EVERY DEVIL'S MARIA

Chapter five

District eight

Debra tried to gasp for air as the waves crashed in.They whirled around and tried to drown her.The only thing keeping her afloat was the bubbly dress Rosa had woven for her.

Rosa.

Panic filled Debra as she swam to look for her friend.

The waves grew fiercer.They crashed against her face leaving her chocking and cold.

Desperately she swam to find Rosa.

A shrill scream echoed.The wind hollowed and for a moment Debra thought she was imagining it.

Then another shrill scream followed.

Debra swam faster.By some miracle the waves paved way for her.She saw a flash of color in the waters.

"Rosa!"She cried out as she flapped her arms and legs through the water.

"Over here"Rosa yelled over the waters.Debra swam faster until her arms felt numb.Partly from the cold wind and the muscle strain.

As she swam the waves closed in on her.Time and time again she was sunk under.When she came to she saw rosa there and there.

She increased her velocity towards the red color in the distance.

Her efforts paid off.As she closed in she saw rosa's face clearer.Rosa was fighting against the waves.They buried her but she managed to rise up once more.

Debra rushed in to her just as another wave crashed in.

She was flung across the water.Her chest compressed as she swallowed the water.Her eyes stung from the sea water.

The feeling of dread coursed in as she felt death try to grip her.

"Debra!Debra!"

The shrill scream of her name woke her from her dazed.

With a impulse determination she rose from the water.

It took a minute to think clearly.

A red frock was flung across her neck.

Debra disentangled it and looked frantically for the owner.

The waves blinded her.No matter how hard she tried to look they closed in.

She let out a cry of despair.

"Rosa!"

**

Marlon placed the cool clothe against Debra's forehead.It was the least he could do.She had a high fever.Ever since the previous night when she had woken up sweating and trembling.

She was getting better but still ,he felt helpless when she was this sick.

She was usually a picture of health.He realised how attached he was to her . Seeing her this weak did terrible things to him.

He had long stopped to deny it.Seven years ago he had fallen for Debra Maria Delgado.It looked like it would stay that way forever.

"She was my best friend"

Marlon abruptly turned to Debra.He had not seen her wake up.

"Hey"He whispered as he tenderly ran a finger across her cheek.

Debra crumbled.Tears streamed down her cheeks.Her body trembled as sobs wrecked her body.

Marlon eased into the bed and held her in his arms.

For a long time Debra cried.

When she was spent she lay peacefully in Marlon's arms.

"I cried all over you"She whispered.

"I don't mind at all.You can cry all you want if it means you will get better"

"How is Susanna?"She asked.

"She is okay.Do you know she is acquainted with Bombani? Her mother was Bombani's woman back in the day.Theresa.She used to be one of your call girls "

Debra sat up.

"Theresa the red head?"

"Yes.Suzzie told us that her mother died shortly before they were brought to the colony"

"But we were told that Theresa's children were taken by some close relatives."

"They lied.There is some trade going on.Mysterious disappearance of children and teens from across the country has become a regular thing.Suzzie confirmed that Rosa and her weren't the only ones taken.There has been a constant sighting of children in the colony."Marlon said.

" Whoa.That's alot.I bet Sussana is happy to find someone she knows.I can only imagine how affected she is by rosa's death."

"She will be okay.So will you"Marlon said as he planted a kiss on the side of her mouth.

"Marlon"Debra breathed as the fiery feeling Marlon used to awake in her returned.If he kept on with his kisses she would be hotter.And it would have nothing to do with her fever.

Then she remembered her children and she reversed as quickly as she had sunk under his dark eyes.

Marlon sensed the change in her and sat up.

"What's wrong?"He asked.

Debra's mind raced as she remembered what had happened the last time she lost herself to him.The hurt after learning about his wife and sons.Raising their children by herself because he had gotten exiled.

"Maria?"Marlon inquired with concern.

Debra awoke from her daze.

"Where is Hannah?."

Marlon felt as if he had been splashed with ice cold water.He contemplated lying to Debra.Then thought better of it.Seven years were enough to gather alot of information.

After a tug of war between his head and his heart he came undone.

His tongue tied up in his throat.

"Do you know she tried to throw me from the top floor of Hotel Capacabana?. I don't want to risk that ever again"Debra said.

Marlon turned to see if she was joking around.

She was gravely serious.

"I'm sorry.I should have told you-"

"Save it.Just don't get me in trouble.I don't want to grow through the pain again"Debra said.

Hard as she tried,Marlon saw the hurt she subdued in her eyes.

Marlon groaned in defeat.Explaining to her how things were between Hannah and him was like reharshing the art of law and order to the Al shabaab.

But he saw the broken look on her face and felt terrible .

"Hannah is dead to me.She left my life since that time I fell for you.I divorced her when I was exiled."

"Marlon-"

"And,She was the one who sold me out .How do you think I can ever be with someone who would do that to her own husband?"

Debra shut up.She had absolutely no idea.The hate that dripped from Marlon's voice made her tremble slightly.She would have hated to be on the receiving end.

"I love you Maria.I never stopped loving you."Marlon whispered.

I love you too.

Debra never said the words out loud.She knew if she did there was never going back.Marlon was a possessive man.If she let him in she would involve Malcolm and Maria.

As it was she was tempted to tell him.Yet something held her back .

"Thank you for avenging Kalia."Marlon said.

"That was not my intention.Icar messed with Luzma.And he tried again with me.I just have an intense interest to kill slimes like him"Debra said with a smile.

Marlon laughed.

"Yeah I know.You did quite a number on The butcher."

"I couldn't forgive myself if he kept assulting Susanna"She said.

"Suzzie will be okay from now onwards.We are devicing a plan to get her back to civilization.She has no chip so it might be easier"

"You think it's a good idea?"

"Yes.The colony is no place for a child"

"I agree"Debra said.

"Irina told me you also got rid of your chip.You know what that means right?"Marlon asked.

Debra nodded.She would be able to leave the colony.Not having a chip meant she was dead.

"Do you want to ever leave?"Marlon reluctantly asked.

He would hate it if she left.

Debra thought of how much she would love to go back to her children.But then she would be a fugitive of the law if caught unless she moved to another country that was not ruled by The Atlantic rules.And there was that little part of her that loved being with Marlon a little too much.

"I don't know"She eventually answered.

"It's good to not know.All I know is that I'm grateful I get to spend more time with you"Marlon said.

He meant every word.

Debra smiled as she felt the warmth of his adoration.She realised that she was grateful too.Even though she was currently sick and had lost a loved one ,she could still stand proud.

Marlon was her source of strength.

"Thank you.I know that here with you my days will be better"She said.

"I love you"Marlon whispered once again.

That thought helped her sleep.

***