Swell (Complete)

Chapter Thirty-Four (Part Two)

"What are you so scared of?
Judgements not unfair.
It's what we've learned to see."

....

Adora hesitated at the door of their motel room for a few moments before she realised the Taylors were waiting for her to be inside safely.
Debbie looked up from a magazine as she waved out the window and the Taylors disappeared.
"You lied. You actually lied to police." Was the shaky sentence that escaped her mouth first.
Debbie bit her lips and looked down, she closed the magazine and nodded. "I know." Her voice was croaky and as Adora moved to the bed next to Debbie's she saw streaks down her face.
Had she already berated herself for lying?
"I was stupid, so stupid, I can't believe I didn't see how insane it was to lie then. I was so caught up trying to lock Tom in, that I didn't even consider that what I was doing was illegal."
Had Adora even realised that until now? She couldn't remember.
"I broke the law, and it could have let Brett's attacker stay free and uncaught." Debbie buried her face in her hands and Adora froze on the bed as she saw her old friend's shoulder's shaking with sobs.
"What have I done? Adora? I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. How could I have done that?"
Adora couldn't move. "I don't think it was Tom, if that helps..."
Was all she could manage; she wanted to go over to the other bed and comfort Debbie, she had no reason to do it but for their past, yet she couldn't make the move closer.
Did she think it was Tom?
Did she believe it was Gus?
"Are you going to tell the police the truth?"
"I want to, but I'm scared, will they charge me for it? What do they say on TV?" Debbie pulled her face from her hands and Adora felt her heart sinking at the genuine fear on Debbie's face.
"Obstruction of justice?"
The uncertain tone on her voice made Debbie whimper and buried her face again. "Oh, God, Adora."
Finally Adora moved over to the other bed and gingerly wrapped her arms around Debbie's shoulders. She felt the trembling as Debbie turned into the embrace and broke down.
Adora closed her eyes and tried to be present in the moment. She was here, comforting someone that had endangered her and Brett for the sake of a new boy, a new relationship.
She should be angry, she should be furious, but she couldn't remember seeing Debbie so distraught, ever.
"We'll figure something out, Deb." The words shook as they left her lips, and she gently stroked Debbie's long, blonde hair, much like she had done with Marti's at the funeral.
"I'm so sorry." Debbie shook her head against Adora's neck. "I fucked up."
Adora's phone beeped in her bag and she let go of a deep breath, partly glad to have the excuse to leave Debbie's bed.
She moved slowly back to her own bed and took her phone from her bag.
A frown creased her forehead when she saw the message from Gus.

'I miss you, come back to me.'

______

Who are your suspects?

If you've made it this far to the story, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts or characters and the plot.
Also want to let you know... I've plotted the ending, and we're not too far!