CHAPTER 2_ Locked Away

~Arya~

It's been months or probably a year since the demise of Simon but the shock hasn't left me yet. I still couldn't wrap my finger around what happened in that room that day.

According to the CCTV footage presented on the day of my hearing, I was seen approaching Simon's room with a knife and the rest were photos and videos of the scene of the crime.

Simon was stabbed and the same knife was found in my bloody hands. I knew deep down that I couldn't have done it, I tried to make everyone understand it but all evidence were against me.

A lot of people I considered family testified against me and as for Alicia, she was nowhere to be found. And no one has come to visit me since I was locked up in these prison walls. My regular color was now a bright orange overall.

The judge found me guilty and I was sentenced to thirty years behind bars. I've gotten accustomed to these walls and I have no hope of getting parole either because Simon's parents made sure of it.

“You're not the only one who has killed people..”

I raised my head when I heard selene speak, selene was my cellmate and she was found guilty of manslaughter on several counts.

“I killed a father and his two sons when I found out that they molested my little sister, she lost her life and I went on a killing spree.” she sat up from her bed. “It's not the end of the world, those fuckers deserved it anyway..”

I offered her a soft smile, on the other hand, I was denying my crimes while she was openly admitting her crimes.

“I didn't do it..” I said softly.

“I bet if you go around and ask everyone of them if they committed the crimes that they were sentenced for, they'll give you this same response..”

I sighed deeply, no one is gonna believe the words of a criminal anyway.

“Open up cell 40!”

Selene and I exchanged glances. That was our cell number. I stood to my feet immediately as soon as the warden showed up in front of the iron bars.

“Miss I didn't do it, someone is here to see you..”

I wasn't bothered by his snide remark from the beginning of his words, that's what most people call me in here. But what I was most shocked about was the news of someone here to see me.

I have given up all hope of anyone ever showing up for me.

****

By the time I got to the visitation room, I was surprised to see two unfamiliar faces in the room and they so happened to be discussing between themselves.

When they noticed my arrival, they brought their gaze forward. I could tell that the bald man on a black suit jacket and white pants is a lawyer, while the other man..

A low gasp left my lips. His magnetic grey eyes stared at my full length, there was a slight disturbance in his eyes when he saw my disheveled appearance.

I brought my gaze down. I had no idea of who they were and why they were here to see me. The older man pointed to the seat before him. I hesitated for a second before moving over to take a seat.

“Miss Arya right?”

I nodded as I diverted my gaze off from the other man's intense stare. “Y—es”

“I'm attorney Matthew and this is Karl Adams. We came all the way here to help you out of this awful place..”

I sat up from my seat. Was there really a way to get me out of here? But who were they and how can they do that? Plus, I don't even know who they were.

“W—hat? How is that possible? I'm spending thirty years in here—”

“You won't even get to spend the next thirty minutes here if you comply with us..”

My heart skipped a beat, this was good news to my ears but how and why? What would they stand to gain by letting me out?

“All I need is your signatures on these papers and you're a free woman..” He slid the paperwork to me.

I took my time to go through it and it wasn't something to be bothered about. I stared back at them still not feeling convinced about this.

“Why? And what would you stand to gain from this? I don't even know you..” i voiced out my concern and worry.

“You've been wrongly accused of murder..” The quiet man finally spoke. I watched him lean against his seat. “And this is my little way of helping..”

I shot my head to him. “What do you mean by that?”

“Simon Anders is hale and healthy..”