Chapter Text
30 Days Until Trial
She didn't think she'd really make it here. Yet, she somehow did. How did she make it? Well, that's quite a little complicated. Though, she seems more than used to her new life around this place. You could even say she has come to terms with the idea.
"LANES, VIOLET", read the small tag clipped to the right chest pocket of her prison shirt. Her steps were broad and confident as she made her way to the prison's dining hall. At this point, she doesn't even do it on purpose—asserting dominance and intimidating other inmates with only her fierce presence. It was instinct. Or her body got used to it. Either way, that's how Vi acts now.
"Lanes, up!" A bald correctional officer approaches Vi, just as she took a munchy bite of her cheap bean burrito. The woman instantly moved her gaze to the man startling her eating program... again.
"Again?!" Vi sounded rightfully pissed, well morr pissed than she usually is.
"Yeah, again! Stop wasting my time and move!" The officer scolded her again.
"It's another smartass tryna' make me plead guilty or some shit?" She asks while taking a beloved final bite of the burrito, standing up.
"I got no damn idea." The officer says dismissively, helping Vi up by grabbing her arm roughly. "They only sent me to get you, I ain't got no other information."
Vi pulled back from the man's grip and shot him a dangerous glare. Against her will, the woman sticked out her hands and the officer quickly handcuffed her. She already knew the drill by head, she'd went through attorney visits a ton of times, yet they all gave up the very moment they saw her.
"Good luck." The man said finally, before opening the door of the interview room and shoving Vi inside.
The dim lights flickered poorly as they painted the room in that pale tone of white Vi was starting to hate. In the middle of the room were a table and two chairs. Classic. Vi's eyes quickly wandered even higher, landing on the surveillance cameras planted at the corners.
However, what caught Vi's eye from the room was the person sitting at the table. Her attorney, she figured. Dark blue hair unfolded neatly over the woman's back and shoulders, her clothes looked expensive, very expensive, based on what Vi imagined.
"Good morning." The attorney said politely, her voice so posh and elegant, just as her appearence, for that matter.
Vi took another second to analyze her, before she finally got to sit down facing her new attorney. "Mornin'."
"I am Caitlyn Kiramman, the attorney assigned to your case, Miss Lanes." The woman informed her client.
"Should I clap?" Vi already started her usual play, mocking and messing around with the attorney. A grin stretched over her expression.
Caitlyn left out a sigh, like she knew so far how their entire partnership is going to go. "I've reviewed your conviction and I've been appointed to prepare your defense for the upcoming trial."
Vi leaned back in her chair lazily. "Uh huh... sure." Her tone dripped sarcasm.
Caitlyn sighed once again, but kept going, she knew better than to let an inmate get under her skin so easily. "Miss Lanes, I also have to inform you that everything we discuss is strictly protected by attorney-client privilege."
Vi yawned this time, stretching her arms, the chair creaking slightly as she did so. "Cool."
Caitlyn took a deep breath and continued, "That means I can't share anything that you tell me without your consent."
"Got it, yeah." Vi said again, this time, her tone laced a whole lot of boredom besides her constant playfulness and mockery.
Caitlyn nodded briefly at the woman ahead of her as she put on a pair of glasses and, with slender digits, she opened one of the files that were sitting right next to her on the table.
"Alright, Miss Lanes, I intent to start with some base questions for you." Caitlyn started, mindlessly gesturing elegantly with her hands.
She adjusted her voice. "Could you take me back to that day again? Explain me everything from the very beginning?"
Vi grinned sarcastically, leaning against the table now. "You got my file there." She plops back into the chair, crossing her hands ovee her chest. "Read it again."
Caitlyn felt useless at this point. Out of all the clients she ever had to represent, she thought that, by far, Violet was the most difficult one. She took yet another deep breath and slowly put her glasses aside on the table. "Miss Lanes—"
"God, just call me Vi, it's equal parts funny and annoying hearing my name like that." She snaps back, her grin finally dissapearing even for the briefest moment.
Caitlyn parted her lips, but nothing came out at first. With a readjusting cough, she started again. "Okay then, Vi, what I want you to understand is that I am only trying to help you here. I mean no harm."
Vi scoffed. "That's what they all said. Yet, here I am." She left out a dry chuckle that laced no amusement.
"I get that it's hard being imprisoned for so many years, but you have to at least try to make yourself useful for your own case, Vi."
"You don't know shit about being in here." The other woman shot back even fiercer this time, her words straight out dangerous.
To that comment, Caitlyn felt speechless for the first time, as though she had no professional reply to use anymore. She opened her mouth instinctively again, but quickly closed it back and rubbed her temples thoughtfully.
A charged tension filled the silence.
"Violet, I am going to win your trial. I promise you. But, there's only two things I am asking you to do." The blue haired woman broke the silence.
Vi didn't look surprised or even hopeful at her attorney's words. She heard this before. A shit ton of times. Yet... the assurance and confidence the woman said those words with made Vi's ears perk a tiny bit.
"To answer my questions and be as honest with me as you can." The attorney finished and waited patiently for Vi's answer or reaction.
Vi looked away, avoiding Caitlyn's gaze and her expression showed a flicker of thoughtfulness, as though she was considering the other woman's words.
"I'll... think about it." She met Caitlyn's eyes again, fierce powderish blue pools looking into deep blue ones. "But you still don't have my trust."
Caitlyn closed her file and set it aside, over the other pile of files. She wasn't quite happy with her client's answer, but... it's still some sort of progress, she thought. And she knew, deep inside her, that one way, or another, she'll get Violet to talk, and moreover, she'll earn her trust.
But Caitlyn settled with this for now. And she figured it's enough.
"Time's up, counselor!" Two knocks echoed against the metal door, followed by a rough voice.
Caitlyn stood up, fixing her tailored navy blazer and collecting her files neatly. Her composure as elegant and confident as always. "Starting with today, we've got thirty days until your trial." She spoke calmly, as she got out a small piece of paper from her blazer's pocket and handed it to her client.
Vi took it hesitatingly and looked at it. A mini-calendar. Marked neatly with thirty mini-squares, each day to her trial, the woman figured.
"I'll see you again in three days."
And with that, she politely shook her head once, eyes locked on Vi's own gaze and she left the interview room with determined steps, her sleek heels clicking loudly and echoing through the entire hallway.
"C'mon, Lanes!" The officer scolded Vi once more, earning a sigh from the woman and another slump against the chair.
---
In her dark and cold cell, Vi found herself lazily sitting against a wall, fingers fidgeting with the little calendar her attorney gave her. Her mind was pretty much flying places.
Will Caitlyn Kiramman, or whatever her name was, really be able to achieve what her previous attorneys all failed to, and keep her promise? Or were they all just some more encouraging words that are truly meaningless?
Vi couldn't help but wonder. And... hope. She'd never admit to it, but truth be said, she was hoping like crazy. That this woman could do her job, not care about Vi or show her more pity, but just simply to do her job.
Vi shoved the thoughts aside and climbed onto the cold, torn mattress the prison called a bed.
While she slowly drifted off to the world of sleep, she actually kept that tiny calendar from Caitlyn right in her right chest pocket, close to her.