I'll just flashback to earlier today when I was asked to testify against a man that did me no wrong.
"Alison you just have to say you saw him kill I will take care of the evidences" Detective Bryan said holding up a photo of a man
Bryan was the detective that has been on my case for the past two months.
I was confused at this point "B-but It wasn't him"
"Dammit!" He yelled frustrated before starting with a calmer voice "Miss Alison you witnessed a murder, someone's father, husband and son is dead, nothing changes if i prosecute the killer he is a henchman, I need to bring down someone major do you understand?"
Psychological manipulation right there but i kept my mouth shut. Detective Bryan continued "We can't bring down Luca who is the head of command but we can take his younger brother down with this trust me he isn't clean cut he's killed before"
I nodded seeming to get the grasp of it, the guy I saw kill isn't important and he wants me to lie and testify someone important did it "I understand you, I really do but you are a COP aren't you supposed to be just to the law" I get the logic but it was just wrong
"Look here Alison I've spent five, five fucking years on this case and I'll be damned if I let you fuck it up for me! they are murderers the whole bunch of them"
I wonder what they ever did to him, the grudge sounded personal so i just nodded.
After Two weeks it was finally time for the trial and i was brought in as a witness, I threw up twice before the trial and was shaking as Bryan held me up. He was a tall fine man in his forties but he was so desperate for a win on this case and that would bring his end I was no psychologist but even I could tell.
"What is your religion Ms. Alison?"
I wasn't an atheist, but I also didn't do Christianity or Islam I was just living my life but I don't think the court acknowledges that so i just chose Christianity.
I was given a Bible and swore to say the truth no matter what. I glanced at the defendant and took a deep breath, he was probably in his early twenties and had a sense of nonchalance standing in the box. I guess that is expected when your brother runs one of the biggest gang in your country.
As we were about to start the court session, a figure walked into the room that had everybody tense myself included clutching my chest for breath, I could recognize him anywhere, anytime even if he had countless facial surgeries. This man plagued my dreams for those two weeks
I spent hours, days just staring at his picture trying to know if he was someone I could go against of course the answer had been an absolutely not.
He looked dangerous, he looked like he could kill you in the worst way if you so much as breath in his direction. The law of this country surprises me, how is a killer roaming free even to walk into a court room just because there isnt any evidence against him?
I cowered and shivered as he looked right at me and the corner of his lips lifted. Did he just smile? at me? Was it a smile of death or a warning smile? seeing as I was testifying against his brother it was definitely a death smile. It terrified me and i could feel my eyes brimming with tears.
I took a much needed deep breath and sat down zoning out in shock for a minute
"Focus" Bryan whispered to me
I looked at the judges' expectant face and realized I zoned through a question
"Could you say that again sir s-sorry" I asked procecutor my voice quavering, this was nerve wrecking for me.
"I'll ask again Ms. Alison Did you or did you not witness a murder on the 24th of June 2020"
"I-I did" my voice was shaky and I hated it
"Could you retell what happened on that day"
"Uhm I-I" I cleared my throat and looked at Bryan
"I was coming from a night shift, passing through an alleyway when I heard a gunshot in my line of sight, I saw a man fall dea, screaming before dialing 911, I didn't see the m-murderers face at first and ran passing another route but he appeared and grabbed my arm——" I stopped to wipe a tear that rolled down my face and to take a deep breath and calm myself
"Take your time dear, we are ready when you are" the judge said I could see and feel his empathy and I hated it, I despised being pitied.
"I-I shut my eyes and told him to let me go but he told me to open them and asked if I knew he'd have to k-kill me before unbuttoning my s-hirt" I hiccuped
"Did he do more than unbutton your shirt? touch you inappropriately"
"Y-Yes he uhm fondled and groped me before he heard the siren and I sprayed him" I felt like I was reliving that scene
"With what"
"A pepper spray I always keep them in case of anything"
"That's clever of you. Did you or did you not vividly see his face"
I looked right to the man that held so much authority and power in the room but he just had a blank stare.
You couldn't tell what was going through his head by looking at him. I felt suffocated
"It was dark at night but I vividly saw him when he held me close" I looked back down at the ground intimidated by the stares I was getting.
"Miss Alison do you affirm the defendant as the shooter you saw on June 24th 2020"
I nodded and shook my head stammering "I-I" I looked at Bryan and saw the smug smile he had on his face seeming to know I would do what he had told me
"Sorry c-can I have a glass of water" I asked, nervousness and dehydration was not a good combination
"Can someone fetch her a glass of water" The judge asked as he felt his heart break for the poor girl, she was so nervous and scared it was written all over her face.
I drank the water in three huge gulps "Thank you"
The judge nodded at the prosecutor to proceed "Again Miss Alison do you affirm the defendant as the shooter you saw on June 24th 2020"
I sniffed, tears falling rapidly from my eyes "N-no" I muttered it quietly I could barely even hear myself
"Miss Alison I'll need you to speak up"
"N-no sir he isn't the shoo-
I didn't finish before I was being cursed at "You fuckin-" Bryan roared standing from his seat and approaching me with anger before two cops held him back.
"Detective Bryan sit down now!" The judge fired
"i'm sorry" i said sobbing hating myself for even going to work on that day.
"Miss Alison are you under any form of pressure from anyone?"
I shook my head before remembering I had to be verbal it was a court after all "No I'm not"
It was bad enough I foiled his plan but throwing Bryan under the rug isn't something I could do.
"Do you confirm your statement about the defendant not being the shooter you met?"
"Y-yes sir"
"Due to insubstantial evidence against Mr. Salvia i pronounce him not guilty according to —
Was the last thing I heard before a shot rang out, I ducked and clawed my chest in a pathetic attempt to find my breath. I'd never been much for violence my entire life despite my neighborhood or upbringing and I'd just reach my limit.
I stood up and ran to the exit, gasping when i heard another shot and felt something hit my stomach knocking the living daylights out of me, I staggered looking down to see blood before looking up making eye contact with Luca who gazed back calmly.
I felt chills down to my bones before taking off in any direction I saw running for my life.