Until Proven Innocent

CHAPTER THIRTY

AFTER
Cordelia Waters
Saturday May 20, 2016

I have no appetite, but I manage to scrape together something to eat anyways. The pile of dishes continues to grow and I know I'm going to run out of plates and silverware soon. And then someone will have to wash them.

I stir the bowl of soup and walk over to the kitchen table. I glance down at my ankle bracelet and debate whether I could saw it off with a knife. Doctor Eilsteen is sitting on the couch in the living room speaking with Doctor Wyatt. They've been sitting there for what feels like hours, subtly lurking from corners and watching me every chance that they get. I don't know what they think staring at me is going to do – I'm not going anywhere. I can't leave the house with this thing on.

Aside from the doctors, two officers wander around the house, keeping an eye on things. Weston went out, yet again. I swear he'll make up any excuse just to leave this house. Other than that, there's no one else here. Just the five of us. I'm getting pretty restless.

I must admit, there was a moment – just a brief one – where I doubted myself. But I quickly recovered from those thoughts, reassuring myself that they are wrong. I didn't do this, even if my mind is a bit unsteady right now. I'm not crazy. I know I'm not. There's no way I could have hurt Emerald. Even in my craziest state of mind I wouldn't do that. It's just not me – not anymore, at least. I've changed. I've improved so much. We were doing so well, Emerald and me. I was even starting to get used to her cries. And now my world is being tipped upside down and shaken consistently. I didn't do anything to her. I couldn't have. I'd remember that. Wouldn't I?

When I hear the doorbell ring, I immediately stand up, wondering who else could be here. Gerard again, perhaps? Doctor Wyatt motions for me to sit back down as she strides towards the front door.

When she pulls it open, my heart nearly leaps out of my chest when I see my parents standing there. I know they were only here yesterday, but yesterday feels like a lifetime ago. They drove back home to Evanston to drop their things off last night, which is reasonable considering they came to my place straight from the airport, and said they'd try to be back as soon as possible. I had completely forgotten, with everything else going on. I jump up and make my way towards the door to greet them.

Having my parents here makes everything feel so much better. A feeling of invincibility. They can't arrest me if my parents are here to protect me. It reminds me of being a child. How you know everything will be okay as long as your parents are there and on your side. They will protect you and make sure nothing bad happens.

Except now I'm not sure that they can protect me anymore. This situation has gone so far beyond my control and now, even my parents are concerned for me. They keep assuring me that everything will be fine. That they'll find the person responsible for taking Emerald. But no matter how convincing they try to be, I can still see the flicker of doubt in their eyes.