Adara Part 3

Adara sat on the edge of the bed, restless and scared. She wanted to know what this boy could tell her, yet couldn’t bring herself to walk the two steps to the door. The boy who had, or rather, could have the answers she sought was just meters away. But what would the knowledge that there were more of them really help? She could very well be stirring up a hornet’s nest. She was no real threat to the men in the black suits at the moment. She knew nothing of their organisation or their motives. In the year she had spent in the compound she saw nothing to hint at their purpose. No army gear or salutes to suggest it was a government compound, just the same black suits.  She didn’t even overhear a name. It was an emotionless place. 1

Even the psychiatrists that she spoke to never introduced themselves by name or used her name in their interactions. By finding this boy, she may have started on a path where there was no turning back. Her mind screamed for her to run, to hide, and to just give up. But the thought of Seth, of never seeing him again pushed her onward. She had to…2

A knock at the door interrupted her internal monologue. “Yes” she said deciding that she would find out what she could, if only to find Seth and run. 3

The boy from the riverbank stood in front of her. She noticed that her earlier estimation of his age was a bit off. He was no boy; young man was a much better description. About 19 years old, he carried himself well, with self-confidence and pride. “My name is Manzi.” He said stepping forward to shake her hand. 4

“My name is Adara,” she said accepting his outstretched hand. 5

A rather uncomfortable silence followed. Manzi had spent the day trying to decide what to say to the girl in his room. He had lived near the Orange River most of his life, which meant he often needed to use his abilities with water. The people from the informal settlement knew about and appreciated his gift, even going as far as protecting his secret when the need arouse. But this girl was different; he didn’t have time to think when he saw the crocodile closing in. He just reacted. He didn’t like the idea of an outsider knowing for it could only mean trouble.6

Adara spoke first, breaking the silence. “Manzi, what happened? Was it you?” 7

Manzi was quite taken aback by the abrupt questioning. 8

Like a bull in a china shop, Adara continued unfazed. “ You see I also have a strange ability. I can create and control fire, ” she said showing him the fireball in her hand. Manzi took a few steps to the side and sat down at the foot of the bed, shock evident on his face. “Well create anyway, I’m working on the control part. I just got out of this underground compound, you see. I don’t know why, but these guys in black suits had been chasing us for about a year and then they found us. Me and Seth that is.”9

“ Please stop talking,” Manzi said putting his hands on his head. “Just give me a moment to take this all in,” 10

Adara complied since she realized she was being brash, rude even, but she needed to speed things along. She didn’t have the time for polite introductions and long explanations. 11

Manzi’s mind was going a mile a minute. She created fire, she created fire right here in my room. I didn’t see a match or smell any lighter fluid. Can it be? He thought. He needed to know more. “ OK, start again,” he said.12

Adara rattled off her story, telling how she met Seth and how, because they were being chased, she blew up the boy’s dormitory. She told him briefly about the year on the run, how they never stayed in one place for too long and how they were found anyway. She also told him how she finally got out of the compound, ending her tale by trying to impress on him how much she needed to find Seth. 13

“I don’t know how I can help you,” Manzi said when she had finished. 14

“Well let’s start at the beginning - tell me what happened the first time you remember using your ability.” 15

Manzi looked at Adara for he knew this girl was going to be trouble. Just listening to her tell that story, he knew it would be better for him to stay away from her. But something about her story held his interest and, against his better judgement, he told her the story. 16

Manzi first used his ability when he was five. Back then he and his parents lived in Soweto, not very far from where Adara and her parents lived at the time. Men in black suits descended on their home and he recalled that they knew his fathers name and were hell bent on finding him. Manzi was too young to really know what was happening as they shot and killed his father in front of him. When the men turned to shoot his mother, Manzi jumped to her defence, sending a surge of water in their direction. He couldn’t really recall how, he just knew he wanted to protect his mother. The deluge knocked them all over and, while they splashed around trying to regain their footing, Manzi’s mother grabbed him and ran from the house. 17

When they got outside they saw a car that seemed to be waiting for them. The driver told them to get in but Manzi’s mother refused and turned to run. Then the man said a word or a name that caused her to change her mind. 18

Adara asked him what the word was, but he couldn’t remember. Then Adara asked if he remembered what the man in the car looked like or maybe his name. Again Manzi had to admit he didn’t remember. The only thing about the man that he could recall was his eyes and Manzi said, for some reason, he remembered the man had beautiful blue eyes.19

As Manzi related the tale, he realised what it was about her story that had rung true. The men in the black suits - surely they were the same people. If they were, then Manzi finally had a clue to who was responsible for his father’s murder. Manzi was by no means a violent person for he was much like the water he controlled, adaptable and calm. But water, like Manzi, has another side too. His anger, though slow to start, once sparked held the force of a raging torrent. 20

Since that day all those years ago, he often thought of what he would do if he ever found the people responsible. Perhaps if he helped this girl, he would finally be able to avenge his father. 21

Manzi looked at Adara, noticing the strange look on her face he asked, ”What?  Did I say something wrong, well beyond the obvious.” 22

Adara shook her head. “No, no, it’s just something about your story,” she said, still deep in thought. 23

“What is it?” Manzi asked. 24

“Well, the man with the blue eyes - I think I’ve seen him too. I thought he was a fireman, but now, I’m not sure. If it is the same person, why was he there the first time I used my ability and the first time you did?” Adara’s mind was reeling - so many coincidences. “How can it be? Who is the man with the blue eyes? He must be on our side. He did, after all, save you and your mother. Maybe he was just too late to save my parent that day.” Her thoughts came like machine gun fire and finally Adara paused, then she asked. “Do you think your mother will remember the word or name?” 25

“I’m sure she would have, but she passed away a year ago,” Manzi said, also trying to understand all he now knew. 26

They spoke for hours trying to think of what to do next. At 03:00 the next morning, still no closer to an answer, they decided to sleep for a while. Maybe everything would make sense when the sun came up. 27

Adara couldn’t sleep no matter how hard she tried as her mind refused to slow down, constantly returning to the questions that remained unanswered. All she really wanted to do was curl into a ball and never move again. She watched as the sun began to rise, and with it, finally a feeling of calm swept over her. 28

“I’ve got it! I know who can answer our questions.” Manzi said bursting into the room. 29

Adara got such a fright she almost fell off the bed. 30

“Oh sorry, did I wake you?” Manzi asked still very excited. 31

“ No, I wasn’t asleep. You just scared me that’s all,” she said, regaining her composure. “What is it?” she asked rubbing her tired eyes. 32

“You see I tried to go to sleep on the couch, but I couldn’t sleep. My Mind kept running through everything we had spoken about. Then it hit me. The guy in the car, he took us to my father’s friend’s house. Anyway, get up, I’ll explain in the car.” 33

“You have a car?” Adara asked, pulling on her boots. 34

“Sure, it’s not fast or pretty, but it goes.” Manzi said smiling, renewed hope in his eyes. 35

As they drove, Manzi told Adara what had happened after they had gotten in the car. The man with the blue eyes told his mother that he knew where Peter was staying and that it was far away but safe. Manzi remembered that Peter stayed in George. Peter, as it turned out, was an old army buddy of Manzi’s father and they ended up staying with him for a few months. Adara asked if Manzi remembered Peter’s surname and, after some thought, he admitted he didn’t know.  But, it was the best lead they had. 36

Manzi was busy suggesting that maybe it had something to do with the army when Adara screamed, “ Look out!” 37

Manzi turned to look; there in the middle of the road stood a girl. He slammed on the brakes but it was too late. They both closed their eyes and braced for impact.38

The car screeched to a halt. Adara jumped out, looking up and down the road and she said, the panic raising in her voice, “Did we hit her? I didn’t feel anything, did you?” 39

By now Manzi was next to her. “ I don’t know, I didn’t feel anything either. There’s no one here,” he said, looking under the car. 40

“No way!” Adara exclaimed stomping her foot on the tar. “That’s just not possible. You saw her, didn’t you?” Adara asked, turning to Manzi. 41

“Maybe it was a ghost.” Manzi said confusion etched on his face.42

Just then a black BMW came around the corner. The colour drained from Adara’s face as she realised it was the men in the black suits. 43

“Manzi, it’s them!” she screamed pointing at the oncoming car. 44

Manzi ran to get back in the car, “Get in Adara!” he screamed 45

“No, not when I am this close,” she said to herself, fire enveloping her. The BMW accelerated. 46

“Just get in!” Manzi screamed, desperation in his voice. “ We can’t out run them in this,” Adara said, calmly turning to face the speeding car. 47

Out of nowhere a gust of wind picked up the BMW and flipped it into the air. Adara watched as it landed on its roof meters from where she stood. “Fuck me.” She said exhaling loudly. 48

Feeling a soft tap on her shoulder, she spun around and there, standing next to her, was the girl who they almost hit moments ago. 49

“ How the …. Did you? Huh,” was all Adara could manage. 50

“Both of you get in the car - we can figure this out later.” Manzi ordered.51