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Afterthoughts

An original story by Aussie

Page 2

The same age as my daughter. Officer Jake glimpsed into the rearview mirror and saw the bedraggled mess slumped against the door in the backseat of his cruiser.

Coincidence or no coincidence, this girl was going in. Someone covered with blood and dirt and scared of the cops was someone who needed to be helped.

Maybe more than just help, Jake thought, wondering if she was related to the latest emergency call. A neighbor on 93rd had called in about a possible break in--she'd heard glass shatter and some yelling. Two cars were enroute at that moment, but he'd heard nothing yet.
..............................................

"You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. You have the right to ..." The officer droned on and on. Mia sat across the table from him, looking down at her cuffed hands, barely hearing his memorized speech while a movie replayed itself through her mind.

....................................

"We're out of milk, Mia. Run down to the market would you," Her mom juggled the baby as she rummaged through her purse for a few bills.

"I'm meeting David in half an hour, mom. I'll be late."

"Family before social life," her mom chided.

Mia slammed the door as hard as she could.

.....................................

"The accusations against you are clear."

Mia's thoughts sprang back to the present.

"I recommend you contact an attorney." The officer raised an eyebrow. "You won't be getting out of this very easily, young lady. Taking the innocent life of another person is about as grave a crime as one can commit, and being just a teenager doesn't make it any less a sin."

.......................................

The market was five blocks down from Mia's apartment. David lived three blocks the opposite direction. There was no way she'd make it to his place in time.

I should've made it earlier. He wanted to come then. What was I thinking? Mia winced as she stubbed her right big toe.

The market was always busy. Today was no exception. Farmers, butchers and grocerymen set up little tables and tents up and down the wide street hawking their goods at every passerby.

"Moldy cabbage for a buck. A string of dog chewed sausages for five." Mia muttered sarcastically.

She laughed at the ridiculous outfit some overzealous salesman was wearing.

"Miss, you look like you could use a job--a fine paying job," the salesman grabbed her arm.

"Leave me be!" Mia jerked herself free and began walking faster, plowing through shoppers, bags, and hyperactive children.

Where was the dairyman? Surely someone's here selling milk. All she saw were crates of vegetables, fresh cut meats strung up on ropes, and shelves and shelves of useless trinkets.

"Ice cream! Fresh ice cream!" Mia turned toward the sound.

She heard the yell too late. Something rammed into her, knocking her over, covering her head and making it hard to breathe. She ordered her arms and legs to fight, to struggle, but they didn't respond at all. She was limp, helpless, and then everything went black.

.......................................................

"Mia Trumon." A female voice penetrated her nightmare and brought her back to the present.

"Mia Trumon," A woman in uniform stood at the door to her cell. "Come this way. The court will be meeting soon."

A shudder went through her body, accompanied by goosebumps. She looked around the cell as she slowly stood. She didn't remember being here, didn't remember coming here. She didn't know how long she'd even been there. Everything was just one fragmented horror movie, except this time, she wasn't cuddled up with David and there was no bag of popcorn in her hand. This time it was real, and David was erased from her life.

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