The Manifest

°•6•°

It did not take long for the news of Jessica Shey's death to travel. It shook the small town. When Eesha thought she had too much, this news topped it, she did not know how to react. She was too weak to think but the knowledge kept bouncing in the walls of her head.

I was right? I was right! I was right, huh.

Maria's beady eyes were wide open. Her hands were shaking, the notepad she always carried around fell down.

Eesha read the first word, picture and that caught her attention. She picked up the notebook. There were words around connected by lines and a big question mark in the middle.

Dad's painting, same faded picture, the stranger? What is in the note?

Eesha wondered too, Maria's connection made her wonder.

"Should we burgle Ma-"

"Eesha this is BAD" Maria said holding Eesha by her shoulders forcing her to look into glassy eyes.

"Yes-"

"No, Eesha you don't get everyone- Oh Lord! You'll be the main suspect after today ha-" Then Maria drew back her hand as if shocked. She squeezed her eyes shut and took in a deep breath.

"D-did you do it?"

Maria's voice was small, Eesha almost did not hear her.

"What?!" The shock made every weakness vanish. Maria opened her eyes. "You think I killed her? Maria! Me? I friggin' came to tell you she- she-"

"I don't know, I don't know Eesha I'm confused-"

"SO AM I!"

"it's just after what-"

"And do you think I had any control over what happened?" Eesha's nose was flaring. She stood up from the bed. It was outrageous. Eesha was angry that Maria had every to doubt her. It just had to be Jessica.

It is true, it was actually bad. Eesha should've been scared of what was going to happen to her, what people will think... She found she did not really care.

Deep down she had this assurance that she was going to be fine. The front door opened with a bang.

"EESHA!" Joy said.

"EESHA!"

Eesha marched out of the room to meet her elder sister and two police officers. An old man and a young woman whose face was contorted into a nasty glare that it made her look a decade older. The older man got Eesha's attention, his eyes were red and tired, his face wrinkled and hard with experience. She could see the resemblance. Jessica's father.

I am in trouble.

"You are under arrest for the murder of Jessica Shey. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do we'll be addressed in the court of law" The woman said and pulled on Eesha's wrist forcing them back.

"She did not do it" Maria said. "She is innocent "

"Maria!" Joy gasped. "You saw her threatening Jessie today, she was going to kill her at that spot, if not because she-"

"And she remained unconscious, she never left this house-"

"SHE DID NOT HAVE TO LEAVE!"

"SHE WARNED YOU!"

"WHERE ARE YOU TAKING MY DAUGHTER" The cuffs were on Eesha's wrist and she was being pulled out. Mama blocked the way. Her wrapper loosing at the side but she did not care.

Ma Oré was behind her, hiding Maya and Baby from the scene.

"Madam we'll have to ask you to move"

"YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH MY DAUGHTER"