MULATTO (Iyila) (Editing)

chapter two ~ Dedicated to ScarletDust16227

ALONE

"Iyila - Iyila - Iyila," Mary recklessly called, tears, streaming down her face like spring water as she ran into the room where Iyila lay, almost lifeless. Rushing to Iyila's side, she roughly grabbed her by the shoulders.

"No, no, ya hav'ter wake up" she whispered, rashly shaking Iyila's shoulder, with the hope that Iyila would move.

"Ya ken dah. Iyila, yah ken dah, ha still nee' ya, pleaz."

"No!" she squealed.

Iyila didn't move but Mary was not willing to give up, she continued to shake her, begging her to wake up. She couldn't believe it, she couldn't believe that Iyila would die, that she could die! She hadn't believe it when Rose had whispered it to her back at the farm. That which Mr Amos had planned to do. She had initially not taken it serious when another fellow slave had informed her of the rumour - which was no longer a rumour. Rose had confirmed it, because she had eavesdropped on Mr Amos' conversation with the senior overseer before he left for a place Charleston.

Back at the farm she had received two lashes for being too clumsy. Her breathing had increased after Rose gave her the news. She had been restless, devastated, and deeply grieved. She had been filled with curiosity to know if Iyila was still on the plantation or dead. For that reason she could not wait for the wagon, which was conveying the slaves back to the plantation, to halt before hoping off. When she finally saw the plantation, and like a mad woman she ran all the way screaming "Iyila!" Not even minding Mr Bow, one of the slave lookouts who yelled at her to stop. She knew that she would receive some lashes, however she could care less. They could, if they so wish, add it to the twelve lashes that she had already accrued for not picking the stipulated amount of cotton.

What a cruel man Amos was! It was bad enough that he had almost killed Iyila, and now to dispose her body if she didn't recover before he returned from his travels. Mary shook her head in disbelief. Iyila been thrown away like a sick hog! She flinched at this thought. Tearfully caressing Iyila's forehead she whispered, "God pleaz don' ta'e Iyila from us, pleaz don ta'e ha away from me, she's all ha have".

Mary finally laid Iyila down. In silence and disbelief she gazed at Iyila's almost lifeless body. She quickly wiped off some tears on her cheek and slowly reached out to touch Iyila's hand but dove into uncontrollable sobs the moment her palm touched Iyila's. Reluctantly, she pulled away and covered her mouth as her sobs began to increase.

"O God" she tearfully murmured, burying her face in her frail muddy palm. "O pleaz pleaz Iyila ya have ter wake up" she whispered as her cries echoed in the empty room.

"Fave yers Iyila, ya ken go now, ha I nee' ya," she murmured in sobs. She was breathing hard and her shoulders moved with the rhythm of her cries.

Just then she heard someone whisper "Sarabi". Fearfully she surveyed the room but there was no one in sight. For a moment she concluded that it was her thoughts but again she heard the voice. This time it was a little bit louder. With her heart in her mouth, she slowly spun her neck to Iyila's direction, hoping it to be true.

"Sarabi, Sarabi" Iyila weakly whispered, quietly sobbing.

Mary gasped, and moved closer to her, "ya..ya..ya is up?" she doubtfully whispered for fear that she might be dreaming.

"I am sorry" Iyila gruffly whispered, Mary noticed that she was crying, perhaps she was talking to someone.

"Iyila, Iyila, wake up, tiz me yo frend, Mary" she excitedly said, slightly shaking Iyila.

"I am sorry, I am sorry that I allowed him to hurt you, you have to please forgive me"

"No Iyila, ya should wake up, wake up, wake up, before da devil come." Mary desperately sang in one breath. She tried to wake Iyila but the girl kept muttering to herself. Out of desperation, Mary pinched her cheek, in the vain attempt bring her to reality, she tried again but with more strength.