The Witness

The Investigation

I know people were frustrated with me. Baffled, shocked, clutching their pearls. Melony Black, the one and only witness to the murder of Antonia Hernandez, refusing to cooperate. Sleeping with the killer, dating her, in love with her. People couldn't wrap their heads around it. I can't even wrap my head around it.

My face was splashed all over every tabloid, all over social media, on every news station, I couldn't change the channel without seeing myself or hearing my name. I was number one in trending news for three days straight. The whole situation was bizarre and no one knew how to handle it.

Not me, not my friends and family, and definitely not the police.

 The Investigation

"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty!"

I watch Dakota pace back and forth in my room.

"You can't just do this! Hello!? Hello!" she grunts in frustration and tosses her phone on the bed.

"Well?" I ask.

"They are putting me on academic suspension until the investigation is over."

"Can they do that? Can't you talk to your lawyer?"

"Doesn't matter," she sighs and sits next to me. "Forget them. When this is all over you and I are going far away." She interlocks our fingers.

"When all this is over..." I stare at the ground.

"Hey, stay with me. It's all going to blow over, promise." She assures me.

We sit in tense silence for a moment.

"Dakota," I say.

She squeezes my hand.

"You killed someone. I don't think something like this blows over." I don't look at her.

We are silent for another moment.

"Maybe... maybe you should take the plea deal. You'll be out in 10 years, 15 tops." I turn to face her.

She lets go of my hand.

"No," she says.

"But—"

"The only way they can get me is if you tell them anything." She says harshly.

"I wo—"

"So long as you keep your mouth shut, I'll get off. No one knows anything, no one saw anything. Expect you. Are you going to betray me?"

"No!"

"Are you sure?" she stands up.

"I would never," I stand up too.

She turns away from me.

"Dakota you know I would never," I grab her hand.

She's silent for a moment.

"I'm just worried, if you don't take the deal you'll get life or... worse."

"The only one who can hurt me now is you." She says softly.

"The media isn't painting you in a good light. People are already against you. Dakota please, just listen to me. I'd rather wait 10 years for you than never see you again."

She turns to face me and her face is cold, mean. It reminds me of that night in the motel when she stabbed me and cut all my hair off. I take a step back.

"So long as you keep your mouth shut, I'll get off." She says.

"Dakota—"

She wraps her hands around my throat.