004

Blue's POV

What I had expected was, the trial was going to go on forever but to my surprise, it didn't last up to half an hour.

Now, that wasn't the interesting part.

Feebee kept to her promise and I was released on a bail.

Surprised with the outcome of the trial, I couldn't move my feet even after the court session had been declared over.

The previous night, I had already said my last prayer to my maker for a safe sojourn into the world beyond but, that wasn't going to happen anymore.

At this point, I had no idea if I should be happy or sad.

“I told you, I'm going to make sure you're released.” Feebeee’s voiced out, announcing her presence in the process and at once I grabbed her hand.

With tears rolling down my cheeks, I tried to speak but my tongue was heavy so I couldn't move the organ.

“How am I going to repay you?” I asked when I finally found my tongue. “I don't even know you yet you…”

“You were accused wrongly; you don't deserve to be locked behind bars.” She shrugged.

Giving my shoulder a squeeze, she said, “The only way you can pay me is to make sure you don't get involved in any controversy again.” She said and with that, she walked out.

Staring at her departing figure, I allowed tears to keep rolling down my cheeks as I sobbed loudly.

The looks I was getting from the people loitering about didn’t stop me from my continuous sobbing; I was the only one who knew how I felt being vindicated of a crime I didn’t commit.

With the wardens by my side, I was led towards the exit unchained and free.

The moment I stepped out of the courtroom, the reporters who were loitered all over the place clamored forward, all trying to get words from me.

“How does it feel to be cleared of all charges?” The reporters asked, shoving their microphones in my face.

They continued bombarding me with questions while I kept mute.

“The judicial system of the country is messed up.” Becca said on the top of her voice.

Once again, she decided to lead the questioning.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked through my teeth, clenching my hands by my side.

“Because you're a criminal and granting you freedom…”

“I don't know what this is all about but trust me; I'm going to prove to the whole world I’m not guilty and in turn, I will expose the perpetrator.” I snarled.

“How do you intend to do that?” She asked, her lips curving into a predatory grin.

“You are going to be my lead when I start hunting for the perp.” I slammed at her.

After my venomous words, no one said a word. They all stood there, staring at me like I was an alien.

“Let's see.” Becca smacked her lips and in anger, I stormed off.

Becca had done enough already, showing up here to interrogate me again was the height of it.

“Who knows what she is up to?” I pondered.

Halting, I turned around as slowly as I could only to lock eyes with a smiling Becca.

Shaking her image off my head, I proceeded towards the entrance of the court house.

To my disdain, Victor Reece was right in front of the building, his hands tucked in his pockets and as usual, two guards were flanked on both sides.

“How do you feel, walking out of the courtroom in freedom instead of sitting on the electric chair?” He huffed.

Pushing his hands into his pockets, he closed the gap that separated us.

“The government might have pardoned you but not me.” He said through his teeth, giving me a push that made me fall on the floor butt first.

He was already turning to leave when he suddenly halted and with his gaze lingering on me, he said, “For your own good, I don’t want to see you anywhere near my son.”

Having no idea on where to head to, I remained at the entrance of the court house, watching as people went in and out of it.

Using my hair to shield my face, I tried to spot Feebee but she was nowhere to be found.

Soon it was dusk.

With pangs of hunger hitting me, I pulled my feet towards the road.

A distance away, there was a mall and without wasting time, I made my way towards the building.

When no one was looking, I picked up some items from the counter and just the same way I had walked in unnoticed earlier, I wanted to leave but someone stopped me.

Terrified, my heart fell into my stomach with a thud.

“You forgot your change.” The attendant who was behind the table said to me.

At the moment, she was right in front of me with her hand pushed forward.

Declining was my first choice but I couldn't risk it.

“Thank you.” I mumbled and without wasting any more time, I scooted out before she realized her mistake.

Now in the bus stop, I dug into the snacks I had stolen from the counter, relishing every single delicious taste that came in contact with my taste buds.

“This is perfect.” I smacked my lips, digging into the pastry once more.

The food at the prison was good but couldn't match this heavenly taste.

Grabbing the bottle of water by my side, I allowed my eyes to wander around; a decision which I regretted.

Several meters away were men who were dressed in black clothing.

They all looked like the security men I had seen in Caruso's office on the occasion of my visit there.

At first, I told myself it was nothing.

Just paranoia.

Just strangers minding their business.

But then one of them spoke into an earpiece.

“He is going to kill me.” My hands trembled as I placed the half eaten pastry back into its wrapper.

I tried to convince myself that they weren’t here for me.

Maybe they were just security officers.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

And just when I was about to wave the thought off, one of them took a step forward, making my breath hitch against my throat.

Just when I thought all hopes were lost, the bus arrived and immediately, I got on, paying my fare with the money the attendant gave to me.

What made me even more certain that these men were after me was when they began to chase after the bus but it was faster than they were.

Relieved, I fell back on my seat, nibbling on the remaining snacks, trying not to think of anything else.

Fortunately, no one seemed to recognize me on the bus so I was at ease.

Almost drifting off the sleep, the bus suddenly halted and all of us jerked forward in fright.

“Ugh!” I mumbled, wiping my sleepy eyes.

“What's going on here?” The angry voices of the passengers rented the air as strangers began to get on the bus.

One after the other, they checked each passenger.

Just when they were about to get to my seat, a voice commanded, “Burn down the bus instead.”

It seemed like they were waiting for this command as immediately, a match stick was struck and the whole bus erupted in flames.

“I was executed after all.” I muttered, a lone tear rolling down my eyes as I writhed in pain.

The heat became unbearable, scorching my skin as smoke filled my lungs. My vision blurred, and every breath felt like swallowing fire.

Screams echoed in the air, some desperate, some already fading.

My fingers clawed at the seat, searching for something, anything to hold on to but there was nothing.

Was this it?

After everything, was this how I was going to die?

I tried to move, but my body felt sluggish, the weight of exhaustion dragging me down. The pain was too much, my mind slipping between reality and unconsciousness.

Through the thick haze, I caught a glimpse of a figure outside the bus.

And then— the glass shattered.

A rush of cool air hit me, but I was already falling, my body collapsing into the abyss.

The last thing I heard before everything went black was a voice, sharp and commanding, "Get her out now."