Chapter nine.
1110 Words
Marlon woke up in the wrong side of the bed.
Hannah is gone.
That statement was the first thing he registered in his foggy mind.The house was too quiet.It reminded Marlon of a graveyard.
Come to think of it,he was a dead man standing. What sort of man could let his wife and children cross the border alone?.Him apparently.
He had wanted to go with Hannah.God knows he did.But then came the news of the arrest of Aaron.It was no secret that Marlon would be next.He was a wanted man.He couldn't board any plane,or go by train.The royal government had put a heavy price on his head.
What frightened him more was that his friends had gone MIA on him.Bombino was romored to have disappeared to the South coast.Tohr was in some military center.Kalia was in Italy.
Marlon had moved to his old house in the suburbs.He had dyed his hair black and now sported a beard.
Marlon had never fully grasped the meaning of loneliness until then.He lived for the adrenaline.The excitement.So when the call from bombino came he was more than ready to take on the world.
***
B.B.C World news.
MASSACRE AT EL GRANDE .
Thirty citizens have been taken holstage by the revolutionists at the Grand mall of San Sebastian.The mall was sieged at eleven o'clock this morning.The government is yet to respond.
La la Land,3:00 pm bulletin.
Organ trade is up and running.
Three horrendous videos have been released to the public.Among them are the documents that reveal the involvement of the government in the trade.
Washington DC, World security organization.
Ms.Aida St Patrick,"What we are seeing is traumatizing.The world health organization has already released the vaccine for P.D.V.It is no excuse that greed has made people turn to the red trade.We should take measures to protect the citizens of espania.
By five o'clock,The press ,the world security and the citizens had all gathered at El grande.
Marlon and his comrades couldn't stop smiling as they saw the footage from below ground.The holstages were kept in the sirens room.
All that was left was to demand the release of Aaron.
Among the holstages,Debra sat huddled in a corner.She had never been more scared.She could only imagine what her grandmother was going through if she was watching the news.
Death seemed to be lurking in the shadows.Debra looked at the other hostages.
There were two children.A pregnant woman.A couple of college kids.No elderly present.
Debra did not know what to make of her situation.As it was her bladder was slowly filling up.One more hour and she would be shimming in her panties.
She glanced at the mean faced guards to see if one of them could at least pity her.After a moment of searching she realised she would rather pee on herself than end up with a bullet hole in her head.
A tall guy carrying bags in each hand came strolling in.
"All right.Here is what I want you to do.Pick a satchet.There will be no spoons to avoid any problems."
That voice.It haunted her dreams.She had imagined that voice a couple of times.Her eyes rose to meet the dark orbs of Marlon.
Marlon felt blood rush to his neck.He froze in place as Debra looked at him with a fury that could almost burn him down.He suddenly felt filthy.
A moment later she averted her eyes to the floor.Marlon handed the satchets to the holstages in utter silence.
"Can I use the bathroom . please?"Debra asked.
The guards turned to her with rifles raised.
"I'm okay."Debra muttered hurriedly.
"It's okay."Marlon said as he beconed for the guards to step away."Follow me"
Debra stood to her feet and prayed her bladder wouldn't give in.
"I'm not giving you any explanation "Marlon grumbled as soon they were out of ear shot.
"Can I use the washroom please?"
Rubbing his neck uncomfortably ,Marlon led Debra to the inner building.
The magnitude of what he had done hit him again when Debra got out and stared at him straight in the face.
"I said I'm not explaining myself"Marlon grumbled.
"Can I leave?"Debra asked.
Debra felt fazed as Marlon crossed his arms across his chest.Her eyes involuntarily went to his broad chest.Then down to his thick thighs to his feet encased in black boots.Her grandmother had been right when she said Debra was a magnet for trouble.
Marlon's chuckle pulled Debra from her reverie.
"I am not checking you out"She said in a matter of fact way.
"I did not say you were"Marlon grumbled.
"oh"
Marlon smiled when he saw the blush tainting her cheeks.
"You cannot leave.But we will ensure your safety".He said.
A frown marred Debra's face.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I said I won't explain myself"Marlon huffed.
"You owe me a favor"
Marlon flinched because he knew she was right.
"It's Aaron.He was sold out by some anti' and now he's getting shipped to the colony.The info on the red trade may buy him freedom."
"I heard you the other day.So, it's real?"
"The red trade ,yes.Some high officials hold the reins."
Debra could not say more.It felt selfish but her thoughts went to her grandmother.She could really use a kidney transplant now.
"My grandma.She has P.D.V.I have been looking for a donor to no avail-"
"Debra no.I can't lose a life at the expense of another"Marlon grumbled.
"I wasn't asking for that"
Marlon pulled a shocked Debra into his arms.He couldn't help but feel bad after seeing the broken look on her face.
"I am not weak"Debra sighed.Her heart was beating furiously in her chest.
"Don't ruin the moment,my little ice queen"Marlon grunted."Let me hold you"
Debra did just that.Marlon chided himself for what he was doing.What had happened to the bad blood between his ice queen and him?.All he felt at the moment was peace.After Hannah ,Debra was a gift.
His peace did not last long.
"Marlon ,we have situation"
They both jumped at the sound of a flustered Bombino.
"Hey Debbie,wait.What are you doing here?And when did you two start shagging?"
Debra never moved faster in her life.
***
- Writer
