The interrogation room's fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, unforgiving glare on the sterile metal table between them. The hum seemed to seep into Theo's skin, making his muscles tense with every tick of the second hand. He sat slouched in the hard chair, arms crossed defensively, watching Evelyn — his new lawyer — with a mixture of skepticism and cautious hope.
Evelyn was sharp, poised, and clearly the kind of person who meant business. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, and her eyes flickered with a quiet fire that made it clear she wasn't someone to waste time with. She tapped a pen against her notepad, leaning forward just enough to bridge the distance.
"So, Theo," Evelyn began, her tone professional but not unfriendly, "I want to get this straight. You admit to punching Ash?"
Theo nodded, folding his arms tighter. "Yeah, I did. He deserved it."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable for a moment. "Do you understand why you punched him?"
Theo shrugged, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his voice despite the tension. "Because he's been cyberbullying me for months. I let it slide, until… well, until I had enough."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, studying him like she was peeling back layers. "Did you involve Isabella's family in any way? Any threats, messages, or anything like that?"
Theo hesitated, then shook his head firmly. "No. I kept them out of it. It was all between me and Ash."
Evelyn nodded approvingly, making a quick note. "Good. That keeps the case simpler. Now, do you have any proof of this bullying? Messages, screenshots, anything concrete?"
Theo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No. Most of it was anonymous. Ash posted pictures, rumors, stuff like that. But no proof I can show in court."
She tapped her pen thoughtfully against the table. "That definitely makes this harder to defend, especially without physical evidence."
Theo grinned wryly, a dry humor flickering through his eyes. "Welcome to my life."
Evelyn allowed herself a faint smile, folding her hands on the table. "Alright. Here's the deal. Don't say a word to the police without me present. And definitely keep your sarcastic remarks to yourself — they don't help."
Theo smirked, almost mocking. "Annoying sarcasm? Yes, ma'am."
Before Evelyn could reply, the door opened abruptly, and two guards stepped in, their faces unreadable.
"Time's up," one said curtly. "Let's go."
Evelyn stood, adjusting her jacket. "We'll continue this tomorrow, Theo. Stay out of trouble."
Theo was cuffed, the cold metal biting into his wrists as they led him out. His footsteps echoed down the cold, sterile corridor that smelled of disinfectant and despair. The walls seemed to close in, oppressive and unyielding.
The heavy clang of the holding cell door slamming behind him punctuated the silence. The stale air inside was thick with tension, sweat, and a thousand untold stories. Theo took a seat on the hard metal bench, muscles aching from hours of sitting in the interrogation room.
He scanned the room.
In the far corner sat a burly man with a thick beard and a weathered face. The man's amused grin stretched wide as he noticed Theo sitting alone.
"So, what're you in for, kid?" the man asked, voice rough but friendly.
Theo smirked despite himself. "I punched a rich bastard."
The man laughed heartily, his grin widening like he appreciated the joke.
"Rape, murder, robbery?" he teased.
Theo's smile flickered for a moment, but the man's laughter was contagious, and he found himself relaxing just a little.
"Nah, just messing. I'm in for trying to kill a guy," the man said, lowering his voice as if confessing a secret.
Theo blinked, eyebrows raising. "Wow, less frightening."
The man settled beside him, the bench creaking under his weight. "Name's Jake. You?"
"Theo," he said, offering his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Jake shook it firmly, then leaned in slightly. "This place is a hellhole, but you learn to survive. Make friends or at least don't make enemies. That's the rule."
Theo's eyes darkened for a moment, the weight of his own storms reflecting in them. "I'm used to storms. Some happen indoors."
Jake nodded knowingly. "Yeah, we all got demons. Some of us just wear 'em on the outside."
The cell door rattled sharply as a guard walked away, leaving them alone again.
Jake's voice lowered to a casual tone, though there was seriousness beneath it. "How long you in for?"
Theo shrugged, trying to sound casual, but the uncertainty lingered beneath. "Five to nine months, if I'm lucky."
Jake whistled low. "Decent stretch. Keep your head down. Don't give the guards any reason to notice you."
Theo laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. "Trouble's kind of my specialty."
Jake chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You'll be fine. It's a game in here. Play smart."
Theo nodded slowly, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the bleakness. Maybe this wasn't the end of his story after all. Maybe it was just another chapter—dark and messy—but not the last.
He leaned back against the cold wall, eyes closing briefly as exhaustion tugged at him. Outside the cell, the distant hum of voices and footsteps continued—a world moving on without him, unaware of the battles waging behind these walls.
But inside, Theo's mind was already planning, already fighting.
He wasn't done yet.