“What I found really interesting was the witness statements that put Alec at a party, drunk off his ass. But you were at home, which is where Alec showed up, correct? It’s also worth noting that people were shocked to hear you were drinking because you were famous for never drinking. Not socially, at least, even though it made you somewhat of a pariah with the rest of the kids your age. So what changed?”
She clearly doesn’t expect me to answer, though, because she continues. “What changed was the reports.” She pulls out a single sheet and puts it in front of me. “You do not want to know how I got this.”
She sighs as I scan my eyes over the file.
“Your blood alcohol level was zero. You want to know who was eight times over the limit? Alec was. No way was that a coincidence. It also documents the litany of injuries you had, and the doctor’s notes stating that most were not the result of the car crash.”
She leans back and clasps her hands on her stomach. “I think your boyfriend was abusing you, and you tried to escape. Instead, his drunk ass jumped into the car with you and like an idiot he didn’t put his belt on. This was an accident, and anyone reviewing this would have known that, which is why I believe the alcohol tests were swapped. That meant little else mattered. You were made an example of. A public defender was given your case because your mother didn’t give a shit, and your boyfriend’s rich parents controlling the narrative made for the perfect storm.”
She covers her mouth as if needing a second to process it all. Welcome to my world. I’m still trying to process shit, and it’s been three years.
“This is a miscarriage of justice. You were a child who wasn’t just abused by a man, and at eighteen, that’s what he was, a man.But abused by his parents, too. And the whole town stood by and watched it happen.”
I swallow and feel my eyes flood with tears, not sure how to feel about someone being angry on my behalf.
“You’re being released early, Sorrow. You shouldn’t have been here in the first fucking place. I ‘m going to make you a copy of this file. I strongly recommend you get a good lawyer and you fight this. At the very least, you should seek damages for this miscarriage of justice.” She pulls out another piece of paper containing information about a town and a halfway house.
“I’ve spoken to the people here and explained the situation. They deal with victims of domestic abuse. They are happy to have you and help you fill in the gaps in your education and provide help getting work. I assume you don’t want to go back home?”
I shake my head negatively. I have no home to go back to.
“You’ll need to check in with your parole officer. I’ll list the details there, too. For what it’s worth, Sorrow, I’m truly sorry this happened to you. Sometimes, the best fuck-you you can give people is living the life they can only dream of. I have high hopes for you.”
I sign the word “thank you.” I only know a few words, which I taught myself from books. But she has used them with me before and I know she’ll understand.
“Please don’t thank me. I wish I could do more, but my hands are tied. Just do me a favor. Don’t let this blip turn you into something you’re not. Use it as a stepping stone and get the hell out of here.”
I nod, feeling a few tears of gratitude slip free.
“Gather your things. I’ll have Donnel put you in solitary confinement. If they find out that you’re leaving next week and they’re not, I wouldn’t put it past them to try something.”
I’m more than happy to do that. When Donnel collects me from my cell later, he finds me with a smile on my face. He chuckles when he holds the door open for me. “You’re the only person I know who likes being alone.”
I shrug. I couldn’t explain it to him, even if I wanted to.
“Keep your head down. You’ll soon be home free.”
I nod, planning on doing just that, even if the thought of being out there on my own terrifies me.
“Oh, and Sorrow?” I turn as I step into the room and look at him. “As much as I enjoy our stimulating conversations…”
I roll my eyes at the man.
“Don’t come back, alright?”
I grin and nod. On that, we can both agree.
Chapter Two
BANNER
Three years later. Present day.
I wake up feeling on edge. There’s no rhyme or reason for it, but I can’t shake it. Not even after I go for my run and take my shower. I ignore it, for the most part, and head into the office.
It still feels weird coming to the new place. It’s much bigger than the old one and more centrally located, which is great for drawing foot traffic. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the old space just a little. After getting discharged from the army, it became a second home to me. I had to leave my teammates behind when I had been shot and medically discharged, and I missed the camaraderie. I found that again at Price Security, much to my parents’ upset.
I mean, I get it. They had lost one son already and came so close to losing another. But I couldn’t let them wrap me up in Bubble Wrap forever, or I’d lose my damn mind. They were still pissed at me even now, years later. But they had turned their focus to Katy, who was getting ready for college.
