Chapter 2 A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Lionel

The following morning I woke up early, arranged my bag pack, sneaked around the kitchen and packed up some food, fruits and every other thing that I might need. I was going on a scary mission I wasn't so sure about and it gives me chills anytime I think about it but, I was not going to be weighed down by it.

'I AM GOING TO FIND MY PURPOSE AND FULFILL IT.' I mentally chided myself affirmatively over and held tightly onto the old rusty locket necklace to my chest.

I packed my bags, put in all my clothes, packed my half torn shoes, arranged everything accordingly, I placed the bag on my back about to set out before anyone could wake-up. Taking a step into the purposeful journey I felt someone grab my shorts. Was it destiny pulling me back?

I turned to look back, to see Michael looking up at me. Oh no! Michael has woken up, and I know for sure that he's going to stand against all that I wanted to do.

"Lionel, where are you going this early?" Michael asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes and sitting up on the bed waiting for an answer.

I looked down at the scrawny Michael looking at me, waiting for an answer.

"Go back to sleep Michael, you're just dreaming, this is only just a figment of your imagination" I said trying to convince him and put him back to sleep.

He scoffed. "Common Lionel, we're not five anymore," he said, chuckling.

"You can't fool me Lionel, we've known each other for fifteen years, I know when you're up to something. You better spill it out or I'll shout and wake everybody up" Michael threatened me with his eyes wide open. I knew he wasn't going to let me off easily.

That's right we were no longer five anymore and we were still staying in this shit hole of a place.

Looking at him right now with a sleepy face and yet with a deadly glare, I remembered when he walked right through the doors of the orphanage home with tears dripping down his eyes and a slimy mucous was drooling down his nostrils.

His brown skin that shined effortlessly and his full afro hair, his thin face, large blue eyes, and his thin lips. He hasn't changed much since he was a kid.

I was disgusted by him at first sight but well I was used to it because every now and then new kids walked through the doors of the orphanage that same way; This period was during the war between two neighboring villages fighting over the land that they will all end up being buried inside .

Fifteen years ago when men go to war against the demons out there and they never return and the women became widow, since the women can't provide for their family because the breadwinner of the family is dead they are forced to work in the fields separating the child from the mother and they bring them to this doom house called orphanage home which I wouldn't call a home.

All kids here went through similar situations but for me it was different. I never knew my parents or rather I don't remember what they look like anymore. Well that's how I ended up here and Michael also met me here.

When he walked through those doors I looked at him pitifully and I also envied him because at least he remembered what his parents looked like at the moment all I could think about was, imagine what my parents would look like so I could remember and keep in my heart as the most treasured thing but sadly I don't remember what they look like, I don't know if they're even alive, I don't know anything about them.

I looked at Michael again, the memory of him crying fifteen years ago crying non-stop. I couldn't help it. When I saw him fifteen years ago my instinct just kicked in and I ran into his arms, hugged him tightly trying to comfort him.

"I got you buddy, stop crying already if you need anyone I'm here for you," I said and he cried even more.

And that's how we became close friends or rather more like brothers that's inseparable.

"Hello!!!!! Lionel." Michael called out waving his hand at my face waking me up from my long timeline travel.

"Okay! okay! fine. I'll tell you where I'm going but that doesn't change the fact that you're not following me. You're staying put, right in this orphanage" I said getting a little bit pissed.

"Lionel we've been brothers for like fifteen years, you've always got my back, scared away all the bullies in this orphanage that ever tried to hurt me, you've been with me at my lowest and highest point and I don't plan to stay alone. YOU'RE MY BROTHER and my JOY. You're all I've got please Lionel" Michael said pleading with me with his cute little eyes.

I thought about it for a split second. Leaving Michael alone in this orphanage home was risky. All the other guys here would bully him and make him do all the work and even the so-called matrons are not helping at all. They are all a pain, one has to absorb and endure till your life on earth is over.

"Alright. You've convinced me. Pack your bags lets move, I'll fill you in on the way" I said feeling reluctant.

Michael was about to shout and rejoice, I lunged forward placing my right hand over his mouth to stop him from shouting.

"shhhhhhhh..........."I hushed him. Putting my finger on his mouth.

"I'm sorry. I'm just too overwhelmed" he giggled and quickly packed up his bag.

I looked at him once more, he seemed pretty excited than I was. Well it will be good to have mobile joy and hope with me on this journey.

We sneaked out of the orphanage home quietly without waking the other children. We had gotten to the post of the nosy and arrogant matron, Celine. She was on duty today. I've hated this woman right from day-one, she would always use the vulnerable piece of you to bring you down.

I opened the door slowly. This was the final lap before becoming free of this mini-hell on earth. I open it slowly, the door starts to creak as it creaks, she turns to position herself well on the duty-post chair, the door creaks again, she turns and mumble some words. This continued on and on till we finally opened the door.

Alas we finally got out of the orphanage home and we ran as fast as we could, as fast as our legs could carry us. Luckily for us the guards were not at the gate at that moment we paced-up even more and we finally ran out of the village. We looked back to take one last glance at it.

I looked at Michael as he looked at the village sadly, as if I could read his mind "I'LL MISS YOU MOM" that was what I could read from his pitiful expression.

"Let's go Michael, we have to go before everyone wakes up" I said holding Michael's hand.

Must be pretty hard for him to leave where he once had peace and comfort. Well it was now a living hell now.

"Do you know where we're going?" He asked me his gaze still fixed on the village.

"I don't, but I know there's so much out there than living in this shit hole of a place," I replied.

"Anyways, I trust you," he said, turning to look at me with a smile on his face. I smiled back at him, it felt so good to have a great friend who'd stick by you through thick and thin.

We set out on this great journey, and I couldn't stop thinking about what could possibly be awaiting us on other side of our lives, of our future.

We walked for hours and the sun was out in its full strength we took a rest for a while under a huge tree to rest for a while

"Lionel ?"Michael called out to me.

Somehow I felt like I knew what he was about to say.

"Yes Michael. I told you to stay behind don't tell me you want to go back now" I replied, without giving him an opportunity to say anything.

Michal and I were about the same age but I looked out for him as though he was my younger brother.

Michael laughed at my response

"I wanted to ask, what's the purpose of this journey?" Michael asked curiously

I looked at him intently and then looked around the area acting as though I wanted to tell him a top secret.

"I think my dad might still be alive," I blurted out, looking at him keenly for his reaction.

"What?!" He exclaimed, looking at me with an unbelievable look on his face.

"What gave you that impression?" He asked, curiosity evident in his face.

There was no need hiding it anymore, I brought out the locket necklace and showed him.

"This is what bore the impression in him...." I said, trailing off, holding back the tears that threatened to stream down my eyes.

"All this while I thought my parents were dead or something, but something calls out to me whenever I look at this locket necklace, I can't explain it but somehow I feel he's still alive," I said, expressing how I feel.

"I don't know, but I'm hoping that somewhere, somehow he's still alive... I may be wrong... I may be...." I stuttered, my voice trembling.

"Michael...." I said bursting into tears. I couldn't keep it in anymore. Michael rushed to me and put me in a tight hug. I cried out my eyes. I couldn't bring them to stop but I found comfort and peace in the arms of Michael and I didn't want to leave his arms. I felt even more safe. I gripped on firmly unto his shirt hugging him so tight. It felt indeed great for me, to know that someone's got my back.

"Don't worry, we're going to find him," Michael said, encouraging me.

"How are you so sure and why do you stick by me?"

"I stick by you because you're brother and you were there for me Everytime and...." He paused, heaving a sigh.

"I'm not so sure that you'll find your dad, and even if you don't find him, know that you've got a brother that'll stand by you," he said, patting my back gently.