DNA

RECESSIVE

Kwei Madon was the third son of his father’s children. His father was the Chief of the traditional area of Accra Central including the whole of Golden Creek. He had been a good boy having had the chance to have a decent education. But everything changed when his biological mother died. His father did not care about him any longer. His father never bothered to care about his wellbeing. Since the chief had four wives, his focus was now shifted to his other three wives. Kwei was devastated and did not know what else to do with his life. After he graduated from high school he moved from his father’s house and decided to make life for himself. He moved from Accra Central to Golden Creek hoping things would get better, but things ended up getting worse. With his sad and excruciating origin, Kwei found himself in the company of many bad friends leading him into vices like, smoking, armed robbery and cyber fraud. But in all, he saw none of that as the life for him. He decided to quit all the vices and take up a menial job to survive.

Through the job, he got the chance to meet other guys like him with similar background stories. Kwei was inspired. Kwesi was touched. His dark soul still had the part that could feel - empathy. He then formed a great bond with these guys and in the end, formed the family or the group who called themselves The Pirates. And they had done a lot together in the name of taking from the rich to feed themselves. The Pirates had only one sacred mission and that was to invade the rich, the selfish and corrupt in society to cater for themselves. And that was what they have been into and were not willing to change now. And the truth of the matter was that, one of the g**g members whose Dad was a police officer did work things out for them. They had a police officer who stood for their best interest. And the police officer was the man who was the lead officer at the supermarket when Abena and her sibling were attacked by the two members of the g**g. With the police officer on their side, they did not fear any one or venerate anyone in the vicinity of Golden Creek. They did not go by the law, they lived above the law. A week had elapsed since the road encounter with the Quansah’s. Though they did not get the result they hoped to get, they had other plans in mind.

It was another sunny afternoon and The Pirates had assembled for a meeting. A week ago, after the physical assault on the Quansah family, they were summoned by the chief of Police of Golden Creek to sign an agreement with the promise to stay away completely from the Quansah’s. And failure to do that meant that, they will all be arrested and put behind bars for 40 days. Kwei had signed that agreement with Philip and Maggie present and the chief of Police had also endorsed it as a witness. This time their police ally could not help them. Most of the boys in The Pirates only had one parent. Many did not live with both parents and that had forced them to choose the dark life they were stuck in at the moment. The guy who had tried to shoot Abena the last time was called Darkey Oku. He was the one that had pulled the trigger. And his dad was the police officer who was on their side, so overtly; he got the g*n from his dad. Truth be told, no one of the members of the g**g knew he was having a short g*n. But incredulously he did save the day. At the meeting he explained the g*n was his Dad’s -- inspector Oku who was the police ally of The Pirates. Kwei applauded him for the brave choice and explained that since Eddie Vorsah was his assistant and is now in a critical condition at the hospital, he will like to confirm Darkey as the second in command with immediate effect. The members agreed and cheered and Darkey was now the second in command to Kwei Madon. Darkey and other members then took the chance to ask Kwei about the green syrup he drunk the other time that seemed to have given him super strength.

Kwei then remembered that he had to meet the guy who supplied him with the strength d**g he called “Abba Fada.” Kwei narrated the abilities the d**g gave and advised from now onwards that, they were going to take that d**g anytime they had a massive battle. Truth be told, the drugs legal name was Hamozol. It was produced by HamTech Pharmaceuticals. And the man who supplied the d**g to Kwei worked in HamTech. In ending their meeting, Kwei admonished the g**g members not attack the Qaunsah’s family until Eddie Vorsah was back up strong and fully recovered. With that done, the meeting was adjourned, and the members moved away. Kwei then moved away eager to meet the man who supplied him the Hamozol or “Abba Fada” d**g.

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Dr. Margaret Quansah was on fire giving a lecture. For the past few days she had not really found time to be alone to think. The thought that she had powers just like her children was not something that sunk in well for her. And the best way to escape all the reality was to get lost in a different world. The world of academia. She was an archeologist and cryptologist and she loved that about herself.

“Archaeology, as I have always said, is the scientific study of the material remains of past human life and activities. These include human artifacts from the very earliest stone tools – the Stone Age to the man-made objects that are buried or thrown away in the present day. Thus everything made by human beings—from simple tools to complex machines, from the earliest houses and temples and tombs to palaces, cathedrals, and pyramids. Most at time when we talk about the study of archaeology all minds go to ancient Egypt. And that is true in some sense, since Africa is the cradle of humanity and ancient Egypt is the origin of all forms of human civilization. A little secret here, many years ago, I had the chance to visit Cairo, Egypt with my husband and we really enjoyed ourselves. And during our visit, we got to see that, all that you see and red about in the books and research concerning Egypt is true” Maggie said and moved over to her desk and changed the image on the projector.

“In this class, I want you to fathom that, an archaeologist is first a descriptive worker, thus the archeologist work is to describe, classify, and analyze the artifacts she studies. Many good archaeologists spend their lives in this activity of description and classification. But the main aim of the archaeologist is to place the material remains in historical contexts, to supplement what may be known from written sources, and, thus, to increase understanding of the past. Ultimately, the archaeologist is a historian: her aim is the interpretive description of the past of man. Like we have all heard one way or the other, there are a lot of theories about the origin of the universe. Physicists herald their Big Bang Theory. Biologist and evolutionary biologist also back up their Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection by Charles Darwin. Chemists support abiogenesis based on the Miller-Urey experiment. Christians and spiritualist like myself also have their obvious origin of the universe – The Creation Story. And apparently the Universalist who’s theory originates from alchemy also have the theory of  Ethereal Elemental Convergence. Which says that, in the beginning, the universe was formed by four elements namely, fire, air, water and earth. How exciting that is. And these four energies are what we term – The element of Science.” Maggie said and paused a little.

“In ending todays lecture, all that I like to say is that, archaeology is a science. It incorporates many techniques of science like, X ray - crystallography, atomic and nuclear physics, radiocarbon dating, atomic spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and statistical mechanics which is more geared towards cryptology. Next week we will look at the sacred origin of Archaeology, which dates back, back to the B.C in early Mesopotamia. So, if there are no questions, then class is over, and see you all next week.”

Maggie smiled as most of the students quickly rose to their feet and started exiting the lecture hall. Immediately, the lecture was done, Philip emerged at the door. It was as if Philip knew the exact time Maggie would finish lecturing. Maggie saw her husband and she immediately knew the reason he had come to see. Philip beckoned Maggie he was waiting for her as she packed her books and walked up to him. They walked on as Philip started the conversation.

“Interesting lecture I guess?” Philip said with his head opposite the face of Maggie. Maggie did not reply. “If you do not want me around, I can go back.” Philip said this time turning to face her wife. Philip saw the sadness in her eyes. It was apparent she was happy to have him around.

“No, it’s okay Phil, thanks for passing by. Just that I think it’s high time we talked about what you actually came here for.” Maggie said. Philip nodded his head to that.

Minutes later, they were sat in Maggie’s office. After the encounter with the g**g boys the whole family had been stunned by the fact that their mother and wife also had some special abilities -- powers. Kwesi was the most surprised of all. Abena had grown to lover her mother more. Yaw was finally relieved of the notion that, he was not alone. And now Philip was bothered since he had little knowledge of what was happening to their family. But he also believed he may also have special abilities with respect to the dream he had had some days ago. From his personal resolve, Philip felt it was high time he told her wife, so she did not feel like she was the only weird one. 

“The last time, the road encounter with the g**g boys. I like you to know it was never your fault. So please stop blaming yourself for what you do not understand yet.” Philip set the conversation in motion.

“I have no idea, what happened. I acted out of desperation and fear. I thought the guy had shot Abena so and I screamed and shouted, like any terrified person in shock would do.” Maggie said.

“I know.” Philip retorted quickly. “Who ever thought what we were thinking was a plight of Abena and Kwesi could also come from you. Now we know what are children are going through, just like what happened to you the other day.”

“I am still not happy with what happened. I am still not over it Phil. What on God’s green earth is happening to us?” Maggie inquired.

“Like Kwesi will say – powers. Which is a very weird notion. But is the reality for us. Though what happened did not come as a comfort, I believe it was a great occasion for you to discover this hidden ability you possessed.”

“You call these weird thing hidden abilities?” Maggie replied almost livid. “Yes, it is Maggie. You have powers, you should be proud of that.” Philip said.

“I do not have any powers. I am not proud of what happened at least until I get to the bottom of what ever happened.” Maggie replied.

 “The kids were excited, so am I. And I think you should too.”

“You do not understand it Phil, do you?” Maggie chortled and stood to her feet and turned to face the window. She was still pessimistic with what was happening.

“You know; I did not come here only to talk about you. I also came here to tell you something I should have told you years ago.” Philip said. Maggie was still quiet still facing Philip with her back.

“I think also may have powers.” Philip said. Maggie quickly turned her head in surprise and gave Phil a quizzical look. “What do you mean Phil?” Maggie inquired.

“Yes, that is more absurd than yours right? Years ago, I was doing my normal jogging on the road on dawn, and then I suddenly felt a surge of electricity in my veins. And within a twinkle after the energy had gotten to its zenith, I teleported to a different vicinity I do not know at all. It was as if all that was happening was a dream. I thought I was sleep-walking. But some few weeks ago, the same incident replayed in a dream I had. And everything was the same and clearer like when it happened.” Phil explained.

“Am I supposed to just believe that or accept that?” Maggie retorted totally skeptical. “I have the powers of teleportation while you possess the powers of telekinesis.” Philip explained to Maggie.

“Are you serious Phil?”

“Yes, putting all superfluity aside and upholding candor. I am telling you the truth Maggie. I never thought it was a serious thing, when is happened many year ago. But then when it mysteriously re-appeared in my dream, I sat down to think as I tried connecting it to what had happened to Abena, and Yaw and yourself. That is when I knew it was all connected Maggie. You are not the only one with these powers – as you do not like us to call it that. But the truth is, I also have them.” Philip said. Maggie looked on tensed and a little satiated.

“You also have powers like me, Abena and Yaw. It runs in the family. Oh my God, what is this?” Maggie cried. Philip quickly moved his seat closer to Maggie and curdled her in his arms.

“Do not cry Maggie. Why should you even, this is not a curse of some kind of evil omen. It’s a gift, if we could call it that.” Philip said.

“A gift we also gave to our kids. Meaning Kwesi will also have powers?”

“Yes and No. But he seemed to be okay. He has not shown any signs of having any powers.” Philip replied.

“So, it is in the family. It’s congenital.” Maggie theorized. “mmmmh, we can say that. We are not so sure yet, but we need to find out.” Philip replied. 

“Yes, we have to. Because I do not know what is happening to this family. Whatever this power is, I hope it’s a good thing?” Maggie said and left herself in the arms of her husband.

“I promise we will get to the bottom of this. I promise.” Philip assured her wife.