Part 3 Ch.16

I don't say a word. This is a big day for the OCIU. The leaders from the Yellow Thorns and Ravagers are in custody or dead. I'm beginning to wish I've shared the same fate as Romero. I should have seen this coming. Why didn't I see this coming? It's been an hour after my arrest. I'm in some kind of observation cell, there's a one-way window to my right. I don't even glance at it and keep my eyes forward. My arms and legs are fastened to the chair which is bolted on the ground. The whole room seems to be made of AIM metal, I feel it bearing down on my powers. They've stripped me of all the weapons I had on me. They even took Carson's necklace, I wanted to laugh when they did. There's irony in there somewhere. This was always going to end either here or a bullet to the head. I've expected that. But in all my imaginings, I never thought Carson would play such an important role in it. Paxton doesn't know what's happened. He most likely thinks Romero killed me. He'll think that I failed until the news come out...if they come out at all. It's not unlike the police to cover over their actions. After two hours of sitting here, a woman finally comes in. Her skin is dark and she has grey streaks on her hair. She has a severe expression on her face that doesn't change as I watch her come in and sit down on the chair in front of me. "Elenora Santos. I'm Sheriff Newman, it's great to see you after all this time; we've heard so much about you." She smiles coldly. So this is the Sheriff. It was our mistake for assuming her to be a man, but I wonder why she choose to reveal herself now. The answer comes a second later. Of course, it doesn't matter. We both know which way the courts are going to rule. The death penalty is the only option open to me. She pulls out a thick folder. And then another. They thud heavily on the table. "These are all the crimes we believe to be connected to the Yellow Thorns. I need you to clear some things up." She opens the first folder. "Were the Yellow Thorns responsible for the sell of an automatic gun going by the street name of Brander? It was developed in the Asias, the trade and sell of this is illegal." My mouth stays closed but I keep my eyes on her. "Ms. Santos, for this to work, you must answer the questions. Let's go on to another. Last year, in March, did the Yellow Thorns set fire to a government building on the street of Figeroa and Mayfly?" "What exactly is the point of all of this?" I ask. "To bore me to death? I think I would settle for a lethal injection." Her eyes harden. "It would be in your best interest to cooperate. You don't want to be accused of everything in these files when you go to court, do you. Help us help you." "Bullshit. We both know exactly what the courts are going to say." I look at the camera on the top corner of the wall. "Where is my lawyer? Aren't I supposed to get one?" As expected, she ignores this and slides me some pictures. I glance at them]. They're grainy, and seem to be taken from various security cameras. There's one of me stepping out from my portal, I don't remember the location. And another of me on the day Kyra died. The angle is off, and seems to come from a nearby building. I can see my younger form crouching behind the window as we're surrounded. I look back up to the Sheriff's brown eyes. "We've suspected for some time that you were part of the Yellow Thorn's higher chain. But we never imagined you would actually command them." She laughs quietly without humor. "I was surprised when Officer Williams told me you were." I stiffen at the mention of Carson and she notices. Her sharp eyes study me. "You've told him so many things, I don't see why you should stop now." She looks at the glass besides us and nods once. She starts to stand. "I will see you soon, Ms. Santos. I hope you enjoy your stay." The door opens and she gathers her papers carefully. If I weren't tied up, it would be so simple to just walk out of there. But I am. "The hearing is tomorrow," She says before leaving. "I would pray to whatever god you worship for it to go well." The door remains open as she leaves and a second later Carson walks through. He's back in his uniform once more, but without his mask. The sight of him fills me with disgust. How could I not see this coming? Am I slipping? He walks in, the door closes heavily behind him.  Like mine, his face betrays no thoughts. He sits in front of me and sighs. "We have some questions to ask you. Answer them carefully." His blue eyes meet mine and I blink lazily. "How many people work for you?" He waits until I speak and when I don't he moves on to the next question. And the next. I'm not sure how much time has passed but he finally gets the hint and stands up, not looking at me. "Open the door." He calls out. A second later they do and he leaves without looking back. They take me to my cell; which is also lined with AIM metal. There is a simple cot opposite to the floor and a toilet on the wall next to it. Two cameras watch me from above as I lie down and put my arms behind my back and close my eyes. My heart is pounding and there's no way in hell I will sleep but I won't give them the satisfaction of watching me pace around this pathetic cell.