Hakeem walked into the lobby of the old hotel. It was one of the nicest places in New Orleans. It was called “ Vieilles Ames” and the rooms were victorian style. Hakeem had never met any of his clients at this place and he was very curious to visit this hotel.
Hakeem tried to stay calm and relax before meeting a client. He felt that he couldn’t perform if his nerves bothered him. Most of the cloent couldn’t tell that he was feeling uneasy. The ones who could sense his anxiety didn’t seem to care much.
Hakeem turned 20 two months prior. He had taken care of himself ever since he was 18. He was in foster homes most of his life and even he always felt that he only had himself. That’s who he tended to rely on. Although he found himself relying on someone else a bit more.
Earlier that year Hakeem met Brian. Brian was a successful contractor who was new to New Orleans. Hakeem didn’t care for white men but Brian was a resource. The 30 year old was doing well for himself and he often made that known.
Hakeem always did everything he could to survive. So it was easy for Brian to suggest servicing men for money. Brian would find client’s for Hakeem through out the week and he would meet them at discreet locations. He found it akward the first few times but Hakeem convinced himself that this was his new path. As uneasy as it was he decided to make it work.
Hakeem walked through the lobby and headed toward the elevator. He was observed heavily by staff and guests. Hakeem was 6’1 and he had a swimmer’s build. His eyes were hazel and his cheek bones were high. He had long soft brown dreads that fell down to his back and his skin was the color of rich cinammon. Hakeem always received attention for his appearance. However not many knew the content of his soul.
Hakeem got on the elevator and he hit “6” as he waited. The door shut and the elevator began to rise as he checked his phone. He found it odd that he didn’t hear from Brian. Brian gave him the client’s information the night before. However he didn’t check in or answer his messages.
Hakeem liked to make sure that the clients wired Brian the money. The elevator door then opened as he reached the 6th floor. Hakeem put his phone away and he walked down the hall. He followed the small signs as he made his way to room 606. Hakeem knocked on the tall red door. Then the door and standing there was the most beautiful man he’d ever seen.
Alphonso was bald, 6’3 and he had wide shoulders. He also had a strong chest. He had deep dark skin and perfectly aligned white teeth that he revealed as he smiled.
“Why hello” said Alphonso stepping back “please come in”.
Hakeem walked into the impressive room.
“Hello” he replied as he looked around the large suite. The room had cherry walls and beautiful furniture decorated with small pillows of every color. There was a living room, kitchen and paneled glass doors lead to a bedroom.
Hakeem continued to look around.
“It’s nice isn’t it” said Alphonso putting his hands in his pockets.
Hakeem smiled as he studied the walls.
“Yea it is. The style is pretty old. It has to be the early 1920s?”
“Yes, exactly. That’s impressive you must study interior design”.
“Kind of” said Hakeem as his smile faded “you can say that I guess”.
“That’s pretty awesome,” said Alphonso “please make yourself comfortable”.
Hakeem studied Alphonso and then sat down on the bergundy love seat in the middle of the room.
“I would offer you a drink” said Alphonso “but you’re not old enough to drink now are you?”
“I drink all the time.”
“I get that” said Alphonso “but we won’t be doing that.”
“Ok” said Hakeem “so what will we be doing?”
Alphonso laughed as he walked forward and sat in a red arm chair.
He sat directly across from Hakeem as he crossed his legs.
“What are you into?” Hakeem asked.
“What am I into?” Alphonso answered.
Hakeem was growing curious now.
Alphonso laughed.
“I’m sorry where have my manners gone ? My lord I haven’t even introduced myself. My name’s Alphonso.”
Alphonso reached his hand out toward Hakeem.
“Hakeem” Hakeem said shaking Alphonso’s hand.
Hakeem was pleasantly surprised how cold and soft his skin was.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you” said Alphonso taking his hand back “and what a beautiful name.”
“Hakeem?” Hakeem said unimpressed “it’s a common name.”
“There’s a lot of flowers in a field but they’re all still flowers” said Alphonso smiling.
“I guess” said Hakeem.
“ I always loved that name by the way. It’s arabic and it means ‘wise’ “
“I didn’t know that” said Hakeem impressed.
“Well now you do,” said Alphonso “but yes you asked me a question.”
“Yes” said Hakeem “what are you into?”
“I like a lot of things” said Alphonso “I like men, women, femininity, masculinity, I like what you all call ‘nonbinary’. I just love people.”
Hakeem sat back as he listened.
“I love intimacy” said Alphonso “and quite honestly I do love sex.”
“What kind of sex?”.
Alphonso laughed.
“What?” said Hakeem.
“It’s just — I’m sorry. You’re just so young. And you’re asking me about sex. I don’t typically seek younger men.”
Hakeem’s face was filled with confusion.
“Please don’t be offended” said Alphonso uncrossing his legs “you’re very beautiful.”
“Thank you. But?”
“But I didnt bring you here for sex”.
“That’s why he wouldn’t say what you were into?”
“He? You’re referring to your older friend I presume? Now he left a bad taste in my mouth.”
Alphonso appeared disgusted now.
“Whys that?”
“I’m not sure. He just did. Now back to your question.”
Hakeem was growing impatient as he spoke.
“As far as what I’m into” said Alphonso “I can be pretty kinky, strange, dominant”.
“Strange?”
“Strange. Yes. I sometimes get aroused by things that are strange. Some may find my interests strange.”
“Why is that?”
“Why am I strange?”
“Yes.”
“Well Haleem I’m aroused by blood.”
Hakeem shot up to his feet.
“Oh yeah, no! I’m not into that! Sorry! Sessions over. That’s not what I’m not into at all.”
“Brian did say that. But he said it didn’t matter because you’d do whatever he said.”
“He didn’t say that.”
“He did.”
“You’re lying.”
Alphonso appeared more serious as his tone grew heavy.
“It’s all true” said Alphonso “he sent you here to meet with me even after he found out what I was.”
“Well I’m out” said Hakeem walking around the love seat “ you can find somebody else!”
Hakeem turned away from him and headed toward the door.
As Hakeem made it to the door Alphonso appeared before him faster than his eyes could detect.
Hakeem jumped as Alphonso smiled.
Hakeem yelled as Alphonso’s dark eyes glimmered momentarily
“What the fuck?!”
“I didn’t mean to startle you. If you absolutely want to leave then you can. But if you want to hear one of the best offers of your life, then you can stay. “
Hakeem looked at him as Alphonso stepped aside.
He was breathing heavily at this point.
He had no idea what this man was.
But for some reason he wasn’t sure that he was in danger.
Alphonso smiled even wider revealing his shiny teeth.
“Best offer of my life?”
“I’d like to believe so.”
“Does it involve money?”
“In a way”
“Yes or no?”
“Actually yes.”
“.. Ok.”
“Lets sit” said Alphonso as he walked into the living room.
Hakeem was hesitant as he watched him.
He slowly followed.
Hakeem sat on the love seat again.
Alphonso sat across from him again.
“You’re so young” said Alphonso staring at him.
“You said that already” said Hakeem “and 20 isn’t young”.
“Someone who had to grow up far too early never feels young” Alphonso assured him.
“Well I’m almost old enough to do everything that you can do.”
“And that’s the problem. The lines are far too blurry.”
Hakeem glared at Alphonso.
“But your soul and body remains young. But a pervert will seek to lay with you to get as close to an adolescent as humanly possible. It’s not a crime. But then again most horrible things aren’t.”
“You said you had an offer” said Hakeem growing impatient.
“I did” said Alphonso “I want to offer you something that was once offered to me.”
“And what’s that?” said Hakeem.
“Well I’d have to explained it to you.”
“Ok then explain it” said Hakeem growing curious now.
Alphonso took a deep breath as he began to explain.
“When I was younger I worked hard. I worked tirelessly with no thanks and it’s not like I had a choice. I didn’t have any agency over my life. I was abused, I was spat on, whipped and I’d seen the most unthinkable things.”
Hakeem listened closely.
“I watched everyone leave. I watched entire families suffer under the hands of that white devil. And I was powerless. Until one night . I laid in my bed sleeping in my cabin and I heard a man. I heard him whisper to me. I opened my eyes and there stood a tall slender man. He wore the nicest suit I’d ever seen and he had long curly Black hair that went down his back. His skin was dark as a cold night. He was beautiful and he was a free man, I could tell. His presence had so much power. And his eyes were steady and strong.”
“What did he want?” asked Hakeem.
Alphonso smiled as he answered.
“He wanted to give me a offer I’d never forget. He said he could feel my suffering from miles away. He heard the aching in my bones and the screams that I never let out. He wanted to offer me a new life. He wanted to give me something that I never had before.”
“What was that?” asked Hakeem.
“A choice” Alphonso answered.
“What happened?” asked Hakeem as he was invested in the story.
“I chose Power. I choose a life free of that place. I traveled the world. I’ve seen things and events people wouldn’t believe. I’ve heard beautiful mezzo sopranos sing across a theater until I’ve cried.”
Hakeem stared as they locked eyes.
“My life is my life now. No one else’s. I’m strong, I’m fast, I can hear intentions and feel electricity move through the ends of the earth. I have riches that I pass along every century and I never ever have to worry about anything.”
“And you want to offer that to me?” asked Hakeem.
“I want to offer you the chance to be strong” Alphonso said standing up and pulling Hakeem to his feet.
“I’m offering you the chance to be exceptional” said Alphonso “to be empowered.”
“You want to make me like you?” asked Hakeem.
“Yes” said Alphonso “but better.”
“What do I have to do?” Hakeem asked anxiously.
“You have to be willing to let a piece of you die. For once you have to choose”.
“It’s that easy?”
“Yes.”
Hakeem stared into his eyes and wondered.
The choice was easy and he answered quickly.
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Yes I accept your offer.”
“Then it’s settled” said Alphonso.
Hakeem walked closer to Alphonso and laid his hand on his chest.
Alphonso removed his hand.
“.. I’m sorry” Hakeem said quietly.
“Close your eyes” Alphonso said in a stern tone.
“Is this going to hurt?” asked Hakeem.
“Only for a moment” said Alphonso “now close your eyes.”
Hakeem slowly closed his eyes and Alphonso smiled.
Alphonso took a deep breath as it was time for Hakeem to ascend.
Hakeem stood there in silence as he waited.
Alphonso’s eyes began to shine a bright brown now.
Hakeem continued to stand there as he breathed slowly.
He was ready to accept his offer and to move on to a life better than this one.
Hakeem took one last breath.
Hakeem jumped as he heard a lamp fall over and a gust of air sweep through the room.
He opened his eyes.
Alphonso was gone.
“Alphonso?”
He looked around the empty room.
“Alphonso ?” said Hakeem as he took one more look around.
It was at that moment that he felt played.
Hakeem clenched his jaw as he went into a rage.
“Well fuck you too!” said Hakeem as he walked toward the door and yanked it open.
Hakeem walked out of the room and stomped down the hall toward the elevator.
He was ready to go at that point and he felt that he was the victim of a game.
It was 2:00am and he just wanted to go to Brian’s house so that he could go to sleep.
He made it to the lobby and he stormed outside. He then pulled out his phone to order his ride. When the driver arrived he got in and slammed the door. He ignored the driver as they greeted him just before they took off.
He didn’t know what to make of the experience but he didn’t leave with what he wanted.
Hakeem texted Brian asking why he sent him to meet this strange man.
He noticed that Brian never replied to any of his previous texts.
After a 10 minute ride he made it to Brian’s loft. He got out of the car and slammed the door before heading inside. The driver honked at his rudeness. Hakeem walked into the loft and he saw that his TV was on. He then saw whiskey on the kitchen counter. He observed the living room as loud rock music poured out of Brian’s bedroom.
“Brian?!”
There was no answer.
“You set me up with the strangest fucking person.”
Hakeem glanced around the large loft.
“Brian?!” screamed Hakeem as picked up a remote and shut the TV off.
Music was still blasting uninterrupted from the bedroom.
“Where the fuck did you meet that guy?” asked Hakeem as he walked closer to the bedroom “I need to talk to you now.”
“I want more than half this time” Hakeem said as he got closer to the bedroom door.
Rushing out of the door came Brian’s cat.
Tipper ran as fast as she could.
So fast that Hakeem couldn’t track where she went.
“What the fuck?” said Hakeem as he stared toward the bedroom door.
“Brian your cat is being fucking weird again” said Hakeem “I told you that this bitch is racist.”
Hakeem stopped as he looked at the floor.
There were red paw prints running down the shiny tiles.
Hakeem rushed into the room and immediately screamed in horror.
Brian was pinned to the wall over his bed.
He was held up only by a pool stick.
He wore only a robe and blood covered every surface in the room.
His eyes were open and he hung there as blood dropped on to the bed.
Hakeem got closer as he stared at his lifeless body.
He looked into his blank eyes and he wondered what this meant for him.
Hakeem then heard a notification on his phone.
He pulled out his phone and looked down.
$350,000 was wired into his account.
There was a memo that read “here’s your power — From A.”
Hakeem’s eyes grew even wider and his mouth dropped.
Hakeem looked up from his phone with his mouth ajar.
He took one last look at Brian’s body, the blood on the bed and he screamed at top of his lungs.
But even louder now.
And this time it was a scream of joy.
