*

LISABELLA*

I
ntr
o:

Todayam t
urning18year
sandlordam sohappy.I
gotupfr
om bedjustasaknockcamethroughand
myauntvoice.
“angekezi ziwasheizitshawesi si”Thedi sheswont
washt hemsel ves.Wel lthi
si smyl if
e.Ihaveat i
ny
ti
nr oofhouseatt heback.Wel litsast oragewhile
myauntandherki dsliveint hemai nhouse.My
parent sdiedwhenIwas12i nacaracci dentandlet
j
ustsayl if
ehavebeenl emonseversi nce.Am
basical l
yamai dinmyownhouse.Myf ather
tr
ust edhi ssistertotakecar eofmebutl ongstory
short.Shet akescareofherownchi l
drenwi thmy
i
nher itance.Theonl ygoodt hatmyf at
herdi dwas
creatingaschool i
ngf undt hatmakessur eIgoto
Crawf ord.Oneoft hebestschool sinDur banand
paysf ormyt uiti
onanduni form andcant een.
SchooldaysIonl yhaveonemealandt hatis
what everIbuyatschool .WeekendsIonl yhave
dinnerandt hatifanyl eftover saret here.Icl eanthe
housel i
keasl aveandImi ndmybusi ness.Il etmy
auntspeakt omehowevershewi shesandl ether
childrentreatmehowevert heyseef i
t.Theonl y
thingt hathasbeenkeepi ngmesanei sknowi ng
thatonceam 18Iwi llnol ongerbeconsi dereda
childandIcanl eave.Ihavebeensavi ngal ot.At
schoolihavebeenal lowi ngki dswhohavecasht o
usemycar dlikecr azyandpaymeof causesoi
haveenought or unaway.I val r
eadyappl i
edi n
Johannesbur g.I t
sbigandicanbel osti nthere.So
weshal lseewhenJanuar ycomesi fam accept ed
ornot .Ivalreadysaved10t housandi nayearand
ofcauseist ealt hemoneyshel eavesl yingar ound
i
nt hehouse.I tsmymoneyanywayssoi tsmor e
l
iket akingbackwhatmi ne.Iwentout sideont he
sinkandpour edwat eri nabuckett hanwenti nmy
l
ittl
eshackandt ookabat h.Wi nterorsummert hat
howIbat h.Iwor emybl ackl eggingsandt opt han
ti
dyupt heroom andwhendoneIst artedmyday.
Luvuyomycousi ndaught erwhoi s8came.Shei s
theonl yfami l
yIhave.Theonl yper sonwhol oves
mei
nthi
sfami
ly.
Luvuyo:Unj
anincane(howareyouaunt
y)il
aughed.
SheknewIhatedbeingcall
edNcane.
Me:Am goodbabe.Wena?
(you)
Luvuyo:Am good.Sherol
leduphersl
eevesand
star
tedhel
pingmewi thmychores.I
fitwasn’
tfor
heril
lbedeadoflabour.
Luvuyo:mom nevercamebackizol
o(yest
erday)
gogoleftaf
terwaki
ngyouandfeedingmea
sugarl
essoatsandmalumezwepassedoutbyt he
sofadrunk.
Myauntki dsarespoiltbr ats.Mycousi nThembi
has4ki ds.Theot her3ar eattheydi f
ferentfat
her
s
houseandl uvuyostaysher ebecauseherf ather
passedawayandt hef ami l
ysentherback.Al l
Thembiknowsi shavi ngagoodt ime.Shehasno
mat r
icafterhermot hert ri
edami l
li
ont i
mesbut
nothing.ThanZwel i.Hisj ustalazyass.Ver ysmart
butjustlazy.ThenSenzot heoldest.LasttimeIsaw
hi
m waswhenhemat riculatedandnevercame
back.Hist heonewhopl antedthisideainmyhead
forthel ast6year s.Yeshecal l
sbuthi scall
sare
alwaysshor t.Wecl eanedandicookedl unchand
weatwi thluvuyo.YesIeatwhennoonei shome.
WhendoneIcl eanedandj ustt
hant hedoorbel
lrang.
Iwalkedt othedoorandt herestoodtwosmar t
l
ooki ngpeopl e.Oneguyinabl acksuitanda
beaut i
fulladyi nanavypenci lskir
tandwhi t
etop.
Them;Hi
Me:Hiandj ustthenacarpull
edupandIknewt hat
car.I
tthecarthathasthepowerofhavi
ngeveryone
i
nthehouset reatmelikeahumanbeing.I
twasmy
fat
herlawyer.Iopenedthedoorandt
heyallgotin
andsatbythedi nni
ngarea.
Mrkhumal
o:Ical
ledandyourauntsai
dshe5
mi
nuteaway
Me:cool,
iplacedt hejui
ceandbi scuit
s.Justthan
auntThandekawal kedi
npant i
nglikeadog.Iknow
shewasscar edt hatImightspil
lhersecretsbutam
notabouttoruinmychanceofl eavingthi
splace.
JustDecemberl eftandt heyhar
dlyhomet han
Januaryam offtovar si
ty.
Aunty:sor
ryt
okeepyouwai t
ing.Shekissedmy
cheekandIstoodt
herefr
ozent heyounglady
l
ookedatmeandt henscri
bbledsomethingdown.
Mrkhumal
o:i
tsokaywewer
enotwai
ti
ngl
ong.
AuntThandeka:i
ssomet
hingwr
ong?
Mrkhumal o:ItsLisabel
labir
thdayt
oday.She
turni
ng18.Ismi ledashet ookoutati
nyredvelvet
boxandpassi tovertome.Isawmyaunt ylookat
mewi thevileyesandIknewt hi
sgi
ftwontbemi ne
foreveroncekhumal oi
sgone.Iopenedthem and
foundbeaut i
fulsil
verwit
hdiamondsearri
ngs.
Me:wow,
Theybeaut
if
ul.Thankyou.
Mrkhumal
o:t
ryt
hem ont
heyf
rom yourmot
her
.
It
ookoutt
hepl
ast
icst
udsIhadonandputt
hem on.
MrKhumal
o:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Me:ThankyouIbl
ushed.Het
ookoutanenvel
ope
andgaveitt
ome.
Mrkhumal
o:Thatbi
genvel
opei
sforyout
or eadat
yourownt
ime.Nowmovingont
obiggert
hings.
IhaveMissNcindihereandMrKubhekaal
ltheway
fr
om Johannesburg.
Aunt
yT:Johannesbur
g
MrKhumalo:Yes.Nowil
lreadthi
stest
imonyf
rom
yourpar
ent
sandal l
wil
lbeclear.
Me:Okay.
Mrkhumalo:haveaseat
.Ievenf
orgott
hatiwas
st
andi
ng.Isatdownandlookedatt
hem.
Mrkhumal
o:wel
ll
etmebegi
n:
Il
lli
ketothankmysisterforbei
ngsuchanamazi ng
souli
ntakingcar
eofmydaught erunti
lsheisold
enoughtobecomeherownwoman.Fort hatther
e
i
s100t housandt
hatWi l
lbedeposi
tedint
oyour
accountbyendoftoday.

Aunt
yT:owkodwabhut
i.
Shesmi
ledasi
fshej
ustwonami
ll
ion

“buti
tsnowt
imef
orhert
ost
artherownj
our
ney.
Therewil
lbenomor
emont hlyall
owancestowards
thehouseasshewi
llbenolongerli
vingt
here”
Il
ookedatt
heshockonherface.Iwonderhow
muchshewasgett
ingmonthly.
Aunt
yT:whatdoeshemeannomont
hlyal
lowance?
MrKhumal
o:Si
nceLi
sabell
awontbestayi
ngher
e
t
her
ewouldbenoneedforthatanymor
e
AuntyT:whereshegoi ng?Sheappl yi
nginunisa
nextyear.Goingtostayri
ghther eandstudyin
unisa.Tel
lthem baby.IkeptquietandlookedatMr
Khumal owithmyhear tdoingami nidance.Mydad
i
stakingmeouti fthishellhol
e.

“Mybeaut i
fuldaughterknowt hatallIdof oryouI
doitwi t
haki ndheartandal wayswant ingwhat
bestforyouandyourf utur
e.It
swi thapr oudheart
thatIletyouknowt hatyouar etoleavet odayand
l
eavewi t
hthepeopleaccompanyi ngMrkhumal o.
Theyar etotakeyout oyounewhome.Andt r
ustme
Ididthisforyourowngood.Il oveyou”
Aunt
yT:youcan’
ttakeher
Mrkhumal
o:am af
rai
dit
sdone.Hepassedapaper
t
oherandshel
ookedsoshocked.
Aunt
yT:Mar ri
ed????Thesmil
eonmyface
di
sappeared.Whatdoesshemeanwhenshesays
marr
ied!Marriedtowho?Marri
edhow?Idon’
thave
aboyfr
iend,neverhadoneandhowcanIbe
marr
ied???
Foll
owmei nmyjour
ney.Iam Li
sabell
aJohnson
butirat
herbecall
edLisaorBell
a.Thisi
smyst or
y
ofanarrangedmarri
agetoastrangerandhowI
navi
gatedlif
eaft
erIwasthrowntoawor l
dInever
knewexisted.
.Hopeyouenjoy!
!!
I
nser
t1:

ThedooropenedandIl
ookedupandf
oundmy
ol
derbrot
herwalki
ngi
nlooki
nggri
m.
Me:Whatup?
Si
pho:wel
ldadwant
stoseeyou
Me:Andyouknowwhy?
Si
pho:am notsayi
nganyt
hingbr
o
Me:It
houghtmom sai
dyourl
oyal
tyi
stome!
Si
pho:Iknewdadlongbefor
eIknewyouandpl
us
i
tsbestyoufi
ndoutfr
om dadnotme.
Me:gi
vemeahi
nt.
Si
pho:Sal
izwa!
!
Iknewwhenhecal l
smebyt hatnamet he
conversat i
oni sover .SoIgotupf rom mychai rand
walkedwi thhimt aggingal ongt omydadof fi
ce.
Themi nut eIgoti nhecl osedt hewi ndowst odar k
andthest eelwidowsr oll
edout .Heusual lydoes
thi
swhenheknowsI l
lgobal li
sti
candmypower s
overtakes.Lastt i
meIchangedi ntoaf ullwolf
somet hingweneverknewIhadi nme.Justt han
mom emer gedf r
om t hejoini
ngr oom andshe
l
ookedf ri
ghtfulwithgr andmaandAunt yJayla.Thi s
i
sgoi ngt obehugef ordadt obr i
ngallthe
supernat uralsjustthanAver ywal kedinwi thDion
l
ookingl ikeast atue.Whathavet heydonenowt hat
mightmademegocr azy.Iknewiwast hemost
power fulsuper naturalinthewor ldandi mmor talbut
iwi
llneverhur
tthem,
theymyf
ami
ly.
Me:dad
Dad:wellnowt
hatthef
amilyisher
ewewi l
lli
ket
o
tal
ktoyouaboutsomet
hing.Hewalkedt
ome
holdi
nganenvel
ope.
Mom:Itsyourbi
rt
hdayi
ntwodaysandwet
houghi
t
bestt
ogiveyouyourgi
ftt
oday.
Dadhandedmet heenvelope.Ilookedar oundthe
sil
entroom t
oretheenvelopeandl ookedinandt he
fi
rstwordswereMar r
iagecerti
fi
cate.Ilookedatiti
t
andsawmynameandLi sabell
al i
sakhanya
Johnson.Theyhavetobeki ddi
ngme.Di dmom and
dadgotmemar r
iedwithoutmyconsent ?Arethey
forreal
?

Li
sabel
la
Ilookedatthem andl
ookedatt
hepi
eceofpaper
Li
zweSal i
zwaMusk.Thatmyhusband.Whati
smy
dadthinki
ng?
Me:Iwantadi
vor
ce
Mrkhumal
o:Thatnotanopt
ionf
oryou
Me:whatyoumean?
Peopl
egetdi
vor
cedal
lthet
ime.
MrKhumal
o:notyou
Me:anannul
ment
Mrkhumal o:Youmar ri
edandt hatit
.Theyher eto
takeyoutoJohannesbur g.Nowt hatIdidn’
texpect.
Nowi tsmakesmyl oadawhol elotless.Il
lleave
withthem butrunawayint heprocess.10thousand
i
senoughf ormetoli
vebyi nonemont hinthecity.
ThancomeJanuar yi
llbeinschool.
Aunt
yT:shej
ustachi
ld.Am herguar
dianandwhat
yout
wodi di
swrong
Mrkhumalo:youherfosterguardi
anandt hat
besi
dest
hepoi ntherf
athersignedonthisandthat
i
t.NowPleasepackyouressent i
alandIl
lwaither
e.
MissNcindi:I
llhel
pyou.Myauntjumpedof
fthe
chair
.Iknewsheneverwantedthem t
oseewhere
goingtopack.
Aunt
yT:I
llhel
p
MrKhumal
o:Youhavesomepaper
stosi
gn.Igot
upwi t
hmyenvel opeandmar riagecer t
if
icat
eand
walkedoutt hehousewi t
hMi ssNci ndifoll
owingme
i
nsi l
ence.igotinapackedaf ewt hingsthatIhad
wit
hf i
tt
edi nonebagandal l
myi mpor t
ant
document sandi fcausethemoney.WhendoneI
tur
nedf oundMi ssNcindiintears.
Me:Uhmmm
Mi
ssNci
ndi
:Am sor
ry
Me:thatwhathappenswhenyouhavenopar
ents.
Shehelpedmecarrythebagsandwebumpedinto
l
uvuyocrying.
Luvuyo:Takemewi
thyou
Me:Ican’tbutIpr
omi
seyouwi
llvi
sitmewhen
schoolcl
osed.
Luvuyo:t
heycl
osednow
Me:nextti
me.Shehuggedmel i
keherl
if
e
dependedonit.Wewal
kedinthehouseandf
ound
myauntcryingandiwasconf
used.
Mrkhumalo:Ij
ustshowedyourauntacont
ractt
hat
saysi
fyouwe’remist
reat
edinhercar
eshelosesit
al
l.Thehouse,carandmoney.Nowillaskyou.
Wer eyoumistr
eated?Il
ookedatmyaunt.Whatthe
pointsheal
readyhatedmesoIdon’twanttofuel
herhate.
Me:No.shecanhaveit
.IheardMissNci
ndii
nhal
e
shar
plyandil
ookedathershakemyheadno.
Mrkhumal o:okayi
fyousayso.Hesigned
somethingandmyauntsatthereshocked.Iopened
thedoorandwentandstoodoutsi
dewai t
ingfor
them t
of i
nishup.

Li
zwe
Me:Ar
eyouguyski
ddi
ngmer
ightnow?
Mom:No, normalpeoplegetmarri
edandstarta
famil
y.Ilaughedathersol oudandshelookedhur
t
butIdidn’tcar
erightnowIwasangr y.
Me:Mom am notnor
mal.Idon’
tknowhowmany
t
imesImusttel
lyouthat
.Wearenotnormal
.
Mom:Youhuman
Me:ani
mmor
talhuman.Peopl
eli
kemear
enot
meantt
obehappyorevenhaveal
if
e
Mom:thatnott
rue,
Ifoundhappi
nesswi
thyour
f
ather
.
Me:noteveryonei
sbor ntobeluckyli
keyoutwo.I
f
youwantadaught eryoucoul
dhavej ustmadeone.
Ifel
tafasthotsl
aponmycheekf rom myfat
her
andeveryonewassoshocked.Iwassoshocked
myf at
herhaveneverlai
dahandonmeever .
Dad:Youangr
yigetitbutnoti
nmypresencei
ll
al
lowyoutospeaktomywi fel
iket
hat
.Nowsit
downandlett
alkl
ikeadult
s
Me:Youdi dwhatyoudi ddad.I fyouwant edust o
talkaboutt hi
ngsyouwoul dhaveaskedmebutno
youmar r
iedmeof f.Icl
osedmyeyesandt el
eported
tomybedr oom athome.Il ockeditandsatt here
witht hemar r
iagecer t
if
icateonhand.YesIal ways
want edwhatt heyhadgr owingupi nal ovinghome
wasamazi ngandknowi ngmydadador edmymom
kindofmadet hingsmagi cal
.ButformeIknewI
wasn’ tgoingtogot hatlane.Iwasn’ tgoi
ngt oput
anothersoult hroughmyt urmoilandinsecurit
ies.I
changedintotr
ackpantsandabl ackvest
.Il
ooked
atthecert
if
icat
eagain.Li
sabel
la.Whatanunusual
name...

Li
sabel
la
Itwasmyfir
stti
mei napl aneandImustsayi twas
themostamazing1hourever .Thepilotwaskind
enoughtowalkmet hroughthedrivi
ngprocess.We
gotther
eandiwasner vousaswewal kedtoa
seri
esofbl
ackcars.Iwasst i
lli
nmyl eggingsand
topandsandal
s.IlookedattheclassyMi ssNcindi
.
Me:Sor
ry
Mi
ssNci
ndi
:Pl
easecal
lmeMoume.
Me:Mpume,am sor
ryt
oaskbutwher
ecanIst
opt
o
f
reshenup?
Mpume:wecangot
omyapar
tment
.
Me:wi
llwepassamal
lorast
ore?
Mpume:Yes.Shedi
rect
edt
hedr
iver
.
Kamo
Idi
dfi
nishi
ngt
ouchesont
het
abl
ewhenSi
yabonga
wal
kedin.
Me:Theynother
eyet
.
Si
yabonga:Thedr
iverr
epor
tedt
heyl
eftt
heai
rpor
tit
mightbetr
aff
ic
Me:am soner
vousandLi
zwei
snotoutofhi
sroom
yet
Si
yabonga:If
eelbadf
orsl
appi
nghi
m
Me:Hehadt
her
ightt
obeangr
y
Siyabonga:butnott
herightt
odisr
espectyou.Just
thanSiphowalkedinfr
ustrat
edandhishornsout.
Me:Youneedtocont
rolyourmoodshoney,
you
knowifyouangr
yori
rri
tatedt
heyshow
Si
pho:Am j
ustner
vous
Me:Iknow,nowcloseyoureyesandbreat
he.
hedi
d
asItol
dhim andsl
owlytheywentin.
Me:yousee
Sipho:Iwoul
dn’
twantmynewsi
stert
oseemel
ike
thi
s.
Me:shewi
lll
ikeyouhor
nsornohor
ns
Si
pho:howcanyoubesosur
e
Me:Yourf
atherhasneverl
edmewr
ong.Tr
usthi
m.

Li
sabel
la
Il
ookedmysel fi
nthemirror
.Iwasnowwearinga
l
ongsl eeveblackdressandablueheadwrapthatI
broughttohidemyaf roandbluesandal
sandof
causet hedi
amondear ri
ngs.
Mpume:Youl
ookl
ovel
y
Me:Thankyou.If
eel
ner
voust
hough.Idon’
tknow
whatt
oexpect.
Mpume:Theyar
eal
ovel
yfami
lyt
hatmuchIcan
pr
omiseyou
Me:l
etmego.It
ooktheplast
icthatnowhavemy
ol
dclot
hesandl
eftwi
ththedri
verandmyner ves.
I
nser
t2:
Li
sabel
la
Myheartwaspoundingsof astaswedr oveinto
t
hemostbeauti
fulhousei veverlai
dmyeyeson.I t
washugeandbeautiful
.Ivneverseensuchi nmy
whol
eli
fe.Heparkedr i
ghtonthef r
ontdoorandI
j
umpedoffasthedriveropent hecardoorforme.
Me:Thankyou.Isl
owl
ywalkedi
nwi
thmypack
back.Ihavenoi
deawher
ehewentwi
thmysui
t
case.

Li
zwe
Iwasatoneoft heclubst hatIownandmyphone
wasringingnonest op.Itwasmymom.Ikept
di
sconnect i
ngi teveryt i
meshecal l
edj ustthen
Li
ndiwet hegirlwhoIbeenf uckingwithcameby.
Yesam hal fwol fbutam notl ikemydad.Icansl eep
wit
hot herwomanwi thouthur ti
ngthem.YesIdon’ t
l
etgocompl et
el yasIf earImi ghtdodamageandI
havebeencaut i
oususi ngcondomsl i
kecr azysoI
don’
tfatherachi l
dthataper sonwillhavenoi dea
howtor aise.
Lindiwe:Youl
ookingstressed,
comel
etmehel
pyou
releasesometension.
Me:Naham cool
Li
ndi
we:wel
lannotIwantyoui
nme
Me:nottodayLi
ndiwe.Shepoutedhereyesli
keshe
hurtIopenmywalletandtookoutacoupleof
hundredsshel
ovesmoneyt hatam awareofand
gaveher.It
ookthelastsi
pofmydr i
nk.
Li
ndi
we:youl
eavi
ngsosoon
Me:IfIdon’
tmydadmi ghtjustki
llmeforstr
essi
ng
hi
swi f
e.Lat
er.Shedraggedherlegaroundmeand
ki
ssedme.Butnothinghappenedi nmyjeans.
Li
ndi
we:ar
eyousur
e?
Me:yep.Goodni
ght
.Shereal
lylookeddisappoint
ed
andIuntangl
edmysel
fandleftdri
vinghomei na
speed.

Li
sabel
la
Thehousewast
ense.Iwasi
ntr
oducedt
otheshy
bigbr
otherSiphowhohadamazi ngwei rdlooki
ng
bir
thmarksonhi sforehead.ThefatherIvseena
coupl
eoftimesi nthenewsandsodi dthewi f
e.I
knowthisfamil
yi sfi
lt
hyr i
chwit
ht heclothesthey
weari
ngandt hisbeautif
ulmansion.
Me:Thefoodisamazi
ngThankyou.Ini
bbl
edabi
tI
wastoonervoust
oeat
Mr sMusk:Gladyouenj oying.Thedooropenedand
closedandIhear dfootstepsaf terawhi lethemost
handsomemanI veverseenst oodt her
el ooki
ngl i
ke
adr eam.Idon’ tknowwher et ost ar
t.Am notsur eif
Ishouldspeakabouthowt allhewasandbuf fedup
butnott omuchort olitt
le.Hewasbr owni ncolour.
Nott oli
ghtskinnednort odar k.Per f
ectthinli
nel i
ps
andhi sbeautifulgreyeyes.Hel ookedl i
keHr i
thick
Roshant hatIndianact or.Eyest othebodyandI
feltmyheartdoami nidancewhi l
ewest aredat
eachot herwithoutblinking.Itslikethewor ld
disappearedandonl ymeandhi m existed.

Li
zwe
Inallthetimet hativbeenbor nandal lthewoman
thatIhavebeenwi thivneverseensuchawoman.I
feltmywhol ebodyvi brateasifallmysensesar e
awaken.Fel tmyhear tbeatfasteranddoaf l
ipflop
kindofat hing.Fel tmymi ndexplodei ntoami ll
ion
pieces.Ifeltherinmysense.Herbeaut if
ulfairface.
Shewasn’ tfai
rbutj ustokay.Hereyeswer eli
ght
brownandhadver ykissabl
elips.Ifoundmysel f
onlyseeingherandt heli
ttl
eguyi nmypant s
reactedinawayI vneverseenhi mr eact.Iclosed
myeyesandl ookedatheragai nwow.Icl earedmy
throatandshel ookeddownt urni
ngpi nkin
embar rassment .
Me:Sorryam lat
e,wasatt
heclubsor
ti
ngoutsome
stuf
f.Il
iedandIknewtheyknowbutshedoesn’
t,
shehumanr ight
!
Mom:Yourf
oodi
ntheoven.
Me:Thanksmom.Iwal kedinki
ssedmom cheek
andsati
nfrontofLi
sabell
awhoIcouldn’
tkeepmy
eyesof
f.
Dad:Doesyourphonehaveapr
obl
em son?
itooki
t
outseei
ngt
hemessagesandcal
lst
heyhavesent
.
Me:Sor
ry.Il
ookeddownasLi
sabel
lasmi
ledand
ni
bbl
edonherplate.
Si
phogr
unt
ed.Iknewhewant
edt
olaugh.
Mom:Li zwemeetLi sabell
aanddeart hatLi
zwe.
Shelookedupandsmi ledinacknowledgementand
goshthatsmi l
e.IswearIthinktheloveatfi
rstsi
ght
thi
nghasj usthappenedtome.Inowgeti twhen
theysayconnectinmi ndandsoul .Westil
lneedto
fi
gurethebodypar t
.

Li
sabel
la
It
hinkillembar r
assmysel fwithlackofknowledge
i
nmen.Letmescr at
cht hathandsomement hat
l
ookslikeami lli
onbucks.Iunder stoodhi
spar ent
s
weredisappointedinhi m andtheyneverhidi
tbut
wowgi vemyl iarabr eakpleasefindi
ngoutyou
marri
edi sahar dpil
lowt oswallowhewasj ust
bl
owingof fst
eam.
Li
zwe:Il
ikeyourheadwr
ap.If
oundmycheeks
t
urni
ngr
ed.
Me:Thankyou.

Li
zwe
Ili
keyourheadwr apoutofal
lthet
hingsIcouldsay
thatwhatIsaid?Lor
dkil
lmenowpl easepoorgir
l
mightthi
nkam cheesy.Whyam Iwor r
iedabout
whatshethinks?

Si
yabonga
Il
ookedatt hetwoandIst oppedf eeli
nggui l
tyin
tr
yingtocreateal ovingenvi ronmentf ormyson.
Beingwhohei salonei shar d.Youneedt hat
str
engthandr eassur ancet hatyouar eper f
ectthe
wayyouar efrom aper sont hatyouhol ddeart o
heartandbyt helooksoft hi ngslooksl i
kehishead
overhealsinlovewi thher,hemi ghtnotseei tbut
wedoandt hatbringssomuchj oyinmyhear t.
Headwr apdidher eall
yjustcompl i
ment ediduko
l
akhe.Wow.
Li
sabel
la
Thefamilyspokeonbasi cthingshereandt
here
andIlist
enedinont helovetheymotherhadfor
them andtherespecttheyaddressedeachother
with.
Sipho:Everheardofvampires.Ther
ewassi
lence
ashel ookedri
ghtinmyeyesandIswearIsaw
them changecolourforasecond.
Me:Yepinbooks.Readaboutt
hem.Fi
cti
onalst
uffI
mustsay.
Li
zwe:why?

Kamo
Thisremi
ndedmeofmyfir
stt
imeiwasi nt
heMusk
famil
yanditwasat
est
.Ihopeshepasses.

Li
sabel
la
Me:I
llbel
ievei
twhenIseei
tbutvampi
resar
e
overr
atedi
nmyopi
nion.Soyousuckbl
oodand
then??
?
Theyal
llookedatmeandSi
phol
aughed.Igoteasy
andrel
axed.
Li
zwe:whataboutf
air
ies
Me:Anothermyt h.Li
fewil
lbesocoolifwehad
those.Ali
tt
lebitofdusther
eandthereandlif
ewil
l
beinplace.Theykindoffi
xersandweallknowthe
worldneedsalotoffixi
ng.
Mr
sMusk:I
tsnott
hateasy
Me:Iknowf orati
nyper
sonwi thwi
ngsandso
muchpower .IsawMrMuskt ryi
ngsohardtohol
d
hi
slaughterbuthecoul
dn’tandheburst
edout
l
aughingandIswearthetablewasshaki
ng.
Mr
sMusk:Whatyourt
akeonwer
ewol
f’
s?
Me:Hmmm t r
icky.Protecti
ve,kind,l
ovingandt he
mostpeacefulloyalcreatur
esever .Woul dbenice
havi
ngoneasaf riendthatwillalwaysbet herefor
youhighorlow.Anot hermyt hitsnotgenet i
call
y
possi
bleforyourbonest oshiftandt ransfor
m.The
pai
nyouwil
lgothrough.Pluswolfsarest
rongert
o
l
ockdowntheypreys.Youwillhavetobeonetough
humantobeabl
et otransf
ormi nt
oone.
Li
zwe:i
fthesewer
etrueandyoufindoutpeopl
e
cl
osetoyouaret
hosecreat
ures.Whatwouldyou
do?
Me:Toughquest
ion.Letmet
hink.
Il
ookedaroundt
het
abl
eandeveryonewassi
lent
wait
ingf
ormyanswerl
iket
heyl
if
edeepensonit.
Me:I
twi
lldependhowcl
oset
heyar
e.
Si
pho:Husbandandhi
sfami
ly.
If
eltt
her
oom t
enseupandIsmi
led.
Me:Li
keyouguys?
?Theyl
ookedatmewei
rd.
Firstl
etsee.I
fMrsMuskcouldbeanyt hi
ngshe
woul dbeafair
y.Youhaveakindsoulandtheydo
too.Mrmuski sdefi
nit
elyawerewolf
.
Ismi
ledshyl
y.
Si
pho:andme?
Me:Iwoul
dputyouasavampi
re.Yout
oocoolyet
shy.
Li
zwe:Andme?
Me:What
everyougetwhenyouputaf
air
yandwol
f
t
oget
her.
Theyal
linunisonutt
eredonewor
d“War
lock”
.Mr
s
Musklaughednervousl
y.
Me:whatawarl
ock?Imeanwhatpower
stheyhave
orwhatdot
heyeat?
Li
zwe:pr
ettymuchallt
hepower
sthata
super
nat
uralhave.
Me:Youguysarereall
yint
omyt hicalcr
eatur
es.
Welli
fIeverhadt
ofindoutthatIvbeenlivi
ngwit
h
suchil
lfai
nt.
MrMusk:Fai
nt?
??
Heaskedconf
used.
Me:Yep
Li
zwe:why?
Me:whyshoul
dn’tI
.Itt
oomuchtowrapmyhead
ar
oundit
.Imagi
nebeingsur
roundedbypeopl
ewho
couldhavehadyoufordi
nnerandjustli
ket
hatyou
disappearf
rom t
hef
aceoftheeart
hl i
keyounever
exist
ed.
Li
zwe:Fai
ri
esdon’
teathumans
Me:butt heycancook.Thewhol eroom erupted
withlaughter
.Itwasreall
ynicehavingdinnerand
havingaf amil
ythati
ndulgesyoueveni fitjust
tal
kingaboutmyt hi
calthi
ngsthatdon’texistbut
thatbondweshar ed.Ireal
lyli
kethem.
MrMusk:Youonef
unnyl
ady.Ismi
ledandbl
ushed.
Li
zwe:af
terf
aint
ingwhatar
egoi
ngt
odo?
Me:askwhoevert
oldmethenewsift
heyki
ddi
ngi
f
noti
llj
ustpr
ayt
hatmyhusbandnotavampi
re.
Si
pho:whatwr
ongwi
thvampi
res?
Me:menothingbutthethoughtofal
mostbei
ng
di
nneranyti
meoft hedayjustfr
eaksmeout.He
smil
edknowingl
y.
Me:Over
alliwishthesecreaturesexi
sted.For
someexci
tement .I
maginegivingbirt
htosuchglory?
Givi
ngbi
rt
hal oneisami r
aclethenyouf i
ndoutyour
chi
ldi
suni
que.Thatf
eel
ingmustbegr
eat
.
Mr
sMusk:bestf
eel
i
ngever
.
Me:Biggestfl
exever.Otherparent
sf l
exi
ngabout
theyki
dsbeingabletoreadtheyABCandyoul ike
myAdam i sfl
yingormyAdam j usttel
eport
edf r
om
oneroom toanotheroryouwakeupt ocheckthe
cri
bandAdam nott herebuthisbott
leisfl
yingin
theair
.Creepybutfun.
Theyalll
ookedatmewi t
hsomuchcarei nt
hey
eyesl
iketheywerehappyaboutsomet
hing.
Me:sor
ry.It
endt
olosef
ocusi
nreal
it
ysomet
imes
Li
zwe:I
tsf
ine
Si
pho:Ij
ustl
ikedyoumor
eli
tt
lesi
ster
Me:Thanks.Neverhadabi
gbr
otherbef
ore.
Si
pho:Theysupposet
obef
un,
il
ltr
ymybest
.
MrsMusk:Youar
eawonderfuldel
ight.Thankyou
f
orbl
essi
nguswithyourpr
esence.Ithoughtyou
woul
drunaway
Me:Iconsi
der
edi
tami
ll
iont
imesonmywayher
e.
Theyal
lkeptqui
et
Me:butnowam j
ustl
eavi
ngever
ythi
ngi
nGods
hand.
Mr
sMusk:Ameen
Wealll
aughedather
.Thiswasnice.Am atpeace
fort
hefi
rstt
imeinalongtime.Il
ookedatli
zweand
hesmil
edatmeandIbl ushedandlookedaway..
.

Goodmor
ning
I
nser
t3

Li
sabel
la
If
ini
shedhelpi
ngMr sMuskcl
eanupandwhenwe
weredoneweIturnedtofi
ndl
izwest
andi
ngther
e
l
ookingatuswithasmil
e.
MrsMusk:wecomi ngwi
thdeser
tgowaitf
orusin
t
helounge.Henoddedwi
thoutawordandlef
t.
MrsMusk:Ineedyout
ounderstandsomethi
ng.As
muchasIlovemysonstodeathbutam your
mothert
oo.Comet omeforanything.Am never
goi
ngtotreatyoul
ikeanout
sider.Youhomenow.I
smil
edwithtearsi
nmyeyes.
Me:Am scar
ed.
Ihavenoi
deawheret
hatconf
essi
oncamef
rom but
i
tsli
ppedoutofmymout
h.
Shegavemet
hewar
mestsmi
le.
MrsMusk:bei
ngscaredmeansyoucareenoughto
worr
yaboutit
.Il
lal
waysbeher
e.Am notgoingt
o
l
iet
oyouandsayi tgoi
ngt
obeeasybutitswil
l
workit
sel
fout.
Ismil
edfeel
ingal
it
tlebet
teraswewal
kedwit
ha
tr
ayofdeser
t.Wefoundtheguysbyt
hefi
repl
ace
haveastr
ongbeverage.
MrMusk:Thankyou.Hesmiledwhi
leIhandedhim
hisdi
sh.Isatont
hesingl
ecouchandLizwesaton
thesi
deofthecouchwhil
esi
phosatwithhisf
eet
onthecouch.
MrsMusk:Wegoi
ngoutt
omorr
ow.Ther
ightwi
ng
i
sgoi
ngtobeyour
ssowegoingtopi
ckt
hingsand
seeani
nter
iordecor
atort
ohel
pwi
thi
t.
Li
zwe:Thankyou.
MrMusk:Pl
easur
e.
Si
pho:Doyouknowhowt
odr
ive?
Me:OhIhavet
het
heor
yofi
t.
Si
pho:I
llt
eachyou
Li
zwe:Thatmyj
ob
Si
pho:ohno,
ifyouteachheri
twil
lbeonemor ebad
dr
iveri
ntheworldandweneedlessofthose.
Me:uhm.
It
hankeptqui
et,
maybei
tsnott
het
imet
ovoi
ceout
mydreams
Li
zwe:Whati
sit
?
Me:not
hing.Hel
ookedatmeandIl
ookedaway.
Si
pho:It
hinki
llgot
obed.
GodblessSiphohear
t.Iknewwhathewastr
yingt
o
do.TheMuskslowlygotuphuggingmesayi
ng
goodnight
.Iwasnowl eftal
onewit
hLi
zwe.
Kamo
Cal
luseavesdr
opper
sbutwer eal
lywantthi
sto
worksoyesIcast
edachanneltohearwhatshe
wantedt
osayandwewer eal
lintheli
brar
ylist
eni
ng
i
n.
Si
pho:whenIgetmar
r i
edam notgoi
ngt
ost
ayher
e.
Dadlaughedasmom shushedme.

Li
zwe
Ifi
nishedupmydesser tandwat chedherfi
nishup
hersthanipi
ckedherupwhi l
eshesqueal edin
deli
ghtandsatont hesofaandhadhersi tontopof
meandwehaddi recteyecont act.Remindmet o
thankmypar ent
sforthis.IneverknewIneeda
personunti
lnow.
Me:Nowt
alkt
ome.
Li
sa:I
tsnot
hing
Me:Iknowwejustmeetandwesor t
ingoutt
hings
bet
weenusbutam yourhusband.Andyouneedto
t
alkt
ome.
Li
sa:Iwant
edt
ost
udynextyear
Me:whatstoppi
ngyounow?Shelookedupwit
h
tear
sinhereyesandIswearmyheartt
iedupi
n
knots.
Li
sa:Youdon’
tmi
nd?
Me:whyshoul
di?
Li
sa:Idon’
tknow.Ij
ustf
igur
edyoumi
ghtobj
ectt
o
i
t.
Me:wel
lam not
.Whatyouwantt
ost
udy?She
wi
pedawayhertear
s.
Lisa:Bi
ologi
calr
esear
chi
ng.Wantt
obeaCyt
o
technol
ogist
.
Me:wi l
lgolookforaschooli nJanuar yfornow
focusinmaki ngthose15r oomsi ntoahomeand
trytoenjoyyourDecemberandl etthefami l
yspoil
you.Shenoddedl ikeababyandIl ookedatherf or
asecondt heniloweredmyl i
pstoher sandsl owly
kissedherwithsparksfl
ying.Itwasever ythingI
pictur
ed.Imovedmyl i
psfr om herandlookedat
her.ShelookeddownandIpl
acedmyfi
nger
s
underneathherchi
ntol
ookupatme.
Me:Youokay?
Li
sa:Yes
Me:Thanwhyyouhavet ear
sinyoureyes?She
swall
owedhardandbl
inkedlet
ti
ngoneslipdown
hercheekandIwi
pedi
taway
Li
sa:am af
rai
dIl
lwakeupandl
ear
nthatal
lthi
sisa
dr
eam.
Me:wantmetopi
nchyou?Shesmil
edand
somehowseei
nghersmi
lemeantalott
ome.
Me:Orwecansi
theral
lni
ghtt
omaket
hisl
ast
l
onger
.
ShenoddedandIsnuggl edherclosert
omeandwe
spokeabouteveryt
hingandanythingunti
lshe
dozedoffandIpickedherupandwal kedtomy
room wit
hherinmyhands.Iputheri nbedand
kissedherf
orehead.
Me:Iknowyoudeadasl
eepbutIj
ustwantyouto
knowam awarl
ockandanuncont
rol
labl
yinlove
wi
th.
Thatfel
tmuchbet t
erandIf
eltmuchli
ght
er.I
tuckedherinandiwenttot
heothersi
deandgoti
n
andsleptpeacef
ull
yfort
hefir
stt
imeever
.

Joshua
Il
ookedatmywi
fecr
yingbyt
hecor
ner
.
Me:Idon’
tunder
stand
Jocel
yn:weneededt
hemoney
Me:andyout houghtthebestwaytodoitistosell
outourson?Thosepeopl et
ookhimin.Raisedhim
astheyownyouhaveseenhowcl osesheiswi t
h
him andyouthoughtthebestt
hankyou,youcould
givethem i
stoselloursonout?Whatki
ndofa
mot herar
eyou?Itookabackpackandst uffed
somecl ot
hesinthem.
Joycel
yn:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:bei
ngafathert
ohim.Yesam latebutI
llwarn
t
hem aboutt
hevampiresthatYousol
dhimt ooand
t
heresear
chers.WhenIcomebackIwantyougone
f
rom myhouse!!It
ooktheenvel
opewit
hthat
moneyandleftwhi
leshecri
edatthet
opofher
l
ungs.Il
eftandneverl
ookedback.
I
nser
t4:

Li
sabel
la
Iwokeuptof eel
inghandsaroundmeandIsmi l
ed
andsnuggledclosertohi
m.Soi tr
eal
lywasn’
ta
dream.Ist
ayedl i
kethatf
orsometime.
Li
zwe:Youup?
Hespokef
rom behi
ndmesendi
ngt
hri
ll
sDownmy
spi
ne.
Me:yes
Li
zwe:sl
eptgood?
Me:yes
Li
zwe:wantt
otur
nar
ound.
Ikeptquietf
orawhi l
eandtur
nedaroundand
l
ookedathi m.Helookedmorehandsome,howi
s
thatevenpossi
ble.Hesmil
edandIswearImelt
ed.
Li
zwe:am notgoi
ngt
oseeyoumucht
oday
Me:
why?
Li
zwe:Yougoi
ngshoppi
ngwi
thmom.
Me:
ist
hatabadt
hing?
Li
zwe:l
etmeknowwhenyoucomeback.
Hesmi
ledandl
ookedatme.

Li
zwe
Waki
nguptotheoneyoulove.Thi
sisoneoft
he
mostamazi
ngfeel
ingever
.Wewer equi
etf
or
awhi
lel
ooki
ngateachother.
Me:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng
Li
sa:Not
hing
Me:RememberIsai
dwet
alkt
hingst
hrough.
Li
sa:Iwaswonder
inghowmydadknewyourf ami
ly?
Howhecameupwi ththi
sidea?Andmost
lyhowhe
gotmymom toagree.
Il
ookedatherf
orsomet
ime.
Me:t
ellmeaboutl
if
eaf
teryourpar
ent
sdeat
h.
Hereyesi
mmedi
atel
ygotf
ulloft
ear
s.
Li
sa:Itwashard.Shewi
pedawayt
het
ear
sandI
snuggledhercl
oser.
Li
sa:Helef
tmewi t
hhi
ssist
er.Ineverknewmom
si
deofthefami
lysowhentheydiedIknewmyaunt
al
oneanddadleftmewit
hher.Worsethinghe
coul
deverdo.
Me:why?
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Li
sa:myauntismoneydr i
vennotr
eal
lyanice
per
son.It
hinkshetookcareofmebecauseofthe
moneyshewillr
eceive.
Me:am conf
used
Li
sa:canwet
alkaboutt
hissomeot
herdaypl
eas.
Il
ookedatherandIsawpai
ninhereyesand
nodded.
Me:hungr
yyet
?
Li
sa:Notr
eal
ly
Me:wel
lam hungr
y.Howaboutwet
akeashower
t
hangoeat.
Li
sa:Toget
her
?
Theshocki
nhereyeswast
ooador
abl
e.
Me:Mar
ri
edpeopl
eshowert
oget
her
.
Li
sa:Real
ly?
Me:Yep.
Li
sa:yougoi
ngt
oseemenaked?
Me:Unl
essyoubat
hwi
thyourcl
otheson.
ShelaughednervousasIgotoutofbedandIsaw
theshockinhereyesandwhereshewaslooki
ng.
Mymorningwood.If
eltheatgoupmyf
acei
n
embar
rassment
.
Me:Sor ryaboutthat.Iqui
ckl
yr angetothe
bathroom tookapeeandwashedmyhandsasi t
sl
owl ywetdown.Igotbackf oundt hebedalready
madeandshewasl ookingatthepictur
esinone
wall.IfoundherlookingatapicturewereIhadmy
wingsinf ul
lfor
cebigandst r
ongandbl ackand
Si
phoinhi
sfullfacewit
hhorns.Shesl
owl
ytookthe
pi
ctur
eandstaredatitf
orsometi
meandlookedat
me.
Li
sa:Yout
woar
ecl
ose.
Me:Yes,
hismybestf
ri
end.
Li
sa:Didyourmom ser
iousl
ymadeyouguysdr
ess
upforHall
oween.
Me:Whyyousayso?
Shel
aughedandpoi
ntedatmywi
ngs.
Li
sa:youhaveangelwi
ngsandyourbr
otherhave
hor
ns.Icanprett
ymuchsaythet
hemewasLuci f
er
andAbraham her
e.
Me:youknowyoubi
ble
Li
sa:you’
l
llookni
ce
Me:Thanks.Sheplacedthepi
ctur
eandmovedt hen
onemorepictur
ecaughthereye.I
twaswhenIwas
7andhoveringoverSiphowil
lhewasst
ruggl
ingto
cat
chme.
Li
sa:I
sthatyou.Shepoi
ntedatme.
Me:Yep
Shegotcl
osert
othepi
ctur
eeval
uat
ingi
t.
Lisa:l
ooksl
ikeyoufl
ying.Ni
cecapt
ure.Sheplaced
i
tbackandturnedtolookatmeandIbr ushedmy
face.
Li
sa:Ar
eyouokay?Di
dIsaysomet
hing?
Me:ohnono.
..Howaboutt
hatshower
.She
bl
ushed.
Li
sa:I
vneverbat
hedwi
thamani
nmyl
if
e.
Me:Am gladt
oheart
hat
.Come.Ipr
omi
set
o
behave.
..
.

Sorr
yfortheshortI
nsert
..
.Sundaysar
ethecraziest
daysever
...i
llt
ryt
ocreateonemorebefor
eIsleep!!

I
nser
t5:

Li
sa
Wewal kedtothebathr
oom itwasoneofthemost
beauti
fulbat
hroomsivseen.Heopent hesl
idi
ng
doortotheshower.Ican’
tbeli
evethatawholeme
i
saboutt oshareabathspacewithaman.I
watchedhimf r
om thecor
nerofmyeyesundr ess.
Li
zwe:Ar
eyouokay?Inoddedandr
oom mydr
ess.

Li
zwe
Iwatchedherfrom thecor nerofmyeyeandIhave
neverseensuchcur ves.Shehadanhourgl ass
fi
gureandTinyboobst hatam pret
tysurecouldfi
t
i
nmyhands.Whenshesawmest ari
ngshehadher
handsont opofherboobscover i
ngthem.Ismi l
ed
andgotnakedandgoti ntheshower .Iwat
chedher
removeherpant yandlordsheshavedFel tmyguy
doal i
tt
let
witch.

Li
sabel
la
Iwat
chedhim adj
ustt
hetapsandwaterstart
ed
comi
ngfrom al
ldi
rect
ionsevenf
rom above.I
tswas
ni
cebathi
ngwithwarm wat
erforachange.Het
ook
gl
ovesandsqueezedsomethi
ngtoit
.
Lizwe:Tur nIllscr ubyourback.Idi dasheasked
andhewashedmet henmeal loverl eavi ngt ingling
sensat ionsal lovermybody.Ihel pedhi m dot he
sameandwhenwewer edonebat hingwel etthe
wat erwashusandbef oreiknewi thehel dme
closert ohim andki ssedmesensel essandIswear
thest eam f i
ll
edupt her oom maki ngi text rast eamy
i
nt her e.Heki ssedmynextandIl ostal lmysenses
andhesl owl ypi ckedmyl egupandIf elthi sbul ge
bymydoor wayandIcl osedmyeyeswai tingf ort he
paint hattheyal wayst ellmeaboutbuti nst eadI
foundhi m goingdownandmyl egonhi sshoul der
heki ssedmeal lar oundmyt ummypl ant i
ng
butterfli
esal lovermyt imeandbef oreIknowi thi s
headwasi nbet weenmyt highsandhi st ongue
doinguni magi nabl ethingst ome.Ihear dmysel f
moani ngandscr eami ngandj ustthenmywhol e
bodywentt enseandl ordIshockf r
om headt ot oe.
Afterawhi lehegotupandbat hedmeagai nandI
wasbl ushingl ikeIwasonf ire.Ivneverexper ienced
thatinmyl i
fe.Iwasevenaf rai
dtoaskwhathejust
didtome.Icoul dn’tstandpr
operl
yandIguesshe
knewt hatcausehepi ckedmeupandwal kedtothe
bedwher ehegent lyplacedmeoni twi
thawil
d
smi l
eonhi sface.Ilookedawaysincehawasfull
y
nakedandhi shugeguywaspoi nti
ngatme.Thank
godhehasn’ ttri
edpushi ngi
tincauseIwoul
dhave
died.
Li
zwe:Youhaveali
feti
meofbeingnakedar
ound
me,ar
eyougoingt
ohidefor
ever
?
Ismil
edathi
m andlookedawayandautomati
cal
ly
hidmyboobswhichisstupi
daf
terwhathehas
donetome.
Li
zwe:Areyougoingtositt
hereal
ldaysmi
li
ng?He
askedsmil
ingandIlookedathi
m.
Me:am avirgi
n.Iwhisper
edandclosedmyeyes
t
hinkingthi
sisthemomentwhereheswear sme
wit
hal lt
henamesmycousi noncethrewatme.I
f
eltthebedgiveint
ohi swei
ghtandnextthi
ngI
wasont opofhim.
Li
zwe:Lookatme
Idi
dasheasked.
Lizwe:Iknowyouavirgi
nandlor
dIwi
shicoul
d
ravi
shyour i
ghtnowandhavemywaywit
hyoubut
webui l
dingsomethi
ngherer
ight
?
Inodded.
Li
zwe:unti
lyoucomf or
tablewegoi
ngtokeepon
havingourshowersessionsandwhenyoustop
hi
dingyourboobsf r
om met hanwewil
lmovea
stepahead.Inoddedathim.
Me:ar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
hatshowert
hingever
yday?

Li
zwe
Il
ookedatherbi
groundeyesandherquest
ionki
nd
ofal
mostmademewantt olaugh.
Me:Doyouknowwhatwej
ustdid.Shel
ooked
embar
rassedandl
ower
edherheadandImoveitt
o
myeyelevel
.
Me:wejusthador
alsexandwhatIdidwasgo
downonyou.Yousti
llavi
rgi
n.Isl
owlymovedmy
handt
oherassandspankeditandshesqueal
edi
n
l
aught
er.
Me:andwhatIdi
dnowi
sspanki
ng.Shel
aughed.
Li
sa:Iknowwhatspanki
ngi
s.
Me:r eall
ynow.Ir ol
ledheroverandki ssedherand
movedmyhandt oherhoneypotandsl owly
i
nser tedafingerasshej umpedandIdeepenedmy
kissonherandsher elaxed.Iwenti nandouti nti
ny
circlesandIf eltherbr eathinggohi gherandher
muscl escloseuponmyf ingerandIsl owlywent
fullyinandpl ayedwi thheri nwal l
sandIf el
ther
squi rtandshescr eamedandmadeat i
nydam on
thebed.Shel ookedf lushedandr adiant.
Me:whatIjustdidnowi scall
edfinger
ingandyou
j
ustsquir
ted.Ismiledpicki
ngherupf orashower .
I
tsgoingtobesomuchf unhavingheraround.She
t
rul
yisever yt
hingthatIneed..

Goodni
ght
I
nser
t6:
Li
sa
Iworeoneofmybl ackleggi
ngandoneofLi zwe
blackandr edshirtandcombedmyaf roupthen
cl
eanedabi taroundthebedr oom andhecameout
oftheclosetlookingli
keami l
li
onbuckwear inghis
blackskinnyrippedjeansandbl acktopandbl ack
sneakersandwaswear i
ngabl ackwat ch.He
l
ookedatmel ooki
ngathi m andilookedaway
Li
zwe:youlooknice.Il
oveyourhai
r.Hewal
ked
cl
oserandpickedmeup.Ithinkhehasathi
ngwit
h
pi
cki
ngmeup.
Me:t
hanks.
Lizwe:todayi
llbemost
lyatthecl
ubsand
restaur
ants.I
llaskmom f
oryoutoswi
ngbyf
or
somel unch.
Me:okay.Helookedatmeforasecondthankissed
mesenselessandgrabbedhi
skeysandphoneand
l
eft
.Ifi
nishedcl
eaningupandwalkedoutofhi
s
r
oom tothekit
chen.Igott
her
eandf oundasli
mt al
l
l
ady.
Me:Hi
Her
:hi
,am Aver
y
Me:Li
sabel
la
Aver
y:ohyesLi
zwewife.Ibl
ushedatt
hement
ion
ofLi
zwe.Shesmil
edatme.
Aver
y:comeletstar
tonbreakf
astandcat
chup.I
s
ever
yonei
nthisfamilysoki
nd??

Li
zwe
Igottotheclubcountedst
ocksofthi
ngsand
placedorder
sforwhatshort.I
twasFri
dayso
thingswereabouttogocrazy.
Barman:Li
ndi
weandherf
ri
endsar
eupst
air
sin
yourapar
tment
.
Me:Doi
ngwhat
?
Bar
man:shewast
ooi
ntoxi
cat
edt
odr
ive.
Me:GetheroutofthereandIdontwanthert
ogoin
thereeveragai
n.Fr
om todayIwantnothi
ngwit
h
Lindiweandshenolongermygirl
fr
iend.
Bar
man:hertab?It
ookitandl
ookedatt
he10k
wor
thofdri
nksandfoodtheyat
e.Thi
sgir
ldon’
t
knowme.IgrabbeditandWalkedup.Igott
omy
bachel
orpadandfoundherandherfri
endsspr
ead
uponmyexpensivecouchesandmybed.Iopened
upthewindowsandcurtai
ns.
Me:Li
ndi
we!
!
Thewholeroom vi
brat
edwi
thmyvoi
ceand
ever
yonelookedatme.

Li
ndi
we
I
nallt
hetimeivbeenwi
thhi
mivneverseenhi
m
t
hisangr
y.Hiseyeswer
edar
kert
hanusual.
Me:Babe
Li
zwe:Dontbabeme.Iwantyououtofmy
apar
tmentnow!!
!
Hi
svoicewassor oughandIlookedathim.What
di
dIdotoangerhiml i
kethi
s.Myf r
iendsqui
ckl
ygot
upandgotdressedwhil
ehestoodt herebyt
hedoor
wit
hapieceofpaper.
Me:Babe
Lizwe:Ireal
lyhavenoti
meforthi
s,igi
veyou10
mi nut
etogetoutofmyhouseandcl ubandohdon’
t
forgetyourr
eceipt
.Payupatthefr
ontdesk.He
turnedbefor
eIcouldsayanyt
hing.
Pi
nkyandt
hegi
rl
srant
ome.
Pinky:whatdi
dyoudo?I
vneverseenhi
mli
ket
his
ever.
Me:angazichommi
e
Khumbupickedupt
her
ecei
ptandi
twas10kand
shescr
eamed.
Khumbu:howt
hef
uckdi
dwespendsomuch?
Il
ookedatit
,Idon’
thavet
hatmuchmoneyeveni
n
mysavings.
Pinky:Weal ldrankandweallgoingtocontri
bute
towar dsthi
s.Niyambonaunjanilumuntupluskade
siyidl
aimaliyakhe.(
asyoucanseehi snothimself
today)thankgoodf orPinkyt
heyallst
arted
transferr
ingmoneyt omyaccountandi twas
enought opay.Wecl eanedupourmessi nhis
apar t
mentt hanwentdownstair
s.
Thokozanit
heBar
manwast
her
e.
Me:Hi
Hegreetedme.Isawt
hewor
ker
sknewaboutwhat
happened.
Thokozani
:Hi
.Igavehi
m mycar
dandhet
ooki
tto
swipeandwhenhewasdone.
Thokozani
:aySi
siLi
ndiweangaziwhatyoudi
dto
hi
m buthesaysyouandyourfri
endsarenot
al
lowedinthecl
ubsanymore.
Me:al
loft
hem?
Thokozani
:wonke!
!
Me:Ididn’tdoanythi
ngtohi
m.Ialwaysspendt hi
s
muchpl ushehasmoneysowhathi sproblem?He
shruggedhisshoulder
sandItur
nedawayt ogot o
thegir
ls.Igott
otheparki
nglotwherehegotmea
Yarist
of i
nditgone.Iwal
kedtothecarguard.
Me:Mycar.Hel
ookedatmeupanddownandgot
i
nhisl
it
tl
eroom andt
ookoutabl
ackpl
ast
ic.
Guar
d:Thesear
eallt
hethi
ngsthatwer
einthecar
t
hatbel
ongedtoyouhegotst
evetodri
veitt
oa
deal
ershi
p.
Me:angi
zwa?
Guard:aysisiangaziuyenzenikodwaangi ngaze
ngimboneenj eubass(ihavenoi deawhatyoudi d
tohim buti
vneverseenhi ml ikethis)it
ookthe
plast
icbagandf el
ttearsthreateningtocome.
Pi
nky:don’
tcr
ybabeswewi
llf
igur
eitout
Me:hi
scutt
ingmeoutofhi
sli
fe.Am sur
ehet
aki
ng
t
heapart
menttoo.
Pinky:Noways,
hewontdot
hatt
oyou,
heknows
youhavenowher et
ogo.
Me:kuyafanaPi
nkyi
fhedoesn’
tpaymyr
entIwont
beabletopayit
.
Pinky:youwil
lmoveinwi t
hme.Youhavebeen
thereformethroughi
tallandi
llbeher
eforyou.
Justthanthephonerangandianswered
Voice:Wefrom t
hemovers,MrMuskaskedusto
packupthingsinapar
tment12binsandt
oncit
y
andsaidtoaskyouwhereyouwantustodeli
veri
t.
Igavet
hem Pi
nkyaddr
essandsatbyt
hest
epsand
cri
edwhi l
ewewai t
edf oruber .Mygirlswer et here
withme.Wegoti ntoPi nkyast hecarcamet hrough
anditwassadt oseet hattheonlythingthey
broughtwast hechestofdr awersandmybedt hati
broughtwithmymoneyandmycl othesonl y.Icried
harderiwashopi ngtosel ltheexpensivefur nitur
e
andmakemoney.It riedtocal lhi
m andi tsaidt he
numberdoesn’ texi
st.Sof astinlessthanaf ew
hoursiwasbr okeandhadnomoneyandt he
expensiveli
feili
vedwasi nshambl es.Kant iwhat
happenedoverni ghtthatmadehi m changel ike
thi
s???.
...
..

Goodmor
ning
I
nser
t7:

Li
sa
Myfeetwerekill
ingme.Wel i
teral
lywent
ever
ywhere.Thebestpar twasexqui si
tefurni
tur
e.I
wentgagainallthatbeauti
fulfurni
turei
nt her
e.
Mom:Ohmywor
ld.Youhavet
ohavet
hisr
ug
Aver
ywhoIl ear ntwasafami l
yfr
iendsinceshe
marri
edtothef amilyheadofsecuri
ty.OhIforgotto
menti
onIhavet wopersonalbodyguards.Two!!!
Theyli
ter
all
yf ol
lowmeever ywheream going.Right
nowam lookingatr ugsandtheylooki
ngatrugst oo.
Aver
y:Andi
tgreytoo.Li
zwefavouri
tecol
our
.Isat
downonthecouchIwasexhausted.
Mom:Youl
ookexhaust
ed.
Me:shoppi
ngi
snotmyt
hing.
Mom:I vnoticed.Howaboutwegol unch.Andj ust
thenawhol evanofpeopl ejumpedof fwi t
h
camer asf l
ashingever ywhereandt heguar dstryi
ng
topr otectmef rom peopleinmi cr
ophones
screami ngwhoAm I ?Goodt hingMom deci dedwe
godoourhai rf
irstIwasi nlongbr owni shgold
braidsandsi ncewewentcl othesshoppi ngf i
rstI
endedupchangi ngtoawhi t
eshor tjumpsui tand
brownsandal s.Weal mostbr oughtt hewhol estore
from lengeri
et onewdr esses,shoes, jeansand
tops.Ineverknewt hatonecanownsomany
clothesbuthereIwasahappyownerofcl othes
thatweretobedel i
ver
edtothehousel at
eron.I
usuallybuyandleavewit
hasmal lnyanapl asti
cbut
her eIwasshoppingfort
hingst
obedel i
vered.Thi
s
blackcardthatmom keepsswipi
ngr eall
ymakes
thingsmoving.
Onecamer aguyt ouchedmeandIsawmyguar d
goingball
ist
icpushinghimint
obushesbyt heside
ofthestor
e.Averyhelpedmet othecarandwhen
wegoti nmyhear twaspoundingsofast.Iwas
quietf
orsomet i
mewi thMom andAveryt al
king
fr
anklyIdidn’
thearat hi
ngunt
ilmom gavemea
phone.
Ipl
acedi
tonmyear
“yougood?
”Iheardhi
svoi
ceandmybodyrel
axed
andIwascalmerandt
hebeat
ingofmyf
astwent
down.
Me:Yes
Li
zwe:Youdon’
tsoundokay,am cominghome.
Mom saysyounolongercomingher
esincethe
newsisout
.
Me:News?
Li
zwe:Weki
ndofcel
ebr
it
ies
Me:You?
Li
zwe:Thef
ami
ly!
Me:Oh
Lizwe:someonefrom thepl
acesyouhavebeen
mi ghthavel
eakedthenewsofanewf acei
nthe
fami l
yandnowever yonewant
stoknowwhoyou
are?
Me:Oh
Li
zwe:Am dr
ivi
nghome
Me:Okay
Li
zwe:Li
sakhanya
Me:hmmmm?

Li
zwe
Iwaspanicki
ngnow,shewasn’
ther
selfandt
heone
wordanswersweremakingmepani
c,iwaswait
ing
f
orquest
ions.
Me:I
llseeyoui
naf
ewmi
nut
esokay?
Li
sa:Okay
Ihungupandl
ookedatSi
pho.
Me:Fi
ndoutwher
ethel
eakcamef
rom.
Si
pho:Cool
.Gl
adyouendedt
hingswi
thLi
ndi
we
Me:
Met
oo
Si
pho:Youhur
therI
llki
llyou
Me:Iwon’
t,sheever
ythi
ngthatIeverneededi
nmy
l
if
e.Shefi
ll
edthatempti
nessthatIhad.
Si
pho:Lookatyoual
lgr
own
Me:Igotherar
ing
Si
pho:Letmesee
Itooki
tout.Mymom t ookapieceofherwedding
ri
ngtogivetometohavei taddedhereontheoneI
foundi
nmygr eatgreatgrandmothert
hingswhenI
wenttovisi
tmygrandmot her.
Si
pho:wow
Me:Beaut
if
uli
sn’
tit
?
Sipho:Hugeassdiamond.Shewi l
lloveit.Ishowed
him myleftf
ingerIhadonablackweddi ngband
thathadabitofbluethatcompl
ement edherr i
ng.
Sipho:Fastasl
ight
eni
ngyouar
e.Youdi
dal
ot
today!
!
Me:coul
dn’
thavedonei
twi
thoutyourhel
p.
Si
pho:t
hatwhatf
ami
lyf
or.

Li
sa
WegotandIexcusedmysel
fandwentupt
ol i
zwe
room andIgott
her
eandgoti
nbedandrol
ledina
bigball
.
Am Ir
eadyf
ort
hiski
ndofl
if
e??

Kamo
Iknowhowshewasf eel
ingsoIgaveherthespace
thatsheneeded.5minutel
atermysonswalkedin.
Lizwelookedaroundanddidntseehersohel
ooked
atmewi
thwor
ri
edeyes.
Li
zwe:wher
eshe?
Me:Upst
air
s
Hewasaboutt
ogoupandIst
oppedhi
m.
Me:Yougr ewupinthespot
li
ghtandit
snatur
alfor
you.Thisi
sallnewtoherpl
ustheenvi
ronmenttoo.
Barethati
nmi ndwhenyour
ltal
kokay.Henodded
andrushedup.

Li
zwe
Igott
hereandherinat i
nyballinbed.Iremoved
myshoesandgoti nthecoverswithher.Isnuggl
ed
hercl
osertomeandsheal lowedme.Iknewshe
wasn’
tsleepi
ng.Wecur l
edupi naballforsome
ti
meuntilshespoke.
Li
sa:Theyj
ustcameouti
fnowher
ewi
thl
ight
s
fl
ashi
ngever
ywhere.
Me:Am sor
ry
Li
sa:
Doest
hishappenal
lthet
ime?
Me:notal
lthet
ime
Li
sa:Li
ket
hat
Me:Notal
lthet
ime.
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatmewi
tht
ear
shereyes.
Lisa:It
houghtiwasbeingkidnappedandt hings
wer esobad.If
roze.Idon’
tthi
nkillevergetuseto
this.
Me:il
lalwayshaveyourback.Noreport
erwil
lhar
m
you.ShelookedatmeforeasecondandIsawshe
didbrai
dsandlordshelookedamazing.Ismi
ledat
her.
Me:Youl
ookgoodandshebl
ushed.
Il
ookedatheronemor
eti
me.
Me:I.
want
edtosharesomethi
ngwit
hyou.She
l
ookedatmeandIfeltmysel
fgocr
azywit
hnerves.
Me:BeforeIwast
oldaboutyouandourmarri
age.I
wasseeingsomeone.Moreli
keafuckbuddy.
Shef
rozeandl
ookedatmewi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.
Me:Themi
nut
eIhear
dofusIendedt
hings.Am
tel
li
ngyouthisbecausetrusti
simpor
tantandI
neverwantyoutolosethatonme.
Atearr
oll
eddownhereyesandshegotoutofbed
t
ookasmal lbagempt
iedi
toutont
hebed.
Li
sa:Thisi
smyrunawayfund.I
fyouhavemyback.
Ihaveyour
stooandIguessIwontbeneedi
ngt
his
anymore.
Fort
hefir
stt
imeinmylifeIf
eltl
ikecr
ying.Her
eshe
wasgivi
nghersel
ftome.Il
ookedather.
Me:Ineedyout oknowthatam notashumanas
youthinkIam.Therearemyster
iesaboutmy
ori
ginsandwhatIam butIpromiseyou,youwi
ll
neverbehurtandIl
lneverhur
tyou.
Shewasaboutt
osaysomet
hingandIst
oppedher
.
Me:whent
het
imer
ightandyourbr
aincant
akei
t,i
ll
shar
e.
Shenodded.
Thewayshetrust
edmemademewantt ocrybut
i
nsteadIsl
owlywalkedt
oher .Andki
ssedher
sl
owlyasIremovedherclot
hesandsher emoved
mi
nesandIsl
owl
ypl
acedheront
hebed.

Li
sa
IknewIwasr eadyt olosemyvi rginit
ytohimtoday.
Hesl owlyplacedmeont hebedandmybodywas
alreadyfeel
inglikeami ll
ionpieces.Heki ssedme
alloverandwhenhewentdownonmeIl ostal
lmy
sensesandexpl odedwithinmi nut es.Hehovered
overmewi t
hhi sguypushi ngsl owl ymyentrance
het hencrushedhi sli
psonmymout handwithone
pushwasi nandt hepainvibratedt hr
oughoutmy
body.Hewasst illasmybodyadj ustedtohim.
Li
zwe:Youokay.
Inoddedasat earbrokefreefrom myeyeandhe
wipedi tawayt hanst ar
tedkissingmeasf ire
start
edbui ldi
ngi nmeandhest ar
tedmovi ngandI
swearIwasl ikeamadwomanwi thmymoans.
Wi t
heachst r
okehewentdeeperawakeni ngmy
sensesandmaki ngmel osemymi nd.Ifel
thim
growmor einsidemeandIf eltmyselfsquirtashe
wentf asterast hetensi
ongr ew.Iheardhim growl
l
ikeani malashewentdeeperanddeepermaki ng
meweak.If el
tmyl egsgonumbashewentf aster
andhar derandIexpl odedi ntoami lli
onpi eceswi th
myscr eamsashegr owl edl i
keanani malandI
sweart hewhol er oom vi br ated.Af t
ersomet imehe
wentt ot hesi dewi t
hhi m st il
linmeandmovedme
tobeont opofhi m stilltangl ed.ifelthimt wi t
cha
mi l
liont imesandwi thinsecondshegr ewbi gger
andbi ggermaki ngmybr eat hi
ngunevenandmy
bodyexci ted.Ir eall
ydon’ tknowwhatgott omebut
Ifoundmysel fsaddl inghi m ashewentdeeperi n
me.Hehadal azysmi leonhi sfaceandIbl ushed
ashesl owl ymovedmyhi pshel pingmewi t
h
movi ng.Hepushedhar derupandIexpl odedi nto
piecesandIl ostmymi ndasIwentf astertryingto
catchmybr eat hint hepr ocessashegr oanedt he
samebef orehowl ed.Iknewhewasneart o
explodi ngashedi daf ewmi nutesagosoit ookal l
theener gyt hatIhadandr odehi mf asterwi t
hhi m
grippi ngi ntomywai standt hepai nandpl easur e
bot ht ookmet ot hehi ghestcl imaxeverandhe
growl edsol oudandt her oom shakewi t
hhi m
holdi ngmei ntopl aceaswewer ebot ht ryi
ngt o
catchourbreat
h.Imovedt
othesideoft
hebedwit
h
him hol
dingme.Hewassti
lli
nmeashesnuggled
mef rom t
hebackaswewerebreathi
ng.
Lizwe:Youal mostki l
ledme.Hewhi speredi n
bet weenbr eathsandIsmi l
edsat i
sfi
edwi thhim and
Imovedashest artedgr owi ng.Insteadoff eel
ing
wei rdisomehowgotexci tedt ot headvent ureashe
growmor eandhepi nnedmet ot hebedandl i
fted
myassupashewasbehi ndme.Hewenti nonce
andIf elthimt ouchever ythingt hatneededt obe
touchedandisqui rted.Thatdr ovehi m crazyashe
wenti nhar derandf astermaki ngmescr eam f r
om
ther avishat tackthatgotmegoi ngcr azyal lover.I
feltmysel fcl
ingt ot hesheet sandbi tethem ashe
wenthar derallyoucoul dhearwasmygr oansand
hisandofcauseasswhoppi ngashewenthar der.
Hewentoutandpushedi nf asterandhar dandwe
bot hexpl odedi ntoami ll
ionpi ecesashewenti n
har dandhel dmei nt oplaceast hewhol eroom
shookabi t.Maybeam cr azybutIsweart her oom
wasshaki ng.
Li
zwe
Thankgodthebedr
oom ar
esoundproofandshock
proof
saft
erdadandmom wentfl
yingoutoft
hey
room.
Isatinbedwithherpeacef ull
ysleepi
ngonmewi t
h
halfherbodyonme.Fort hefir
sttimeeveril etgo
whilemakingloveandIknewIconnect edwi t
hher
mor ethanonbodybuti nmi ndandsoul .Itookmy
phoneandor deredsomepi zzaandIknewt hatI
wasgoi ngtospendt herestoftheafter
nooni nbed
wit
hherandsomepi zzaandmaybeabot t
leofwi ne.
Ivneverfel
tli
kethisinforeverandassheshi ftedI
fel
tmyneedf orhergr owandIsl owlytouchedher
tofindherwetandr eadyasIsl owlyi
nsertedmysel f
i
nher .

Li
sa
Isl
owlymovedtofi
ndhiminmegr
owingandhi
m
ki
ssingmyneckandsucki
ngonmaki
ngmemore
wet.
Li
zwe:Youup.Igi
ggl
edasIadj
ust
edmysel
fandhe
wentindeepermakingmescr eam i
ndelightasI
saddl
edhim andhegotupsucki ngmyonebr east
asheplayedwiththeotheroneasIslowlymoved
makinghim st
opdoingwhathewasdoi ngandl ook
atmeinshock.Istoppedmovingincircl
esasIwas
thi
nki
ngsomet hi
ngwr ong.
Li
zwe:Whyyoust
oppi
ng?
Me:Youst oppedkissingme.Hesmi l
edatmeandI
l
aughedashest art
edkissingmeandImovedi n
ci
rclesandIhear dhim growlanditvi
bratedfrom
hischest.Heheldmet i
ghtandwentdeeperandwe
l
ostitaswewer ereachingourcl
imaxasIbr oke
i
ntoami lli
onpiecesandIswearmycooki ewason
fi
reandIdon’tthinkil
leverbeabletowal k.There
wasaknockont hedoorwhi lewewer etolazyto
evenmove.
I
twasSi
phol
aughi
ng.
Si
pho:Il
lleavet
hewineandpizzaandsnacksher
e
whi
leyout womasterthecour
agetogettot
hedoor.
HelaughedoutloudandIwasmor t
if
ied.
Si
pho:Ohyouoweme.Ihadt
opayf
ort
his
Lizwe:Fuckoffmaan.Andhelaughedsol
oudand
l
izwebr oughtmecl
osertohi
m andwedozedoff.
..
.
I
nser
t8:

Joshua
IgottoJohannesburgandaf t
ertwodaysoftr
ying
toseeMrMuskIf i
nal
lydecidedtoj
ustwalkupto
hisoffi
ce.Igott
hereandIwasshakingbutIsaw
thelovel
yladybythefrontdeskandaskedtosee
MrMusk.
Lady:Doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
?
Me:No,Tel
lhim Joshuaisher
e.Shenoddedand
Dail
edthephoneandspokesof t
lyint
oitnextt
hing
2bodyguardscameandshowedmet oablack
room.Ther
eIfoundt hemight
ySiyabongalooki
ng
ashardcoreaseverstandi
ngthere.
Me:am nother
etof
ightyou
Si
yabonga:di
dn’
tthi
nkyouwer
e.
Me:am sor
ryIjustpoppedupliket
hisbutmywi
fe
di
dastupidthi
ngandam t r
yingtorect
if
yit
.
Si
yabonga:26year
slat
er?
Me:Iknowbuti
tsmysonsl
if
ewet
alki
ngabout
.
Si
yabonga:Yourwhat
?Il
ookeddownashamed.
Siyabonga:Youlostthatoppor
tuni
tywhenyouand
yourwifewouldn’tevenholdhi
m.Nowher eyouar
e
sayingwhatexactly?
Me:shet
oldr
esear
cher
sandt
hecr
ewwhathei
s.

Si
yabonga
If
eltmyheadspi
nni
ng.Cant
hisf
ami
lybeanymor
e
cr
uel.
Me:whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thyoupeopl
e?
Ithrewhim agai
nstt
hewal
landsawapi
ctur
e
fall
ing.
Joshua:Am sor
ry.Het
ri
edtopi
ckhi
msel
fupandI
j
ustlef
thimthereandwal
kedout
.

Si
pho
Iwassi
tt
ingbyt heloungewatchi
ngTvlaughi
ngat
mybrot
her.Isentthefooduptoirr
it
atehi
m andI
knewhewillanswermeaf t
erIknockedonthedoor
.
Justt
henmyphonerangandi
twasdad.Il
ookedat
i
tandthenanswer
ed.
Me:dad?
Dad:canyoucomet
otheof
fi
cef
orami
nut
epl
ease.
Me:sur e.Hesoundedof fandIdi dn’taskbutgotin
thecarj ustasthefurnit
ureguysdr oveinandItol
d
theguar dwher etoplacetheythings.Idr oveof
fto
theoffi
cegott hereandwasdi rectedtothe
boardroom.Iqui ckl
ycheckedmyphonet oseeifI
missedanymessagesbutt her
ewasnone.Iwal ked
i
nandt hemi nuteIwalkedinaski nnymanst ar
ted
cryi
ng.Il ookedathim closelyandIknewhewas
mybi ologicalf
ather.

Li
ndi
we
Iswi
tchedont
oent
ert
ainmentnews.
Anchor
:Justi
ntodayi
sTheMuskf
ami
ly.
Accor
dingt
oasecr
etsaucet
her
eisadashi
ngnew
membertothef
ami
ly.
Therewasat i
nyf ootageofMr sMuskandt wo
beauti
f ulladies.Iknowt heot heronewi fethewi f
e
totheheadsecur ityandabestf r
iendtoMr sMusk
butIdidn’ tknowt heotherl
ady.Shewast allbutnot
tootallandf airandhadbeaut ifullongbraidsand
shewaspi ckingar ugupandt heladieswer etoo
focusedt henshet hr
ewher selfont hecouch
exhaust ed.
Anchor:verycleart
hattheyoungl adyisexhausted
from t
hedayadvent ure.Whoisshe?Andwhati s
shetotheMuskf amil
y?Isatthereaspi ct
uresof
them l
eavingthestorewerecaptured.Somet hi
ng
abouthereleganceandqui etnat
ur ebuggedmeand
am notsurewhy.
Pi
nkywal
kedi
nandl
ookedatme.
Me:Whatup?

Li
zwe
Il
ookedathersmi l
ingwi t
htearsinhereyes, she
beent earyandsmilingeversince.Ihavejustgiven
herther ingandshewasi ntearsl ooki
ngatit
.Itook
apictureofherinmybl ueni ghtgownsi t
ti
ngont he
chairwi thPi
zzasli
ceandwi negl ass.Theri
ngwas
vi
siblet her
eandItookanot heronewi thusholding
handsandourr i
ngsvisibl
eandpost edon
i
nstagr am:
“Ihavefoundmypeaceaf teryearsofbeing
rest
less.
..MeetLi
sabel
laMusk. .
.Godcreateda
part
nerforIinyou ..
.Hereyouhavei tfol
ksam
amar ri
edman”
Andt aggedmyf amil
ysi
ncetheyhaveami l
li
on
fol
lowersandtaggedhertoosi
nceIcreat
edan
accountforherbefor
eposti
ng.
Inl
esst
hanami
nut
eIhadami
ll
ionl
ikesand
comments
Li
sa:sodoyouknowal
lthesepeopl
e
Me:someyes
Li
sa:Isee.
..sonowIal
sohavei
nst
agr
am?
Me:Yes.Iswi t
chedt oitsi
nceIpost edapictureof
myselfthatshet ookofmehavi ngashortof
whiskeyandpi zzawi thmyr ingvisi
bleandOneshe
tookthatIwasn’tl ooki
ngwher eIwasresti
ngmy
headonhert highwi t
heyescl osedandshepl aced
herhadont hesi deofmyf aceandt ooka
pict
ure.Herpostr ead:
“Loveispat i
ent,l
oveiskind.Itdoesnotenvy,it
doesnotboast ,iti
snotpr oud.Itdoesnotdi
shonor
other
s,itisnotself-
seeking,iti
snoteasil
yanger ed,
i
tkeepsnor ecordofwrongs.Lovedoesnotdel i
ght
i
nevilbutr ej
oiceswiththet r
uth.Ital
waysprotects,
alwaystrusts,al
wayshopes, al
waysperseveres.
1Cor
int
hians13:
4‭-
‬7
Ihavefoundwhativbeensear
chingforbutmostl
yi
havefoundeveryt
hingi
noneplace.Myeveryt
hing
i
none.Amant hathol
dsmanytit
lesinmylif
e.
MyMrMusk.
..I
tswi
thgr
eatj
oyt
hatIst
artt
hisnew
j
our
ney”
Isawt hati
nlesst
han5minutesshealr
eadyhad5
thousandfoll
ower
sandal
readyhadinboxof
sponsor
s.Thatthejoyofbei
nginfl
uent
ialyouget
sponsor
swhot hinkifyouweart
heyproductsor
usethem,yourfoll
owersdotoo.
Me:remindmet oorderaphoneforyout
oo.You
abouttogetbusy.Shenoddedandsatonme.Il
ike
howfreeshestartedbei
ngwithme.
Li
sa:Todayhavebeent
hebestdayofmyl
if
e.
Thankyou.
Me:t
omanymor
e
Li
sa:manymor
e.Sheki
ssedme.

Li
ndi
we
Shehadherphonetoherchestandj
ustt
hanmy
phonerangandwhenIwasabouttot
akeitshe
snat
cheditaway.
Me:whatwr
ongwi
thyou.
Pinky:Am sorrychommi e.Shegavemeherphone
andr i
ghtthereinhisi
nstagram wast
hesame
beautif
ulladyIsawwi t
ht heMuskearl
ier
.Nowshe
wasmor ebeautif
ulwearinghi
sgown.Hisname
wasonherr i
ghtsideandt hehugedi amondr i
ng
wasflashi
ngbrighterthanhersmi le.Het aggedher
andIsawsheal sopost edhiml ookinghandsome
asever.Nowonderheneverwant edmet oposthim
norgooutotherthanhi sclub.Hej ustgotmar ri
ed!
!
When?Iwaswi thhi m ever
yweekend! !Icouldn’
t
hol
ditasIcriedli
kemyl i
fejustended. .
..
I
nser
t9:
Kamo
Il
ookedatSiyabongainourbedr oom aft
er2hour
s
agoSiphowalkedinwi t
hhishornsangr yasabul
l
andSiyabongafol
lowinghimt r
yingtoreasonwi
th
hi
m.Iwasbeyondf ur
iousatthesituat
ionmoreso
atmyhusbandwayofhandl i
ngit.
Me:Wher
eishi
sfat
hernow?
Si
yabonga:hot
el
Me:am goi
ngt
oki
llhi
m
Si
yabonga:Youwon’
t.
Me:Mysoni
sint
urmoi
lri
ghtnowbecauseofhi
m.
Si
yabonga:I
twi
llpass.Justl
eti
tbepl
ease.Ikept
qui
etandt
ookashower
.

Li
zwe
Ilookedatt hesl eepingLisaandcover edhert hen
teleportedt omybr otherroom.Ifoundhi mi nhis
fullvarkof orm andIknewt heti
ngli
ngf eeli
ngthatI
feltwasbeyondme.Il ookedathi m andsawhi s
eyesi nt ears.Iwal kedupt ohim andhuggedhi m as
hel etgooft hingsandcr ied.Inallmylifeivnever
seenhi ml i
ket his.Yesweni nemonthsapar tbut
stil
l.Hegr owsf asterthenIbutwest il
l9mont hs
apar t
.Whenhehascomposedhi mselfIl ookedat
him andhel ookedatme.
Si
pho:Mybi
ologi
caldadi
sint
own
Me:t
odowhat
?
Sipho:letmeknowmom bet r
ayedmeagain.She
tol
dabunchofr esear
chersaboutmeandof cause
tol
dthecr ewofmyexi st
ence.Itj
ustamatterof
ti
met i
llanyofthem comet hr
ough.Il
ookedathim.
Me:youmybr
other
.What
everi
scomi
ngi
scomi
ng
atus.I
llberi
ghtbesideyou.Noonewillbepoki
ng
atyouwithoutyourconsentwhi
leam ali
ve.
Si
pho:Youi
mmor
tal
Me:exact
lyt
hat
.Noonewi
llt
ouchyouf
orasl
ong
asIl
ive.
Hesmi
ledandhi
shor
nswenti
n.
Sipho:nowstopt ouchi
ngmedon’tknowwhere
yourhandsmi ghthavebeen.Wel
aughedandIl ef
t
him aft
erspendingsometimewit
hhi m andwentt
o
myr oom.

Li
ndi
we
IhadmyphoneonandIl ooki
ngatherbeautiful
pictureandthemi ll
i
oncomment sof
congr at
ulat
ions.Iwaswithhimf orayearand
meant imehewasbusypl anninghisweddingtoher.
Wher eisshef r
om?Whatdoesshehavet hatIdon’
t?
Iswi t
chedof ft
hephoneandsatont hebedand
cried.WhendoneIgotupt ookashowerand
dressedt okil
ltodayam goingtoSandtonhotelam
sur
eIcanpickupaguyt her
e.Itookoutmyl
ongest
weaveandcall
eduberandleft
.

Li
sa
Iwokeupandf el
taheavyarm ar
oundmesoI
tur
nedtofindl
izwedeadasl
eep.Ilookedathi
mfor
sometimeandsmi l
edathimthenclosedmyeyes
andprayed.
“ohl
ordpleasemakethi
slastf
orf
orever
”iopened
myeyestofindhi
m st
ari
ngatmewithasmi l
e.
Me:Hi
Li
zwe:hi
Me:Youl
ookcut
ewhenyouwakeup.
Li
zwe:Thankyou,
younotsobad.
Me:hmmm.Ilookedathi
m andHewasn’
thi
s
happysel
f.
Me:Yougood?
Li
zwe:I
tsmybr
otherSi
pho
Me:whatabouthi
m?
Li
zwe:earli
eronhi
sbiol
ogi
calf
athercameby.Iwas
shocked.Si
phoisadopt
ed?
Me:Am conf
used.
Li
zwe:Mymom helpedawomanl
ongagogivebir
th.
Butsi
nceSi
phowasbornwit
hsomecompl
icati
ons
shedi
dn’
twanthi
m.Somom camehomewithhim.
Thi
sjustmademel
ovehermor
e.
Me:Yourmom i
sremar
ri
ed
Li
zwe:shei
sthebestever
.
Me:Howi
sSi
phohol
dingup?
Li
zwe:shakenbutgood
Me:wel
lwhatdoeshel
ovedoi
ng?
Li
zwe:apar
teat
inghel
ikesbowl
ing.
Me:wel
lifyounottooti
redwecangobowl
ingand
t
henhavesomethingtoeatj
ustt
ocheerhi
m up.

Li
zwe
Il
ookedather
,wi
llsher
eal
lywantt
odot
hatf
ormy
br
other
.
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
Li
sa:yes.Youcangot
oget
herandIcanst
ayhome.
Me:ohnowegoingtoget
her.Hewil
llovet
hat
.Let
mecallhi
m.Ical
ledhi
m andtol
dhim ofLi
saplan
andhewasexcit
edsotheplanwastomeetinan
hour
stime.

Li
sa
Ihadonblackskinnyjeansandt opandsneakers.
Li
zwewasi nful
lblacktooandsowasSi pho,i
guessthethemeisblack.Wedr oveinoneofthe
blackhummersandofcauset woguar ds
accompaniedus.Wegott othebowlingpitandI
couldseet
hathewasexci ted.
Si
pho:doyouknowhowt
obowl
?
Me:Ohi vneverbowl
edam j
ustgoi
ngt
obea
cheer
leader
Li
zwe:whosi
dear
eyouon?
It
houghtf
orasecond.
Me:Todayyoualonedearhusband.Am bet
ti
ngon
mybrotherher
e.Li
zweactedhurtwhil
eSipho
smil
ed.
Li
zwe:Justlikethat?Ismiledathim andhel aughed
astheychangedshoes.Andgotr eadytost artt
he
match.Iwasexci t
edevent houghIhadnoi dea
whatthegameaboutal lIknowisthatthebot tl
es
havetofal
lthatall
.Ast hegamebeganLi zwewas
l
eadingandtimewentSi phowasbegi nningtowi n.I
hadonascar ft
hatiwasusi ngtocheerleadand
makenoiseandmakef unofLizwewhi l
eSiphoand
Isangandlaughed.

Li
zwe
Ilookedatmyj oyouswifelaughingandsingingand
cheeringmybr otherwhof orgotallhi
swor r
iesand
wasl i
terall
yhavingfun.From adi st
anceIsaw
peoplel aughi
ng.Herjoyousmoodwasr ubbingoff
peopleandi tri
ghtthenisawoneoft hejournali
sts
recording.Idi
dn’tmindhim ashewaswi thi
n
di
stanceandnotmaki
ngascene.Aswebothhad
oneballt
obal
landwebothhadtostr
ikeal
lst
icks.

Li
sa
Me:Okaygentlementhisi
stheballt
hatnamesour
winnerar
eyour eady?
shelaughedandIsmil
edat
howbeautif
ulshewas.
Li
zwe:
Il
lneedagoodl
uckki
ssf
rom mywi
fe.
Me:Comet
akeal
it
tl
epeak
Sipho:Hyyyywho’ssideareyouon??Hescr eeched.
Ilaughedathim asIkissedhi
m andspankedhi s
assashebowl edmaki nghimlose.Hecr i
edout
l
oudasIl aughedashechasedmepl ayfull
yunt i
lhe
caughtmeandwewat chedSi
phobagal lthepoints
andwecel ebr
atedscreamingandmaki ngf unof
l
izwe
Li
zwe:Youguyscheat
ed!
!!
Me:wesorr
y.Ishowedhim at
ongueasIatemyice
cream.Het
henhuggedmeandwel eftl
aughi
ng
andSiphof
orget
ti
ngallhi
sworri
es.
Sipho:Am dr
ivi
ngt
otheSandt
onhot
elwewi
lldi
ne
there.
Lizwenoddedathi m aswedroveli
steni
ngtomusi
c
andt al
kingaboutsi
ll
ythi
ngs.Wegott her
eand
parkedandt her
ewascommot i
onofcamer acr
ews
taki
ngpi ct
uresofcel
ebri
ti
esthere.
Sipho:Fl
ippedIfor
gott
hatt
odayt
her
eisasmal
l
chil
lsessionsofDJpl
ayi
ng.
Me:WowIvneverbeent
oaconcer
t.Theybot
h
l
aughedatme.
Me:Whatdi
dIsay?
Li
zwe:Notaconcer
tjustali
ttl
ejam sessionforan
hourortwo.Wewon’
tbeabl etodi
nesi ncethey
haveconvert
edt
herestaur
anttoali
ttl
edr inkand
snack.
Me:Ivneverbeebt
othat
.Goodt
hingam wear
ing
j
eans.
Li
zwe:Whatt
hatgott
odowi
tht
his?Heasked
l
aughi
ng.
Si
pho:i
tsaboutt
ogetdown.Hedi
dahal
fway
voshoandwelaughedaswemadeourwayi
naf
ter
afewsnapshot
sfrom t
hecamer
acr
ew..
.

Sani
bonani
I
nser
t10:

Li
ndi
we
Ihadoneofmymar ksandIwasmi l
kinghi
m dry.
Thisti
mearoundwasgoi ngtosavethismoney.
JustthenDj
’sf
il
linthesetanditwasanightoffun
andloadsofdr
inki
ng.

Li
sa
Wewereeati
ngandt heyweredrinki
nghe
i
ntr
oducedmetosomanypeopl e.Theywere
al
waysbymysi de.Wewer ehavi
ngf unandhe
smil
edthesmil
ethatIloved.
Si
pho:Thankyou
Me:For
?
Si
pho:Youknow.Thankyou.Ismi
ledandhugged
hi
m.
Li
zwe:whatyout
woonabout
Me:Uthandai
zindaba(youli
kenews)hehel
dhi
s
hear
tasifhi
sheartbroken.Hehandedmeacanif
somethi
ng.
Li
zwe:Tr
ythi
s
Me:Idontdr
ink,
ivneverdr
ank.
Li
zwe:Tryi
t.Heopenedupthecanformeandt
hen
It
ri
editandImustsayitwasnotbad.
Me:whati
sit
?
Li
zwe:Ber
ninibl
ush.
Me:i
tsnotbad.
Lizwe:Iknewyouwi l
lli
keit.Afewmi nutesl at
ermy
favouri
teDjcameonsetandIl osti
t.DidIment ion
thatIcandance?Ididn’tknowlizwecabdanceunt i
l
Isawhi m andIdanci
ngasi fwehavepr acti
ce.The
wholecrowdwasl ookingatusaswel aughedand
danced.Whent hesongwasdonehepi ckedmeup
andmadesur eIsi
tbyhi slapasafewf riendscame
bywhi
letheydrankandIsi
ppedtheonecanIhad.
Weateandlaughedti
lli
twassl
owj amst
ime.
Me:am goi
ngt
othebat
hroom.
Li
zwe:am comi
ngwi
th.il
aughed.
Me:Igot
ofemal
est
oil
etr
emember
?
Lizwe:Barman.Oneguycameandhewhi spered
somet hi
ngandsheleftaft
erawhil
ehecameback
andlizwepickedmeupandpl acemegentl
ynextto
him andwewal kedt
ot hebat
hroom.Wepasseda
l
ineofpeopleandhest opoutsi
de.
Li
zwe:Goon.Ishyl
ywenti
nwi
tht
hel
adi
esgi
ving
meanevileye.

Li
zwe
Ist
oodt
her
east
hel
adi
esst
oodwai
ti
ngt
heyt
urn.
Me:Sorr
yaboutt
hewait.Theyal
lmumbl ed
somethi
ngandIshyl
ywai t
edafterawhil
eshe
fl
ushedandri
nsedherhandsthancameout .We
walkedandshel
ookedatmewi thtwinkl
esi
nher
eyes.
Li
sa:Thankyou
Lizwe:anythingformyqueen.Ispankedherass
andshesqueal edandwewalkedbacktothecrowd
andf oundSiphowi t
habunchofl adi
esandwegot
thereIsatdownandhasLi saonmyt hi
ghwhil
e
Siphoentertainedhi
sladi
es.Weat eanddr
anklike
therenotomor r
ow.

Li
sa
Whoknewgoi ngoutwast hi
sf un.Iturnedt of i
nda
gir
lwhokeptonst ar
ingatmef rom adi stanceand
everyt
imeil
ookedbackshewi llbeatt heback
l
ookingatme.Ilookedatherthenl ookedatl izwe
whowasconver si
ngwi t
hafriend.Ishif t
edandhe
heldontomeandIl eanedbackandwhi speredf or
him.
Me:I
llbeback
Li
zwe:wher
eyougoi
ng?
Me:t
rustme.Igotupandhewat
chedmewal
k.
Li
zwe
Iwatchedherwal
kedr
ightt
oLi
ndi
weandIf
eltmy
hear
tclench.
Si
phogotsoberwi
thi
nmi
nut
es.
Si
pho:Whydi
dyoul
ethergo
Me:Ionl
ysawnowwher
eshegoi
ng.

Li
sa
Iwal
kedandIsawabunchofgir
lsar
oundher.I
knowhert
ypeandIgr
ewupwi t
hacousinl
ikeher.
Igotther
easshest
ooduptalli
nherheel
sand
pushedherl
ongassweave.
Me:Hi
Her
:Hi
Me:Youbeenstar
ingatmef
orsomet
imehenceI
camecloser.
Her
:Am Li
ndi
we
Me:Li
sabel
la
Li
ndi
we:Youst
olemyman
Idon’
tknowwher
eIgott
hecour
aget
olaughbut
I
di
d.
Me:howaboutwet aket hisoutsi
deawayfrom
people.It
urnedtofindLizweandSi pholooki
ngli
ke
theysawaghost .Ismi l
edandwavedatt hem aswe
walkedtoamor equi etplaceandlesscameras.

Enews
Iwaspacki
ngupwhenIsawt heNewMuskf amil
y
memberwalkoutwi t
hthegi
rlwhowasaf uck
buddyofherhusbandandherfri
ends.Ihi
dbyt he
busheswit
hmycr ewandroll
edthemi cand
recor
der
.

Li
sa
Il
ookedatt
hef
ourpeopl
eandsmi
ledmycal
mest
smil
e.
Me:SoYousayIst
oleyourman.
Li
ndi
we:Yes
Me:how?
Li
ndiwe:don’
tplaysmarther
e.Youjustcameoutof
nowherethenboom youmarri
ed?When?Howwhen
i
vbeent heonefucki
nghimthewholeyear
wheneverhewanteditandwherever
.
Me:Andthatmakeshi m yourman?Shel ookedat
meconfused.Yesithurtsthativbeenwithhi
m onl
y
whenhewasbusybutt henagai nIcan’
thol
dhim
account
abl
ef orhi
spastbef oreme.
Li
ndi
we:whatel
semakesamanawomanman?
Me:Idon’
tknow,
youl
abel
edhim asyourssoi
f
igur
edyouknowwhatyoutal
kingabout
.
Li
ndi
we:Icanhi
tyour
ightnow.
Me:Andwi
llt
hatmakehi
m your
sagai
n?
Fr
iend:Asambemnganiyouwon’
twi
nwi
thher
.
Me:I
fIwasyoui
lll
i
stent
oyourf
ri
endandgo
Li
ndi
we:Orwhat
??
Ismi
led.Idon’
tknowwhatgotovermebutij
ust
hadt
hecour
age.
Me:Letmet ellyousomet hingthatnotevenyour
fri
endsoryourmot herwil
levertellyou.Igrewup
wat chingacousi nofmi newhowasj ustli
keyou.i
knowyourt ype.Am sur eheshower edyouwi th
gift
sandmoneyandatt hatti
meyouspenti tall
withoutacar eoft omorrow.Iknowt hatyou
i
nvest edi nhi m whenal lhedi dwaschowyouand
planhi sf ut
ur e.Iknowyouhat emeandiwoul d
hatemet ooi fiwasi nyourpositiont oo.Butinever
askedt omar ryhim.Ineveraskedhi mt oleaveyou,i
neverknewyoubef orehetoldmeaboutyouashi s
past .Buthittingmeorf ighti
ngmeai ntgoingt o
makehi m your s.I
fiwasyouiwoul dmoveonand
focusonmysel fandf utur
e.Iwoul dexceli n
ever yt
hingt hatIdoandbeabet t
erver sionof
mysel fandr ightnowyoucanhat emeal lyouwant
buti twillnotchangeyoursi tuat
ion.Am hi swi f
e.
Youhi spast .Dealwi thitandmoveon.
I
flookscoul
dki
llshewoul
dhaveki
ll
edmewi
thi
t.
Li
ndi
we:Icanhavehi
m agai
nifIwantt
oo
Me:Thengori
ghtaheadandhavehi
m.Butt
hat
wontchanget
hefactt
hatam hi
swif
eandyou.
..
.
ilookedather.”Wellidontknowwhatt ocallyou
butyouar eyou.Andyoudoyoubutknowonet hi
ng
ifyoucomeatme, dontyout hinkforasecondil
l
wat chyou.I
llcomeatyouhar der”
Lindi
we:Am pr
egnantwi
thhi
schi
ld.Shegr
inned
themostevi
lsmil
eandsomehowIdidn’
tbel
ieve
that.
Me:Andyout
ell
ingmet
hisbecause?
Lindiwe:il
lgotoever
ynewspaperandever
y
televi
sionstat
ion.
Me:andbeknownasagi r
lthateverymanwi l
lwant
tost
aycl
earoff
?Isawherqui veri
nherstand.AndI
knewshemadethatup.Ismiledatherandhercrew
Me:nowthatyouhavemadeyourpr esenceknown,
am Ifr
eet
ogoori sthereanyt
hingel
seyouwi sht
o
tal
ktomeabout?Shel ookedatmewithsomuch
hatr
edandherfr
iendpulledher.
Fr
iend:Asambe
Li
ndi
we:Yourdaysar
enumber
ed
Me:I
vhear
dthatami
ll
iont
imesbef
oreyether
eI
am.
Li
ndi
we:Yout
hinkyousmar
t?
Me:Thi
nkorknow?
IknewIwasmakingherangr
y.Peopl
eli
keher
hatedbei
ngpat
roni
sed.
ShemovedcloserandIstoodmygroundand
l
ookedatherri
ghtinhereyesandIsawshewas
shocked.
Me:Neverunderesti
mat eyouropponent.It
urned
andwalkedt owar
dsthebathroom.Iwasshaking
andbreat
hi nghar
d.Iremember edthegr
oundf l
oor
wil
lbefullsoIwenttothefi
rstfloor
.

ENewscr
ew
Assoonasshewentupt hest ai
rswetookthe
el
evatort
othefi
rstf
loorandsawhergoi ngtot
he
bat
hroom.Isl
owlyopent hedoorandpickedmy
camerainandsawherwashi ngherf
aceandshe
l
ookedher
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or.
“dearl ordpleaseprotectandguidmei nallthatIdo.
Pleasepr otectmyhusbandf ortheli
kesofl i
ndiwe
andpl easeneverletmel osemycooleveragai nin
public.Pleasegivemepeaceandsani tytomanage
mysel fandst aytr
uetowhoIam.Ameen”she
wipedherf aceandlookedathersel
fonel asttime
andt urnedandwehi djustasherhusbandand
brotherinlawwal kedoutoftheelevator.
Li
zwe:Beenl
ooki
ngforyouallover
.Sawlindi
we
andhercr
ewcomebybutnotyou.Hehuggedher
andshesmil
edathi
m witht
earsinhereyes.
Li
sabel
la:am cool
,comel
etgoenj
oyoutni
ghtout
.
Herhusbandl
ookedhi
sbrotherconf
usedandthey
shr
uggedandfol
lowedher
.Iturnedt
othecrew.
Me:i
sthatal
lint
ape?
Hi
m:Yes
Me:Ijustbecameaf anofMrsMuskj
uniorand
tomorrowmor ningwehavingasegmentcal
led
“slayqueens”theylookedatmeasIwasexcit
ed.
..
I
nser
t11:

Li
sa
Wewenthomesol at
e.Iwashappyt oseeSipho
happy.Hewasbeyonddr unkwit
hLi zwesooneof
theguards.Li
zwewassl eepingonmyl apand
Siphoturnedf
rom t
hefrontandl ookedatme.
Si
pho:Thankyouagai
n
Ismi
ledathi
m
Si
pho:Hi
sinl
ovewi
thyou
Me:whatmakesyousayt
his?
Sipho:I
vknownhim al
lmyl
if
eandhisandhi
s
neverwelcomedawomanint
ohisworl
dli
kehowhe
haswelcomedyou.
Me:ThatnotwhatLi
ndi
wesays
Sipho:Youknowhertyperi
ght?Theywi llsay
anythi
ngt oremai
nrel
evantt
hinkingifyouandyour
manf ightt
heycangetanopportunit
ytogetin.
Me:Yout
wor
eal
lycar
eabouteachot
her
,her
eyou
ar
efi
ght
inghi
sbat
tl
es.
Sipho:Hehasdonemor
eformet
hanmyown
famil
y.
Me:Am sor
ry
Si
pho:it
sokay.Ij
ustprayt
hatwhenyoul
ear
nour
di
ff
erencesyoust
il
lloveusasyoudonow.
Il
aughedathi
m asIbr
ushedLi
zwehead.
Me:Theonl ytimeIcanst opcari
ngaboutyouSipho
i
si fyoustoptreat
ingmewi ththesameloveand
respectthatyouhavegivenmeeversinceivbeen
here.Youcoul dhaveeasi
lyhatedmeormakeyour
brotherchoosebetweenyouandI
Si
pho:I
llholdyout
oyourwor
doneday.Ismi
ledat
hi
m andclosedmyeyes.
Hel
aughed.
Me:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Si
pho:I
twasalwaysusagai
nsttheworl
dbutnow
wehaveyouandsomehowIfeelli
ght
er.Thankyou.
Me:Ismi
ledathi
m.Wedr
ovei
nthegat
eint
othe
houseandhedr oppedusatt hedoorasweboth
heldLi
zweupandwal ked.Theminuteweopened
thedoorwef oundmom anddadandAver yand
Dionstandi
ngt here.
Ismi
lednervousl
y.WeplacedLi
zweont
hecouch
ashegrabbedmywai sti
nhissl
eept
omakemesit
onhi
slap.Iwhisper
edtohim.
“babebehaveyourdadher
e”i
vneverseena
per
songetsoberinaminut
e.
Li
zwe:dad
Dad:Youwer
eouthalft
henight
.Not
extnot
hingi
f
i
twasn’tf
ort
hatinst
agr
am t
hingwewoul
dn’
tknow
wereyouwer
e!!
Li
zwe:cal
m down.Wef
ine
Dad:wi
llt
alki
nthemor
ning
Mom:hadf
un?SheaskedmeandInodded.
Mom:gl
adyoudi
dandt
hankyou.
Howdidsheknowitwasmyi dea?Ismi
ledather
andl
ookeddown.Theyl
eftandtheminutet
heydid
weal
lbustedoutl
aughi
ng.
Li
zwe
Iwokeupaloneandt
ookashowerandwentdown
st
air
stofi
ndt hef
ami
lysi
lentwat
chi
ngEnews.
Anchor:marr
iageisthemostsacredunioneverand
hereisawomant hatIthi
nkeveryoneshoul
dtake
notetobeli
keher.Ifiwasheriwouldhaveri
pped
offtheot
herhead.

Li
sa
Iwatchedinhorrorast heypl
ayedeveryt
hingthat
happenedatthehot elandwheni twasdonethey
showedt hepar
twher eiwasinthebathr
oom
prayingandaft
erwar dsthecomment swhere
everyonewasbehindmesuppor ti
ngmyr eact
ion.
Othersevenvolunteeri
ngtobemybackupi fwego
fi
ght.Ikeptqui
et
Anchor
:IjustwantyoutoknowaLi sabel
lat
hat
womanl i
keyouarerareandIthi
nkGodhaveheard
yourpr
ayersasyouhavet hewholenati
onbehi
nd
you.
Thenewsendedandwentt obusinessandwhenit
wasdonetheyswi t
chedoffthetv.Il
ookeddown
andnextt
hingIheardabigbangandIl ookedupto
fi
ndLizwestucktothewall
.Ilookedathim
conf
used.Wasn’thestandi
ngbyt heentrance
Dad:Ivbeenwi thyourmot herformor ethan20
yearsandnotoncehaveIeverdi srespectedherthe
wayyouhavedi srespectedthisyoungwoman.
Uwakuphil oli
ndiweesi ngamazit hi
na.Iwat chedi
n
horrorasmyhusbandmovedoutoft hecracked
wallwithoutbei
nghur t.
Li
zwe:Icanexpl
aindad.
Dad:Expl
ainwhat?Thatyout
ookyourwi
fet
othe
sameplaceyoursidedi
shwasit
Si
pho:dad
Iwat
chedinhorrorasmyfatheri
nlaweyeschange
andj
ustasIwaswat chi
ngthatIsawmymot heri
n
l
awhairchange.Iwasconf
used.
Si
pho:Guys.
Hedi dn’
tfi
nishhissentenceasLizwewasnow
fl
yingintheairandthrowntothewal lnextt
hingbig
blackwingscameoutofnowher eandhewasf l
ying.
Istoodtherefrozent
ot hespotwatchingthi
s
commot ion.
IsawDi onr uninandAver yatsomepoi ntandj ust
thanmyf atheri
nl awchangedi ntoabigaswol f
andhowl edsoloudwi thmymot herinlawf l
yingin
theair.Sipholookingatmewi thsomuchf earon
hisfaceandIsawhi sfacechangeashor nsstarted
growingoutoft hem.Isatont hatcouchandIdon’ t
knowwhathappenedbutever yoneslowlyturned
andlookedatmeandj ustlikethatinablinkofan
eyeever yonewentbackt otheynor malselfandt he
wholehousewassi l
ent.Islowlyclosedmyeyesf or
asecondandcount edto10andopent hem agai n.I
watchedasever yonelookedatmewi thmi x
emot i
onsandIsl owlygotup.
Li
zwehadf
earal
loverhi
sface.
Li
zwe:Li
sa.Hetr
iedt
omovecl
osert
ome.Ir ai
sed
myhandstoppi
nghimtot
akeast
epcloser
.
It
ookadeepbr
eat
h
Me:Pl
easedon’
tcomeanycl
oser
.Iwat
chedhi
s
f
acecrumbl
e.
Mom:wecanexpl
ain.
Me:IknowyoucanbutrightnowIneedtogoout.I
needspace.Ineedt
othi
nkandIneedt hataway
fr
om fr
om you.
Dion:Icandri
veyou.Il
ookedathi
m.Hel ooked
normal.Isawhiswif
eeyeschangeyel
low.
Di
on:am humanlikeyou.Il
ookedathi
m andI
l
ookedatSipho.
Ireal
lydi
dn’tt
rustanyonei nthi
shouse.Ilookedat
them andIsawat earrolldownonLizwef aceandI
rememberedhim sayingt her
earepartsofhimt hat
Il
lgettoknowsoon.Ist hisit
??.
..
.Mythshavej ust
becomear eal
it
yr i
ghtinf r
ontofme..
..
I
nser
t12:

Li
sa
Islowlymovedawayf rom t
hef ami lyandtheywer e
allqui
et.Idi dn’tknowhowt odrivesot hatlimitsme
tobeingar oundt heyar d.Iwasj uststeppingoutof
thehousewhensomet hingwasshotatmeandI
frozeinplaceasi tpausedjustinf rontofme.I ti
s
thenthatIf eltstrongar mspi ckmeupandIknewi t
wasLi zwe.Bul letswer ef l
yingever ywhereandt her
e
wasgr untingandnose.Isawmyf atherinlaw
changet ot hismaj est
icbeingandIknewt hatshi ti
s
aboutt ogodown.Icl osedmyeyesaspeopl ewer e
screami ng.Hepl acedmebehi ndt hekitchen
counterandputhi shandsbot hatmysi desandI
l
ookedi ntohi sdar kgreyeyessameashi sf ather
andhiswi ngsf ullyout.
Am aprayingwomananddi dGodlit
eral
lysentme
anangel?Isthi
stheangelofpr
otect
ionthatI
v
al
wayspr ayerf
or.
Lizwe:Ihavetohelp.Inoddedandhedisappeared
i
nf rontofmyeyes.Iclosedthem andopenedthem
asIsl owlywal
kedtowat chandthesceneinfront
ofmewashor r
ifi
c.Meni nunif
ormswerepill
ingon
thefloor.Mom anddadwer efl
yingandatt
acking.
Siphohadhi shor nsandcl awsoutandaf uckent ail
thatwaschoppi ngpeopl eheadsof fandmydear
husband.Wasshoot i
ngf ir
ebal lwithhisbar ehands.
Iwat chedt hemagi cunf oldunt ilnoonewasl eft
andguar dswer epl acedandheavysur veill
ancewas
ar ound.Il ist
enedt omyf atheri nlawspeaki nt he
mostbonechi ll
ingvoi cet othepr esidentandwhen
hel lwasdoneIt ouchedmyf aceandi twasweti n
tear s.Iwasr eall
ysi l
ent lycr ying.Whi l
etheywer e
busyIqui cklyranupst airspackedabagandt ook
hisphone.I vseenhi m dot heubert hi
ngf orf ood.I
wasgoi ngt oorderf oodandhavet heguydr opme
of fwher eever .Itri
edt odot hatbutIcoul dn’tthanI
figur edt herightwingwasmyhomebutt heydi dn’t
knowiwoul dgot her esoIpackedandwal kedt othe
ot hersideoft hemansi onandwal kedint othemost
beaut i
fulsetupever .Il aughedofcauseshecando
thismymot herinlawi saf airy.Ilockedthedoor
andwal kedi ntothel itt
leheavenonear t
h.
Ever ythingwasper f ectlysetup.Iwal kedt othe
hugemast erbedroom andIl ovedi t
.Howonear t
h
sheknowwhatIwant ed?Butwhoam Iki dding,iv
justwat chedherf ly.Thecl osethadever ythingt hat
Icoul
dpossiblywantandneed.Igott
othehuge
assbedandt hrewmyselfoni
tsndcri
edmyselft
o
sl
eep”lordwhatdidIgetmysel
fint
o.Whati
s
happening”

Li
zwe
Il
ookedforherever
ywhereandcoul dn’
tfindher.I
l
ookedattheroom wit
hmyxRayvi sionandIsaw
herbackpackwithal
lthatmoneywasmi ssingbut
di
dshewal ksi
ncecan’tdri
ve,
itsnotsafe.
Mom wal
kedi
n.
Mom:If
oundher
.
Me:wher
e?
ShetouchedmeandIt eleportedt
otheroom and
shewasi naballcurl
edupsl eepi
ng.Ibr
eatheda
sighofrel
ief
.Itookoffmyshoesandgoti nbed
snuggli
ngher.Iknewmydadwashandl i
ngthe
i
ndependentresearchlabsincehehadadealwi t
h
thegovernment.
Si
pho
Thenextt woweekswer eanightmar e.Lizwewas
depressed.Lisabell
awasgi vi
ngussi lenttreatment.
Everydayshewakesuphel pspreparebr eakfasteat
andleavet oherbedroom whereLi zwet ell
smeshe
j
ustlaystherelookingattheblankwal lwi t
ht ear
sin
hereyesandshesl eeps.Iwasbyt heloungewi t
h
thedepressedLi zwe.
Li
zwe:sheall
owsmet ocuddl
eherandshecr
ies
her
sel
ftosleepever
ynight
.
Me:haveyout
ri
edspeaki
ngt
oher
.
Li
zwe:sheneveranswer
smenoranyone.I
tsl
ike
sheisazombie.Wesupposet
obeinhoneymoon
phase.
Me:Am sosor
ry
Li
zwe:am l
osi
ngher
Me:younot
Li
zwe:Icanfeeli
t.Thewayshelooksatme.Its
hur
tsbroit
sreall
ydoes.AndjustthenShewalked
byandopenthedoorwalkingacrosstheyar
dto
Di
on.

Li
sa
Ist
oodt
her
eforasecondandknocked.
Aver
y:Hi
.Shewel
comedmei
nandIl
ookedatDi
on.
Me:Thankyouf
orhavi
ngmeover
Aver
y:ourpl
easur
e.Letmel
eaveyout
woher
e.

Aver
y
Iqui
cklyranovertot heMusk.Ifoundthem wit
hthe
channelcastedandt heywerealr
eadylist
eni
ngin
onthesilent.
Thi
st i
meKamowentext r
aandused
herbigmi r
rorbythewal lf
orustowatchthem.
Basical
lyitwasli
kewewat chi
nganintensemovie.

Li
sa
Hepour
edmet
eaandwewal
kedt
othecouchandI
t
ookasip.
Me:Thankyouf
oral
lowi
ngmet
ocomeover

Li
zwe
Heari
nghervoiceevent
houghi
thoar
sewast
he
bestt
hingever
.

Li
sa
Di
on:Gl
adyouokay
Me:Idon’
tknowi
fIam
Di
on:whyyousayt
hat
.
It
ookasi
pofmyt
ea.
Me:Il
ovehi
m.If el
ttear
srol
ldownmyf
aceandI
wi
pedthem away.
Me:Isawhisf ami l
ybeingcrazywithunimagi
nable
thi
ngsandal lIcansayi sIl
ovelizwe.Am i
nlove
wit
hamyt hicalcreatur
e.Am inlovewithamanwho
havebighugest rongwings.Am inlovewit
haman
whohasabr otherwhohavehor ns,amotherthata
fai
ryandafat herthatt
urnstoawol fandyouwant
t
oknowwhatthef
unnypar
t?Di
onl
ookedatme
f
eel
ingmypai
n.
Me:Thef unnypar ti
sever ynightIlogf orhimto
comet obedandever yni ghtwithoutf ai
lhecomes
i
nandsnuggl esmecl osertohim andwhi sper
sthat
helovesme.Ipr etendli
keam sl eepingbutIhear
him.Ifeeleverytouchhegi vemeandever yki
ss
andmost lywhenhi sfastasleepipl acemyheadon
hischestjusttoseeifhisstil
lalive.
Ikeptqui
etf
orawhi
le.Andl
ookedathi
m.
Me:Myf atherinlawt hr ewhisonlysont oawal l
becausehedi sr
espect edme.Nowt el
lmehowcanI
notlovethem.Mom setupt hehousej ustthewayi v
alwayswant edmyhouset obe.AndSi pho.Histhe
biggerbrotherIneverhad.Hecar esformedeepl y.I
seethewayhel ooksatme.Thel it
tl
et hi
ngshe
doeslikefill
ingupmyj unkcabinet.Checkinginon
mewhenLi zweatwor k.Thecrazyf ami l
ythatI
wantsomucht ohatear et
hesamepeopl ethatI
l
oveandr espect.Tellmehowdi dyouaccepti t
?
Di
on:Love
Lovei
sonesi
mpl
ewor
ldbuthol
dssomuchpower
.
Me:butt
heyar
esuper
-bei
ngs
Dion:everwonderedwhyyou?Whyyouhavet ogo
t
hr oughallofthi
s?Youaret
hechosenonef ort
he
reason.Findthatandyouwi
llgetyouranswer
s!!
!.
..
.

Goodni
ght
I
nser
t13:
Li
zwe
Iwatchedmywi fel
etgoi
nanothermanandfind
comf or
tsinhi
swordsandtheysatt
alki
ngabout
random thi
ngs.
Si
pho:Atl
eastyouknowshest
il
llovesyouf
oryou
wi
ngsandall
Iknewhewast r
yingtohel
pbuttodayhewasn’t
.
Wewat chedastheybi
deachothergoodbyeand
weswi t
chedonthetvandact
edlikewewatchi
ng
whateverwason.
Li
sa
Igoti
nthehousetookadeepbr
eathandbr
ought
myhoodiehatupandslowl
ywalked.
Mom:Dear
.It
urnedt
ofi
ndal
ltheMuskf
ami
ly
l
ooki
ngatme.
Mom:Iunder st
andyouintheprocessi
ngprocess
therearebooksinthel
ibrar
ythatcanhelpandfeel
freetocomeaskmeanyt hi
ng.Inoddedandlooked
atLizweher eall
ywashurti
ng.Iwashurti
ngbutI
want edtot
akeawayhi spaintoo.
Me:I
fyounotbusycanyoucomewi
th?
Lizwe:whome?Thehopei nhi
seyeswastomuch
thati
tchokedmyvoiceInoddedonl
yandhe
j
umpedovert hesof
aandcamebymysi deandwe
walkedout.

Kamo
Ever
yonet
urnedt
olookatme.Il
aughed
Me:am notgoi
ngt
ospyont
hem
Si
yabonga:ar
eyounotcur
iousatal
l?
Me:Iam butam gi
vingt
hem pr
ivacy.
Thewhol
eroom l
aughed.
Sipho:doyouevenknowt hewordt heylaughed
mor eandIlookedatthem.YesIwant edtoseeif
theyfi
nebutI’l
lrespectt
heyprivacyforonce.My
handswerei t
chingtocastthespellbutididnot.
Me:Whathappenswiththeresearchteam t
hat
wantsusaslabrat
s?IlookedatSiyabongaashe
gotangr
yandiclosedmymout h.

Li
sa
Wewalkedinsil
ence.Wegoti
ntheli
brar
yandwe
wasqui
etforsometimeandIl
ookedathim.
Me:Il
oveyou
Helookedatmeshocked.I
vneversai
ditandsodid
hebutIthi
nkheneedtoheari
tnowmor ethenever
.
Li
zwe:Ineverknewwhatl
ovewasuntilimeetyou
andmyhear tdi
dthi
ngsi
thasneverdonebefore.I
l
oveyoumor
ethanl
if
eitsel
f.Ibl
ushedandl
ooked
athi
m.
Me:Youshoul
dhavet
oldme.Iwhi
sper
ed.
Lizwe:andsaywhatexact
ly?Hyl
ookatme?He
spreadhisbi
gblackwingsandIl
ookedatt
hem.I
reachedoutandtouchedt
hem.
Me:Idon’
tknow,youshouldhavesai
dsomethi
ng
i
nsteadofmefindi
ngoutthewaythatIdi
d.
Li
zwe:Iknow
Me:Whatar
eyouguys?Iknowmom i
saf
air
y
Li
zwe:wi
tchf
air
y.
Me:whatt hedif
fer
ence.OhmyGodam l ivi
ngi
nthe
t
inkerbellworl
d.If
eltvi
brat
ionsandIknewIwasn’
t
i
magi ni
ngt hem.

Kamo
Me:shhhLi
zwewi
llknowwel
ist
eni
ngi
n.
Li
sa
Ilookedathi
m andcalmedmysel
fdownandthrew
myselfonasofa.Ineveri
namil
li
onyear
sthought
i
llbefaci
ngthissi
tuat
ion.
Li
zwe:Am sor
ry
Me:Forwhat?Youwerebornl
iket
his?Didyou
mom getsometypeofaradi
oacti
vepoisonous
ef
fect
.Whathappened?
Li
zwe:bor
nli
ket
his.Ikeptqui
etandl
ookedathi
m
andl
ookedaway
Me:Ineedt
imet
ofi
gur
ethi
sout
.Pr
ocessi
t.
Li
zwe:okay
Me:Am notsayi
ngam gi
vinguponusbutj
ust
sayi
ngIneedspacet
oprocessit
.
Li
zwe:Ihearyou.Il
oveyou
Me:Il
oveyout
oo.
Wewer
ebot
hqui
et.
Li
zwe:If
eelbet
terwit
hyousi
tt
ingonmylap.He
gavemeashysmi l
edandIgotupandsatonhi
s
l
apandt henhet ouchedmywai stbr ingingme
closertohi m andIl earnedbackasheki ssedmy
necksl owl ysendi ngshi versdonemyspi ne.Ina
secondcl otheswer et ornoutf rom meandIwasbut
nakedashesl owlyinser t
edhi mselfonme.If el
t
shiversdonemyspi neasr odehi m slowl ywithal l
myemot ions.Ifelthim vibrateandIknewhewas
l
et t
inggo.I nal lmyl if
ei vneverbeenf uckedt heway
thathef uckedme.Fr om t hecoucht ot hef l
oorto
thewal l.HewassodeepIt houghtmyor ganswi ll
explode.Iwasnowont hef loorscreami ngwi th
delightashesmashedi ntomef asterasIsqui rt
ed
vibrati
ngal loverl eavingmebr eathless.Hecame
goingdeeperasIscr eamedasanot hercl i
maxhi t
mehar dmaki ngmevi brateheadt ot oe.Wecuddl ed
withuspant i
ngsohar dt r
yingtocat chourbr eath.
Me:Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
oki
llme?
Hel
aughedandl
ookedatmeandIsawandf
eltal
l
t
hel
ove.
Lizwe:Youareever
ythi
ngtome.Youmyheart.My
soulandalwaysonmymi nd.Ipr
omisenoonewi l
l
everharm youori
solat
eyoubecauseyoumarri
ed
toourkind.Weashumanaswecangetandwe
alwaysputourownf i
rst
.Andrightdownyouare
everyt
hingthatweeverneededinlif
e.I
vdonecrazy
thi
ngsinmyl i
feandmydadhasneverl ai
dahand
onmebutf oryouhethr
ewmeacr ossthewall
.That
howi mportantyouar
etomeandt hem.
Il
ookedathi
m wi
tht
ear
sinmyeyes.
Me:Whyme?Am j
ustanor
malki
dnopower
s
not
hing.
Hel
ookedawayandt
henl
ookedatme.
Li
zwe:Ivjustmadel
ovet
oyouwi
thnoboundar
ies.
Lookattheroom.
Il
ookedar oundtoseeingbookshelfallover,
couchesandl ampsbr okenandoverturned.The
wallwascr ushedint
oIr ememberhim pushingme
againstt
hewal lashewenti nf
asterunt i
lIvi
brat
ed
wit
hmycl imax.
Me:OhmyGod
Li
zwe:andyetyouhavenobruisesnoasi
ngl
e
br
okenbonenoranybrui
sing.WhenIgodeeperyou
al
lowme.I vcompl
etel
yletgoandyout akei
tal
lon.
Youwer ebornf
ormeandIf oryou.Iwasto
shocked.
Me:Ihavepower
s
Lizwe:Am notsayingyouhavepower s,
am not
sayingyouhavesupernaturalmeansbutam sayi ng
youmychosenoneandf orthattohappent hey
havetobesomet hingaboutyout hatmakesyouso
otherthanyouramazingchar acter.Iknowmymom
knowsmor eaboutyout henshel etti
ngonbecause
shehast heabil
it
ytoseet hefuture.Theydidthi
s
becausetheyknowourf uture.
Me:soyoumot
heri
sthemostpower
ful
?
Li
zwe:Iam
Me:yetyoudon’
tknowwhati
tisaboutmet
hathas
meli
nkedtoyou?
Li
zwe:ot
hert
henmyl
ovef
oryou.NoIdon’
t.
Iwasqui
etf
orsomet
ime.
Me:Am t
aki
ngagapyear
Li
zwe:why?
Me:Toreadal
lthesebooks.Toknowmoreabout
youandusandthisfamil
y.Tofi
ndoutanswer
s.
Li
zwe:Youal
wayswant
edt
ost
udy
Me:WhichIl
ldobutri
ghtnowineedanswer
sand
am goi
ngtodomyr esear
ch.
Li
zwe:Thepeopl
eweki
ll
edwer
eresear
cher
s.I
l
ookedathi
m.
Me:
Doyouknowwhatt
heywant
ed?
Li
zwe:No
Me:Ineedt
ofi
ndoutwhatt
heywant
.Hel
ookedat
meforsometi
me.
Li
zwe:Younotl
eavi
ngme?
Me:Il
oveyouandImeanti
t.Ti
lldeat
hdousapar
t.
Hegr i
nnedt hatadorablesmi l
eandIkissedhim
saddli
nghi m asIslowlywentdownwi t
hhi m
openingmewi derthanIveverbeenasIsl owlyrode
him dri
vinghim andmysel finsane.Hewentdeeper
makingmecl i
maxandIl ostitandwentfaster
ri
ddingoutthecl i
maxandbui ldi
nganotherashe
heldont i
ghttomyhi psgri
ppingmei nplaceaswe
bothnearedourcl
imaxthatleftmewithoutavoice
andhim shaki
ngli
kealeaf.Ithrewmyselfontopof
him aswewerecatchi
ngourbr eat
hst
illi
ntact
.I
swearlovemakinghasjustbecameanewf avouri
te
forme.
Li
zwe:Youwantt ogivemeahear tatt
ack.Imoved
i
naci rcularmot ionandwenthar dsof astmaking
mescr eam inexcitement .Idon’tknowwhatgott o
measIt urnedandst artedridinghiminar everse
cowgirlkindofamoveashewasr i
ghtonmyG-
spotaswebot hwer egr oaninglikesmallbull
sas
wer odeeachot herclimaxaf t
ercli
maxunt ilmy
bodywasl ikeamashmel l
ow.Hegotupand
start
edaf ireandbr oughtmecl oserwithscatt
er
pil
lowst hereandsl owl yli
ftedmyl egandwenti n
andst ayedt her
enotmovi ng.
Lizwe:Il
ovebeinginyou.Yousowar m andal
ways
readyforme.Iblushedashewassl owl
ymovi ng
buil
dingupmyt ensionf
ormoveandbef orenewit
hewaspoundi ngonmel iketherei
snotomorrow
ashewasat tacki
ngmyG- spotmaki
ngmegocr azy
Kamo
Thenoiseandbangi ngofthingsfal
lingdownand
teari
ngofclothesmademest opthel i
steni
ngbut
theywereinthest udyandt hatoneoft herooms
thatnotsoundproof .Thiswentonf orhourswith
Siyabongalaughingallthetimewhent heystar
t
again.
Si
pho:I
shet
ryi
ngt
oki
llher
?
Me:am notgoi
ngt
ocomment
Si
yabonga:makeupsexist
hebest
.Comehel
pme
wi
thsomethingi
nmyr oom.
Sipho:yeahsur er
ubi tinguysam goi ngtosee
Joshua.SiyabongalookedatSi phoassessingi fhi
s
okayandhewassat i
sfiedashekissedhi smyneck.
AsSi pholeftandhepl acedmeont hecount er
movingmypant ytothesi deasher oughl
yent ered
meandr i
dingmet i
llwebot hexploded.Wecl eaned
upjustast heroom vibratedandIknewt heother
twower eatitagai
n.
Me:Shoul
dIt
ellt
hem?
Si
yabonga:Tel
lThem what
?
Me:ThatLi
sai
saf
all
enAngel
!Hel
ookedatme.
Siyabonga:notnowlett
hem figur
eitout
themselvesthatshei
saf al
lenAngelmakingher
i
mmor t
altoo.
..
.

Goodmor
ningguys
I
nser
t14:

Li
sa
It
sbeen3monthssi ncei
vembarkedonthejour
ney
offi
ndi
ngoutaboutmyi nlawsandl
ordInever
expect
edwhatIfound.
Thef
act
sar
e:
Myf atheri
nlaw:hisawer ewolft
hatfeedsonthe
powerofhiswi f
e.Histhestrongestandmostloyal
oneint hewholefamil
yandmosti mport
antl
yhis
thealphaofallwerewolf
’sandofcausehasmor e
the30power s
Mymot herinlaw:Godblesst
hiswomansoul .The
ki
ndestwitchfair
yever.Hasmorethan30power s
oneofthem beingthepowerofsi
ghtandhealing.
Sheisnaturebondedandhasthekindestheartever

Sipho(mybr otherinl
aw):Heisavarkovampire.
Theki ndofvampi r
eyougetwhengenetic
mut ati
onshappen.Hiskindandsweetandisloyal
tohisf amil
yandhasahear tofgol
d.Hisonl
ypower
i
sst rengthandbeingthefast
estvampir
einthe
whol eworld.

Thanwegetmyhusbandt hebeastofal l
supernat ur
albeingshalfhumanandhal fwerewolf
withabl oodofaf ai
ryinhim.Hehasover50
power sandoneoft hem isbei
ngi nvisi
bleand
tel
epor t
ing.Histhesmar testi
ndividualandt he
mosti ntuit
ivepersonever.Hardt olovebutwhen
thelovet heylovewi t
htheyall
.Hecanki llaperson
withoutthinkingitintheheatofamoment .Yeshe
canbeawer ewol
ftoowhenangr
ybuthealways
resul
tinhavinghi
swi ngst
hatwi
thonecl
apcan
causeabuildingt
ocrumble.

Thant herewasme.Oneoft hef all

enangel s.My
fait
hi sunknownyesam af allenangelbutnotas
thedi sobedientangel .Am oneofaf ewt hatwer e
j
usti nnocentbyst anderswhenl uciferr ebel l
ed
againstGod.Thef unnypar tisthatIhadmi nd
power s.Ihavet heabili
tytocont rolindivi dualsand
whatIwantt hem todo.Icanf ryyourbr ai nsbya
singlet ouchandohIhavewi ngssot hebooksays
andbel ievemeihavet ri
edami lli
ont imeswi t
hall
thepet sthatLizwebeenbuyi ngandal lt het hi
ngs
thatthebooksaysIcando.I vneverexceededi n
anyoft hem.Li zwehast ri
edt eachi ngmeact i
vati
ng
mywi ngsbutt onoext ent
.Theonl yt hingi v
mast er edisdriving.

Me:Maybet
hisi
snotme.Mybeyourpar
ent
’sgoti
t
wr
ongam notaf
all
enangel
.
Lizwe:explai
nwhyyoui mmunet oallourpowers.
Youpai nresist
anceandnopowert hrownatyou
canhur tyou.Wecan’ tevenreadyourmind.Dad
tr
iedthrowingyouagai nstthewallandhecouldn’
t.
Myf atherthestrongestmanonear thcoul
dn’tl
if
t
youup.
Me:howcomeyoucanpi
ckmeup?
Li
zwe:t
hatbecauseam yourhusbandandyou
al
lowmetoo.
Me:Ist i
llcan’
tbeli
eveam anangel
.Nowonderi
prayallthetime.MaybeIdonthavepowers
becauseGodt hi
nksam oneofluci
ferf
ri
ends.
Lizwe:youanAr changel.Youf al
li
ngwi ththef all
en
angelswasnotapuni shmentbutyouf all
ingwi th
them tohelpgui
det hem backhome.Youar ethe
voiceofreasonbetweent hemor t
alsandt he
i
mmor t
als.Thehumansbei ngsandsuper natural
beings.Youarethehighestr ankoft heMal aika.By
aclapofhandsyoucanki llawhol enation.Fuck
babyyouevenmor epower fulthananyofus.
Il
aughedathi
m andl
ookedi
ntohi
seyes.
Me:doyoureal
lyt
hinkso?Icantevenl
ightasingle
fi
rewi
thmyhandsyetalonespreadmywi ngs.Alli
candoispr
ay.
Lizwe:whenIfir
stsawyou,iwasbli
ndedbyyou
beautythenoor(l
ight
)onyourfacet
hatwasthe
l
ightofGod.Hisfavouront
oyounowdon’tyou
doubtyoursel
fforasecond.
Il
ookedathi
m andsmi
ledandhehuggedme.
Me:t
odayam goi
ngt
othel
ibr
aryt
ogetabook.
Li
zwe:whatt
ime?
Me:af
terbr
eakf
ast
.
Li
zwe:Ihavebackt
obackmeet
ingst
odaywi
llyou
beokayalone?
Me:yep,il
ltakeoneoft heguards.Yesyoudadhas
placeali
dont her esear
chersbutidontt
hinkt
hat
fi
ghtisoveryetandpl usthecrewtoohaven’
t
shownthemsel ves.
Li
zwe:alright
.YoucanaskSiphotocometoohis
beenlist
eningtoyourf
indi
ngsandpract
isi
ngl
ike
crazy.
Me:i
llaskhi
m.Iputonmysneaker
sandhel
ped
hi
m withhi
sshoes.
Me:Isti
llcan’
tbeli
eveapowerfulper
sonlikeyou
don’
tknowhowt oti
ehisshoes.Il
aughedashe
madeaf aceandwhenIwasdoneIl ookedathim.
Lizwe:nostressokay.Inoddedandhekissedmy
foreheadandleft
.Itookmybagandwal kedoutof
ourhousetot hemainhouseandf oundi
tabuzzthe
whol efami
lywasher e.
Mom:It
houghtIhadt
owakeyouup.
Me:Isl
eptl
ate
Dad:Youknowthi
sstudyi
ngAndr esear
chi
ngi
stoo
much.Youneedtotakeabreak.
Me:IwillwhenIgettothebot t
om ofthi
s.Hegave
meal i
ghtsqueeze.Myf atheri
nlawwasaf athert
o
me.Hecar edaboutmeandmywel lbei
ngli
kehow
afat
hershould.Actual
lythewholefamilywas
amazing.
Mom:Theyj
ustpassingthr
ough.Am dr
ivi
ngt
hem
t
otheai
rpor
taf
terlunch,
wanttocomewi t
h?
Me:Ihavet
ogot
othel
ibr
ary
Mr
sMuskSeni
or:wher
emygr
andson?
Me:ear
lymeet
ing.Lef
tvi
ather
ightwi
ng.
Mr
sMuskSeni
or:bummer
.
Sipho:CanIdri
veyouplease.Ormom wi
llaskme
totagalongandIhavenomeet i
ngst
odays.
Inoddedasthefamil
ywasgoingonandon
l
aughingthanwhentheywer
egoneihelpedclean
theki
tchenwit
hSiphohel
pandthenwel ef
t.
Si
pho:Howar
eyouwi
thever
ythi
ng?
Me:am goodandyou?
Si
pho:Good
Me:whati
sit
?
Si
pho:not
hing
Me:ohwehi
det
hingsf
rom eachot
hernow
Si
pho:Youmybabysi
ster
.
Me:Ohnowam yourbabysi
ster
Si
pho:Fi
ne.Imeetagi
rl
.Igotsoexci
tedt
hatI
squeal
ed.
Me:Li
zweneversai
danyt
hingt
ome.Hel
ookedat
me
Me:hi
smyhusbandwet
alkaboutever
ythi
ng.
Si
pho:Wel
lIaskedhi
m nott
otel
lanyone.
Me:Tel
lmeaboutt
hegi
rl
!!
Sipho:i
tsnot
hingreal
lyam t
ell
ingyounowbecause
sheworksasal i
brari
an.
Me:wai
tami
nut
e?Whi
chone?
Sipho:wel
lnotthel
ibr
aryyouusual
lygot
obutt
he
oneatcentr
al.
Me:t
hanwegoi
ngt
her
e
Si
pho:youhat
egoi
ngt
oJohannesbur
gCBD
Me:wellam goi
ngtoseemypotenti
alsi
steri
nlaw
soicanstomachit
.Wedrovei
nsi l
enceforawhil
e.
Me:Tel
lmeabouther

Si
pho
Il
ookedathersmi
li
ngandt
oldher
.
Me:Sheisamazing.Tal
k,nottodarkorli
ght.Got
someshapenyanaandal it
tl
ecrazy.Il
ikeherfor
wit
ti
nessandcrazi
ness.
Li
sa:Youi
nlove
Me:Shemakesmefeelgoodaboutmysel
fandshe
l
ovethebi
rt
hmark
Li
sa:doessheknow?
Me:ShereadsalotandthebooksIwasget
ti
ngfor
youwerenotreal
lyhi
dingi
t.Sheki
ndaknowsbut
weneverspokeaboutit
.
Li
sa:atl
eastyout
wodonthavesecr
ets
Me:wesor
ryaboutt
hat
Lisa:weoveri
t.Wefi
nal
lygott
hereandwewalked
i
nandshewentt olookf
orherbookswhi
leIwalked
toheroff
ice.
Me:Hey
Thenj
iwe:Hi
.Shegavemet
hebr
ight
estsmi
leever
.
Me:
Ibr
oughtmysi
steri
nlawwi
tht
oseeyou
Thenj
iwe:whydi
dyousay?Shet
ouchedherhai
r.
Thenj
iwe:Il
ookamess
Me:Ahotmess.Ipushedhergent
lyt
othebookof
shel
vesandki
ssedhermadly.
Thenj
iwe:behave

Li
sa
Icheckedoutthebooksandaskedoneoft he
assi
stantwhogreetedusearl
iert
oshowmewher e
mybr ot
herwentandhepointedtotheoff
iceont
he
l
eftandIwalkedthereandl
ightl
yknockedandopen
thedoor.
Me:Si
pho
Andjustt
hanIwatchedasthegi
rleyeschangedto
darkbl
ackandshesprint
edtomeandMyneck.Out
ofshockIrai
sedmyhandandshef rozemidair
.
Siphol
ookedatmewi t
hsomuchshock.
Me:Am sosor
ry
Si
pho:Yourwi
ngs.Il
ookedatmysel
fandt
hemost
beaut
if
ulwhit
ewi ngswerevi
sibl
e.Ther
eweref
luf
fy
andbeyondcute.Ishr
iekedi
nexcit
ement.
Me:Ihavewi
ngs!
!!
!!
!.
..
..
.

Mylongafter
noonhavest
art
edi
llseeyouguys
l
aterhopef
ull
y
I
nser
t15

Li
sa
Isl
owlymovedt hegi
rlt
oherchai
randthentiedher
tot
hechair
.Ireall
ydon’
tknowhowididthat.Sipho
movedthedeskandwebot hl
ookedather.
Me:Am sor
ry
Sipho:Sheattackedyoufi
rstr
emember
!!
!Youdi
dn’
t
evensayanythingaparthiandshej
umpedonyou
l
ikear abbi
t.
Me:Howdi
dyoumeether
?
Sipho:shecametomewhenIwassear
chi
ngf
or
booksandweclicked.
Me:hmmm
Si
pho:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng
Me:Not
hing.Thenhercel
lphoner
ang.
Si
pho:Answeri
t
Me:Whyme?
Sipho:youhaveawomanvoi ce.I
trangunti
lit
stoppedandafewsecondslateramessagecame
through.It
ookherf
ingerandscanneditt
oopen:

Haveyoucoll
ect
edenoughi
ntelt
hecr
ewi
sget
ti
ng
uneasy?Cal
lmeasap!
!!

IvneverseenSi
phosoangr
y.Hi
shor
nspoppedup
outofnowhere.
Me:Cal
m down
Si
pho:Shewasusi
ngme.
Me:youdon’
tknowt
hat
.
Si
pho:r
eadt
hemessageagai
n.
Justt
henshecamethroughandlookedatmewit
h
somuchfeari
nhereyes.Inevermadeanyonef
ear
meinmylif
eandyetherewear e.
Me:hi
Thenj
iwe:Hi
Me:Youat
tackedmeandam notunder
standi
ng
why?Shel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Thenj
iwe:Howdoyouknowher
?HeaskedSi
pho
notl
ookingmyway.
Sipho:Weaskquesti
onsandyouanswer.She
brokedowncryi
ng.SiphoandIl
ookedateachot
her
confused.
Me:Youneedtocalm downandt
alktous.Shet
ri
ed
t
ocontr
olhercryi
ngbutitwasdi
ff
icul
t.
Me:Howcanwehel
pifyoudon’
tspeakt
ous?
Si
pho:Comeletgo.Helookedr
eal
lypi
ssed.Ipul
led
achai
randsatinfr
ontofher
Me:comeon
Thenj
iwe:Peopl
eli
keyouki
ll
peopl
eli
keme
Me:
li
keme?Thatt
ookmeback.
Thenj
iwe:Yesl
ikeyou.
Me:Andhowam I
?
Thenj
iwe:don’
tpl
aydumbwi
thmeIcanseet
he
gl
ow!!
!
Me:l
adyyouspeakinginri
ddl
esnotmaki
ngsense
atal
l.Nowl
etstar
tfrom t
hebegi
nni
ngandbeslow.
Whydidyouatt
ackme?
Thenj
iwe:Youwer
egoi
ngt
oki
llme.
Me:Idon’
tknowyou,
howam Igoi
ngt
oki
llyou?
Thenj
iwe:
Thatwhatyourki
nddo
Me:Andwhati
smyki
nd?
Thenj
iwe:Ar
changel
s?Helper
sthataret
ryingt
oput
somesortofbal
anceaf
terLuci
ferbi
gbetrayal
.
Me:Woooooaham nott
hat
.
Thenj
iwe:Youhavet
hegl
ow.
Me:Am justaregul
arperson.I
naspl
itsecondshe
changedandlordIsawthemosthorr
ifyi
ngface
ever
.
Si
pho:Whatt
hef
uck?
Thenj
iwe:Youbot
hsawt
hat
?
Me:wer
ewenotsupposet
oseet
hat
?
Thenji
we:Normalpeopledon’
t.Iknowhisavar
ko
soifyounotanarchangelwhatareyou?
Si
pho:Thecr
ew?
Shel
ookeddown.
Me:Wesawyourt
extwi
tht
hem.
Thenji
we:Af
terImeetSi
photheyof
fer
edmemoney
torecor
dourconver
sati
ons.
Si
pho:andyousai
dyes?
Thenj
iwe:Ineededi
t.
Sipho:Youcoul
dn’
ttal
ktome?It
houghtyouandI
hadsomet hi
ng.
Thenj
iwe:Wedo
Si
phol
aughed.
Si
pho:Youj
ustat
tackedmysi
ster
,thanIf
indout
youcanchangetoaskel
etonandnowyousayyou
beenhel
pingthecr
ewspyonmyf amil
y.
Thenj
iwe:Il
oveyou
Sipho:Peopleyouloveyoudon’
ttr
eatthem l
ikehow
youhavet r
eatedme.Yout hr
ownmyf amil
yintoa
denandyoudi dthatformoney?
?
Thenj
iwe:Ineededt
hemoney
Si
pho:Ihavemoney,
youcoul dhavetol
dmeandI
woul
dhavegivenyouthatwhatcouplesdof
oreach
ot
heroram Iwrongi
nthinki
ngthat?
Thenj
iwe:Am sor
ry
Si
pho:t
ol at
enowyouneverevent
oldmewhatyou
ar
e.Shelookeddown.
Thenji
we:youdon’
tdat
emyki
nd.Shespokewi
th
tear
sinhereyes.
Me:whatyourki
nd?Shel
ookedatme.
Thenji
we:alotl
eftwi
thluci
ferwhenhel
eft
.Am one
ofthose.It
ookastepbackshocked.
Me:ademon?
Si
phol
aughedl
ouder
.
Si
pho:canmydaygetanywor
se.
Thenj
iwe:Idon’
tsucksoul
s
Sipho:It
hinkweneedt ot
akeabreak.I
llgi
veyou
themoneyt hatyoutookf
rom t
hecrewandstaythe
fuckawayf r
om them.Helef
tandIunti
edher.
Me:Doyour
eal
lyl
ovehi
m?
Thenji
we:histheonl
yguyinmywholeli
fewhohas
l
iter
all
yli
stenedtome.Iwasnormalwi
thhi
m.I
knowwhatIdi dwaswrongbutIhadnochoi
ce.
Me:weal
wayshaveachoi
ce.
Thenj
iwe:Am sor
ryf
ort
ryi
ngt
oattackyoubuti
t
wasmor eformetor
unawaybef
oreyouret
urnme
backt
ohell.
Me:Thatnotmyjob.ButIhearyou.Nowhowyou
goi
ngtohandlet
hecrew.
Thenj
iwe:Ir
eal
lydon’
tknowwhati
llsay.It
ooka
pi
eceofpaperandwrotemynumberdown.
Me:her
eWi
llt
alkbutf
ornowgi
vehi
m spacef
or
himtosor
thi
msel
fthr
ought
hisandwi
llt
akei
tfr
om
ther
e.
Thenj
iwe:Whyyousoki
ndt
ome?
Me:onet hi
ngIknowIcandoi sreadpeopleaura
andrightnowi tsaysyougenuine.I
fyoufooli
ngme
thansobei tbutam goingwithmyfeeli
ngandi t
saysyour i
ghtformybr other
.Justwait
ingforhi
m
toseeit.
Thenj
iwe:Thankyousomuch.
Me:Seeyou.Ipi
ckedupmythingsandl
eft
.Gott
o
t
hecar.Si
phowasquietsoIkeptqui
ett
oo.
Si
pho:shel
ied
Me:Notreal
ly,
shedidthesameyoudi
dtome.You
shoul
dbeunder st
andi
ngandknowwhereshe
comingf
rom.
Thatgothi
m qui
et.

Li
zwe
Mpumewal
kedi
nlooki
ngl
ikeshej
ustseenaghost
.
Me:whatup?
Mpume:Lindi
we.
..
.shedidn’
tfi
nishhersentence
andshewalkedi
n.Ismi
ledatherandnoddedf or
hert
ogo.Shelef
tandIlookedatli
ndiweinher
ski
mpydressandheel
sandt helongestnai
lsand
l
ashes.
Me:Yougotanappoi
ntment
?
Lindi
we:youcan’ tusemelikethi
sandt hr
owme
awayj ustbecauseyoumar ri
ed.Idon’
tmindbeing
yourside.Igotupf r
om mychairandwalkedtoher.I
touchedherneckandt ight
lysqueezedli
ft
ingherup.
Theshocki nherf acewasenough.
Me:Nowl etmesayt
hisonceandneveragain.come
nearmeagai nnormywifeil
lbreakyourneckwithi
n
seconds.DoImakemysel fcl
ear?Shenoddedwi th
tear
srolli
ngdownherface.Il
etgoandshest art
ed
coughing.
Me:Nowleave.Shedi
dsor
unni
ngandMpume
wal
kedi
n.
Mpume:Anyt
hingyouneedsi
r?
Me:Nope,
nomor
ewal
kin.
Mpume:Sur
ething.Justt
handadwal
ksi
nlooki
ng
angr
y.Mpumeleft
.
Dad:Di
dIj
ust
..
..
Me:notnowdad,
shewontbecomi
ngi
nagai
never
Dad:good.Ihavethet eam l
ooki
ngfort
hecrew.
Theyonst andbywatchingtheyever
ymove.Looks
l
iketheyhavesurvei
llanceonus.Youneedtomake
surethatyouhaveyoureyesopenbecause
anythi
ngcanhappenanyt ime.
Me:cool
.Il
ookeddownanddadwasqui
etf
orsome
t
imeandIlookedupandf
oundhi
mlooki
ngatme
Dad:Whatwr
ong?
Me:not
hing
Dad:Iknowyou
Me:Iknowyoudo
Dad:nowt
alkt
ome.Icl
osedmyl
apt
opandl
ooked
atdad.
Me:It
hinkLi
sai
spr
egnant
.Inal
lmyl
if
eivnever
seenmydadsohappy.
Dad:am goi
ngt
obeagr
andf
ather
.Wow.
Me:It
hinkso
Dad:Thanwhatwr
ong
Me:Isawmom st ruggl
ingwit
hr aisi
ngusandt he
fearsheal
wayshadf oroursafety.Nowt hecrew
andherpowers.Ihavefear
s.Mydadl aughed
l
ightl
yandlookedatmewi ththemostl ovingeyes
ever.
Dad:achi
ldisagift
.Youhavet hebestsuppor
ti
ng
st
ruct
ureeverandt hatchi
ldwil
lbethemostloved
ki
deverir
regar
dlessofhim orherhavi
ngpowersor
not
.Wepr ot
ectourowncomehi ghorlow.
Me:Iknowam ner
vous
Dad:Thatasi
gnthatyougoi
ngt
obet
hebestdad
ever
.Ismil
edathim.
Me:NowWewai
tforhert
osee.
Dadl
aughed.
Dad:yourmom f
oundoutaboutyouwhenyougave
heraki
ckaf
terhermom toldherami l
li
onti
mesand
shesai
dsheain’
tfeel
inganyt
hing.Ismil
ed.
Me:Thankyouf
oral
waysbei
ngaconst
anti
nour
l
if
e.
Dad:Thatwhatf
ather
sdoandthankyouf
orbei
ng
t
hebestkidafat
hercanaskf
or.
Me:di
dyouj
ustcal
lmeaki
d?
Dad:kant
iawusi
yeyi
ni?
?
Wel
aughed.
..
..

Goodni
ght
I
nser
t16:

Li
zwe
Iwal
kedinhomeandf oundMom sit
ti
ngaloneat
thel
ounge.Iknowitwaswaypastdi
nneranddad
washavingalatemeeti
ng.
Me:Whatup?
Shesmi
ledl
ikeshehasn’
tseenmei
nyear
s.
Mom:Thankyou
Me:f
or?
Mom:makingmeagr andmot
her.Am soexci
ted.I
l
ookedar
oundforLi
saandlookedatmom.
Me:
mom i
tnotver
if
iedyet
Mom:Iknowshedoesn’
tknowbutam soexci
ted.
Me:keepi
ttoyour
sel
ffornow.Iwanthert
ofi
ndout
her
self
.
Mom:I
llt
ry
Me:Not
ryi
ng.Pl
ease.
Mom:okay,
il
lshutup.
Me:good,
wher
eSi
pho?
Mom:Hi
snothi
msel
ftodayandam notsur
ewhy?
Me:Letmecheckinonhim.Ikissedherf
orehead
andwentt
ohisroom andknocked.Heopenedthe
doorandf
oundhim dr
unk.
Me:Whatdi
dshedo?
Si
pho:howyouknowi
tsawomanpr
obl
em?
Me:youdr
inki
ngwi
thmom downst
air
s!!
Si
pho:Ihadt
hesageonsoshecantspyonme.
Me:soyout
hink,
whateat
ingyou?

Si
pho
Itol
dhim ever
ythi
ngandwhendoneIl
ookedathi
m
foradvi
ce.
Lizwe:Iwoul
dhavedonet
hesame,
act
ual
lyidi
d
thesameashertoLisa
Il
ookedathi
m conf
used.
Lizwe:Iknowyouf eel
likeyoucan’ttrustherandal
l
buttherereal
lynot
hingt hatyoucando.Shedi d
whatshedi dbecauseshet houghtitwasbest.Now
yougiveherroom totryandf ixi
t.
Me:ar
eyouhear
ingyour
sel
f?
Lizwe:I
vknownyouf orl
ikef
oreverandinallmyl
if
e
youhaveneverspokenaboutagirlt
hewayyou
spokeofher.Yesshemadeami stakebutshewas
scar
ed.Ikeptqui
etf
orawhi
leandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:Di
dyoubr
ingi
cecr
eam wi
thyou.
Li
zwe:why?Hel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Me:Iwatchedyourwi
fef
ini
shawhol
etubofi
ce
cr
eam earl
ieroni
nonego.
Li
zwe:I
llgobuygetsomef
rom mom f
ri
dge.Thanks
Me:I
sshepr
egnant
?Iwat
chedmybr
otherf
ace
gl
ow.
Li
zwe:shedon’
tknowyet
Me:howcanshenotknowwhenal
lshedoesi
seat
!!
Li
zwe:Wel
lyouknowhowt
heset
hingsgo
Me:am notsl
eepi
ngi
ntoni
ghtam goi
ngt
o
Thenj
iwe
Li
zwe:Checkinwhenyougetther
eifi
n2hour
syou
dontil
lassumei
tasathr
eat.Remembert
hecrewi
s
here.
Me:Igoti
t.
Li
sa
Isatont hecounterasIl ookedoutthekitchen
windowandat ethegrill
edchickenImade.I vbeen
eati
ngal otthesedaysbutnotgai ni
ng.Iheardthe
doorandaf t
erawhi l
ehecamei nholdi
ngt he
crushedcooki esicecream.Isweart hi
smani s
everyt
hingIneed.Hepl aceditnexttomeandsati n
betweenmyl egs.Helookedt i
red.
Me:Toughday?
Li
zwe:Yeah.Iopenedupt
het
ubandst
art
edeat
ing.
Me:wantt
otal
kabouti
t?
Li
zwe:notr
eal
ly.
Me:WellIhadwingstoday.Iqui
ckl
ylookedsi
deto
sidet
oseeifthereanyt
hingIwil
lbr
eakthenopen
them.Isawhisfaceli
ghtup.
Li
zwe:Theyl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:Iknowhey.Ical
ledt
hem i
nandcont
inuedwi
th
myIcecream.
Li
zwe
Iwat
chedasshewasaboutt
ofi
nisht
hewhol
etub.
Li
sa:Whatyoul
ooki
ngat
?
Me:Nothi
ngletmegobat hthenWecanwat cha
movie?ShenoddedandJustt henIfel
tasmallt
ug
onmy.IlookedatitandIsawbl oodoozi
ngoutofi
t
andIknewsomet hingwaswrongwi t
hSipho.
Li
sa:Youbl
eedi
ng
Andther
ewasanextshotofpai
nonmyl ef
tand
bef
oreIreact
edIf
eltmypani
cwatchvi
brat
e.
Me:Somethingiswrongwit
hSiphoandbefor
eI
coul
dfi
nishmysentenceIheardgunshotout
side
andoursecuri
tydet
ailt
eam scr
eaming.
..
..

Thatal
lImanagedt
owr
it
e..
.Ihadvi
sit
orst
oday

I
nser
t17:

Li
zwe
Isawmymom r unningi
nourhousewor r
ied.She
camet omeandclosedhereyesandthemi nut
eshe
disconnect
edusmywoundsst ar
tedheal
ing.
Mom:Yourdadintheloungewit
hDionandAvery.
Thepackisont
heyway.IlookedatLi
sawhojust
wentmuteandhadbigeyes.
Me:l
ookatme
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatme.
Me:Youneedtostaywi
thmom okay!
!Shenodded
andIopenedt
helastdr
aweri
nthekit
chenandtook
outagunandlet

Li
sa
It
urnedt
omymot
heri
nlaw.
Me:Wegott
odosomet
hing
Shelookedatmeforasecondthenlookedatt
he
doorandIknewshewouldn’tl
etanythi
nghappent
o
herki
ds.
Mom:Ineedt
opr
otectyout
oo.
Me:HeyIcanbeofhel
p,
Mom:ofanyt
hinghappenst
oyouLi
zwewi
llnever
f
orgi
veme.
Me:nothinggoingtohappent ous.Nowcome
aroundthissi
deandletgoseewhathappening.I
walkedaroundgotmysneaker sandwalkedoutt
he
door.Il
ookedbehindtofindmymom i nlawhol
ding
agun.Whysheneedsi tsincesheisaf
airyi
s
beyondme.

LizweIr anourdodgingbullet
sfrom everywhereto
myf atherwhowasr ippingnecksli
kenoone
business.WhenIgott ohim IfoundSiphodown
andIr antohimflappingmywi ngsandt hrowing
everythi
ngeverywhere.OnceIhadhi m Idugoutt he
bull
etsfrom hi
m andt ookoutthetinybottl
emom
alwaysgavemet ohavear oundandgavehi m asip.
Hel ookeduptomewi thpainedeyes.
Si
pho:Theybul
let
sar
elazedwi
thsomet
hing.
Me:Iknowdadsi
gnal
ledf
ormenott
obehi
t.
Si
pho:It
sther
esear
cher
sagai
nandt
hist
imet
hey
pr
epared
Me:Mom andLi
saar
einsi
de.Youneedt
ogoi
n.
Si
pho:but
..
Me:Youbeenhi twit
hsomethi
ngwedon’tknowin
yoursystem andwedontknowwhatel
semi ghtbe
happeninginther
e.Gotomom andst
aythere
Si
pho:But
Me:Nobut
s..
.remembert
hedeal
?
Si
pho:yes
Me:Good.Itakeofyoui
nti
mesliket
hisandyou
t
akeofmei nmyt i
mesofneed.
Si
pho:Iknow
Me:Good.Nowgoi
llcoveryou.
Itur
nedtolookatthemi
ll
ionpeopl
ecomi
ngoutand
heli
copt
erdroppi
ngpeopl
elikef
li
es.

Si
pho
Irani
ntothehouseandl
it
eral
lyl
ookedever
ywher
e
anddidn’
tfi
ndthem.
Li
zwegoi ngtokil
lme.Iswit
chedont
hewatch
i
ntercom tospeaktohi
m.Whenhegavemet his
watchiwasl i
ke”whatthehel
lhi
sdoi
ng”buthereI
am.
Me:Br
o
Li
zwe:Youmessi
ngwi
thmyconcent
rat
ion
Me:Theynother
e
Li
zwe:Who
Me:Mom andLi
sa.
Li
zwe:Checkmyhouse
Me:Thatwer
eAm atr
ightnow
Lizwe:Fi
ndthem.Hedi sconnect edandIwal kedout
thedoorfr
om theyloungeandf oundat rai
lofdead
bodiesandfol
lowedthem andf eltsome
movement si
nt hebushes.Iquickl ymovedar ound
thefount
ainandstoodt here.AndJustt henI
watchedasaf i
gureinfullblackmovedout .Igot
myhor nsoutandjumpedonhi m onl yt
of eelboobs.
Irol
ledheronthefl
oorandl
ookedi
ntot
hemost
beauti
fuleyesi
veverseeni
nmywholel
if
e.
Her
:Pl
easedon’
thur
tme.
Me:Whoar eyouandwhatar eyoudoi ngher e?
??
Shestartedafewt i
mesandt henj ustf
ainted.I
carr
iedherintothetoolshedthattheGar dner
usuall
yuseandIwal kedinandf oundLisawi t
ha
guninherhandsandmom wi thabal loffir
e.I
smil
edl ooki
ngatthem.
Mom:OhGodi
tsyou,
shehadt
ear
sinhereyes
Li
sa:Whoyouhol
ding?
?..
..
.

Goodmorni
ngzit
handwa ...Sor
ryf
ort
heshor
t
pi
ecei
llmakei
tuptoyou!
!!
I
nser
t18:

Li
zwe
Aft
ersomet i
mewewer
eabletor
emovemostof
t
her esear
cher
swi
thmydadfumi
ng.Het
ookalong
showeranddrovetot
hegover
nmentbaset odoas
histhr
eat.Hehadawholet
eam andIwhil
eDion
stayedathomewit
hSiphoandtheladi
es.
Dad:l
ookedatmepi
ssed.
Me:youneedt
ocal
m down.
Dad:Am cal m son.Thewayhesaidthatwas
thr
eat eni
ngandwhenwegott otheheadof f
iceand
i
nal lmyl i
feIvneverseenmyfatherthi
s.Hewas
barkingatthepresidentandmini
ster
s.He
wit
hdr awnallthefundinghewasgivi
ngt hem and
whenhewasdonewi t
hmakingthem si
gnallthe
paper s.
Dad:Am aki
ndmanbutwhenyouatt
ackmywi
fe
andkids,
youwaki
ngupamonster
.
Pr
esi
dent
:Canwepl
easet
alkaboutt
his
Dad:ispoket
helastt
ime.Het
urnedandweleft
wit
htheroom goi
ngupri
ghtwi
throarast
heyfought
amongstthemsel
ves.

Li
sa
I
vneverseenSipholi
kethi
snotevenwithThenj
iwe.
Hewassitt
ingther
elooki
ngattheyoungbeauti
ful
l
adywait
ingforhertowakeup.
Me:Got
akeashowerandI
llcal
lyouwhensheup.
Si
pho:am f
ine
Me:Youhaveblood.Henoddedleavi
ngandwhen
hewadgoneImadesandwi chesandsatdownwi
th
theyoungladywaki
ngup.Monwascl eani
ngt
he
messwi t
hAvery.
Her:Wher
eam I.Igaveheraglassofwarm mi
lkt
o
cal
m herdownandshedr ankitandl
ookedatme
wit
hsomesortoffearbutthenshecalmeddownas
Ismil
edather
.
Me:Am Li
sabel
la
Her
:Nokut
hul
a
Me:pl
easur
etomeetyou.
Mom wal
kedinwithdadl
ooki
ngl
ikeamonst
erand
myhusband.Ist
oodupwitht
hel
adybehi
ndme.
Me:bef
oreyoual
lst
art
.Letmet
alkokay.
Li
zwe:Whatgoi
ngon?
Me:Please.Ibeggedandi
nmi
nut
esIhadSi
pho
nextt
omebacki ngmeup.
Itur
nedt
olookatt
heyoungl
ady.Shewasol
der
thenmebymaybe5to6year
s.
Me:I
twil
lhelpyoui
fyouspeakt
ome.Focusonme
andf
orgett
heother
sokay.
Nokut
hul
a:Okay.
Me:Cool
,howdi
dyouendupi
nourbushes?
Nokut hul
a:Iheardaboutt hewor kstingoper at
ionof
getti
ngaVar kovampi re,witchfair
y,wer ewolfanda
war l
ockintocust odytost udiesthatwillbeusedt o
i
mpr oveoursol diers.Thishavebeenst udiesthat
beengoi ngonf orawhi l
enowandwehaveat eam
thatbeent r
ackingvampi resbutiftheyhaveno
uniquegenet iccodingt heydeemedusel essand
kil
ledorr el
easeddeepeni ngonhowmucht hey
know.
Me:andyouawhat
?
Nokut
hul
a:Met
hodi
calr
esear
cherofgenet
ics.
Basical
lyIhel
pseedet
ermi
nei
ftheor
ycanbemade
practi
cal
.
Me:Isee.Andyougother
ehow?
Shesmi
ledner
vousl
yqui
etpr
oudofher
sel
f.
Nokuthul a:Iwait
edf orthem toplantheconver t
missionsi ncenooneknewwer ewewoul dfi
nd
suchcr eaturesandi ftheyevenexisted.Butthen
thepresidentcamet oourheadof f
iceandstarted
screami ngatusf orat t
ackingtheMuskf amilyinthe
l
astat t
ack.ThatwhenIknewi twasher e.I
remembert helastmi ssionaddressandIknewi t
wasyour ssoIdr oveher etowar nyouallaboutthis
butthenIwasl ateasIsawwhatwashappeni ng
whenIdr ovehere.
Dad:War
nuswhy?
Nokuthula:ilostmypar ent
satayoungage.WhenI
gottomat ri
cyourwi fecamet omyschooland
spokeabouthavi ngimpossiblesi
tuati
onsand
makingitthroughirregardl
ess.Af
terher
motivat
ionalspeakingshegavemet hecourageto
applyevent houghihadnocentt oapplytostudy
f
urt
her.AndIgoti
n.Gotabursaryf
rom your
f
oundati
onandli
fewasbearableaf
ter
wards.
Thewhol ehousewassilent
.Iwat chedmom got
o
hertouchherandclosehereyesandIknewshe
wasr eadi
ngher.Wekeptqui etandwhenshewas
done,shesmiledandlookedatherhusband
passingamessagebecauseher elaxed.
Li
zwe:Youwor
kforacl
osedf
aci
li
ty.
..
Nokuthul
a:weonlyhavetracker
sinourphonesand
carsandIlef
tthoseathomeandr entedt
hecarI
usedtocomehernotusingmycr editcar
dbuta
fr
iends.
Iwat
chedSi
phosmi
le.
Me:Sowhatnow?
Nokuthul
a:Uhm Iknowthi
ssoundweirdbutifthey
aresupernat
ural
s.Whatar
eyou?Ireadthereports
theyhaveonthem butt
heyhavenothi
ngonyoubut
thatyouj
ustnormal.
Li
zwe:Your
ead?
Shel
ookedi
ntot
hesmal
lbagshehadonhert
ook
outt
inybluef
il
esandgaveusandwer
eadi
twi
th
dadgett
ingangr
yagai
n.
Nokut
hul
a:so!
Mom:Youanormalvampi
rewi
thnopowersjust
t
urnedi
ntoonebyt
hemanwhokill
edyourparent
’s
Nokuthula:Yes.Someti
mesIforgetam onet
heway
am sonor mal.Ihavenopowers.It
ri
edbutAm j
ust
aregularpersonwhowast ur
ned.
Si
pho:Mustbel
onel
y.
Nokut
hul
a:I
thasi
tmoment
sbutyougetusedt
oit
.
Iwat
chedasSi
phol
ookedal
ive.Whatgoi
ngonwi
th
hi
m.
Li
zwelookedatmeandsi
gnal
ledf
ort
heki
tchen
andIexcusedmysel
f.
Li
zwe:Idontl
ikehowhisl
ooki
ngatSi
pho.Il
aughed
unt
ilt
earscameout.Mom wal
kedi
n.
Me:Sor
ry.
Mom:Itshist
urnnow.Don’
trui
nitf
orhi
m wi
thyour
suspi
cions
Li
zwe:Ineversai
danyt
hing.
Mom:Youmyson,
iknowyou
Li
zwe:Howconveni
entt
hatshej
ustl
andedher
e.
Mom:Isensedher
Li
zwe:Am notsayi
ngyourpower
sar
ewr
ongbut
mom
Mom:Youactli
keyout
heonl
yonewhocar
esabout
Si
phosur
vival
.
Me:Li
zwepl
ease.Dadl
ookedathi
swi
feandLi
zwe.
Dad:Am sorr
yKamoam wi
thl
izweher
e.Thi
sisj
ust
t
ooconvenient.
Mom andIl
ookedatt
het
wost
ubbor
npeopl
e
def
eat
ed.
Mom:whyaskmet oreadandsensepeopl
eener
gy
whenyouwontt
rustme.
Dad:Thatmysonwet
alki
ngabout
Mom:Di
dyouj
ustsayt
hatourl
oud?
??
AndSi
phoandNokut
hul
awal
kedi
nlooki
ngatus
conf
used.
Me:Ithi
nkweti
redfr
om t
odayevent’
s.Howabout
wesleepandat
tendt
hismatt
eri
nt hemorni
ng.
Li
zweanddad:Whatabouther
?
Aver
ywal
kedi
nlooki
ngamazi
ngi
nal
lbl
ack.
Avery:Shewi
llsl
eepatmyhouseguestbedr
oom.
Theper i
met
erissecur
ed.Shel
ookedatdadandhe
nodded.
Sipho:t
her
enoneedforthat
.Wehavesomany
roomshere.Iwat
cheddadandl
izwel
ookdown.
Mom:canyougiveusamoment .Shel
ookedat
Nokut
hulawhonervousl
ysmi
ledandwalkedback
t
othelounge.
Si
pho:Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thyoupeopl
e?
Dad:Thi
sisyourl
if
ewet
alki
ngabout
Si
pho:Myli
fe!
!!Youri
ght
,it
smyl
if
e!!
!Letmebe.He
wasget
ti
ngangr y.
Me:It
hinkever
yonei
sjustl
ookingoutf
oryoubeing
t
hatyourgenesar
etheonesthewantmoresince
t
heyhavevampir
estheycantesti
ton.Soweneed
t
obemor esel
ect
ivei
npeoplewewel comet
oour
f
amil
y.
Si
pho:Mom vet
tedher
.
Dad:Youmom isthekindestsoulever
.Somet
imes
sheover
lookst
hings.Iwatchedmom getangr
y.
Mom:youknowwhatletj
ustendthisconver
sat
ion
bef
orewesayt
hingswemi ghtr
egret.
Me:Shecanst ayhere.Siphosqueezedmy
shoulderasathankyou.Ididn’
tevenlookedatt
he
skepti
calLi
zwe.Ihuggedmom goodni ghtanddad
ki
ssedmyf or
eheadandt heyl
eftwit
hSipho.I
walkedtotheloungesti
llnotl
ookingatLi
zwe.
Me:comethissi
depl
ease.ShecameandInodded
byetoAver
yandwalkedhertoherr
oom.
Nokut
hul
a:Am sor
ry
Me:I
tsokay.Ishowedhert
her
oom andshower
.
Me:Ifyounotbei
ngtrut
hfulwit
hus.If
eelsorr
yf or
youthedaythatt
hefamilywil
lfi
ndout
.Butifyou
are,
il
lli
ketoapol
ogi
seforthewaytheybehaving.
Theyni
cepeopl
ejustnott
opt
rust
ing.
Nokut
hul
a:I
tsokay.Uhm t
heot
herguy,
Sipho.
Bef
oreicoul
devenanswerLi
zwestoodbythedoor
l
ookedatherwi
thoneevi
leye.Sheswal
lowedand
l
ookedaway.
Li
zwe:Goodni
ght.Hi
sgoodni
ghtwasast
oughasa
boar
d.It
urnedtoherandsmi
led.
Me:Sl
eepwel
l.
Nokut
hul
a:sl
eepwel
lsi
si.
..
.
I
nser
t19:

Li
zwe
Ifi
nishedbat
hingandfoundhersitt
ingont
hebed
havi
ngsonechocolatebiscui
ts.Iworemysl
eepi
ng
pantsandgotinbed.
Li
sa:Goodni
ght
Ikeptqui
et.Am notsur
ewhichIwasangr
yabout
?
WasIangryathowSi phowasbacki
ngherupoft
he
rel
ati
onshi
pshehaswi thSi
phoorwasIangr
y
becauseoftheunwant edguestinher e.OrwasI
angryatmyf amil
ybeingat arget
?Whi chwasitthat
mademesoangr yather.IclosesmyeyesandI
heardherf
inishupeatingandf el
thermovet oa
comfort
ableposit
ion.Aftert
hatitwassi lent
.I
tur
nedaroundandwat chedherf allasleep.Iki
ssed
herfor
ehead.
“goodni
ghtmyl
ove”it
urnedandwentbackt
o
sl
eep.

Si
pho
Icoul
dn’tsl
eepthi
nki
ngaboutNokut
hula.Il
ooked
atmyvibrat
ingphoneandi
twasThenji
we.Ijust
cl
oseditandtri
edmybesttogobacktosleep.

Thenj
iwe
Me:hi
snotpi
cki
ngup
Doct
or:Hebet
terpi
ckup.
Me:maybehegothurti
ntheat
tack.Maybet
hey
conf
usedaboutwhatyouguysshothi
m wit
h.
Doct
or:hebet
terpi
cksupandyouinvi
tehi
m over
andwecaptur
ehim orel
seyouar
edead
Me:Idon’ thavetogi veyouguysanyt hing,igave
youbackyourmoney.Theynear lykil
ledme.I fit
wasn’tforthatlovelyladyhewaswi t
hIwoul dhave
died.Ikeptquiet,Iwasn’tabouttosnitchonan
archangel.YesIwasr ecordi
ngtheconver sati
on
betweenmeandhi m andt hepl
anwasi fIgoto
Siphoplayhi mthisjustmaybet hingsmi ghtgo
backt onormal.
Doct
or:Iownyou.Iwantt
hatr
edboyandIwant
hi
m endoftheweek
Me:Whatar
eyougoi
ngtodowithhi
m anyways?
Hefl
oggedmeoneofthef
il
eshewasholdi
ng.
Doct
or:Whyt
hesuddeni
nter
est
Me:Am wor
kingf
oryour
emember
Hel
ookedatmef
orsomet
imet
henwal
kedof
f

Nokut
hul
a
Iwokeupwashedmyf
aceandhear
dsosound
f
rom out
sidemyroom andwal
kedoutandsawt
he
l
izweandSiphoi
nthelounget
alki
ng.

Li
zwe
Me:Look,idon’
twantyoutothinkwedon’
twant
youtobehappybutyourhappinessshoul
dn’
tri
sk
ourf
amily.I
tsfami
lyfi
rstr
emember .
Sipho:Youworr
iedaboutagi
rlt
hatdoesn’
teven
knowIexist
.Ihaven’
tevenmademymoveonher .
Ikeptqui
etandl
ookedawayt
henl
ookedathi
m.

Si
pho
Lizwetendst
ooverreactont
hingsbuttheworr
yon
hisfacewastoomuch.Someti
meshet endsto
forgett
hatam ol
dert
hanhim.
Me:Hey
Iknowyoualwaysgotmybackandt
hankyouf
or
that
.Am okay.
Li
zwe:Sho
Iruff
ledhi
shairandbefor
ewecoul
dsayanyt
hing
wehear dsomevomiti
ngandwerantot
he
bathroom.

Li
zwe
Iwatchedasli
sawasbentoverthet
oil
etvomit
ing
unti
lIcoul
dn’
ttakeitanymor
ewhenshewasdonei
hel
pedherwashherf aceandpi
ckheruptothe
l
ounge.Shelookedatmewi t
hwater
yeyesandout
ofnowhereNokuthulacamewit
haglassofl
emon.
Nokuthula:Thishelpswithmorningsi
ckness.She
handedhert heglassandSiphoandIl ookedather
forspi
ll
ingthebeans.Butl i
sadidn’
tsayanything
drankthewat erandclosedhereyesforawhile.

Li
sa
Ical
meddownt henIhear
dwhattheyounglady
sai
d.Iopenedmyeyeswildandl
ookedatthem.
Me:Di
dyousaymor
ningsi
ckness?
Nokut
hul
a:Smi
led,
yes.Congr
atul
ati
ons
Me:Congr
atul
ati
ons?
?Am notpr
egnant
.
Il
ookedatt heconfusedgirl
.Ohlorddontmakeme
pregnant.Ij
umpedoutoft hecouchandr antothe
bedroom andopenedadr awerandt ookout3ofthe
sti
ckswithLizwecalmlylookingatme.Iwentinthe
bathroom peeonthem lef
tthem onthecounterand
paced.

Li
zwe
I
twasmyf
ir
stt
imeseei
ngherl
iket
hisandIwal
ked
t
oher.
Me:heycomeher
e.Shet
hrewher
sel
fonmeand
st
art
edcryi
ng.
Li
sa:Whatwegoi
ngt
odo?Thi
sisnott
hepl
an.
Me:l
ookatme.Shel
ookedatmewi
thherpi
nknose.
Me:Wewi llmakeitourpl
an.Youwillcarryourbaby
toful
lter
m.Givebirt
handlovehiml i
kenoot her
humanbei ngi
nthewor l
d.AndIl
lber i
ghthereall
thewaysupporti
ngyouandyouwi llsti
llgostudy
nextyearl
ikeyouplannedandIl
lber i
ghthere
suppor
ti
ngyou.
Li
sa:Youpr
omi
se?
Me:HaveIeverbrokenmypr
omi
sest
oyou?She
shockedherheadno.
Me:Thenwhywoul dIstartnow?Ikissedherso
hardandshelef
tgo.Islowlymovedhert othebed
andtookofherdressandmadel ovetohertwice.
Thensnuggl
edhercl oset
omewi t
hmyguyst i
lli
n
her.
Me:Il
oveyouLi
sabel
la.I
llal
waysdocomehi
ghor
l
ow.
Lisa:Il
oveyoumore.Isl
owlymovedasIf l
ipped
heroverandwentcrazyonherunti
lshehadno
voicewhenwewer edoneIpickedherupandhada
nicewarm bubbl
ebath.
Me:doyouwanttoseethetests?ShenoddedandI
scrat
chedmyar
mst othetableandtookal
l3
posit
ivet
est
.
Li
sa:Am goi
ngt
obeamom
Me:Awonder
fulmot
her
Shel ookedatmeandki ssedmeasshet ur
nedand
slowlyinsert
edmyguyi nhim androdemeslowly
withsomuchemot i
onsasIf el
therever
ycoreandI
feltmyselfcomingcl
osertotheedge.Tr
ustthi
s
womant odrivemecraZy..
..

Goodmor
ning
I
nser
t20:

Si
pho
Iwal
kedinmybrotherhousef
oundNokut
hul
a
havi
ngteaandshesmiledwhenl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:Hi
Nokut
hul
a:Hi
Me:sl
eptwel
l?ShenoddedandIdi
dthesame.
Ther
ewasanawkwar dsi
lencef
orsometi
me.
Me:Am sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
Nokut
hul
a:I
tsokay.
Me:Icandr
iveyouhomei
fyoul
ike?
Shel
ookedar
oundandnodded.
Nokut
hul
a:l
etmegetmybag.

Nokut
hul
a
Iwalkedtot
heroom t
hatIwassl
eepi
ngatt ookout
apaperandbedandwr ot
eanoteandlef
titbythe
sideofthet
abl
e.Tookmysmallbagandwal kedput
toSipho.

Si
pho
Wewal kedouttothecarandshegotin.Iacti
vated
mywat chasapr ecaut
ionandal
sotookt hebull
et
proofcar.Wedroveouttoherpl
aceinsil
ence.Ihad
nowor dstosaytoherandshemademeso
nervous.
Nokut
hul
a:Yourf
ami
lyi
sver
ypr
otect
iveofeach
ot
her
Me:Yeah
Nokuthula:i
tsni
ceandcongratul
ati
onsonbei
ngan
uncl
e.Ilookedatherandf
igur
edLisanowknows.
Me:Thankyou.Idr
ovei
ntot
hecompl
ex.Ipar
kedby
t
heparki
ng.
Nokut
hul
a:am onhouse12D.Inodded.
Me:l
ookIknowwemeetonquest i
onabl
e
ci
rcumstancesbutwhenYouf
reewecanmeetf
or
br
eakfastl
unchordinner
.
Nokuthula:Youcancomei nnowandhavesome
breakfasti
fyouli
ke.Il
ookedathersmi
led
nervouslyandnodded.

Kamo
Iwokeupt oabuzzingsoundandIknewIwasi na
versionasIsawt r
oopsofvampireswal ki
ng.And
justthatIsawhismom amongstt hosemar chi
ng,
handcuf fedandbleedi
ngontheedgeofl osingher
l
ife.iknewthatt
heCr ewandCommuni t
ywer e
closertotaki
ngSipho.Iwokeuppant i
ngwi t
hLizwe
andhi sdadlooki
ngatmewi thwor r
iedeyes.
Me:It
sabouttohappen.Thebi
ggestwaramongst
ussuper
natur
alsi
sabouttotakepl
ace.
Si
yabonga:Whatdi
dyousee
Me:Theyaf t
erhim.Si
phoistheonl
yVarkoofhi
s
kindli
vingandtheywanthi
m deadbef
orehe
reproduces.
Li
zwe:Hecoul
dber
epr
oduci
ngnow
Me:wher
eishe?
...

Si
pho
Shewasr eall
yasmartcal
m personandIlikedt
hat
abouther.Ihel
pedhercl
eanthedishesandwhen
wewer edone.Ist
oodnexttothedoorreadyto
l
eave.
Me:Ihopet
oseeyousomet
ime.
Nokut
hul
a:I
lll
ovet
oseeyout
oo.
Iki
ssedherfor
eheadandIr eal
lydon’
tknowwhat
pull
edmebutIwasal loverherundr
essi
ngher
thr
owinghercl
otheseverywhereasshedir
ect
edus
t
othebedr
oom.

Nokut
hul
a
Inallmyl i
fei
vneverfel
tlikethisforaper son.In
l
esst henami nutehehadal lmycl ot
hesr ippedof f
meandwewer ebothnaked.Mybodywasboi l
ing
hotandif el
thim pi
ckmeupandpushmeagai nst
thewal lasheroughl
ywenti n.Andl or
di vnever
beenf uckedl
ikethi
sinmyl ife.Hemademecomea
mill
iont i
mesasher avi
shedmeandwhenhewas
nearIcl i
ngonfordearli
feashewentdeeperand
fast
erandwebot hexpl
odedi ntoami ll
ionpi eces
andt hrewusont hebedaswecaughtourbr eath.
Me:Wow
Si
pho:sor
ry
Me:Noneedt oapologi
se.Iopenedupthedrawer
nextt
omet ookoutal i
tt
lepouchofbl
ood.Iknow
thatt
heki
ndoft hi
rstIhaveonlybl
oodcanquench.
Si
phol
ookedatme.
Me:Ani
malbl
ood.Idr
ankandpassedt
ohi
m ashe
hadsomeandsnuggledcloserashi
sphoner
ang.I
passedi
ttohi
m seei
ngitnotasavednumber
.
Si
pho:Hi
Voi
ce:I
tsme.Hesl
owl
ylet
sgoesofmeandsi
tsup.
Si
pho:Whati
sit
?
Voi
ce:Younevercal
ledsi
ncet
hatday.
Si
pho:Look,
icantt
alkr
ightnow.
Voi
ce:Si
pho
Si
pho:i
llbei
ntouchl
ater
.

Thenj
iwe
Theyweret
racki
ngourcal
landIdi
dn’
tknowhowt
o
warnhi
m.

Si
pho
Thenj
iwe:Rememberthef
ir
stt
imewemeetandyou
hadthespycodebook?
Iwasconf
usedbecauseIdi
dn’
thavet
hespycode
book.Wespokeabouti
tonourseconddat
e.And
thenitcl
icked.
Me:i
tsbeenni
ce.Bye.Iqui
ckl
yhangup.
Me:Getdr
essandpackabag
Nokut
hul
a:Why
Me:Justdoi t.ShedidasIaskedandIleftmy
phoneont hebedsidetableandrushedhertothe
car.Idrovel
ikeamani acbackhomewi thhersil
ent
.
Justthenmybr ot
hercal
led.Iknewmom has
connectedusagai nandhesensest r
ouble.
Li
zwe:Youdr
ivi
ngat185
Me:Yep
Li
zwe:ihavethedronesf
oll
owingyouandarmed
j
ustincaseyourunint
otr
ouble.Di
dyoutaket
hegir
l
wit
hyou
Me:Yep
Lizwe:Cool
.Il
ll
etmom andLi
saknowshecomi
ng.
Issheokay?
Me:beenqui
eteversi
ncewel
eftherpl
ace
Nokut
hul
a
Ikeptqui
etastheyspokeaboutmeasifam not
ther
e.WhathaveIgottenmysel
fint
o.

Li
zwe
Me:well
,dr
ivesaf
e.Wet
racki
ngyouguys,
you
shoul
dbehomei n10mi
nute
Si
pho:cool
.If
eltt
hathewascal
m andcol
d.
Me:Hey.Wegott
his.
Si
pho:Wi
llseeyouwhenIgett
her
e
Me:Ti
gert
iger
Si
pho:Ti
gert
iger
Ihungup.Li
sal
ookedatmeconf
used.
Li
sa:Ti
gert
iger
?
Ismi
led
Li
sa
Iwat
chedhi
m bl
ushandl
ookedathi
m cur
ious.
Li
zwe:Younotgoi
ngt
oleti
tgo
Me:Nope,
notwi
thyougr
inni
ngl
ikeachi
ld.
Lizwe:fine.ItsIloveyou.Westart
editwhenwe
wasi nschoolanddi dn’
twantotherkidstol abelus
gay.Weal r
eadydi dsomucht ogetherandpeopl e
neverunder stoodhowwewer esoconnect ed.So
wei nventedacodet osayIl
oveyouwhenwepar t
andTi gertigeriswhatwecameupwi th.Iblinked
tears.Thatwassosweet .
Me:Youguysar
etoosweet
Li
zwe:What ever
.Wehavi ngaful
lhouselat
eron.
Youmom andauntar eontheyway.Am noteven
goingtosuggestthatyougostaywit
hmygr andma
becauseyouwon’ t
.
Me:Youf
igur
ed.
Li
zwe:Mom goi
ngtol
inkyoutohersothati
f
anyt
hingwr
ongshehelpsyouhealf
ast
.
Me:Oh
Li
zwe:yougood?Bef
orehef
ini
shedirushedtot
he
bat
hroom t
ovomit
.Whendoneilookedathi
m.
Me:canmom t
akeawayt
hevomi
ti
ng?
Li
zwe:itwillbeoversoon.Thehousewaspi l
li
ngup
wit
hpacksf r
om dif
ferentfami
li
es.WhentheAl pha
cal
lsever
yonet urnsup.Iwasi nmyr oom with
Nokuthul
awhoweki ndofconnectedwit
handwer e
cl
ose.Sheadopt edther ol
eofbeingmyhel per.I
don’
tknowwhybutt odayIf el
teverybi
tpregnant .I
wasvomi ti
ngallthatIate.Iwasweakandbei ngi n
bedwast heonlyopt i
on.
Nokut
hul
a:wehadsex.
Shebl
urt
edi
toutandIl
ookedatherbl
ushi
ng.
Me:Wi
thwho?Iaskedbei
ngdumb

Si
pho
Iwasbringupthewatermom madeforLisaandt
he
doorwashalfopenandIent
eredbefor
eit ur
nedt
he
cornert
otheIwatchedasNokuthul
ablur
tedout
oursexli
fe
Nokut
hul
a:Yourbr
other
Li
sa:
Ewwwhi
smybr
other
.Pl
easedon’
ttel
lme.
Nokut
hula:Hewasnice,
ful
landt
hickandl
ordhe
knowshowt ousei
t
Li
sa:
Nokut
hul
ast
op
Nokut
hul
a:Evenr
ightnowIcanf
eelwher
ehewas.
Li
sa:Iknowt
hatf
eelinggi
rl
.Whenhegoesdeeper
asifhewant
stoleavehimsel
fther
e
Nokut
hul
alaughedal
lexci
ted.
Nokut
hula:Iknowitt
oosoontotel
lbuthi
stheone.
I
vneverconnectedwit
hapersonli
kethi
sinmylif
e.
Li
sal
ookedather
.
Lisa:Am goi
ngtosharewi
thyout
heeasi
estwayt
o
keephimf or
everyour
s.
Nokut
hul
a:Whatt
hat
?
Lisa:Lovehi
ml i
keyouhaveneverlovedbefore.
Accepthim wit
hhishornsandmoods.Butmost ly
nevercomebet weenhim andhi
sbrother
.TrustmeI
know.Somet i
mest hebondtheyhavemightgeton
yourner
vesbutneverl
eti
tbot
heryou.
Nokut
hul
a:I
sitt
hatbad?
Li
sal
aughed.
Lisa:Oncewewer ewat chi
ngamovi eandi twas
reallyni
cenextthi
nglizwebusyt ext
ingandam
askinghim wassup?Hi sli
ke“IaskedSiphoto
wat chthesamemoviewet al
kingaboutit
”igotso
angr yathi
m.Likedudewebei ngr omanti
chereand
youbusywi thyourbr
ot herwhoyouspendyou
whol edaywithatwork.
Nokut
hul
alaughed.
Li
sa:Il
oveSi
pho.Hisaniceguy,atl
eastnowyou
her
emaybethefocuswil
lshif
t.
Nokut
hul
a:Doyout
hinkhecar
esaboutme?
Li
sa:Whyelsedidhebr
ingyouher
e??Theykept
qui
etforawhil
e.
Nokuthul
a:Butt
hel
ovemaking.
..shevi
brat
edand
Li
salaughedsohar
d.Iwal
kedinwhilet
heywere
l
aughing.
Me:Ladi
es.Li
sal
ookedatmer
ippedagai
nwi
th
Nokuthul
agivi
ngheranel
bow.Ipr
etendedl
ike
not
hinghappened.
Me:Gl
adyouguyshavi
ngf
un
Li
sa:wear
e.
Me:Mom sayst
hiswi
llhel
p.Igaveherandshe
dr
anki
tal
l.
Me:Feeli
ngbett
er?Justl
iket
hatshestar
ted
vomit
ingbloodandIhear
dNokuthulascr
eam asI
hel
pLisa.
Me:Gocal
lforhel
p.Shenoddedj
umpi
ngoutoft
he
bedl
ikeacheet
ah
Ihelpedhervomi
tandwi
theachshewasgaspi
ng
forair
.
Li
sa:Ican’
tbr
eat
he.
Me:St
aywi
thmepl
ease.
..
.
I
nser
t21:

Li
zwe
Iwatchedinf
earasmymom r ol
ledhert
otheside
andJasminesayingsomewor dstoherandrubbi
ng
hertummywithsomet hi
ngs.Iwatchedinf
ear
thi
nkingt
hatImightl
oseher.
Aft
erawhil
eshest oppedvomi
ti
ngandmom made
somethi
ngforherandshekeptdr
inki
ngi
t.Hereyes
l
ightbl
ue.
Jasmi
ne:Ineedyoual
lout
.
Il
ookedatmygr
andmot
hercr
azygr
eeneyes.
Me:am notl
eavi
ng
Jasmi
ne:Thenextpar
toft
hisi
snotgoi
ngt
obe
ni
ce.
Me:Whathappeni
ng
Mom:I
tst
hebaby
Me:Whatwr
ong?
Mom:I
tsst
rongert
henher
Me:I
sitki
ll
ingher
?
Jasmi
ne:No,
itsmakingherstr
ongerf
orhertobe
abl
etocar
ryhi
mt ofullt
erm.Thisi
saprocesst
hat
herbodyi
staki
ngsoi
tcancar
ryher
.
Ifel
tthef
eari
nmyhear t
.Yesiknowshesaidthat
i
tsnotkil
li
ngherbutmaki
ngherstr
ongerbutihad
toask.
Me:Canshediefrom t
his?Therewassi
lenceandI
knewmyanswer sbutangelsdon’
tdi
eprdot hey.I
walkedcl
osert
omywi feandhadherweakbody
halfonmeandkissedherontopofherhead.
Me:Am her
ebaby,
wegott
his.
AndImustsayi twasthelongestni
ghtofmyl i
fe.I
t
wasl i
keshewasgivingbir
thfrom t
hescreaming
andcr yi
ng.Atsomepointiheardal
lherbones
breakandmom wassayi ngtheyconnecti
ngbeing
stronger
.Hereyeswaschangingcoloursever
yhour
andshewassweat ing.
Idon’tknowwhenIdozedof fbutIwokeupt of
ind
thewhol eroom dozedoffandLisanexttome
l
ookingsobeaut i
fulandsoradi
antwithlightbr
own
hairf
rom herr oot
s.Shelookedstunning.Her
l
asheswer elongandshelookedsof airi
twas
unbelievabl
e.
Li
sa:Youst
ari
ngatme.
Shewhi
sper
edwi
thhereyescl
osed.
Me:howcanyouseewhenyousupposet
obe
sl
eepi
ng?
Sheopenedherl
ightblueeyesandIswearij
ustf
elt
i
nlovewithmywifealloveragai
n.
Li
sa:HowcanIsl
eepwhenyoustari
ng?Imoved
cl
osert
oherandIfel
ttear
sinmyeyes.
Me:Iwanttot
hankyouforcar
ryi
ngmychi
ld.I
knowit
’st
oughbutthankyou.
Li
sa:Ti
gert
iger
.
Il
aughedather
.“t
igert
iger
”
Mymom wokeupandl
ookedatussnuggl
edand
wal
kedt
ous.
Mom:Feel
ingbet
ter
?
Li
sa:Yeboma
Mom:letmesee.Shel
if
tedhertopandpl
acedher
handsonherandcl
osedhereyesandshesmil
ed.
Me:Whatyousee?
Mom:Theyokay.
Li
sa:
They?
Mom:Thebabi
esyoucar
ryi
ng.
Me:Mom babi
esar
epl
ural
.Babyi
sone.Whi
chi
sit
Mom:aykesi
fundi
swa,
got
othedoct
ori
fyoudon’
t
bel
ieveme
Dad:whatar
eyout
woar
gui
ngabout
Me:mom saysLi
sai
scar
ryi
ngbabi
es.Isawmy
dadf
acel
ightupandj
umptohi
swife
Dad:Howmany?Two
Mom:Youwon’
tbel
ievemei
fIt
oldyou
Li
sa:Mom?Shewhi
sper
edwi
thshocki
nher
eyes
Li
sa:Yousayi
ngam car
ryi
ngt
wins
Mom:Ineversai
dthat
Me:wantt
ogobat
h?
Li
sa:Yes
Andwelef
twi
thmepi
cki
ngherupandt
aki
nghert
o
shower
.

Kamo
Si
yabonga:Howmanyar
ether
e
Me:I
twhatwewant
edf
orour
sel
f.Iwat
chedashi
s
f
acecrumbl
edi
nasmil
e.
Si
yabonga:Am goi
ngt
obeagr
andf
ather
Me:Yesol dman.Nowhel pmegomakebr eakf ast
forourguest s.Iwokemymom upandSi photo
fol
lowmeandwewentt othekit
chent ofi
nd
Nokut hul
aalreadyworkinghermagici nthekitchen
andIsmi led.Siphomightnotknowi tyetbutshei s
theonef orhim.Itswil
lgetrockybuttheywillpull
through.

Li
sa
Wedrovet
othedoct
orswi
thSi
phoand3body
guar
ds.
Me:wecoul
dhavewai
tedyouknow
Si
pho:Youscar
edusyest
erday.
Onewil
lthi
nkhi
sthef
athert
hewayhewas
pani
cki
ng
Li
zwe:It
snott
hatIdon’
ttr
ustmom butshel
oves
hangi
ngnewsli
kesweets.
Me:Iknow.
Sipho:It
hinkshejustwant
syouguyst
ohavea
normalpregnancy.
shebigonusbei
ngnor
mal.
Li
zwe:Yeah
Si
pho:am goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
.
Hegr
innedl
ikeababy.
Me:GuysIneedyout
wot
otonei
tdown.
Li
zwewhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Il
ookedathi
m andl
ookedatt
hehandt
hathehas
onmytummy.
Si
phol
aughed.
Si
pho:Yeahyouneedt
otonei
tdown.
Wegoti nt
hedoctorandsatdownwhi l
eLizwewas
fi
ll
ingoutt
hefor
m.Whenhewasdonehecamet o
si
twi t
hme.Wewai t
edinsil
ence.Iguessever
yone
wast hi
nki
ngwhattheywerethi
nkingandthenthey
cal
ledusandyesihadLizweandSi phogoinwith
me.
Doct
or:Hi
Me:Hi
Iwaski
ndofshyaboutt
his.
Doct
or:HowcanIhel
p?
Me:Weknowwepregnantwejustneedt
ofi
ndout
i
fever
ythi
ngi
sfi
neinther
e.Henodded.
Doct
or:Letmerunmyownt est
sandwet
akei
t
fr
om t
here.Whothef
ather
?
Si
pho:Am notl
eavi
ng
Li
zwe:Hi
snotaski
ngyout
oleavebaf
o
Doct
or:I
sthef
atherwil
li
ngtorunsomet
estt
ooso
wecanbuil
dupapr of
il
efort
hechil
d?
Li
zwe:Wej
ustneedascanf
ornow,
il
ldot
est
s
someot
herday.
HenoddedandIst
art
edthewholeprocesswhen
donehepl
acedmeont hebed,
spreadcoldgelon
meandmovedhisscope.Headjust
edthescreento
usandhesmil
ed.
Doct
or:Chi
ldAher
e,Bher
e.
Li
zwe:t
wins?
Doct
or:Holdonher
eisCandDandE.hemovedi
t
t
otheside.“ohher
eischi
ldF”
Li
zwe:6kids.Theshockonhi
sfaceasSi
pho
l
aughed.
Sipho:Am movingoutwhentheyborn.Youwer
ea
racketonyourownimagine6kids.
Me:Canyougi
vemeaphotoplease.Hemovedi
ta
bi
tandmovedbacki
nshock.
Doctor:Uhm it
hinkIneedt
oreferyoutoa
special
istt
hatdealwit
hamulti
plepregnancy
Me:why?Whatdi
dyousee?
Doct
or:IThi
nkt
her
eis8i
nther
e
Me:8?Asin8ki
ds?Li
kenumber8?Thef
earwas
onmythroat
.
Li
zwe:Uhm.It
hinkwewi
llgo.Thankyou
Doct
or:Butt
hisi
sar
iskypr
egnancy.Youneed.
..
.
Lizwe:Weokay.Hepickedmeupandsi gnalledto
Siphotodosomet hi
ngIsawSi photaki
ngt hef i
le
andeverpaperworkwit
houtnamesandwal kingto
thedoctordeskt
akingthesurvei
ll
ancevideot ape
forthedayandlookatthedoctor.
Sipho:Utteronwordofthi
sandIsweari l
lki
llyou.
Wel eftdri
vingtot
hehouseinsi
lence.SoImi ghtbe
carryi
ng8ki ds?8ful
lbl
ownsupernatural
s.What
didwej ustdo???
I
nser
t22:

Li
sa
Wedr ovehomeandSi phobr
akedhar
d.Il
ookedup
tof
indt her
oadclosedbypeopl
eandIknewthat
shi
tisabouttogetreal
..
.
Si
pho:shi
t
Li
zwe:Theguysar
eont
heywayi
val
ert
edt
hem
aboutt
his.
Guar
d:Ever
ythi
ngyoumi
ghtneedi
sint
heseat
behi
nd.
Lizwe:Babe,wi
llneedyout
omoveabi
t.Ishi
ft
edas
theytooktheseatandgunsout
.
Me:Guns
Li
zwe:i
twi
llsl
owt
hem down.
Me:whot hel
ady?Theyal
ltur
nedtol
ookri
ghti
nto
theeyesofawomanwhowast i
edupandhad
horns.
Si
pho:shel
ikeme
Me:Yes
Li
zwe:Fornowwejustneedtomakesur
ethatwe
sur
vivet
his.Usemeasashiel
d
Me:Icanhel
p.
Li
zwe:NotnowLisaplease.Al
lIneedfr
om youi
sto
st
ayinthecar
.Inoddednotbecauseiwasgoingto
doasiwastol
dbutbecauseididn’twanthi
mto
fearthatam goi
ngt odoanythingst
upid.Iwatched
myhusbandandSi phoandt heyguardsleavethe
carandatthecor nerofmyeyesisawmovementi n
thebushesandwhi t
eflashoffai
randIknewmy
fatheri
nlawwasher ewithhi
sherd.

Kamo
Iwat chedf rom thedi stanceasowaswor kingup
wat erf rom thenearbypondmaki ngi tscurrent
strongersot hatIcanwashawayt heweakones.
Somevampi r
esfear edwat erandIwasgoi ngtouse
thatt omyadvant age.Justt hanwheniwasabout
tousewat eroutofnowher eiwat chedi nspeedofa
l
ight eningasl i
sar anoutoft hecarusi ngherwi ngs
asashi eldfrom thef i
rewor ksasshecover ed
Lizweasheki l
ledever ythingt hatbyt heyway.I
stoodt hereasiwat chedhowwi t
honet ouchpeopl e
wer ef alli
ngdownt othef l
oorwi t
hf acebeyond
recogni tion.Shewasgl owi ngmor ewitheach
droppedbody.Li zwel ookedbacki nhor rortosee
l
isaj ustbehi ndhim pr otectinghimf r
om anyat tack.
Wi t
hi nami nutether ewasaf lockofdeadbodi eson
thefl
oorandther
estoodLisawit
hherbigwhite
wingsandLizwewithhi
sblackwings.Si
yabonga
changedtohishumanform andl
ookedatme
confusedatwhatj
usthappened.
Me:Shej
ustki
ll
edt
hem wi
thonet
ouch.
Si
yabonga:Isaw
Me:shegl
owi
ng
Si
yabonga:Icansee
Shesl
owl
ylower
edher
sel
fst
andi
ngr
ighti
nfr
ontof
Si
phomother
.
Li
sa:Youar
e?
Hervoi
cewassocal
m andangel
ic
Joycel
yn:Am hismot
her
.Shesl
owl
ypoi
ntedatt
he
shockedSipho.
Si
pho:i
tsbecauseofyout
hatwear
eher
etoday.
Joycel
yn:Icanexpl
ain
Sipho:I
llgi
veyoua5mi
nut
eheadst
artr
un.She
turnedandran.
Iwatchedassheslowl
ygotbacktoherusualsel
f.
Sheheldontothecart
obalanceher
.Lizwewalked
uptoher.
Li
zwe:Isai
dst
ayi
nthecarf
orgodsakewoman.
Li
sa:I
tswasn’
tme
Li
zwe:whatyoumean
Li
sa:I
tswasntme.I
tsl
ikemybodywasincont
rol
ofmeandIhadnochoi
cebuttodoasitwasdoi
ng.
Li
zwe:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
.
Me:It
sthekids.Ever
yonel
ookedatmewi
th
conf
usedfaces.
Li
zwe:
shenoteven3mont
hs
Me:I
tstheypower
.It
srunni
ngt
hroughhervei
ns
pl
usherpower.
Li
sa:Am sorr
..
..shefai
ntedandicaughtherand
sawasyringepokingherfr
om herneck.
..
I
nser
t23:
Li
zwe
Mom hasbeeni nourbedroom wit
hLisaf
or
sometimenowanddadbeenst andi
ngguardnot
al
lowingmein.Siphobeeninandoutofthatroom
helpi
ngbutyetnotal
lowingmei n.

Li
sa
Iwokeupf
eel
ingmuchbet
terandl
ookedar
ound.
Mom:Hi
Me:hey,
Mom:Hi
sout
side,
thoughtyouwi
llwantsomer
oom.
Me:Thanks.Hi
sgoi
ngt
oki
llme.
Mom:notwhenyoucar r
yingt
woset
sofQui
ntupl
et.
Il
ookedathershocked.
Me:10ki
ds?
wesaw8
Mom:t
heot
hert
wower
ehi
ding
Me:ohmygosh!
!!10?
??8wasal
otandnow10.
Shesmi
ledatme.
Mom:Wewi
llbef
ine.
Me:wehaveresear
cher
saft
erusandoncethey
f
indoutam pr
egnantmoret
roubl
ewi
llf
oll
ow.
Mom:heycal
m down.
If
eltmysel
fpani
candIhear
dt hedooropenandI
l
ookeduptofi
ndLizwest
andingther
elooki
ngat
me.
Li
zwe:Youbeeni
nher
eforanhour
Mom:sheneededr
estandyourpaci
ngwasnt
hel
ping
Li
zwe:i
sshef
ine?
Mom:yes,
theki
dscombi
nedpowerhel
pedherki
ck
i
tof
f
Il
ookeddownt
omyt
ummywhenshesai
dthat
.
Mom:l
etusl
eaveyout
wo.

Si
pho
Myphonevi
brat
edandi
twasaVi
deoandIcl
icked
onitandwatchedasNokuthul
aandadoctorwas
runni
ngtest
sonaVar kovampir
ewhodied.WhenI
wasdoneat extcamethr
ough
“youlikethem wi
thskeletonsi
ntheycloset
”thana
pi
ctureofNokuthulaandThenjiwepoppedupof
NokuthulainalabcoatandThenjiweinhercasual
cl
otheshavingcoffee.Ifel
tmysel
fgetfuri
ousand
walkedtothelounge.Grabbedherouttothepati
o.
Me:Youpl
ayedme
Nokut
hul
a:wi
thwhat
?
Me:howcanIbesost
upi
d?Il
ookedatherwi
th
eyesbl
azi
ng.

Nokut
hul
a
Iwatchedi
nfearasthemanwhowassl
owl
y
capt
uringmyheartwasamonst
er.

Thenj
iwe
Wewat
chedvi
asat
ell
it
east
het
wof
ought
.The
doctorsomehowhackedt hesat
ell
it
esawoneofthe
girl
swhowor ksforhimi nthevi
deoattheMusk
homest hansentvideosofmeandt hegirl
.She
reall
ydidn’
tdeserveitandsheandIwer enot
plott
inganyt
hing,shewasj ustf
ri
endlyt
owardsme
whenIwasher e.
Doctor
:St
eponecompl et
e.Seeyouar
ecomi
ngi
n
handy!
!Helaughedhi
sevill
augh.

Si
pho
Me:ar
eyoufeedi
ngthem i
nformati
on,
areyout
hey
i
nsi
dejob?Fi
rstt
heysendThenji
weandnowyou?
Nokut
hul
a:Ir
eal
lydon’
tknowwhatyouonabout
.I
t
hrewmyphoneatherandshewatched.
Nokut
hul
a:so?Thi
sismyboss.
If
eltmysel
flosi
ngi
tandIl
ookedather
.

Nokut
hul
a
I
nal
lmyl
if
eivneverseensomeonel
ookatmel
ike
t
hat
.Somuchcol
dness.
Si
pho:Iwantyout
oleave
Me:Towher
e?WhathaveIdonewr
ong?
Si
pho:ar
eyouf
ucki
ngki
ddi
ngme?
Me:Nosi pho,youbeenhuff
ingandpuf fi
ngthelast
30mi nut
eandam notgetti
ngi t.It
oldyouIworked
ther
eandIt oldyouwhatwast heyplanandwhyI
camet owarnyouaf t
eri
vlearntwhoyouar e.Not
oncehaveIl i
edtoyouorhaveanagenda.
Si
pho:Thegi
rlyouwi
th?
Me:Somegi rlt
hatt
hedoct
orhadbusi
nesswi
th,
iv
neverasked.
Sipho:Youl
ying.Heusedherandwhenher
advanceswerenotwor kingt
heysentyou.Iwant
yououtofher.Ilookedathim shockedand
confusedastowher ehisget
ti
ngt hi
sfrom.
Me:Sipho.
..
.hehel
dmer
oughl
yandhadf
ir
einhi
s
eyes.
Si
pho:Di
dyoui
njectLi
sa?Ther
oom wentqui
et.
Sipho:wher ewereyouwhenwewer eattacked?
Whatyourgamepl an?Whatyourmi ssi
on? ??Ashe
ratt
ledt hisquesti
onsfor
cibl
ybri
ngingmecl osert
o
him,irealisedhowmypr esenceandt i
mi ngwasall
out.Thesevi deoar
emakinghim questionmyme.
JustthanMrMuskcameoutoft hehouseai medhis
gunt otheskyandt ookashotandwewat chedasa
dronef ellfrom t
hesky.
MrMusk:bot
hyouyougetinandSipholeaveher
al
one.
..
.hespokewit
hacoolcal
m voiceandIfel
t
mysel
fshi
ver.I
fIr
unwil
lImakeithome? ?
MrMusk:Don’
tevent
hinkabouti
t!
!!
..
..

Goodni
ghtguys
Fi
nal
e:

Nokut
hul
a
IwatchedasMrMusklookedatmeaswewer
eal
l
gat
heredinthel
ounge.
MrMusk:Nowyoungl
adyyougoi
ngt
otal
kand
Si
phol
etherf
ini
sh.
Me:Yesworkedwit
hgenemutat
ionandIdi
dn’t
knowaboutyouguyst
il
lafewdaysagoandnoI
wasn’
tsenther
etospyonyouandrepor
tback.
Si
pho:YouandThenj
iwe?
Me:Thegi r
lwasrecrui
tedaf ewweeksbackshe
report
edtothedoctordir
ectl
yandinthatvi
deoI
washavingmyl unchandshesatwi t
hme.Ihadno
i
deawebei ngrecordedunlesshet
apedt he
survei
ll
ance.
Ever
yonel
ookedatme.
Si
pho:howcanwet
rustyou?
Mr
sMusk:Ibel
ieveher
MrMusk:Younggi rl
,i
fIeverf indoutt hatyour
i
ntentionswer eorar
eot herwisemi ghtaswel lcall
yourrelati
vesandletthem knowt opr epareforyour
burial
.Inoddedandhet urnedandl eftusthere.
Siphost oodther
elookingatmef orawhi l
ethanl ef
t.
Mr
sMusk:Hewi
llcomear
ound.
Me:Idoubt
.It
hinki
tsbestIl
eave
MrsMusk:Letmetel
lyou,isawyoucarryi
ngthe
mostbeaut
if
ulbabyboyiveverseenandguess
what
?
Me:What
?
MrsMusk:Hehadhornsj
ustl
ikehi
sfat
herand
beaut
if
ulbi
rthmar
ksandhadthemostador
abl
e
smil
eever.
Il
ookedathershocked.
Me:Real
ly?
MrsMusk:Leavenowandyouwontbeabl
etosee
whatIhaveseen.

Thenj
iwe
Iknewihadtogetmysel
foutofthi
s.Demonscan
seduceanyTom Di
ckandHarry.
Me:Comecl oser,if
orgott
otellyousomethi
ng.He
movedandIcl osedmyeyesandt ur
nedsucki
ngthe
souloutofhim gi
vingmest r
engthtobreakf
reeand
snaphishead.Icl
earedal
lthedat
ahehadand
pouredpet
rolal
loverthepl
aceandseti
tal
ightand
l
eft.

1yearl
ater
Li
sa
Iwokeupt olizwesideoft hebedempt y,ithasbeen
forthepastt wodayssi ncehebeengoneon
business.Iwentt olookint hecr i
bsandf oundmy
kidsfastasleep.Thel astyearhasbeenevent ful but
mymar r
iagehavegonest rongerandmor el ovi
ng
andf ul
lofhappi ness.Havi ng10ki dsinthehouse
wasapai nbutadel ighttoo.Wehad6boysand4
girl
sandImustsayt heyr eallyhadmegoi ngcr azy.
Icleanedupt hent ookaqui ckshowerandwhen
donewentt omakesomet hingforthekidsandI
wast ogof etchthem whent hedoorrang.Fi guring
i
tsmymom i nlawandAver yandthenanni es
comi ngtohel pwithtoday.ButIopenedt hedoor
andhadagunpoi ntedatmebyat al
kblackguy.
Hi
m:Youmove,
ishoot
,youscr
eam,
ishoot
..i
nodded.
Hewalkedinwit
habunchofpeopl eandhe
si
gnall
edtothem andIsawthem onebyonetaki
ng
mykidsbott
leandgoingtotheroom wewer
e
sl
eepi
ngatthencomi ngbackconfused.
Hi
m:Whatwr
ong?
Guy1:Thecr
ibsar
eempt
y.Ifel
tmyheartgett
inga
l
it
tl
eweakandIdidmybestnottocr
y.Helookedat
me.
Hi
m:wher
ear
eyourki
ds?
Me:t
heysl
eptatt
heygr
andmot
her
stoday
Hi
m:wehadt hewholehousesur
veil
ledandyour
motheri
nlawlef
tal
oneyester
day.
Me:t
heynoti
ntheycr
ibscl
ear
lyt
heyatt
hey
gr
andma
Hestoodther
eforawhileandsignal
ledandj
ust
thanIhear
dthesuckingsound.Iknewitwas
Lit
hembatheoldest
.Hemakest hemostnoise
whenhissucki
nghispacifi
er.
Hi
m:whatt
hat
?Bef
orehecoul
dsayanyt
hingI
wat
chedinf
earast
heguyshewast
ravel
li
ngwi
th
wer
edroppi
ngdownli
kef
li
es.
Hemovedt owar
dsmeandhadakni feonmyneck
wi
thfeari
nhiseyesandjustt
hanmymot heri
nlaw
wal
kedinwithmyfatheri
nlawinhi
sful
lform.
Mom:Ifyouknowwhatgoodf
oryou.Youwi
lll
eave
andnevercomeback.
Hi
m:Am goi
ngwi
thher
Mom:Thatyourbi ggestmist
akeandj ustthenIfel
t
hisbloodallovermeandIt urnedtofindnoone
behindmeorhi m.Wewer einar oom ful
lofbodies
butnoat t
acker.Irantomybedr oom i
nf earand
foundallmyki dsintheycri
bscoveredi nblood.I
l
ookedatmymot herinlaw.
Mom:Thepowerofyourki
dssavedyou.
Me:How?
Mom:Weshal lseeint
ime.Iwal
kedtomyoldest
Lit
hembacri
bandf oundhim wi
thhi
sli
ghtgr
ey
eyesl
ikehi
sfather.
Me:Thankyou.Hesmi
ledatmet
aki
ngouthi
s
pacif
ierandraisedhishandsup.Ipi ckedhim upas
heplacedhistinyhandsonbot hsidesofmyf ace
andIwat chedasmyki dsdisappeared.Iwat
ched
howwi thatouchofhi sfingertheyfel
lofandI
watchedatLumi leslaughteredtheyneckswithjust
afinger.Heretherewereat6mont hsdoingthi
ngs
beyondmyi magi nat
ionandwhent heyweredonei
watchedast heysleptli
kenot hi
ngeverhappened.
Wetr
ulyar
eaboutt
oseeamazi
ngt
hingswi
tht
hese
ki
ds.
..
..

.
..
..
..
..
..
.Theend.
..
..
..
.

Thankyouforbeingwithmei nt hisbook..
.
hopef
ull
yyouf indthenextoneasi nt
erest
ing.Her
e
i
stheli
nkhttps://www.facebook.com/ My-
arr
angement-106141211644069/