As the police began their investigation, I brought my sisters and mother into their respective rooms, shielding them from the chaos unfolding in our house. With a heavy heart, I prepared myself to face the inevitable questioning that would follow.
"So? You killed him and served it as self-defense?" the police officer asked, his tone brimming with suspicion.
"Yes," I responded calmly, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. Despite the gravity of the situation, I remained steadfast in my conviction that I had acted out of necessity to protect my family.
"I see... But can you explain to us how this altercation unfolded?" the officer pressed, his tone measured.
"I hit him in the head with a wine bottle glass, but he fought back, and I accidentally stabbed his aorta with the broken edge," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of fear, though I maintained my composure. "In the struggle, he forcibly removed the broken glass, causing his aorta to bleed out and, eventually, leading to his demise."
As I spoke, I carefully crafted my words, weaving a narrative that painted me as a victim of circumstance while concealing the truth of what had truly transpired. It was a delicate dance of deception, one that I hoped would shield my family from further scrutiny.
As the door creaked open, a shrill scream pierced the air, causing my heart to race. I dashed towards my mother's room, desperate to offer her comfort, but she recoiled at my touch, her eyes wide with terror as they fixated on the lifeless body before her.
"M-Mom!" I called out, my voice trembling with fear and concern. "What happened? Are you alright?"
She didn't respond, her gaze locked on the ghastly sight before her. I followed her line of sight to the motionless figure sprawled on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading around him like a sinister halo.
"Mom, it's okay. I'll take care of it," I reassured her, reaching out to touch her trembling shoulder.
But she flinched away from me, her expression twisted in anguish and disbelief.
"You... You've always been a curse!" Her words cut through me like a knife, each syllable a painful reminder of the rift between us.
"I was... I was thinking of accepting you, since you..." Her voice faltered, choked with emotion as tears streamed down her face.
"I know, Mom, but this wasn't my fault," I pleaded, my voice thick with emotion. "Alfred... he attacked me. I had to defend myself. He even tried to lay his hand on Akane"
But she shook her head, her hands trembling as she pointed accusingly at me.
"No, no, no! You're lying! You've always been trouble, always bringing chaos into our lives!" she cried, her voice rising with hysteria.
I felt a lump form in my throat, the weight of her disappointment crushing me. I reached out to reassure her once more, to explain that Alfred was the true villain in this tragedy, but before I could utter a single word, her hand connected with my cheek in a stinging slap.
Stunned, I staggered back, the sting of her betrayal burning hot against my skin. In that moment, I felt more alone than ever, the shattered fragments of my fractured family scattered around me like shards of broken glass.
***
After that day, 3 Days went by the investigation went, and the relatives of Alfred sued me for murdering Alfred, but I played my part, I tried to defend myself. But instead, I was hit by a punch from Alfred's father.
With that, I had no injury seen, and the aorta stab seemed impossible to be an accident... Then they called for the Court hearing in front of the judge.
At the hearing were my sisters and also Alfred's. But the more confused. Was that my mother is my lawyer?
My mother was a Lawyer, and with that job alone she raised us legally. I was surprised at the same I was happy seeing my mother going to protect me from those false charges.
But I was expecting a good outcome, but... My mother disowned me. And not that but also my Sister.
They stated to the court that I put a sleeping pill on the Juice they drank.
"He's the one who put the sleeping pills to our drinks." Akane claim.
"Yes, He also seems looking at us with his lustful eyes, he seems to take it after his original father," Anna claimed looking at me with a disgusting gaze.
Those statements made me realize one more thing. Even the closest person to you can be your worst nemesis.
My mother also states. "He was an adopted. He was a child of a rapist." With that statement enough to even kill me.
But then I was given a chance to defend myself.
"True I was the one who prepared the drinks but I didn't put anything other than you guys' favorite juice. I wasn't looking at you with lustful eyes, I was just admiring how Mom was adoring you two!! Mom..." I was stopped for a few seconds and continued. "How.... How could you..." My tear starts to come out of my eyes.
***
In just one week of the court hearing. The results were about to be revealed. But before the judge read the result. He asked one thing
"Kid... What do you think about your family, what do you think about Your mother, Sisters, and your Father." He seems concerned asking me.
"They seem not good people and mean but warm inside, they seem to treat me like outsiders but I could see their concern for me when I was a child... I... I loved them genuinely" I smiled.
"Then I'm gonna ask a question you Mrs. Wilford also you two young miss."
"What do you think about defendant Akeru."
"Trash." My mother.
"Rapist" Akane.
"Scum of the Society." Anna.
"Seems they weren't looking at you, the way you looking to them... I'm very sorry."
"Before this court today stands the defendant, Akeru Wilford, accused of the heinous crime of murder. As a judge in this court of law, it is my duty to impartially weigh the evidence presented before me and determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
Throughout this trial, we have heard compelling testimony and seen compelling evidence that paints a picture of a tragic and tumultuous family dynamic, fraught with tension and resentment. We have heard of a childhood marked by neglect and emotional abuse and of a young man's desperate struggle for acceptance and validation in the face of overwhelming adversity.
However, it is not my role to pass judgment on the defendant's character or upbringing. My responsibility is to consider the facts of the case and apply the law impartially and justly.
The evidence presented before this court is clear and compelling. The prosecution has presented a substantial amount of evidence linking the defendant, Akeru Wilford, to the crime scene and the fatal act. Forensic evidence, witness testimony, and the defendant's admission all point to his involvement in the tragic events that led to the death of Alfred Blackock.
While the defense has argued that the defendant's actions were motivated by a desire to protect his family, they have failed to provide conclusive evidence to support this claim. In contrast, the prosecution has presented a compelling case supported by multiple sources of evidence.
In the absence of sufficient evidence to establish a defense of justifiable homicide or self-defense, I am compelled to find the defendant, Akeru Wilford, guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree.
I understand that this verdict may carry heavy consequences for the defendant and his family. However, justice must be served under the law.
The court will now proceed to sentencing, where the defendant will have the opportunity to present any mitigating factors that may be taken into consideration. May the pursuit of justice guide our proceedings as we seek to bring closure to this tragic chapter in our community's history."
Hearing those, words enough, no it is more than enough to kill me.
But the judge continued not wasting any time.
"After careful consideration of the gravity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the case, the court hereby sentences the defendant, Akeru Wilford, to a term of imprisonment of 25 years without the possibility of parole.
Additionally, the court ordered the defendant to pay restitution of $500,000 to the family of the victim, Alfred Blackock, to compensate for the loss and suffering endured as a result of this tragic incident.
May this sentence serve as a reminder of the consequences of actions taken in haste and anger, and may it provide a measure of closure to all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
This court is adjourned," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of authority and finality. And with those simple words, the trial came to a close, the echoes of the gavel fading into the silence of the now-empty courtroom.
The family of Blackock burst into a festive celebration as if they had struck it rich in the lottery. As I trudged in step with the apprehending officers, who had locked their arms around mine as well, I felt a deep sense of despair. My thoughts swirled with confusion and dismay, asking why I was there.
I felt as if I had been cast off by everyone who knew me as if I had been marked by the gods as one to be cast aside. I felt isolated, abandoned, and hopeless. It was as if the universe had turned its back on me, leaving me to wander alone in the darkness.
***
In the shadows of the penitentiary walls, I languished for twelve long years, ensnared within the grasp of this infernal hellhole. Each day brought with it a barrage of brutality, as I endured the merciless onslaught of fists and fury. The weight of frustration and despair bore down upon me, threatening to crush my spirit.
But within the depths of my torment, a spark of defiance ignited. No longer content to suffer in silence, I rose from the ashes of my despair and confronted my tormentors. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I fought back against the tyranny that sought to break me.
Through blood, sweat, and tears, I carved out my place within the confines of those grim, echoing halls. My resilience and determination earned me a reputation that echoed throughout the jailhouse corridors—the title of king among men, ruler of this bleak domain.
In the silent torment of those long, agonizing years spent within the claustrophobic confines of the jail, a sudden bolt of news shattered the suffocating monotony like thunder crashing through the stillness.
"Yo... How, are you?"
The blood in my veins turned to liquid fire at the sight of her face—the same face of the wretched betrayer who had sold me out, condemning me to this desolate existence twelve years ago. I lunged forward, fists clenched, ready to exact revenge, but a moment of clarity halted me in my tracks. Even after all this time, could I truly blame Anna for my festering anger?
There she stood, her familiar features unchanged, yet altered by time and circumstance. Her once flowing locks were now cropped short, a hairband holding back the remnants of what once was. And beneath the fabric of her clothes, the unmistakable swell of pregnancy spoke of a life moved forward, while mine had stagnated in the depths of despair.
"What the fuck are you doing here!" I growled, my voice dripping with menace.
"...Akeru, I'm sorry... I was too foolish not to believe you... I even disowned you." Her words, laced with genuine contrition, hung heavy in the air, mingling with the bitter taste of regret and resentment.
"What does that even mean!?" I shout.
"I was here for a fucking 12 years and now you gonna start to believe in my innocence!!" My fucking veins were about to burst because of my anger.
"Akeru... I found this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as if unsure of how her words would be received. Ignoring my initial reaction, she reached into her pocket and retrieved a phone, its familiar contours a stark reminder of simpler times, before our lives were torn asunder.
With trembling hands, she pulled up a video, its grainy footage depicting a scene from a guest room, captured by the lens of her college-era phone. The image revealed a corner of the room where her phone had been discreetly positioned, offering a panoramic view of the entire space.
"I just found this out last week," she confessed, her voice wavering with emotion, tears glistening in her eyes. Despite her efforts to remain composed, the weight of her revelation hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our strained reunion.
"For... For... For a fucking twelve years!!" My voice reverberated through the visiting room, a thunderous declaration of the injustice that had consumed my existence.
***
In the aftermath of Anna's visit, she wasted no time in seeking justice. Armed with the damning evidence captured on her phone, she scheduled an appointment with a lawyer, determined to right the wrongs of the past.
As the video footage was presented in court, meticulously scrutinized by judge and jury alike, the truth could no longer be denied. Witnesses came forth, corroborating my innocence and unraveling the web of lies that had ensnared me for so long.
With careful consideration, the judge deliberated, weighing the evidence before rendering a verdict that echoed throughout the courtroom: Not guilty.
And in that moment, the weight of twelve years of wrongful imprisonment lifted from my shoulders, replaced by the sweet relief of vindication. Justice, though delayed, had finally prevailed.
As I stood outside the prison gates, my bag slung over my shoulder, a car pulled up, and a man stepped out, a warm smile gracing his features.
"I'm Anna's husband, Ernie Swell," he introduced himself. "Anna's waiting for you at the hospital," he added, gesturing for me to join him in the car.
"I see..." I nodded, sliding into the passenger seat as we embarked on the journey to the hospital where Anna lay, recovering from childbirth.
...
Upon arrival, I made a beeline for Anna's room, my heart heavy with anticipation and unresolved emotions.
"Hey... Anna. Did you edit it?" I inquired, unable to contain the question that had plagued my thoughts since her revelation.
A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she responded, "Did you find out?" Despite the playful demeanor, beneath the surface, a sense of gratitude and relief pulsed between us. I reached out, placing my hand gently upon her forehead, whispering, "Thank you."
From that day forward, liberated from the confines of prison, I embraced a new chapter in my life. Embracing the role of a NEET, I delved into writing novels and exploring creative pursuits, finding solace and purpose in the freedom of expression.
Unexpectedly, it was my mother and Akane who sought me out, extending heartfelt apologies and gestures of reconciliation. In that moment, any lingering doubts about acceptance dissolved, replaced by the warmth of forgiveness and familial love. With a smile, I embraced them both, grateful for the opportunity to forge anew the bonds that had once been fractured by circumstance.
Extra Chapter Part 2: My First Heavy Sin (End)
Note: I wrote this one so that I can practically explain what haunts Akeru also is Ω (Omega) in his dream, I know it's kind of a foolish decision but still I want to write this backstory to build a good character.