Accused of murder

Caught off Guard

Four years and two months has passed now. It was the beginning of March; still cold but the snow had melted. At least that was what I heard one the guards say when they were passing by my cell. I was told that I had a meeting with my lawyer that day. It came out of the blue, and of course I would not dare to ask any unnecessary questions. No need to be yelled at. The time seemed to go especially slow, and I could not wait to get the meeting over with. I did not look forward to seeing the lawyer again, I could not stand him, he was intimidating, harsh and had done nothing to help me in this case whatso ever.

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard one of the guards, Berta, yelling at me “Sofia, it’s time, get your ass over here and show me your hands!!” I hurry up so I would not get punished or beating. I stretched out my arms through the small window at the door so she could handcuff me and took a step back so she could open the door. She grabbed me by my upper arm, and almost dragged me across the floor and throught the prison hall. She was remarkably high and big, not fat, more like her bones were build big. She fitted the job description very well. Everyone was afraid of her, and she was known to be extremely aggressive if someone tested her patience. 

They guide me through the hallway and up to the ground floor since my cell was two stories underground. We passed a lot of guards and Gerta finally guides me into a room where she then almost threw me on a chair before she turned around and walked out the door. In front of the chair was a matching table. My lawyer was sitting on the chair at the opposite side of the table. I sit there with my eyes nailed to the table afraid to look directly at him. However, i could feel his eyes on me, studying me.

“Hello Sofiá, it has been almost three years since we last saw each other… How are you doing?” my lawyer Michael asked with a tone I could not recognize from that otherwise arrogant and cold man. He sounded apologetic and maybe a hint of regret? But I must have been out of my mind to think that. Michael was too arrogant and had too much pride to apologize to anyone.

“G-ggood” my voice was shaking. I was afraid and did not know what this was about; and it made feel uneasy and nervous. I tried again “I, I got told th-that we had a meeting today, but not what it was about…” I meant it as a question, but I was too afraid to ask; hoping that he at least will explain himself, when he found out that I did not know. He did not answer immediately. We sat there a couple of minutes, before the next three words that came out of his mouth brought so many tears to my eyes that I had to fight for not letting stream down my face.

“I believe you.”

I could not say a word. Believed me? He actually believed me? I know it was not a response to my last sentence. The heaviness behind his words and how sincere he sounded; I immediately knew what he was talking about. But why now, why after four years? I felt the tears build up in my eyes waiting for me to blink for them to pour down my face. I couldn’t hold them in, so I looked down on my fingers and let the tears stream down my face in silent suddenly feeling exhausted as if I had carried something heavy for a long time and someone finally had lifted it from me. I was confused, sad but also a bit relieved. Finally, someone believed that I was innocent, that I wasn’t the one to k*ll my own family, my blood, my everything. Not to mention my ex-fiancé’s family.

“I’m sorry I was such a prick to you and didn’t believe, but you have to understand how it looked.” He said apologetically with worry in his voice. “I am so sorry that I did not fight for you or at least tried to reduce your sentence…” He paused a little. I kept silent, still crying and could not even begin to think about how to reply or what to say.

“Why now?” I heard my self say. Why did he change his mind? And even if he did, did he book the meeting just to tell me that? It was not worth it if he believed or not. Nothing can be done about it now. So why? Why is he saying those words?

Buried in my thoughts I nearly didn’t hear him “Wh… What did you say?” My mind working overtime. Did I hear him correctly or was it just wishful thoughts? “There has been found new evidence” he repeated himself. “DNA of a john doe has been found on your wedding dress and on your brothers’ tux along with a small piece from a black latex glove. Your brother must’ve fought with him and scratched him poking a whole in the perpetrators' gloves." 

I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for me to react. But I felt numb trying to sort out the information that has been giving to me not to mention all the feelings that comes with it. The thought of my brother fighting for his life broke my heart. I missed him so much I wished him to be here with me holding me and reassure me like he always did. I could not fight my tears when the once again resurfaced I let it out my heart was crying for him I wanted him here with me so bad. I could still see his goofy smile before me, how he always pranked me and how we’d always fight after every prank with my big sister rolling her eyes at us while sitting on the sofa reading. I was hulking I could not hold it in. for the very first time in four years I cried my eyes out in front of someone. Oh, how I missed them. I couldn’t imagine how it went down and hearing how my brother fought. He must have been scared. I wish I could take their place.

“Sofiá…” he waited for me to stop crying. I forgot he was here. I have been crying and sobbing for what feels hours with him sitting patiently waiting for me to calm down. “Don’t you know what it means? You’re free, innocent. Sofiá, you are getting out of here tomorrow. They wanted to keep you here until next Monday because of protocol but I fought for you not to spend a second more here after being innocently accused.”

I did not say a word; what would I say, what could I say. I did not have a place to stay, I did not know where to go. “Thank you” was all I could muster.

Three hours later I was escorted out of prison. Michael had brought with him clothes for me to wear as I was arrested in my wedding dress. It was nothing special, a white top with black slim fitting jeans and a pair of black converse shoes. 

He told me that his friend who also is a lawyer would help me sue because of how I was treated and accused. He was acting out of guilt, and I let him. Mostly because my whole body felt numb.  I was afraid and scared of what to do after I got out. He did manage to get me a room in a shelter for women and offered to drive me there himself, but I refused. I could not wait to be alone in the fresh air. I wanted to walk by myself. I haven’t seen the sky or sun for four years now. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts and let them wander without being interrupted for once. Therefore, he gave me enough money to take the bus, and told me how to get to the shelter what would take about 45 minutes with bus. 

Right before being escorted out, they handed me my bag. I was a small crossbody black bag. Inside I found my phone, keys and wallet. I automatically took my phone up and saw that it was on. As if he was reading my mind he explained “I took the liberty to charge your phone”. “Thanks”. 

When we finally reached the metal gate and it opened before me, I stopped, hesitated. I looked nervous at the guard that has an expressionless look on his face not uttering a word, just standing there waiting for me to step out as if he were used to it. He didn’t rush me but was silent at let me take my time to gather up enough courage to walk to the other side. My hands were shaking, I could feel the cold sweat in my neck. I tried to take a deep breath and then to three steps before I was on the other side of the gate. I looked back and saw the gate closing and kept watching until with a loud “Cling” it closed. That was it. Another chapter closed that I never imagined it would in my remaining life.

I sighed; silent tears began to stream down my face. I turned around to go and find the bus station. But before I could go anywhere, I saw a black BMW 8 series convertible rolling up to me, stopping and then he got out. I knew him. He was Sicario’s best friend. “Get in” was all he said. I stood there frozen, didn’t know if I was relieved that he was here. Sicario sent him, he knew. He came for me after all. But why did Mateo look like he was about to k**l someone. The look in his eyes scared me to my core. My gut was telling me to run for my life. I took a few steps back. Looking around to see if there was anyone to ask for help. As if he read my mind, he also looked quickly around. I took the chance and set off. Running for my life. There was a forest not far and I sprinted as fast as I could to hopefully find a hiding place.

I could hear him behind me cursing and shouting. I didn’t dare to look back and see how close he was all I could do was to run. I just need to reach the forest… I didn’t finish my thought before I suddenly could feel a shooting pain from my ankle and fell face forward on the ground scratching my arms and knees.

“So, you thought you could outrun me b***h? Think again.” He took my hand and forced me up. I winced at the pain from my ankle, I must’ve sprained it. Mateo noticed it and laughed. A laugh that shook me, it was so evil so sinister. “I’m going to let you s*ffer for what you did. Do not think that you can fool anyone. We know what you did, and you’re going to wish you were d**d.” He dragged me back to his car and pushed me in the back seat. “M-MMateo please, call Sicario he knows I’m innocent.” He looked at me “And you have the audacity to say his name!?” The last thing I remember before everything went black was his fist aiming for my face.