Dating : A Story…

The room felt smaller than usual. The cold steel walls of the facility felt more and more like a cage.

A life behind these walls is what he was confined to. Since he was a child all he knew was the glimpses of the mountain tops and the cold winter nights on top of the naval base’s look out point. He would gaze for hours and wonder about the world beyond the walls. People, relationships, food, culture, nature…a million and one reasons, but no way to truly escape Eze lived his life sheltered.

He was eight and for as long as he could remember his life; “served a purpose” or at least that is what Gokurobi would tell him. Gokurobi was his guardian if you called it that. He was Chief and Director of the Afrakantor Espionage Organization (AEO) and as you can imagine long extended trips with little communication was a specialty. As much as he was a guardian Eze always saw him as a big brother, someone whom he admired and respected a great deal.

Eze’s life was narrated to him for years, “A boy whose destiny was picked for him.” This was a reference he hated. Eze was born and his father had already past. Not much was ever told to him about his father. Gokurobi always brushed over the subject like fresh cut with an alcohol swab. You could get the sense he knew more than he let on, but it cut deep and hurt like hell to talk about it.

Eze’s life consisted of daily training,studying, and recreational time. Without any kids his own age Eze didn’t have much to look forward to when Gokurobi was on the field. “When I return I have a suprise for you.” Those were Gokurobi’s last words to the young man. All Eze knew was his mentors cryptic and open ended remarks but regardless this message excited him.

Gokurobi would mention that in time Eze would have to leave the base and even leave the country of Afrakantor itself. This would be necessary to truly discover what his destiny had instore for him.

“Hey Sport” Gokurobi said as he entered the secruity clearnace doors to Eze’s quarters.

It had been 3 months since he had seen Eze last and in 2 weeks it was going to be his 9th birthday.

“What, no hugs and kisses?” grining to the boy.

“What makes you think I am happy to see you Robi?” Eze said laying in his bed Juggling a knife high in the air and catching it with his thumb and index finger.

“Its been 3 months since I last heard from you! when am I getting out of here!” Eze raises his voice throwing the knife right past his mentors head and hitting the bulleyes target behind him.

“Easy King, it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park out there. I have been working very hard to make sure that…”

“That things are ready and when I leave I am not killed I KNOW, I have known for two years now and I am still trying to wrap my brain around it.”