NWKP Backstory
“To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.” Miyamoto Musashi
By S.L. Jordan
She knew from the very beginning, that one day this day would arrive. When they started The Order 23 years ago, they made peace with the fact that it might all end tragically. The cause was worth it.
She thought she had come to terms with it, but those decisions were made before Izola. By young, bright eyed and naïve lawyers – who wanted nothing more than to change the World.
Now, she was a mother. A mother who loved her daughter dearly.
Repeatedly glancing over her shoulder, she hurried down the busied sidewalk to her office. It was a beautiful day, and the neighborhood was taking advantage after a brutal winter. Stoops were crowded, music was blaring, and kids sped by on anything with wheels. Inara loved the energy in Black Bottom Hill- one of the last holdouts in the fight against gentrification, there was so much history within those six blocks. A legacy laid by her ancestors. She stopped in front of the building that held her remote office.
313205 Westmoreland Blvd. One of the first buildings her great-grandfather purchased.
Stepping over the puddle of urine in the vestibule, she hurried up the four flight of stairs. Giving a half-hearted wave to Sister Hastings she slammed the door behind her and turned the deadbolt.
Besides her desk, in a safe in the floor she pulled out a satellite phone and dialed Josue.
“Bonjour” his voice floated through the lines. After all these years, the sound of her husband’s Haitian accent still made her weak in the knees.
She doubled over from the thought, her heart thumped with grief. This might be the last time they spoke.
“It’s time” she said.
The silence was deafening.
She could hear him walk across the plush carpet of his office and close the door.
“Are you sure?” he said as his voice broke.
“Yes. Remember, you mustn’t come. You have to stay there and make sure things are still in place.”
“But, ZoZo –“
“NO!” she interrupted, “you must follow the plan. Nadine will be here with Zo. She will take care of things here.”
“How do you expect me to not come for my daughter?” he asked. There was anger brimming his voice. After the birth of Zo Josue wanted to back away from The Order, to find another way to save the world. A way that wouldn’t take us away from her.
“Josue,” she uttered softly “we know this is the best way to make sure she stays safe.”
“But” he said ….
She slumped down into the chair and looked outside the window. The weight of it all fell on her shoulders as they sat there. Silently. Listening to each other breathe.
“you won’t be here to feel the brunt of her anger” he finished on a sob.
“I know” she whispered.
Author’s Note:
I used to HATE writing backstory- the pieces that do not make it into the final draft, but informed aspects of your character and plot. Inara is my protagonist, Izola, mother. Nightwatcher of Kween’s Port starts ten years after her murder. Decisions were made years before Izola was born that placed her on the path to becoming the Nightwatcher of Kween’s Port.
biSKITs & gravy 