JULIAN COMPTON

CHAPTER 4

The sun had risen now and was now well in view, showering us with it's golden rays. I was with my aunt, Aunt Marie learning about my father's past, about his true origin and his life's work.

"Your father had the same ideology as you have now. Like you, we were raised in a racist society and faced alot of hardships while growing up. He raised you here so that you could see for yourself how unfairly we people of coloured skin are treated here."

"He was a very charismatic person who wanted to fight for the rights of his people till his last breath, as he did. He met your mother's father, your grandpa when he was seventeen. Your grandpa noticed some good qualities in him and loved the way he had the drive to fight for the rights of others. They formed a close bond and after several tests of loyalty, your grandpa told him his secret."

"Apparently, he was the head of a secret rebelist group, named the black knights. The black knights was a group made up of members who had the same ideology of your father, to fight for the rights of the oppressed and they had partners in many countries. After your dad prove himself worthy to the members he was pronounced the successor to the leadership of the black knights."

"By that time, he was eighteen years old, like you. He then met the leaders daughter, your mom, one fateful day and as date would have it, they fell in love and later married. Some years after their marriage, about a few years ago, your grandpa died and as expected, your dad took over."

I was now realizing that I knew nothing about my family, especially my dad.

"Your dad, being the leader had to lead by example and this is where I enter the story. I joined the army at the request of my brother, your dad, to infiltrate the army and gain substantial information about their plans. At that time there was a rumour that America wanted to use Amorite in ways not known to we common folk to conquer the world."

As she continued, her voice kept showing greater sadness and regret.

"I provided them, that is, the black knights with any information I could get my hands on, not that it was enough but it was better than nothing. Then during a mission I was shot on my lower back. I was told that the bullet affected my spinal cord or something like that. I'm not too sure. I'm not really good with biology and anatomy but in summary, I was crippled hence my infiltration was brought to an end as I had to retire from the army. A cripple like me had nothing to offer the squad."

I was starting to understand her pain and why she would try her best to convince me not to join the army or associate myself with the black knights, but I had already made up my mind. I had to see this through no matter what. If I can't succeed, it's better I die trying. The attrosities and oppression had to be brought to an end. I was going to bring about that end, I promised myself.

"After I became crippled, an effective means of getting information became hard. The black knights had to start thinking of an alternative, a solution to this problem which leads to the reason why your father was killed. He was that alternative, the solution proffered by the association. He was to get info for the group no matter what it took, even if the cost was his life."

"He and some of his comrades went to research facilities and government offices to pry for information. He succeeded in all of this type of his operations but failed in his last mission. He managed to send us the information via the black knights net but was caught and killed in the process of escaping."

She stopped briefly and caught her breath. She breathed air in and out deliberately for sometime before tearing up.

"I'm so sorry Aunt. Please don't cry. You once told me that crying solves no problem. Please stop crying." I consoled her as I wiped her tears with my handkerchief. I smiled a bit which made her smile as well. In the last five years I had been with her she treated my siblings and I like her real children and saw joy in our smiles especially mine. She said that it reminded her of her brother.

"Please finish your story aunt." I pleaded.

"Oh yeah, right. The story. So where was I?. Aha. Your father wasn't an armed robber as the police claimed. That was just a political propaganda to keep the public unaware of the happenings that occur behind closed doors. Even your mom, till her death, never knew of the activities of your dad and her dad. She never knew of the black knights or of any similar organization."

"Why did you do that? Why didn't you tell her the truth?. She died with alot of regrets." I asked, a little frustration in my voice.

"We were asked by your father and her father to keep the secret away from her. They said that the less that knew the better and safer everyone's lives would be."

"Then why tell me? Why now?" I asked.

"I'm telling you this now because you're already eighteen or will soon be eighteen, well it doesn't really matter. The reason I told you is because your father told me to. It was one of his final wishes, that I tell you about his past and the black knights when you're eighteen and that you have the choice to assume leadership of the group and continue what he started. Or you could do the cowardly but reasonable thing and just forget about the story I told you and try to live a normal happy life, which again seems highly unlikely.

I thought about this issue pensively. I had a choice to gain power to avenge my parents and every other oppressed person in the country and also I had a choice to save the rest of the world from the rise of the armour men and the world conquering America.

I think it was quite obvious what my choice was gonna be.