Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  "Oh, I am and I will," Tamarius reassured him, his head bobbing in a fervent nod.

  "Good, I’m sure she’s in good hands. Well, nice talking to you, Tamarius. I will see you soon. Now pass me my daughter again."

  "Okay, nice talking to you, too." He handed the phone back to Makayla.

  "Kay," Fa said. "Listen, the orphanage your cousin Tia runs is having some problems."

  "What problems?"

  Fa’s loud exhale and inhale told Makayla of the stress he was under. "What happened, Pops?"

  "Look, the other day Tia came by to see me and she was real shook up. She told me the children were waking up with scratches and bruises on their skin."

  "Oh my goodness, Daddy..." Makayla headed for the front door.

  Tamarius stepped ahead of her and open the door for her, following closely behind as she walked out. He looked at Makayla who’d stopped and stood next to a large cement column as she continued to speak with her father. He could tell by the heavy slope of her shoulders and the tight clenching of her fist that the call was very serious.

  He waited patiently for her to get off the phone and when she walked up to him and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, he welcomed her into his arms as she rested her head on his chest. He offered her a gentle hug and planted a kiss on top of her head. "Something bad must have happened. You rarely come to me." He forced a smile.

  Makayla looked up at him. "Not true."

  "Not important. What happened? What did your father say?"

  "Remember my cousin Tia," Makayla began.

  "Yeah, the one who takes care of those kids in Saint James."

  "She got hurt pretty bad. She just got out of the hospital. The doctors couldn’t do anything for her. She’s in some kind of catatonic state and..."

  Tamarius was speechless. He gently pushed Makayla back to look into her eyes. She was crying as she continued to speak.

  "My dad said the only word that came out of her mouth was the name of a demon."

  "What... what's the name?" Tamarius asked trying to control the sudden rage he felt building up inside.

  "I don't ..."

  "Don't say the name. Just tell me what his job is." Tamarius knew that many demons’ names should not be repeated.

  "He is a major one sent to seek, destroy and kill God's chosen children. Tamarius, I have to go back home. Those children are in danger. It's only a mater of time before he finds the one he is looking for. In the meantime he will be trying to reap their souls."

  Without another word Tamarius pulled out his cell phone and called his pilot. He arranged for them to leave soon. He pulled Makayla into his embrace. Feeling her hands around him seemed to calm him down as he whispered to her, "Everything is going to be alright. We can do this together."

  Cressida

  Maxwell softly laid a passed out Cressida on his royal king size bed. Being worried about her, he knew sleep would not come to his eyes if she were out of his sight. He slowly slipped her shoes off and pulled the sheets over her. He then stood up and walked over to the sofa lounge chair he had in the corner of his room.

  Looking over at the sofa chair Maxwell knew his slender six foot four frame would not fit comfortably on that couch. He shook his head and complained, "It’s going to be a very long night." He pulled off his jacket and kicked off his shoes before heading to the shower.

  Cressida slept fitfully in the strange bed. She kicked the sheets off and swung her arms wildly into the air as though fighting off some unseen enemy. In the middle of an intense nightmare, she felt the tug and tear of her skin as hideous creatures pulled and grabbed at her from every direction causing her body to twist and turn from the intense pain. In the background she could hear her name being called repeatedly by a voice that could only be described as demonic. It droned on and on in a register so low, she could feel its vibration. Cressida could smell the putrid odor of rotting flesh, and she coughed and gasped for air as a demon pulled her by her hair and yelled, "You are mine!"

  Soaked in sweat and screaming at the top of her lungs, Cressida sat up. Her screams pierced through the gentle gurgling of water and startled Maxwell. Naked and dripping, he jumped out of the shower, grabbed a towel and quickly wrapped it around his waist as he ran out to the bed. He knelt beside her as she sat erect, her hands balled into tight fists while she continued to scream hysterically.

  “Cressida!” he shouted. He took a hold of her arms and shook her. “Cressida.”

  Her screams diminished until they were just woeful whimpers. Cressida's eyes flew open and she broke down in tears.

  Maxwell held her against his wet skin. “It’s alright. You’re alright, Cressida. You’ve had a bad dream, but it’s all over now. You’re safe.”

  Cressida gained control of herself and pulled away from him.

  "Maxwell? What am I doing here?" she asked looking around the room.

  "Yeah, what is going on? I literally caught you falling off a bar stool."

  "Damn, I'm sorry. It's so unprofessional of me. I should go," Cressida said as she started to throw the sheets back.

  "No, you are in no condition to drive and you still haven't answered my question."

  Cressida looked at Maxwell as if she’d never seen him before. His soft curly hair, beautiful grey eyes and charismatic smile seemed to entice her. Maybe I’m still drunk, she thought as flashes of him kissing her ran through her mind. "Maxwell, it's a long story and I don't want to waste your time. I will be okay."

  He leaned back against the headboard as he sat next to her. "Do you remember back in the days when we used to be friends? When your brother went off to med school he asked me to watch over his baby sister."

  "He did not," Cressida argued.

  "Yeah, he did. You mean a lot to him. I know he would have been upset if he’d seen you earlier today."

  Cressida bowed her head, feeling shameful for having lost her grip. "I don't know what happened to me. Just stress, I guess," she mumbled.

  "That scream was not stress, Cressida. Something is wrong. Talk to me. I can help you. You’ve always been my friend first and if I have to lose you as a lawyer to help you, I will."

  Cressida looked up at him and smiled. "Okay, but you need to put some clothes on before something happens. I’m a drunk, single woman... you do the math."

  "Wow, you never made me feel like the victim before," Maxwell said with a teasing smile. He stood up. "Of course, I wouldn't mind if you did." He curled his lips into the most deliciously wicked smile.

  Cressida's eyes lit up with an erotic flame as she brought her hands to her heated cheeks. "You better get out of here and put some clothes on." She laughed and threw a pillow at him. A chill ran down her spin as she watched his muscles flex and contract as he blocked the pillow.

  “Fine, fine.” He jumped off the bed, walked into his closet and threw on pajama bottoms. He was drying his hair when he walked out of his closet and saw Cressida sitting up and preparing to put her shoes on. With an easy and casual stride, he walked to the bedroom door and locked it.

  "What is your problem today?" Cressida asked with a nervous laugh.

  "For some reason I don't want you to go, at least not until you tell me what is happening with you."

  "Is this what you call dressed?" Cressida pointed to his pajama pants.

  "I'm not going anywhere and neither are you."

  "Look, I don't know what you want from me, but I have a sickness with you Martinez men, and right now I'm on the twelve step program to rid myself of the disease. You are not helping."

  "I'm a disease now?" Maxwell laughed.

  "All of you are. Look at Mei and Makayla. Those poor chicks need to be put in rehab and brought back to reality. No man can love any woman like that. It's just not in them. I will not be another one of the Martinez's victims, thank you very much." Cressida got to her feet and headed for the door.

  Maxwell stood in front of the door with his hand on the doorknob.

  "Look, if you want to le
ave, I will have the limo take you home. You don't like me and I understand that. I know you had a thing for my brother and I'm not as dashing as he is...whatever…, but you really need to tell me why I found you so drunk tonight. Talking about the twelve steps, I know all about it. If you’re not careful, Cressida, you could lose everything, everything you’ve worked so hard for. Your father didn't make it easy for you to reach the position you’re in. Don't throw away your dream."

  Every word he said rang true and captured her attention. She knew he was right. "My father," she mumbled and walked back to the bed to sit down. She reflected on their conversation earlier that day. She felt manipulated by her father and knew it was a mistake agreeing to take the Blake Carter case.

  Maxwell came to sit beside her. "Your father? Did he do something?"

  "He forced me to take this... this case for a client. I just can't bear to even think about it. You would think my father would know better than to have me take this case. He cares more about his company and making money than he does about how I feel."

  "You don't have to take a case that makes you feel uncomfortable."

  Cressida shook her head. "I know, but he made me feel like I had to. It broke my heart today. I know all about manipulation. I’m a lawyer, but when someone you love and respect uses that kind of tactic on you... well, I just wasn't prepared for the emotional blow I received. I found myself agreeing to what he wanted. I just wanted to get out of there, away from him and his pirate attitude."

  “Pirate?”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “His idea of a joke.”

  "What is the case about?" Maxwell leaned in closer, eager to show his concern for her situation.

  "Do you remember the guy who raped and killed those children?" Cressida began gently weeping.

  Maxwell wrapped his arm around her. "Yes."

  "I have to defend him. He's claiming insanity and saying he didn't do it." She cried.

  Maxwell rubbed her back as she spoke. "That man is not insane, he’s just evil," he spat.

  "I know and I just can't do it. Maxwell, what am I going to do?" Cressida sat up straight and looked at him.

  Maxwell looked into her eyes, her pupils began to dilate. He didn’t realize when they began to kiss. Cressida slowly ran her nails against his bare skin. Chills ran up his spine and across his body as he reached for her, pulling her closer, pulling her shirt out of her skirt and ripping off the buttons. They laughed as Cressida took off her shirt and threw it on the floor.

  "Are you sure you want to do this?" Maxwell whispered.

  "I don't want to think about it right now. Whatever happens, happens?" she whispered back.

  Maxwell smiled as he kissed her again, sliding off the remainder of their clothing. He paused for a moment as he gently glided his hands along the sides of her breasts to her thighs.

  "Perfect," he whispered.

  "You don't have to lie."

  Maxwell gazed at her. "I don't have to lie. Deep down I've always liked you, I just assumed I wasn't your type."

  "I would never have guessed that you liked me. You always seemed so caught up in your..."

  "I know. I kind of shut myself down for a while." Maxwell lay back on the bed.

  Cressida leaned over him and ran her fingers through his hair as she kissed him softly. Running her fingers over his chest and below his belly button, she lightly glided her nails across his waist.

  Overwhelmed with passion, Maxwell pushed her back onto the bed and made love to her.

  Deception

  Max chased Uriel up and down the corridors, playing with the tireless boy. It was a last attempt to wear out the boy’s abundant energy. Max had let him sleep most of the day, a move he now regretted and was paying for. He looked at his watch. It was minutes to six in the evening. "Okay, little man, it's time for dinner and for us to see Momma," Max said as he picked him up.

  "Mama!" Uriel yelled as he clapped excitedly.

  "Yeah, Daddy can get a break!" Max laughed and swung him into the air.

  Max walked back into his dorm room and grabbed his cell phone. He then remembered that cell phones didn’t work on this island and set it back on the desk. He packed up his son's baby bag and headed to the campus cafeteria where Mei was waiting.

  Mei walked into the cafeteria feeling rested. The campus was beautiful and exotic. It looked like most of the campus had been designed to look as if it were a tropical paradise. The cafeteria was designed to look like a huge, open bamboo hut.

  Mei found a large round wooden table that stood close to the entrance so that she wouldn't miss Max as he came in. She looked around the cafeteria. It was busy with students who rushed in and out, their gazes distant as though trapped in their own little worlds. The college enrolled a variety of students. Mei was happy to see people from all over the world proudly displaying their heritage through their clothing. She was amazed at how they kept this a secret for so long.

  She looked down at her clothes. The day was hot and she’d decided to where a simple white tank top and light blue layered mini skirt with flip flops. Mei fanned herself as she looked around for a cooler place for them to sit.

  "You are hot."

  Mei turned to the sound of the unfamiliar voice. A slim man in his early twenties was walking up to her with a tray of food.

  “I’m Samuel Peters,” he said.

  Mei offered him only a blank stare.

  “I’m a sophomore here at King Solomon University. You new?”

  He looked to be about six feet tall and, although he wasn't overweight, she could tell he’d never set foot in a gym. Mei narrowed her eyes in disgust and turned away. Surely if she ignored him he’d walk by and leave her alone. He didn't get the not so subtle message and placed his tray next to her. Mei glared at him as if he were crazy.

  "I'm sorry, is this seat taken?" he asked.

  "Yes," Mei snapped. She turned to look at the entrance. She jumped to her feet as she spotted her son walking in. Max had dressed him in jean shorts and a white tank top. Mei ran to him, picking him up and kissing him all over.

  Max smiled as he watched his wife hugging and kissing Uriel. "Did you get some sleep?" he asked before kissing Mei.

  "Yeah, you?" She already knew the answer.

  "Nooo," Uriel said as if he realized he’d prevented his father from sleeping a second.

  Max laughed. "That's right."

  "L, you didn't give Daddy a break?" Mei laughed.

  "Did you find a table?" Max asked.

  "Yes, but..." Mei turned to see if Samuel was still there. She was relieved to see he’d left.

  "But what?" Max asked.

  "It's hot. Let's sit somewhere cooler like on the outskirts." Mei pointed to a table next to a large open window.

  "Looks good." He headed for the table.

  Mei held Uriel close, whispering into his ear how much she missed and loved him. They sat down on the bench and Mei went through Uriel's baby bag to find his formula. "Babe, can you get some hot water?" she asked Max as she handed him an empty bottle.

  "Yeah, what do you want to eat?"

  "Chicken salad and a Sprite."

  "Okay, be back."

  Mei laughed and played with her son while Max took some time ordering their food. She noticed a couple with a little girl approaching her. The young man and woman both smiled at Mei and gestured to the space next to her. "You can take it." Mei said.

  "My name is Karen Howard and this is my two-year old bundle of joy, Lily Smith. This guy over here is my fiancé, Calvin Smith."

  “Hi, this is my son, Uriel. My name is Mei and my husband, the guy walking towards us, is Max," Mei said quickly standing and putting Uriel to stand on his feet as she walked over to help Max with the trays.

  Max smiled at Karen and her family as he sat down. He nodded to Calvin recognizing him from the dorm room across from his. "So this is your wife?" Max asked.

  "No, well, not yet. We get married next year," Calvin replied.

  Kar
en looked at Calvin, obviously offended by the way he’d answered the question.

  Calvin seemed to not even notice her cold stare.

  "So, Lily, meet Uriel." Mei said talking to Karen's little girl.

  "Uriel? Isn't that the name of an angel?" Karen asked.

  "Yeah, it is," Max replied.

  "Wow. When I was pregnant with Lily I was told to name her after an angel in a dream, but I didn't think it was real so I didn't do it. I figured I’d just eaten something bad that night or something," Karen said nonchalantly.

  Max and Mei sat there in shock. They couldn't understand how someone could get a message from God and not take it seriously.

  "Karen is now learning about the spiritual. Please forgive her ignorance," Calvin said to a speechless Max and Mei. "Honey, can you get us something to eat?" he asked Karen as he gently rubbed her back.

  Karen got the hint and handed him Lily before silently walking off to get some food.

  "It's okay, we understand. When Max and I got together we didn't know what was going on." Mei laughed, visibly trying to ease the tension.

  "I come from a family that is really serious about spiritual warfare and it's hard for me because she isn't," Calvin explained.

  Max didn’t know how to respond to his statement and judging by the stunned expression on Mei’s face, neither did she. Everything came so naturally to them. After a long, uncomfortable pause, Max simply nodded and changed the subject. Being a typical man, he figured he’d bring up sports. It was killing Max that there was no football at this school. "What sports do you play?" he asked.

  "Football, well I mean soccer. My family is from Aruba. I was born in America."

  "Yeah? My father is from Trinidad." Max said with a smile.

  "I have some family there." Calvin laughed. "What a small world."