It was two in the afternoon and the room was flooded with light. It was a hot day and the room had thin curtains on the window.
He lay there on the cold cement floor motionless. His face had a blank and rigid expression, his mind filled with a thousand and one thoughts. Why and how did the events that led to his predicament happen? Then he heard footsteps. It was the prison guard motioning him to come near the railings. He gave him a queer look, then informed him in an almost hostile tone that this lawyer was there to see him.
Earlier in the day, he was taken to the office of the investigator for questioning but he refused to talk saying that he would only do so in the presence of a lawyer. One of his friends he had called promised to bring one as soon as possible.
After inviting him to sit down, the lawyer informed him in the most polite tone that "Owing to these circumstances, I become your friend, your father and your priest. Now tell me all that you know, all that you remembered," and to give an account of what he'd done that day.
After a short silence and deliberation he suddenly leaned forward, looked into the lawyer's eyes and said: "Sir, I rarely have anything much to say. As a matter of fact, I can't even understand why this happened to me."
"Just tell me all you know," the lawyer said remarking that he had the reputation of being shy and aloof. Another silence and the lawyer said "You know, you really interest me. I would like to help you and so with God's help I can do something with the trouble you are in.
He started fidgeting knocking his knuckles on the table, ran his fingers through his hair, stood up and sat down again, finally, he planted his elbows on the desk, he bent forward to the lawyer and started slowly and lucidly as he could of his side of the story.
He was a poor farmer's son from the country. Hoping to better their lives, his father mortgaged his farm and sold his livestock to send him to college. He was a scholar in the college where he enrolled for he graduated valedictorian in highschool. He had three years of peaceful co-existence in the university. Though had only a handful of friends because he was rather introvert but he had no adversaries. It was only when a certain Ran befriended him and invited him into a circle of friends. Most of which are scions of wealthy and influential families that his boring world became colorful. Then he started missing his classes, got lower grades and loathed going home to their farm in the country on weekends. When he reached this part of the story, he stood up, drew himself up to his full height and started telling about the beach party, the swim, the fight between Ran and another party in the beach, how another man drew out his knife and assaulted Ran and finally how he dived for that man with the knife, wrestled with it and stabbing that man accidentally in the process.
Then he slowly sat down and said in a whisper, "That's all I can say sir. There's really not much."
"Okay," the lawyer said. "Be calm and think positive. You will have your day in court. Be assured that I will do my best to help you. But first you must repent, have a trustful heart and give your burden to your creator.
posted by Chrysophylax at 12:25 AM
Leave something here before you go!