---
### Chapter Seven: The Interrogation
Lily woke to the harsh sunlight spilling through the barred window, its rays hitting her face like a spotlight. She squinted against the brightness, her eyes burning as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. Just then, she heard the metallic clank of keys, and an officer unlocked her cell door with a heavy sigh.
"Eat up and clean yourself; they're coming for you soon," he said, dropping a covered plate onto the cold floor with a dull thud before turning away.
With a mix of dread and hunger gnawing at her stomach, Lily hesitated before lifting the lid of the plate. The sight of soggy rice made her stomach churn; it looked more like slop than food. A wave of nausea washed over her, but she quickly remembered the bag Mark had slipped her earlier.
Rummaging through it, relief surged as she found snacks and a big fruit drink—a small lifeline in this grim place. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of the apple roll cake nestled among the other treats. Without wasting any time, she tore into it, savoring each sweet bite while gulping down the refreshing fruit drink. For a brief moment, she was transported away from the cold cell and looming interrogation.
As she munched on her snack, thoughts raced through her mind. **What would they ask? Would they believe her?** She had to stay strong; she couldn't let them see her fear. After indulging in this little feast that felt like a small rebellion against her circumstances, she freshened up with mint breath spray and combed her hair until it was somewhat presentable.
The minutes ticked by slowly as she waited anxiously for the officer to return. The silence in the cell was deafening, amplifying her racing heart and swirling thoughts. **What would happen if they didn't believe her? What if they pushed too hard?**
Finally, the officer returned and opened her cell door again. "Let's go," he said curtly.
Lily stepped out into the dimly lit corridor, heart pounding as he directed her toward the interrogation room—her fate awaited behind that door. Each step felt heavier than the last as she braced herself for what was to come.
-
Lily's heart raced as they approached the interrogation room.
The fluorescent lights flickered above, casting a harsh glare that made her feel exposed.
She could hear muffled voices inside, a mix of authority and intimidation, sending a shiver down her spine.
The officer pushed the heavy door open, and Lily stepped inside.
The air was thick with tension, and she instantly felt the weight of their gazes upon her. Officer Davis sat behind a large wooden desk, his expression unreadable, while officer Mason leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her like a hawk.
"Have a seat," Officer Davis instructed, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
Lily hesitated for just a moment before sitting down. The chair felt cold and unwelcoming beneath her, as if it were designed to make her uncomfortable. She swallowed hard and tried to steady her breathing.
"Let's get started," Davis said, leaning forward slightly. "You know why you're here."
"Yes," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
"Good. We have some questions about what you witnessed last week. You need to be honest with us; it's important." He paused, his gaze piercing through her defenses. "We know you were there."
Lily clenched her fists under the table. **Stay calm**, she reminded herself. "I didn't kill her... I just saw her there, laying motionless with blood stains."
Davis raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. " if u didn't then who killed her cos we found no one else other than u?. You expect us to believe that? Witnesses reported much more than that, one of her neighbors said she saw u running towards her apartment."
The other officer, Mason shifted closer, adding pressure with his intense stare. "What about the knife? How did it come into play?"
A wave of panic surged through Lily as she remembered the bloody knife—the slushy sound, the loud thud of Jane's bloody body, and then her deafening scream (after seeing Jane's rolling eyes)echoing in her ears. She shook her head slowly, trying to maintain composure. "I—I don't know," she stammered.
Davis leaned back in his chair, studying her with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. "u don't know? Or too scared to say u killed her?"
Lily's pulse quickened at his accusation; she felt trapped in a web of their expectations and assumptions. **Why did they have to twist her words?** Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to meet his gaze head-on.
"I'm not scared," she said defiantly, though doubt crept into her voice. "I just don't know anything more than what I told you."
For a moment, silence enveloped the room as Davis weighed her response. Then he leaned forward again, his expression softening slightly but still firm.
"Miss Lily Kensington, I don't know if u really understand the weight of your situation here... We are talking about the murder of Miss Jane Smith, not an attempted murder. So if u would really tell us the truth because piling up your crime won't do u any favors. Better speak now!", Detective Davis straightened his body slightly raising his voice on the horrified Lily...
"Did u or did u not kill Miss Jane Smith ", Mason spoke up increasing his sharp gaze on Lily making her more nervous....
"I swear, I DIDN'T kill her!", Lily answered on the brink of tears...
After a little deafening silence, detective Davis and Mason exchanged a knowing glance and then they sighed inwardly knowing how hard the task at hand was...
---
As Lily returned to the small, dimly lit cell, furnished only with a narrow bed, a washstand, and a toilet, she sank down, feeling as if the world were closing in on her. A murder? She had never imagined that Jane would be killed, despite the countless ridiculous messages Jane had sent her, jokingly wishing her dead.
Guilt washed over her like a tidal wave. The events replayed in her mind—each moment etched vividly: the knife, Jane's lifeless body, and her rolled-up eyes. Lily felt as if she was choking on despair.
Her thoughts spiraled back to Mark. Just days ago, he had proposed to her; they had dreamed of getting married next month, relocating to another city, and starting fresh together. And now this… Lily felt as though her dreams had been ripped away in an instant.
She couldn't shake the concern for Jane's mother. How would she react? After enduring an abusive marriage, Jane's mother finally found happiness with a new husband who accepted her while rejecting Jane as a part of her past.
This forced Jane to live with her father, where she fell into a dangerous lifestyle of clubbing, smoking, and substance abuse.
It was in a club that Jane had introduced Lily to Mark. There had been an undeniable spark between them, but Lily brushed it off, reminding herself that Mark was Jane's boyfriend. Yet, as fate would have it, their connection deepened unexpectedly. Before long, they were spending time together—Netflix and chill at his place, movie dates—all culminating in a night that changed everything when Lily found herself in Mark's bed after an all-night party.
Guilt gnawed at her; she felt like a villain but convinced herself it was justified. After all, Mark and Jane's relationship was built on shaky ground.
Now, as she lay on the hard single bed in tears, memories flooded back—how would Mark stand by her if she were found guilty? How could she escape this nightmare? And what would Jane's mother think ?
With those haunting thoughts swirling in her mind, exhaustion took over. Lily drifted into a troubled sleep, clinging desperately to hope amidst the chaos surrounding her life.
---