how long it took on the wedding day?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcRPCH0Ei0
Lullaby shoves his head and finishes anyways.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zZFnPNSDs
“A sec to get ready 'kay?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVLblWMC6d
“Okay,” Qiyamah says with a frown.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWLXu2gDU4
She didn’t ask for any of this in the first place.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKlm2YY7Kd
“By a second, he seriously meant five hours,” Nite says with a sigh.
Qiyamah laughs, “He like accessorisin'”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhDsTWfORD
MUCH MORE THAN A SECOND LATER…
Lullaby walks up with his hands in his jacket pockets wearing casual street wear, whistling. His shirt reads in bold print: “Thanks Babe”.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnEbENUcQS
“I'm ready ♪ So, I guess this'll be good enough.
Qiyamah frowns, giving him a sharp side-eye. What the heck is he thinking? He must not know…
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLHoW7joPC
“Sure you wanna wear all dat?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I4MkmNfMN
“Wait, why wouldn't I be sure?” He doesn’t get it. He continues to ramble. “Hm, It's probably gonna be a long trip huh? Ha!” He hugs her. “That means we'll have lots of fun!”
And more time together. It’s hard to watch your best friend leave, even when you know you’ll see them again.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV6jEnaiAx
“Ok, Ok! You smotherin' me!”
Qiyamah’s face is red with frustration, she fights her way out of his arms giving him a shove.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiCSKCrfre
Just then, Nite-Nite walks up with snacks loaded in his arms.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwoQRKRRvH
“Oh, he's finally back,” he says, noticing Lullaby.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Gwy0iqEM
Qiyamah sniffs the air, smelling his strong grape scented cologne. She laughs cracking a joke.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu21txLCvH
“You know you black.”
Nite laughs shaking his head. That’s Qiyamah for you.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCZVsoKqaf
“Finally! You’re back!” Lullaby yells.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWzmdCxVSZ
A little game to shift the blame. Look who’s wasting time now.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcvi1CL6BR
“And no! I didn't spend that whole time getting dressed either!” Nite states, seems like he’s defending his dignity now.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhAZghSYuu
“What? I didn't spend that whole time getting dressed that would be ... crazy or somethin'. I uh, packed some stuff too,” Lullaby says with shifty eyes.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMym6DVoRn
Guilty as charged. But He’ll never admit it.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiC9daUQuN
“Yeah, that took like two seconds I'm sure,” Nite scoffs.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpQwgQD79F
“Yeah? And who's counting?!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZM80h8muq
Qiyamah’s eyes flicker from each of them.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZZFBLGp53
“ ...Y'all strange.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIErCvpKGi
“Anyways!” Nite interrupts again. “I was getting snacks, like chips and Blast Tarts.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn4BbvsWGb
“Oh yeah! I like those things... did you get those, those crumpet thingies?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc1qoXtWcV
“... Crumpet... thingies?”
“Whatchu talkin bout?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj4DukjPfe
Confusion floods their faces for just a moment. Then, Nite puts his hand on his face and looks through his fingers at him exhaustedly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsHmlC0wdG
“Depends on what you mean by ‘crumpet’”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNbVN0MfxL
“You know…” Lullaby makes a circle with his hands, attempting to explain himself. “They're circle and they got uh– chocolate things in it. You know—The things I—You know!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbqcHtH6Pm
Could it really be that hard?
His words hung in the air. Qiyamah burst into laughter. It took a moment, but she thinks she’s translated this foreign language of his.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD6qEehQD1
“Oh! You mean COOKIES?!”
Of course he means cookies. Nite laughs, yet unamused. His head drops. It’s just too much.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DLDSqsGs8
“You mean cookies I'm sure,” Nite says confirmingly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hCqvdAZJ3
“Oh yeah!” Lullaby snaps. “Those things.”
He snatches as many packages of cookies as he could hold.
“I like these!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhJhLu5dq4
“Uhuh,” Nite answers dryly.
“Straight from London or somethin'” Qiyamah jokes with a wrinkled lip.
“Worse…” Nite jokes.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh0cfXUHhp
Who don’t know what cookies are? Lullaby, apparently. It’s nothing new really, especially not to Nite-Nite. Whether it’s a pie being a strudel or a strudel being a dumpling, it’s always misconstrued some way or another. Who does that? Only Lullaby!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaBh1NrSpG
But, here we are again, wasting valuable time.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqquLbzA0qe
“Augh, let's go! We gotta get on that flight!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbSIRXV1mi
Nite doesn’t like wasting time. They got going, this is important after all. They’re seeing their best friend Qiyamah off.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNECL2VKQp6
They’ve never met Qiyamah’s family before, so they’re a little curious to see what they’re like. It’s been quite a while since they’ve been in a family setting themselves.
They arrive at the airport, it isn’t long before the madness begins again.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQHBtruZej
A loud roar fills the sky, as an airplane takes off. Lullaby’s body jolts, startled by the sound. His eyes follow the airplane in awe.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6uWfCkhOn
“Oh my God what is that? I never seen a car that big,” he mutters.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpVQji4FPd
Of course, right? It’s easy to forget he was raised under a rock. Nite-Nite smirks.
“You mean airplane.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTRYsxJZZQ
Qiyamah erupts into laughter.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP8XaflaEC
“Yeah! You stuck in 1720 somewhere, or even further back.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfAuCq4Fw5
“Airplane?” Lullaby still stares in awe at the grand skybird ascending. “Sounds like a water company.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuCKKDSq4s
Nite-Nite whistles holding back a laugh.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3pJIft2zr
The whole experience is new to Lullaby, he has one question after another. Good thing Qiyamah and Nite know what they’re doing or this would be an entire nightmare. And to think he’s the oldest, ha! He’s like a baby in a toystore. Look at him.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDaYRSIbMu
He has his face pressed against the window, the world growing smaller beneath them.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt0jWiVceZ
His black vampire wings; which you would mistake as a cape otherwise, flap; they are marked with a red heart in the center of each one. The mark of a special Crimson Vampire.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkcRSJaaO9
Crimson Vampires are different from average vampires, they can withstand the sun just like any other human. So, it isn’t very uncommon to see them walking in broad daylight. In fact, at their core burns a fire; where their power comes from. So the sun only makes them stronger.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJAeAlEFE6
“Wow, we’re actually up high and I don’t even gotta move my wings!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHmGftuN1j
“Yeah. That’s why it’s an airplane,” Nite states the obvious.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq27hYsleJT
“Yeeeeeah,” Qiyamah says. She just doesn't understand what world he’s from; not yet.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhklYho5Ga
At their destination; New Wave, an unforgettable city with magic hidden beneath, they wait at the airport for Qiyamah’s parents. Lullaby paces back and forth getting impatient.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkScpsHaI6b
“God where’s momma?!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gLTGUdBKj
Just then a van pulls up, a very roomy van built for a large family. Qiyamah's heart jumps up to her throat and her eyes nearly shoot out of her face. She holds her stomach like an unexpected bathroom visit just settled in, she rocks nervously.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWsrwna2uj
“Oh, neat.” Lullaby stares at the car. He just knows it’s them.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlNXFFz8CZ
The car comes to a stop. A black man with a stern exterior sits in the driver seat. His eyebrow nearly goes through the roof of the car the moment his eyes meet with Qiyamah’s new friends.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqcEt20HlA
He gets out.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCrOmzpvS8
“Baby girl!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ407zIqNV5l
His voice hit like thunder; loud but joyous. Qiyamah’s body jolts, as if she were hit by lightning.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jOtIGoX6F
“Daddy!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdHZZsJApJ
She immediately runs over to them fumbling over her words, like a child tattle telling.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfhWwD7716
“Dey–dey–dey–dey—”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUUOXSHpW1
Lullaby walks up beside her giving her a gentle nudge with a warm smile on his face.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq7aHQ0FVI
“Well, aren’t you happy to see your parents,” he says teasingly. Truly happy for her.
Qiyamah takes a calming breath, getting herself together. She looks at her father with a soft, yet uncertain face. Her father is an assertive and stern man at times, what is he going to think of them?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoIKJYmo0P
“These are good people, they’re my friends, and they wanted to meet my family.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3neM8jVvO
“Heey, where’s momma anyways?” Lullaby asks. It sounds like she’s the only one he really wants to meet.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7krxq5gm
Her father, Fajr; his eyes become narrow, his face hauntingly unreadable.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iOnsJbi8i
“Get in the car.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fH5ShUaBe
Without further discussion, Qiyamah runs and gets in the car.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhljitoTJW
“Who is y’all to my daughter? Y’all came from… that place?” He goes on questioning the young men.
Can you imagine what would be going through an average city going father’s mind with something like this? Who are these unusual funny looking characters? Is this some kind of cosplay?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6MaDAlubM
For some reason Nite-Nite seems to be just as shaken as Qiyamah; he just met the man. But anyone knows when a guy’s not someone to be messed with. He fumbles over his words like a criminal in interrogation.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9wNU6ZHne
“Uh–uh–uh, we’re here friends and—”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylBSohLZq9
Lullaby cuts in, he’s not nervous any ounce.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSiBx2Fqum
“Oh yeah, Qiyamah’s so cute, she’s my bestie. Lucky guy you are, huh?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mOEFJiXcX
Something dark falls over Fajr’s face and he steps back, his stare unmoving.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1ZHkjhN0v
“We’re not bad people, we believe in God,” Nite reassures him. He elbows Lullaby hard, catching him off guard.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSWH0uMLbN
“Hey!” He realizes the intensity of the situation. “Oh uh, yeah–”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfXLieawb3
He grabs his jacket, he looks at the words on his shirt. This could look pretty bad. He lets out an uneasy chuckle.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMKfy4E9zM
“Oh no–yeah, we believe in God.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNt1YAKTnW
He reaches in his jacket and pulls out a small, well preserved book. It is black and red with fine gold details.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Cimj66er
“I got my Holy Book right here.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwVAuW9y63
He flips through the pages a little, looking lost in a distant nostalgic moment.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYf8EVQRqB
“We don’t mean any harm sir,” Nite adds.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9mFcIwgky
With one hand, Lullaby closes the book. He lifts his gaze as he tucks it away carefully.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVIzskm82c
“Yeah, we’re definitely not bad guys. Mm-Mm, we just tagged along with Qiya since it's such a ways away. We wanted to make sure she got home safe, you know?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqIkIfd94F
Fajr let the boys explain their case for long enough. For a moment, something more gentle settles onto his face.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i5NZbRj2S
“Oh, well at least y’all lookin’ out for her.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeAU87bI2A
“Uh yeah, guess we could, you know– go now. She’s uh, safely in your hands guy.”
Nite backs up. Maybe they should leave. Unwanted company isn’t good company. Lullaby nods and does the same.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU62BO6cUcE
Maryam, a light skinned heavyset black woman speaks from the passenger seat of the car.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3tbowQpUS
“Well, if they came all this way then we might as well see who Qiya hangs around.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFXxoETC59
Lullaby smiles.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQEMrzdp00
“That must be momma,” he says in a low whisper absolutely thrilled.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaTjyAC5Gn
Nite-Nite shakes his head.
He just doesn’t get it, does he?
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbXysbJleE
Fajr ponders.
“Hm, I don’t know..” He pauses, then sighs.
“Fine, just no mess or you’re coming right back to this spot, understood?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtHqSSQDIn
Undoubtedly, his assertive tone states he means business.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64erCMbRAu
“Really? Thanks.” Nite says, a hint of unsurety remains in his voice.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrPrUBvIkZ
“Yeah, thanks a whole lot.” Lullaby agrees.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhEsPFQ1hM
Who could believe it? Is it a trick? Or something else?
Well there’s more than what meets the eye and its good advice; never judge a book by its cover, but its contents. Sometimes you have to read further than the first few chapters though!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCAtdePl4t
Fajr laughs. What’s so funny?
“No, thank you for lookin’ out for my girl. Get in the back.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T5Jdmldcg
That’s right.
Lullaby and Nite stand there for a moment in disbelief. An uneasy laugh escapes Lullaby’s lips.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThWJrAeszw
“Cool.”
Nite gives him a side-eye. It seems too often they don’t see thing eye to eye.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtv4UzKD2L
“Let’s hope we don’t get killed half to death by the time we get there!”
“What? No way!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ585AqAW0jq
Honestly, these people wouldn’t hurt a fly. They have hearts of gold just like Qiyamah.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQfvoGQjUr
After a drive, they come to a modest house; not too big, not too small. Qiyamah’s home for many, many years.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE1SWfY1pn
“This is your house huh?”
Lullaby stares at it a moment.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjioXOZxWhn
“Interesting.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslCbp2NxFV
Qiyamah moves away from him uncomfortably, hoping to be forgotten about. Fajr’s keys jangle as he flips through them.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZxo0l8dqp
“Mhmm,” he mutters in response.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRhgnNjFrY
As they enter, the kitchen is already at work. The aroma of a full course meal dances through the air with a jig. Chilli burgers, chilli fries , cookies, cakes, you name it; it's on the menu. Big liters of soda sat in the center of a glass table, glass cups lined beside it.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtBro7HB2O
“Smells good in here!”
Nite-Nite seems excited, he hasn’t had a decent meal in a minute. Little snacks are nothing like a homemade meal. Everything here is made from scratch.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjOTKOKbvI
“Mhmm, Sholl is!” Maryam exclaims.
“Ooo!” Lullaby yells.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboKbKEXd5f
He hops right onto the marble kitchen counters. Has anyone ever taught him manners? Or anything for that matter?!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe65Z9aVICn
“I just love kitchens!”
He caresses the counter top with his hand, letting it lead him into a laying position; belly first, legs swinging.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8wBTHU7pN
What in the world is he thinking?
“Alright,” Maryam says firmly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62rfM8FhbM
She grabs his arm just as firmly and yanks him off of the counter top. His eyes pop out, they flicker up and down, taken back by her strength.
“That’s a firm grip you got there Momma.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2IqPRjYM5
“Nasty butts don’t belong on my counter.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxoLkfXMJN
Another tall skinny black woman lets out a laugh. Her name is Ihklas, she’s partially responsible for the delicious disaster of a feast. Her hands are still at work.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SN1F0xbc3
“Mhmm, where’s your home trainin’ boy?” she asks.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1epmKa82
Everyone’s wondering at this point. Laughter rings throughout the kitchen and dining room, even Fajr lets out a chuckle.
Everyone except Qiyamah, her face looks like she ate a freshly picked lemon. He’s going to get her in trouble!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQdfv2pTuY
“Ooo, sorry…” Lullaby says. He rubs his arm like a hurt kid.
“That’s what chairs are for,” Nite teases.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2u2ErN6Oe
Everyone is finally seated at the dinner table, after saying a blessing; mingling.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSAbjcSZuG
“Thanks for this, and sorry if it was a sudden visit. Qiyamah’s just a really nice girl and we wanted to meet her family” Nite explains.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3hcychOmh
“Sure did, especially you,” Lullaby adds, pointing at Maryam with a wink.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60TFTWs37N
Maryam smiles a little flattered.
“Mhm, Glad she been behavin’”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhxfp4H7TH
“That’s sweet. She must’ve had a lot of good stuff to say about us,” Ikhlas replies.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAw3hK2iAj
“As long as she ain’t been doin nothin’ wrong,” Fajr says wrapping his arm around Qiyamah. “We expect the best out of our children.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsg3UJg7h7
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoslna97H0M
Lullaby smiles, drifting in his thoughts. Something about this is different. Something about this is like a good memory. This is how family is meant to be.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiFytM7C2l
He watches three young adults, around Qiyamahs age; in their teen years, two of them make awkward silly faces sticking out their tongues. It’s a boy with brown skin and a neat fade haircut and a girl with light tan skin, straight black hair and bangs; Isra’il and Amy. The third boy; low hair cut, midtone skin, and a jacket patched with teddy bears, whispers.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5th2IyICU1
“Why y’all faces like that?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpIGWiOMob
That is Mika’el. Beside him a little baby boy sits in a high; Falaq. He watches Lullaby’s wings flutter slowly. He swings his feet mesmerized by the motion.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26vji2SRFR
“I want to get to know all of you, so you have to tell me.”
Everyone’s attention turns towards Lullaby.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm9cKjZo33
“I guess we should introduce ourselves first!” Nite says nudging Lullaby.
There’s clearly a manner issue here.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vjFVrjVfv
“Aw, that’s no fun,” Lullaby mutters.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIvg9aNQST
“I’m NiteNite Crescent. I live a very long way away from here. I’m sixteen and uh– I don’t have any family…”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q7D1kaY7G
There’s a pause as he reflects on his life. Lullaby lowers his head.
“I’m sure they died in a fire, when I was younger. Our house caught fire.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWxSG3JxCC
Nite’s eyes widen as he realizes the gloom settling on everyone’s face. He lets out an uneasy laugh.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGUFsUJV4s
“Yeah, that’s basically it!”
He looks down poking at his food with a frown, hoping he hasn’t ruined everyone’s mood.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BnY1u2CIF
Everyone responds vaguely. Amy stares at Mika’el with a sad look in her eye. He holds back his emotions.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFEYePSBip
Darn it, that didn’t go so well. How can anybody eat after all of that?!
Nite elbows Lullaby.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XDn0ftLQF
“I don’t want to say nothin’!” he blurts, everyone looks at him, he laughs.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U2tsisPhJ
“If I gotta… I’m Lullaby and I’m 19 years old. Oh, and don’t forget my birthday is March 2oth, you can take notes if you like. Oh… and, family… I have family. They’re just far away right now, that’s too bad! Haha, oh and yeah, I was just married a few days ago.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYVX0Jv7ZF
A glare of mischief glazes his eyes and he points to Qiyamah. She needs to be put on the spot, she needs to pay for pushing her best friend away. How dare she!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxINNquwF6x
“Isn’t that right Qiyamah!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG5mkxHqmv
Before Qiyamah can speak, everyone bombards the conversation. Some speak loudly, others mumble under their breath. Fajr nearly chokes, clearing his throat.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvkzOGfvBU
“To whom?”
Maryam lets out a loud chuckle.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6w7gZM3hd
“Oh Fajr!” she elbows him. “She ain’t married to no boy like that!”
Her last word is so sharp it stings.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTTfI885AT
Ikhlas face twists all up.
“Ooh, I hope not.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDKkaRAEg0
Isra’il cackles loudly.
“That would be Naaaaaasty!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDImXSNprY
Amy agrees with her expression alone. Mika’el the softest of the three tries to be optimistic, although he looks like he witnessed an alien abduction up close.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOgcKBCcfB
“Ain’t nothin’ wrong wit’ that…” his eyes ease towards Lullaby, then immediately flicker away. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong wit’ that.”
He repeated those words as if he was trying to convince himself.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwixdmRefgi
Falaq rambles baby gibberish into the air, the only audible word is “Mama!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV2rIg2VUZ
Finally, Qiyamah broke through the chaos.
“Eugh! No! That didn’t happen! Swear to God!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Yg0nl83n
Her last word shakes and hangs like a preacher on a pulpit. Fajr rang out in agreement like a congregation yelling hallelujer!
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFrzriIA5c
“Dang straight it ain’t happenin’”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2LogpzhBs
Wow, is… he really that bad? Did that harm her more, or him?
Jokes over. He laughs.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3xhWTIS4R
“Yeah, she was our flower girl, she was so cute. See.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctUIdhhDTe
He takes a picture out of her, it’s from his wedding. He passes it to Fajr.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzffafSlh4X
“Aw would you look at that,” Fajr says adoringly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRGSfiKr7H
“Aw man! We should’ve been there! She would’ve been cuter!” Maryam exclaims.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwxDIXdqqE
“Oh Mary, she’s cute like that,” Ikhlas assures her.
“Dang!” Isra’il rings out like a cruel jokester.
Amy pops him on the back of the head.
“What?!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEs3R4z2mq
Mika’el’s eyes grow wide, “Big… and pretty.” He nods.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIgCPSCq3a
Qiyamah’s face is as red as a tomato.
“No I ain’t…”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBaQoMdZUH
There’s too much going on at once. She didn’t expect this today.
But she still hasn’t paid enough, so it seems.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMu3YShHh9
“Heh, I think that’s all I should say…”
Lullaby laughs behind his fist
“Because I just might get dangerous.”
He smirks; sharp fangs expose themselves.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoie2hrcHxz
Fajr raises his eyebrows, his eyes shrink.
“Right, let's not.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmTEuUSH57
He doesn’t know when to quit, does he?
“Somethin’ wrong witchu,” Maryam says with an uneasy expression
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NXAfEcJcq
Everyone’s muttering snazzy comments at him. Nite decides to step in and shift the tone.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5t7OC8Y5U
“Hey! Tell us about you guys huh?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGfvg3zXOS
Finally, the calm has come.
“Sure, I’ll start. Names Fajr Ma’un. I’m the father of the household and I have high expectations for my family. We serve God and we expect no less from our guests. I don’t mind you being Qiyamah’s friends as well as ours, as long as you abide by the rules of God.”
Lullaby puts a cherry sucker in his mouth.
“Sounds deep.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOt8Xz3HTg
“Cool, that works,” Nite responds.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY6SsjwyW2
“My name’s Maryam Ma’un. My first husband died and Fajr took me in as a wife, like the book says. I’m happy to have a good husband, even though he passed, I still love him. We did this to keep the family together. My parents also died, so I feel your pain Nite, I feel it.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtOZ2azxTQ
Prom better not die! Lullaby’s face shrivels at the thought of it.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZDA2Yicwn
“I’m sorry you lost so much,” Nite empathises.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjp13IzVtr
“Um… I’m Ihklas. I like cooking and spending time with my family. I love them dearly, I don’t know what I would do without them.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2byS8IcbGX
Everyone continues, having their time to introduce themselves one by one.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglSgaSgppA
“I’m Amy, I don’t live here, I live next door. I have a mom and two sisters. Oh and Dad calls every now and then. I like doing art, playing my acoustic guitar, and hanging out with my friends of course.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlNskMWAx4
It’s finally Mika’el’s turn.
“Uh… I’m Mika’el. My family… died in a fire too ‘cause… Alfred.”
A darkness looms over him, his face carries pain and something darker.
“He burnt momma to death…”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwdCCta8N9
The table falls quiet. After a moment Mika’el sighs, he escapes reliving an unwanted memory.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo0sRq49Gd
“But anyways, luckily God bless, Amy & Isra’il helped me. Fajr, Maryam, and Ihklas are looking after me until I get adopted.” A smirk eases on his face, sarcastic but light. “Coo huh?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAkGZZnidr
Lullaby stares at him. Poor guy, just like Nite. A sense of grief overshadows his expression.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3WrqvrM8g
“Yeah, guess we have that in common.” Nite says.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5O8gE1Keb
Mika’el nods and looks at Isra’il.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Upo8rC5o
“I don’t know!” Isra’il pauses reluctantly, but continues. “I’m Isra’il Ma’un. I like helping mommy, big momma, and daddy. I’ll do anything I can for them. I like to do other stuff too but that’s it for now. Besides…”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoviGr5gYsl
He clears his throat and mischief flickers in his eyes.
“Big momma’s secret!” he slips in under a cough.
A wooden cooking spoon pops him on the head. The whole table erupts into laughter including him.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v7qFMhdSr
“You know, you’re all real nice people,” Lullaby says.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBK0adwTJ2
“Yup! And it’s really nice to meet you guys,” Nite adds.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XhbjZ1l79
“It’s getting late…” Lullaby says.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWd0lWaYq
The family says their goodbyes, seeing them on their way. Maryam, Ikhlas and the three others are clearing the table and cleaning up. Fajr and Qiyamah remain.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eAoJdv540
“Ain’r you gone say goodbye to your friends?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq1ndsVdBu
“Uh… I guess.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VNcWfVQdg
“Go on.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoNimQ3AtB
Qiyamah meets Lullaby outside alone. His mind caught adrift; something troubling it seems. Until he sees her. He gives a soft smile and softly pinches her cheek.
“Sorry if I caused you too much trouble.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVAbBubmBp
“No… They actually seem… strangely ok with it.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rzwK7FxFK
“Well, I’m glad I got to meet your family. I actually think they’re really nice people. I see why you love them so much. They’re irresistible, like you.”
He pokes her nose.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV9AcZkPKQ
She smiles a little flattered.
“Yeah guess so.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqbGeeDY4l
“Yeah…”
A troubled expression creeps back on his face, he looks up at the night sky.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb4CoejRtE
“You know, I want to meet your family. What they like?”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxWfNQe7vj
“Huh?! What, no.” Lullaby says with a frown and turns away trying to ignore her.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFmFXNyGtc
“No, seriously! It’s only fair!”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4tZcuT8Td
“Aw, well life’s not fair hun. Plus, I don’t have time for that.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIyHlLNiqJ
“What? You really gonna take me through all of this stress and not even—” she scoffs, shaking her head.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgKt715yQZ
What kind of friend is he?
“Ugh, I…” he stammers.
“Fine, if it’s like that.”
She turns her back on him.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWS79alCTw
Why does she have to be like that? She just doesn’t understand. Some things are better left in the dark.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3zKcYHQLW
He sighs.
“You know, speaking about home, I think I should get back. I bet Prom is screaming my name right now.” he laughs. “Poor baby.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMd2SVRoPW
Qiyamah stays firm in her stance, not giving him even a side glance.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MxMzhHMbX
“See ya Qiya.” He ruffles her hair. “Tell your parents thanks for everything.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeECQpfQ97g
A beat; his hand slips from her hair and he turns walking away in the silence. Qiyamah sighs, turning to him.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXZ9kT0iwp
“Okay.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBsaoYlzzX
He smiles and points at her. “Oh and you should visit me sometime.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBOrt1jV59
“Mhmm, I’ll think about it.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXKVv3RWc
“Better!”
Qiyamah laughs.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sUZc9jQjX
“Okay, I will if God wills. Bye Lullaby.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZLJic2onn
He’s hard to stay mad at. They’re best friends and after all she did push him away today, that’s not what good friends do. So, they’re even.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzxJ6A2NH6
Still, what is it about his family? What does he have to hide? What happened? So many questions remain unanswered.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIfwm9nU6R
and then Add to home screen.