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T
he day of the arraignment arrived. I was dressed in a pantsuit that Annette had brought me from my closet. I was sitting outside of the courtroom on a bench with Annette on one side and Nathan on the other. "Remember, Victoria; confidence is the key here.
Do not give away any feelings of inner guilt," said Nathan. I was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs with a detective by my side. Our table consisted of me, Nathan, and his assistant. The table parallel to ours was the prosecution side. The court was quite simple. It had a high arched ceiling with cream paint on it. The seating capacity in the courtroom was minimal. One side of the courtroom had a closed-off area reserved for jury seats. The judge sat behind a table on higher ground. The courtroom was nearly empty except for Annette and a few colleagues of mine. When the judge entered the room, everyone stood up in respect.
The proceedings began with the prosecutor informing me of my charges: first-degree murder and assault. "Look him in the eye. Read his body language. It can tell you a lot about how your trial may proceed," I remembered Andrew's words. I focused my gaze on the prosecutor. He looked to be in his late twenties. With dirty blond hair, beady eyes, and a sharp nose, he looked quite dry and serious.
His voice was a little more high-pitched than I expected. "On the night of November 8th, Mr. Andrew was brutally killed on the rooftop of the Eiffel apartment complex. With four stab wounds and multiple bruises on his abdomen, he is estimated to have instantly died on the spot. Ms. Victoria is the former girlfriend of Mr. Andrew. Her pocketknife was found on the crime scene. Her current residence is also believed to be in the Eiffel complex.
She is charged with first-degree murder and assault." As the prosecutor finished speaking, he gave me a momentary glance. He sat back down as the judge asked, “To the defendant Ms. Victoria Frietz, do you plead guilty?” Nathan stood up beside me and buttoned his coat. "Respected Judge, my client does not plead guilty. We believe the evidence to be circumstantial and based on assumptions. Nothing connects my client to the crime, and I intend to prove that." The judge nodded.
After that, I zoned out. The judge continued talking, but I could not hear him. My eyes were focused on the high arched ceiling. It looked to be something my father would have loved. With intricate carvings and the light reflection, it looked to be something straight out of a Greek amphitheater. One part of my brain heard Nathan proceed with the bail, but the other part was adamant about the ceiling. I always thought I was my own person, but now I realize I am made up of the desires of all the people I have loved.
My love for art and philosophy, as well as food, comes from my father. My love for theatrics and romance and finding the little things in life comes from Andrew. My love for coffee and flowers comes from Annette. I can no longer call my life my own; it is made up of all the people who have shown me love. I looked down when I heard the scratch of a chair being moved. I followed suit and stood up as the judge exited the courtroom.
I helped Nathan and his assistant collect their papers before I was escorted back to my cell by the police. On our way, Nathan told me the bail amount and bail requirements. "Due to having no prior criminal history and being mentally and physically fit, your travel restriction only extends to out-of-country travel. The judge also took note of the fact that you have no other relatives abroad.
That is why your restrictions are a bit more lenient than normal." As soon as I got back, Annette visited me. “Annette, I will give you my pin code, withdraw the amount for the bail from my account and submit it.” An hour later, I was free. I never thought of myself as free before. I was always so caged in my thoughts and shadows that I never considered myself free. Today, I resonated with the birds flying high in the sky. I knew it wasn't over; if anything, it was the start. But I had decided to be one with the birds; I refused to let my shadows dictate me anymore. I was free.
