The unknown

The Unknown. 

Sabrina hangs her head low, grieving for her lost loved one. Her fiancé, Shane, was only 25 when he was murdered in his own home while on his way to see her. She watches as his mother sobs as the casket is being lowered into the ground. Tears well up in Sabrina's eyes, but she dares not cry remembering the last time she did. Eighteen years ago, Sabrina watched as her mother lay lifeless, empty, pale. Sabrina’s crying is what she believed led to her mother's death. The people hated her crying, so to make her stop, they killed her mother. 

After that, Sabrina never shed another tear. Not at her best friend’s funeral, not for anyone. As Shane’s casket was fully lowered into the grave, Sabrina said her last goodbye. Her heart clenched and the tears filling up inside her remained hidden and locked away. She walked away from his casket and approached his mother, Diane. “Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I was so excited about your guys’ wedding. I wonder who would do such a thing!” Diane says, her voice trembling and her face stained from tears. Sabrina’s head hangs low as Shane’s mother goes on and on about how perfect Shane used to be and how excited she was about their upcoming wedding.

“Yeah, me too,” Sabrina replies.

“Come on honey, no need to be strong for him, you can shed a few tears. It’s okay.” 

“Except it’s not," Sabrina says loud enough for only Diane to hear. "Crying is what got my mother killed. Shane was the only one who knew that. After what happened, I vowed to never shed another tear. I didn’t want to kill anybody else. Everybody I cared about is gone. The only family I have left is my dad, and he’s in jail.”  

Diane’s hand was sent flying to cover her mouth as she gasped loudly, turning everyone’s attention towards her. She quickly shoed everyone’s eyes away and turned to Sabrina. “Why haven’t you told me! I could’ve helped! I worked in the therapy department for 12 years. We could’ve solved your problems and fears.” Sabrina looks at Diane with a hint of guilt in her eyes.

“I... I’m sorry Diane. I didn’t know how to tell anyone.” Before anyone else could say another word, at least 3 cop cars showed up.

“LAPD! Sabrina Green, put your hands where we can see them.” Sabrina looks around, confused and scared.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Sabrina’s head swivels from left to right as she watches the police surround her.

“You are under arrest for the murder of Shane Green.” Diane’s face turns from an expression of concern to disbelief.

“Sir,” Diane began, 

“Do you have proof of this? Sabrina was happily engaged to my son, Shane.” 

“Yes Ma’am, we do. We would be happy to show you the evidence in court on Monday, December 2nd. Please meet us at the Allen Court Building at 10:30 A.M.” 

And with that, the police left with Sabrina handcuffed int he back of the vehicle. When they arrive at the police station, they walk Sabrina to a temporary cell. She would stay there until the court hearing. If she was guilty, she would be moved to an official prison with a life sentence for first-degree murder. If proven not-guilty, she would be allowed to go home, under supervision. 

“Sir, I, I don’t understand, I would never murder my fiancé! We were only engaged for three months!” 

“That’s what they all say.” 

“But-” 

“No if, ands, or buts about it. For all we know right now, you are guilty until further notice. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go on lunch break. Don’t do anything stupid. There will be an officer on duty at all times, so don’t even try doing anything stupid.” Then, Officer Moore leaves. Sabrina turns around and sees three other men sitting on the bench in the small cell. 

“Hey! Cinderella! Did someone finally get tired of the princess life and commit a murder?” One of them teased as the others laughed at his snarky comment.

“Listen here, I am NOT guilty what so ever. They just don’t want to believe me.” The others laughed as she turned away to face the bars holding her in this musty cell.  

After a few hours of waiting, dinner was brought. A soggy PB&J sandwich with rotten Granny Smith apples, and a small bottled water that won’t even last her an hour.

“Eat fast, dinner clean-up is at 5:30, it’s currently 5:23.” The men in the cell with Sabrina chowed down on their sandwiches, but Sabrina, she didn’t touch hers. All she wanted was to go home. Or at least have the comfort of home. But all she got was a bang on the bars,

“Hey, you better eat that! The station pays good money for this stuff.” One of the officers says as he takes a bite of a grilled burger. Sabrina reluctantly takes a bite of the sandwich and gags as she chews it. The bread tastes as if it molded four days ago, and the peanut butter tastes like cardboard, meanwhile, you can’t even taste the jelly. With Sabrina’s stomach grumbling loud enough for her to hear, she finishes the terrible sandwich and washes it down with the bottled water they gave her. 

***** 

Diane paces her living room back and forth until her legs start to get tired. At this point in the day, it is close to midnight and Diane hasn’t had a wink of sleep. She has a motherly feeling that Sabrina is innocent, but she has no evidence to prove it. Diane tries multiple times to call the police station so she can talk to Sabrina. But no luck, the officers there won’t let her see Sabrina until she is proven guilty or innocent. Diane collapses onto her bed and worries about Sabrina, imagining Sabrina pale and lifeless as she sits in the cell and rots. Then, a phone call. The voice on the line is shaky and unsteady as it speaks,

“She can finally rot in jail for the rest of her life.” A quick, yet evil laugh, and the line goes dead silent. Diane sits there, speechless, wondering if this was just a prank, or something much more serious.