Oath of Truth

Chapter One

He could hear the thumping of hearts, the rapid humming melody echoing with clear and subtle differences. The floor was cold, winter air biting at his fingertips and a single warm stream of blood running down the cut on his cheek. The image was too vivid, even if it was in the past it still made him shudder with unknown fear and hidden astonishment. His own heartbeat caught in his ears, a yearning to understand what was made with that knife that had struck him that fateful night, repeating like a broken record player.

His eyes drifted to the sign that was loosely boarded against the brown-tinted window, the faded 'Tyler Law Firm' pulling a heavy sigh from his chest. It was odd, how the life of oneself can change under the clock, seconds ticking like minutes, minutes like hours, and so on. But it was also so fast-- quick -- and almost unknown to what had happened. The once hot coffee was now cold, just like that night, and the moon raised with the background of smog , smoke, and beaming lights from the bustling city.

Hal gathered the long discarded files, tucking them neatly inside a ripped paper folder, sticky notes almost spilling like a river over the old desk. He pulled at the navy tie, rolling his shoulders and letting out a breathy sigh, hands running through his dark, curly locks. The stopwatch in the pocket of his slacks was oddly comforting, filling in the empty silence as he turned off the blistering lamp with the keys jingling pleasantly in his left hand. As soon as he arrived at the dim door, he could hear the frantic clicking of heels, leading straight to his door as it was forcefully pushed open with him behind it.

The door snapped against his foot, luckily only mere inches from his weary face. It was a woman who had opened the door vigorously, streaks of blonde hair wiping over to him. Hal couldn't get a breath in, the other furiously latching onto his shoulders with crystal tears leaking down her already flushed cheeks.

"Help me! Please! Please, I'm innocent!" She cried.

He sent a few hushing noises towards her, leading the distressed woman towards one of the seats across from his desk as he turned on the previously flicked off lamp. The erratic beating was almost overwhelming, a knot wrapping in his stomach. If Hal had to be honest, he didn't think that after the mugging he could ever get adjusted to hearing the hearts of others. It wasn't normal, but it showed itself useful in some cases.

"Miss, breathe. I believe you. Please tell me what's causing you to plead innocence?"

His voice wavered between nervousness and professional seriousness, however the woman didn't seem to notice too much, taking his cold hands into her warm ones with red eyes.

"They're blaming me for someone's murder! I don't understand, I didn't do anything, I really didn't," She took a rapid breath.

"Please help me-- please Mr. Tyler."

Her heart didn't waver, a single nod from Hal causing the woman to whimper with shown relief. She thanked him, Hal swiping a clean notepad from the top of his desk and positioning the tape recorder towards the two. He tugged a chair over, sitting down next and clicking the pen open. His finger pushed one of the buttons labeled 'record', the soft and inaudible scratching of the tape lingering -- unnoticeable -- began.

"Would you like to start from the beginning Miss...?"

"Samantha. And yes, I would," The woman, now known as Samantha, seemed much calmer, the wrinkles that were previously on her forehead smooth with a touch of youth and good heart.

"Okay, then please state your name, age, and where the accusation for the murder started." Hal's voice was soft-spoken, however, even with the plain facade, her hands were trembling, glassy eyes apparent on her features.