Black Iris

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Rose

My mother said nothing on the way to the court. At one point, my father leant across while driving and said something to her quietly, but she just scowled.

When we arrived at the courts, sure as the light of day, the press were there to greet us as we came out of the carpark and headed up the front steps. They swarmed me, clamouring to get a question in. I endured the enslaught, ignoring them until security rushed in and formed a barricade around to get me to the entrance. Inside, we went through security, then found my lawyer, Clara, in the entryway of the building who was looking equally frazzled.

"Bloody press," she muttered quietly to me as I walked over, my parents behind me. "A bunch of bloodsucking journalists, they are."

"Amen," I muttered. She shook her head and returned her focus to me.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

I shrugged. "Honestly?" She nodded. "Scared shitless."

Clara let out a loud laugh that caused the people surrounding us to all turn and look. She gave them a courtesy smile and wave before turning again to me.

"I am not laughing at you, Ophelia. I'm laughing at the frankness of your reply. Of course that's how you're feeling."

I shrugged. "Is that not how you're feeling too?"

She shook her head. "No, hun. We have a solid defence, a killing offence, and the power of the underdog on our side. Soon enough, they'll both behind bars and you can move on with your life. How's that sound?"

"Sounds too good to be true," I muttered.

Before she could respond, there was a clamour of noise behind us, and our attention was drawn to the doors of the foyer. We watched as security guards opened the doors and in sauntered the devil himself.

Blake was wearing a crisp white business shirt with the cuffs folded, and pressed black pants, a suit jacket which was buttoned halfway down but open at the bottom, and a striking burgundy tie.

At his side cowered Gwen, dressed in a pinkish orange preppy dress. She looked the perfect companion to Blake, distinguished but approachable, an innocent little flower that surely could do no wrong. I was surprised they hadn't coordinated outfits. Although I suppose that wouldn't be a good look to the jury.

Blake glanced across at me absentmindedly before turning his attention to the security checkpoint, putting his briefcase in a tray and stepping through the metal detector. Gwen, on the other hand, looked at me intently, as if she was trying to tell me something with her eyes. I frowned, confused. But before I could figure it out, Blake had cleared his throat and she had to follow through security.

That was when the metal detector went off.

Gwen startled, looking confused. A group of security guards pulled her aside and started speaking to her, then gave her a pat down. She bit her lip and shut her eyes as they did, and I could see clearly how much the unwanted touch was affecting her. I had no doubt it was bringing back all sorts of memories.

The security guard finished his pat down with nothing to show for it and asked her to step through again.

She did as told, and the metal detector went off once again. At this stage, the whole foyer was watching, as the security guard said something to her, then led her down to a door where they disappeared. Shortly after, the security guard reemerged but Gwen did not. There was a murmur amongst the foyer as people wondered what had happened. Meanwhile, the security guard addressed Blake, his voice quiet.