The corridor was icy cold. Once in a while, police officers would pass by and look at them suspiciously. They were at the police station. Alandria and Zayden were told to wait. They were questioned one by one and Alandria told them that she was Zayden's girlfriend and went looking for him. Zayden forbade her to say anything else. After that they both sat on a bench in the corridor and waited... waited... waited... waited...

"I want you to go home" Zayden began.

"I want you to shut up" Alandria continued, "We still have a chance to get through this..."

She halted. A man in uniform had approached them. He was taller and fatter than any other police officer. He was the commissioner.

"So!" he said in a coarse voice, "There you are! Quite the little troublemaker eh!"

He was looking at Alandria and he gave out a laugh.

Then his gaze shifted to Zayden.

"I am not talking about you though! Arms trafficking! Bloody Connors. You should be ashamed to drag this girl into this."

"I am" Zayden replied, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"No! It's not like that! He is innocent! Dr Bertram! He tried to...."

Alandria was interrupted again.

Another man had just arrived. He whispered something into the commissioner's ear. Then he handed him some papers.

"I can see all of that now" the commissioner said, " WELL. ZAYDEN CONNORS. SON OF JOHN ALMER CONNORS, YOU ARE TO BE ARRESTED TONIGHT FOR ARMS TRAFFICKING AND SALES ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES."

"What?" Alandria cried, "He's never sold illegal..."

"TAKE HIM AWAY" the commissioner approached Zayden who was now standing, "You will be placed in remand and you will be in trial tomorrow. You can call your lawyer when you reach there. TAKE HIM AWAY NOW."

"Zayden! No. Please! You don't understand. Let me talk to him! One last time!"

She was about to grab his shirt, but the commissioner came in front of her. She was left with the image of Zayden being escorted outside...he did not turn back. He knew. He knew it was all over for him.

No! This cannot be!

"And you my dear" the commissioner said, looking at her with suspicious eyes, "You are in big troubles. Here is a paper which is your invitation to court tomorrow. Ha! And of course, you are not allowed to leave the country. You're still a minor so a police officer will take you home. See you in court tomorrow."

Alandria wanted to cry her heart out. She felt a lump in her throat and her legs gave in. She put a hand against the wall for support. No...this was not the time to fall apart. They still had a chance. The hearing was for tomorrow. Everything could get sorted out.

As she sat in the vehicle she started imagining how the proceedings at court would take place. Would they chain Zayden? No. He was not a murderer... would they accuse him of being guilty? He was after all an arms trafficker.

She arrived in front of her house in a couple of minutes. As she emerged out, she saw her worst nightmare. A very angry aunt Ninana was waiting for her in the garden. Of course she would know...she had to give the police officers her personal information during the interrogation. The officers must have called her.

As she approached her, she realized that her aunt was not only fuming with rage, but also ready...to beat the crap out of her. There was a stick in her hand. Before she had the time to yell, Alandria handed her the paper. The woman scanned it quickly then got to "work".

Alandria could feel the bruises on her body burn as her aunt beat her with all her force. The young girl lay on the ground, covering her mouth as the tears snaked down her cheeks. Blow after blow...there was no respite. Her aunt seemed to be letting out the rage from many years ago; her anger, her jealousy, Alandria's rebellion...

"STOP!!!!!" Alandria shrieked.

She sobbed so loudly on the grass that the aunt was taken aback.

This is the last time, Alandria thought as her body shook with rage and desperation, the last time!

She pulled herself together and clambered to her feet.

"YOU HATE ME AND THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE WITH ME! BUT BEAR WITH ME FOR A FEW MORE DAYS! AFTER THAT, I'LL BE GONE!"

"Really, where will you go?" Aunt Ninana asked defiantly, "Do you have a house? Got money? You haven't even finished your education! Clear off Alandria. You remain a little piece of..."

"Shut up" Alandria retaliated, "You know nothing."

She will leave with Zayden. Zayden promised he would take care of them. Surely Zayden would be liberated on the next day. Surely...right?

**************************************************

The next morning arrived pretty quickly. Hopefully, Emmeline did not find out anything about last night and went to school. Alandria started getting ready at 9. She wore classic black pants, a white formal shirt and a black blazer. Her hairs were tied in a ponytail and she wore make-up to make herself look more awake...those dark circles and oddly pale cheeks did not make her look very healthy. She had to look her best.

She arrived in the court room an hour later with aunt Ninana. A few police officers came to talk to them and told them to sit in front, which they did. Alandria waited, but her heart was not at peace and her eyes were searching for him desperately.

The judge entered the room and everybody stood up.

The judge was a man of about 50 years old. He was tall and had white hairs. He seemed quite serious and sat down quickly. He asked for a few documents which he scanned quickly and looked directly at the audience behind his square glasses.

The door barged open and a few officers walked in. Alandria's heart dropped. Zayden was right behind them with handcuffs. His eyes were red and he looked utterly defeated. Alandria's eyes watered and fixed him, but Zayden did not see her and sat down quietly.

"The proceedings for the case of arms trafficking concerning the Connors family will begin. The prosecutor, Mr. Canningham, is present and the defense is being represented by..."

"Attorney Jason Brooks your honour" a man in his early thirties announced as he stood up.

He looked rather young with straight,shiny brown hair, a pointy nose and high chekekbones. He looked very professional in his lawyer attire and walked in front of the judge in full confidence, "I will represent Zayden Connors, my client..."

He paused. He then directed his gaze directly at Alandria.

Alandria instantly became red. What the....

"I will also be defending Alandria ...." he finished with a smile and a friendly wink to her.

He looked very friendly. So this was Zayden's lawyer.

"Thank you Mr. Brooks" the judge said, "Zayden Connors. You are being accused of arms and illegal substance trafficking. How do you plead?"

"Guilty, your honour" Zayden said, "But only of arms trafficking"

"Very well. We shall start with the prosecutor's version."

Guilty?! Did he want to be condemned?!

The prosecutor stood up. With dark hair, a crooked nose and   grey eyes, he looked quite self-disciplined and resourceful. This guy meant business.

"Your honour'" the man began in a plummy voice, "This case is quite simple. Zayden Connors, 18 year old, son of the famous business Tycoon, Jonathan Connors, owner of Connors Textile. It has come to our attention after a raid last night, that the Connors family are arms traffickers and hold a secret base on Wilber Street where most trafficking takes place. Do you deny it sir?"

"No." Zayden mumbled.

"He should therefore be condemned 25 years of prison according to Federal Laws. This case is the most simple one. Done and dusted. That will be all your honour."

The court room was silent.

25 years!!!! That was preposterous! But Zayden was involved...

But was it fair to imprison him for such a long time when it was his father who started it all and dragged him in it?

Alandria looked at lawyer Brooks. Would he be able to defend Zayden now?