Behind the walls of despair

Chapter 6: Behind the walls of despair.

As Tina (FL) sat in her cell, her days turned into weeks and weeks into the month, just then her days blended into a never-ending cycle of continuous grief, confusion, and loneliness, The accusations against her hung in the air like a dark cloud suffocating her with it weight, She was the prime target of the investigation, and the thoughts of that sent a chills down her spine. Her hearing date at the court was near, but no lawyer had come to her yet, even after she had requested for one to try her case.

The sound of footsteps outside her cell door broke the usual routine of her thoughts. The door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure with green eyes stood before her; he introduced himself as Steven and as her assigned lawyer.

Tina's eyes narrowed, unsure of what to make use of this stranger and his egotistic charisma. She had asked for a lawyer, but she wasn't expecting someone who was so detached only by merely looking at him. Steven's expression was a mask of professionalism, his eyes were piercing as he tried sitting on the chair.

Before they began, he brought out his pair of wire-rimmed eyeglasses and wore them saying, Hello Tina, " his voice was firm but gentle, trying to force a smile, "I'm here to represent you in this case, I have reviewed the evidence and I must say, it does not look good " he continues,

Tina felt a surge of panic at his words, Not looking good? Her eyes widened, what did that mean? Was he already giving up on her? she asked herself.

"What do you mean? She asked finally, trying to keep her voice steady.

Steven sighed, pulling out a document from his brown leather bag, and trying to sit uprightly, he drew his chair closer to her. " The prosecution has a strong case against you Tina," he said and continued all the evidence points to you as the killer. We need to work together to build a strong defense, to prove your innocence.'

Tina's mind reeled as she listened to Steven's words. Innocence? She was innocent, but how could she prove it, she questioned herself, The memories of that fateful night came into her head in fragments and unclear but the thoughts of her holding her husband's lifeless body in her hands sent shivers down her spine

" I didn't do it, "she said, her voice shaking and her hands trembling as well; I didn't kill Alex, Dr martin..he is the one ....he is the one who did it, she stammered.

Steven's expression remained skeptical, but he nodded encouragingly. " I will look into Dr . Martin's alibi, let's see if we can find any evidence to support your claims, he said, but in the meantime, he continues, we need to focus on building a solid defense. Can you tell me more about your relationship with Alex ? he added, "Anything that might help us understand what happened that night?"

Tina took a deep breath, trying to hide her tears, at the same time trying to calm her racing thoughts. She began to tell Steven everything about her life with Alex, their love and their arguments... she paused a bit still trying to hold back the hot tears that were stubbornly pushing it way out from the lines on her eyes, She then Told him about Dr Martin, and the sessions , the subtle suggestions as she spoke, Tina felt a weight lifting off her shoulders, a sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could prove her innocence

But as she looked into Steven's eyes, she saw a glimmer of doubt; he didn't believe her, not fully; at that moment Tina realized that she was in for a fight in her life and she was all alone, She was accused of a crime she didn't commit and her only hope was a stranger who seemed to question her in every of her word without wanting to see the other part of the story. She forcefully smiled as Steven stood up from the chair and told her to get ready for the court soon...he said we would see what we could do, parting her back as he turned to leave.

Tina went back to her cell room not knowing what her fate would be, but she was more courageous and hoped for the best outcome on the day of her court hearings

Weeks passed, and Tina was summoned to the court house, As Tina stood in the courtroom, her eyes were fixed on the judge's stern face, she felt a sense of desperation running over her, Her lawyer Steven walked in, presenting his case before the court, and even Tina saw he did his best to defend her, but it just wasn't enough. The lack of solid evidence had sealed her fate and she was found guilty of murdering her husband Alex.

The words " 20 years in prison and life without parole" echoed in her ears like a death sentence; Tina's eyes widened in horror as the reality of her situation sunk in. She felt like she was she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to catch her breath, she stayed frozen for some seconds her mind wandering out to her kitchen and every flash of her good memories with Alex flooded her as she couldn't hold the tears anymore, she uncontrollably sobbed as she missed  Alex so much.

Detective James’ words, “We need evidence," Haunted her; she had told him everything. But it wasn't enough. The police had found no connections between Dr Martin and her, to prove his manipulations and betrayal. It was as if she was the one who knew the truth, as no one believed every word she had told them.

As the guards approached her, the handcuffs were ready, Tina felt a wave of panic wash over her; her life was crashing right before her eyes; she was dragged out from the courtroom, crying and struggling against restraint; her mind was filled with emotions, regrets and what - ifs.

Why had Dr Martin done this to her? What had he gained from Alex's murder? The question swirled in her mind like a rolling vortex, pulling her down into the depths of despair.

But as she was pulled away from the courtroom, something inside Tina sparked to life; giving up was not an option; she was now determined to uncover the truth, to prove her innocence, and to bring Dr Martin to Justice.

Tina was shackled with cuffs and led away to the grey walls of the prison, her eyes locked into the judge's face, and she saw that mean expression, lack of empathy from the judge's final words, But she also saw something else - a glimmer of doubt.

Tina's mind began to race with plans immediately, with strategy and determination, She would not let Dr . Martin win. She would not  let him destroy her life without a fight

Weeks passed by, The prison walls loomed before Tina, cold and unforgivenesszzz  was all over her, but her spirit was not broken, She was a woman on a mission, driven by desires for justice and a need to clear her name, and do a proper burial for Alex

After eating breakfast in the prison, she went to her cell room and closed the door behind her not wanting to be friends with anyone, She took a deep breath, and she knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to fight and try, Tina was ready to take on the system to take on Dr Martin, and to take back her life.

The darkness of the prison cell closed in around her, but Tina's heart remained lit. She was a flame of determination burning bright in the darkness, and she wouldn't want to be extinguished. She said patience is virtue as she laid on her bed staring at the ceiling in her cell room.