Black Iris

Psych time

Iris

Ophelia looked like she has seen a ghost.

We arrived to the courts first today, Blake paranoid because of what had happened yesterday, and my lecture this morning. He was deadly silent on the way over, and I could tell he was furious, scheming some sort of way to get back at me. I half expected him to pull me down and do something in the car, but he was obviously worried about appearances, because he didn't even touch me. He hardly looked at me, aside from checking my cheek to make sure any marks were sufficiently covered by my foundation.

It was, of course. Although I was in half a mind to walk past the press with no make up and let them see this abusive fuck for who he truly was.

I didn't though.

I was smarter than that, and I wasn't going to let Blake's dumb behaviour fuck me up.

Now, what was fucking me up was seeing how tired Ophelia looks. Tired, and sad.

So, so sad.

Blake leaned over as she walks in, seeing my attention turn to her.

"Still believe what you said this morning?" He asked.

"She's not the one taking the stand today, Blake." I scowled.

He rolled his eyes, as if to say, I told you so. I rolled my eyes right back, then caught a photographer in the press section taking a photo of the moment. When she pulled the camera away, she looked incredibly pleased with herself. I stifled a bit, then pursed my lips. Whatever. If they saw us disagreeing, so be it. It wouldn't change much in the grand scheme of things.

A few minutes later, the court quietened down as the judge walked in, and brought in the jury. I took the moment to look over them. I wondered what their stories were. What they thought of the case so far. What they thought of me.

I looked back at the judge.

"All be seated for day 2 of Ivy v Alto, would the prosecution please present their evidence to the court."

Blake's lawyer, Mr. Johansson, rose. "We present article four, Doctor Archer Lewis' psychiatric assessment of Ms. Ophelia Alto, from March of this year."

He cleared his throat, and started speaking.

The report was scathing, calling into question Ophelia's mental state of mind, saying she exhibited irrational and impulsive behaviour, saying she was nothing short of a destitute little arsonist, traumatised from domestic abuse, exhibiting signs of PTSD and bipolar disorder.

It was extreme. And elements were probably true. But there was no mention of recent trauma. It was all just focused on her history.

I knew that was the plan. That it was the strategy. But it still felt so wrong to hear it portrayed like that.

Then began our questioning. Johansson led the man down a rabbit hole, furthering this theory that Ophelia was a mentally damaged and traumatised young girl who was very capable of lighting a house on fire.

It was easy to forget that that fire was the reason for this whole court case. All of this because Blake had the gall to step out and claim innocence.

It made me sick.

But I kept my face impassive. Because I was Blake's Iris. His good little girl.

Johansson throughout his questioning kept getting interrupted with objections. He was trying to lead a narrative, so every time he did that overtly, Ophelia's team would call it out. It was at least comforting to watch.