BETWEEN WORLDS: BEHIND THE SCENES (CHAPTER 4)
Taking a look back at Chapter 4
After the events of Chapters 2 + 3, it's time to move the story forward and start dealing with the impact of Azeil at Langston Hughes. This time, the perspective comes from Khalil alongside his twin brother Raffiel, who have a different priority than Rashaad, Zahair, or Azeil- they want to eat. Once again, I wanted a perspective that didn't feel heavy to start, whereas Chapters 1 + 3 are a bit heavier in their tone right out of the gate (Chapter 1 with the end of a championship game, Chapter 3 with Azeil taking in his new surroundings).
Obviously, the tension returns (as it does at the end of Chapter 2 when Rashaad sees Azeil at the school) towards the middle of the chapter. Khalil and Raffiel obviously are focused on food and while they've heard some murmurings of someone new (which is one of the times the reader is more in the know than the characters) it doesn't really deter them until they learn that it's Azeil, with Khalil more than miffed about seeing Azeil at their school.
Keep in mind, Azeil didn't do anything to them. He simply played a game. But, what was a game for Azeil was life for those at Langston Hughes, who aren't afforded the same opportunities. For Azeil, while he's uncomfortable being at the school he faced off against in the championship game, this intrusion for Langston Hughes is more impactful because their wound is fresh in their minds. Azeil's wound is completely different though.
The interaction between Khalil and Azeil is fresh and exciting because there hasn't been an interaction we've seen in the novel thus far, but you could say that Khalil is closer to Zahair in the way he views Azeil instead of say someone like Rashaad. Khalil is pained by that game, has nightmare about that game, but Rashaad paints it perfectly -- he goes here now, we need to figure out how to make this work. Rashaad on some level sees an opportunity and if he can get the rest of the team to see that, it's going to be what takes them to the next level.
Of course, then there is Zahair who wants no part of Azeil being here. No surprise based off what we've seen in Chapters 1 + 2 and is going to be a sticking point going forward.
See you tomorrow for Chapter 5.
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