The Truth Chase

Chapter 1

I don't believe it's right to judge someone. I mean, who's to say I'm a better person than the man wearing handcuffs? Who's to say I can choose whether a person is good or not? Who's to say that I know the whole truth?

I still have to choose whether Daniel Starker is guilty or innocent though. And I have to choose in the next 2 minutes before the other members of the jury kill me.

There's an overwhelming amount of proof but the proof doesn't seem enough for me. There are photos of Daniel Starker outside Mary Benson's shop before she was killed. There's a CCTV camera in the shop showing a man of similar build in the shop just before the camera's cut off. But how could the killer cut the camera and be in front of the camera at the same time.

The lawyers insist that there's no other explanation and I have to admit, Daniel Starker's lawyer isn't doing a very good job of defending him.

I don't want to choose whether he goes to jail. All the other members of the jury have voted that he's guilty anyway, what does my vote matter?

"All 12 members of the jury have to vote, ma'am." That's the robotic reply I get every time I ask.

All the other members of the jury keep on asking why I insist on spending forever deliberating on my decision considering the man will be going to jail anyway but they don't understand that I am in control of someone else's life here. I have to make the right decision for myself. Which is why I surprise myself when I finally speak.

"I vote not guilty."

Even though I was reeling in uncertainty just a few moments ago, my voice sounds confident in my decision but my second of confidence is wiped away when I see 11 shocked faces turn to look at me. In the moments of silence that follow soon after, I find myself having a silent stare down with everyone at the table. I never have been any good at staring competitions so it comes as no surprise when my eyes begin to sting and water. I'll just blame it on my contact lenses, I say to myself when I break contact with everyone else. I don't know how contact lenses affect staring contests but no one else has to know that. Unless other people are wearing contact lenses too. Then that would just be awkward. I mean, my eyes do get itc - wait, why is everyone leaving.
Oh. Oh. It's the end of the trial. I'm free. A surge of happiness flows through my body but it soon dissolves when I realise Daniel Starker won't be free.