Conflict Of Interest

Chapter 29: "We Find The Defendant.."

Chapter 29...... "We Find The Defendant.."

I walked down the hall to the door of the court room. It was where I stood just hours before I was put into the small room. I got to the doors just waiting for them to open, but before my lawyer opened the door he said

"Walk forward to the chair on your right side. Don't look at anyone just walk forwards."

I nodded. He opened the door for me and I walked in. Everyone looked at me as soon as I stepped in the room, just like he said I looked forward. I started walking, I didn't pay attention to anyone around me, I just kept looking forward. I held my wrists just below my belly button, palms down so no one could see the scars just yet. My knees felt weak but I just kept moving. It didn't feel like I was controlling my body, every move felt empty. Eyes burned into me and once I was at the desks at the front, I could feel all the eyes on me

I looked over to see Scott and he looked at me. His eyes burned into mine, but behind his eyes there was no soul. I didn't stop as we made eye contact but I just moved a little bit faster to the chair I was going to sit in. I got there and sat down and looked at the judge. I looked back at the crowd Dave gave me a small smile, then I looked at the man who was getting ready to move. That one man stood up and cleared his throat

"Hello Mia."

I looked at him, and with just this one look I didn't like him, there was just something about him that wasn't right. I moved forward and used the microphone that was there in front of me

"Hi."

My voice came out quiet

"So from my understanding you were taken in the afternoon of December 12?"

"That's correct."

"Explain to us that day."

I gulped. Now I'm going to have to say everything that happened. I'm pretty sure they told the story before I came in, I heard it. But it wasn't the full story or from my perspective. I had to pause and prepare myself

"Well I woke up early that morning and I cleaned, something I always do. Dave, my boyfriend, told me that he had to go into work early and he would see me on my lunch, right outside my work. So he left for work and I left for work later that morning and I did my usual shift. Then my lunch break came along."

"And what happened when you seen Dave outside your work?"

"Brandi, his ex was kissing him right outside my work."

'Don't let them break you' I thought. I kept a calm demeanour

"And what did you do?"

"I let my mind take over and I didn't realize what exactly was going on, as anyone would think how could that happen. I'm sure other people would do the same thing. In my clouded judgment I ran away, took my car and drove home."

"So was it Dave's fault that Scott got you."

I looked over at Dave and he looked shocked and pissed. Before I could say anything the judge stepped in, I was happy because he seemed to be on my side 

"Objection. We've been over this. It was all planed by Scott."

The guy nodded. He cleared his throat and continued

"What happened after you got home?"

"I ran inside to pack a bag, by mistake I left the gate and the door open, I knew I wasn't going to be long but what I didn't know was I was being followed. Then Scott came in and." I paused

Everything was replaying in my head and all the pain was coming back. I was trying to keep my composure but it was really hard

"And what Miss. Johnston?" He asked