Prologue:

"In the result of current evidence and debate, Valerie is here-by convicted guilty for the hospitalization and possible death of Victor Hearsemen."

The hammer echoed in the room, finalizing what Evelynn already knew. She didn't bother to listen to her charge. She knew she would be in prison for years, possibly to death. Her head didn't hang low, and her shoulders didn't slouch. She kept your head high, acting as unfazed as possible as the commotion grew. Though, her eyes brimmed with tears as she heard her sister's scream. Without the chance to turn around, the officers hurried over to her. She stood, hands limp as she waited for them. Their movements were quick as if they thought she may run at any moment, or pull a gun out. She rolled your eyes, hiding her grimace as they tightened the cuffs an overbearing amount. However, she never mentioned it, focused on biting down the usual witty remark. That would be saved for later - when her family wasn't watching.

As she neared the door that would lead her to the iron cage, she glanced back at them. They were watching her, tears bloomed as they held each other close. Valerie grinned at them, ignoring the tears close to pouring out. She didn't care if grinning wasn't going to give her a very good image in the press, she only cared about her family. The family that sat and sobbed - everyone gathered around. Even the ones she never talked to, or the ones she honestly couldn't stand. Everywhere, there were brunette or blonde Johns or McGarveys and their loved ones. Evelynn continued to grin, taking in the last image she'll have of them for a while. Though, she focused more on the main group. They sat in the front row, ignoring everyone as they watched her.

Her mom - hair gray and yet absolutely perfect; even in tears, Evelynn can see the friendly crow's feet permanent in the corner of her mom's eyes. Evelynn's step-father, who was the closest thing she'll ever have to a dad. He wore no Seahawks, and his strong arms were holding Evelynn's mom and sister close as he watched Evelynn with tearful grey-green eyes. She'll miss her sister the most. The bouncy curls falling everywhere as her sister tried to push her way out of their family's grip with guilty blue eyes.

Seconds before Evelynn would disappear, she did something only her sister would ever understand. She loosened her hands from the officer's grips, ignoring their indignant shouts as she folded her middle and ring finger down to the palm of her right hand. With one final push, she brought her hand to her chest, her thumb pressing down on her heart as she stared after her sister. Her sister screamed again, tears flowing out as she struggled more.

Finally, Evelynn was shoved out the door.

"Hey, let's go!"

Evelynn rolls her eyes, clambering off the metal bed at the guard's rough shout. She doesn't understand why he has the need to bang on the bars. She's already awake - she never sleeps, and he knows that. Pisses her off, so much. And she definitely gives him shit for it, no matter how much trouble it gets her into. It's not like she can get out with good behavior - her sentencing set her here basically for life. She'll either die here or get out when she's seventy, and she's only just turning 28. Evelynn pauses for a moment, ignoring the sting that comes every time she misses another birthday. She thinks back on what she said, a playful frown reaching her lips, even though it's really only directed to herself. Maybe sixty if they really do release her for good behavior. But, what's the fun in that? She hums at the thought, before heading down to breakfast.

She can already tell it's going to be a long day. The guards have a certain glint in their bland eyes, and the court outside is covered in snow. What can Evelynn expect, it is only 3 days after a wonderful white Christmas. She sighs, ignoring the food offered to her. She never seems to gather an appetite anymore, and it's both paying off and probably killing her. Oh well, she's lost more weight than she will ever be proud to admit. She smirks, happy that all the extra fat she lived with for 25 years is gone.

"You gonna eat any of that today?"

She looks up, a playful smirk gathering on her features.

"I don't know man, I swear I saw something move in it."

Her smirk grows as the man lets out a playful scoff. Rick was the first guy to ever talk to her. Apparently, he notices a newbie from anywhere, and she was the most obvious. He offered her extra food and some advice, and they've been pals ever since. Though, she doesn't talk to him outside of the cafeteria. He's a cook for the prison and everyone, but her, treats him with disrespect. So, once he's done with the cooking, he's basically kicked out.

"You know, one of these days I'm going to get you to admit that I'm the best chef you've ever had the pleasure of meeting," Rick says, pointing an accusing finger at her as he sits down. Apparently, everyone's served for the day. Now, they're both just waiting for someone to kick him out.

Whatever, she'll humor him for the time being.

She plasters on a thinking face, shrugging her shoulders with a grimace. "I don't know. I heard there's this guy in Paris running a show about his bakery. Calls himself 'The Cake Boss'. Sounds pretty legit."

Rick scoffs again, and she laughs as he yells out, "You haven't even met that guy!"

They both calm down, sitting in silence. Evelynn knows he's looking back at the past, probably to the time they first met. She always grows a fit of green jealousy when she notices his eyes gloss over. She wishes she could escape into her memories, but every image - whether happy or sad - left her hating herself more than she already does. Something she hates most about this stupid prison, besides the lack of family, is the lack of music. Sure, there's enough noise to scare any passer-by, but it just doesn't work. No matter how hard she tries, she always drifts off to the darkest corners of her mind. She sighs, knowing that's exactly where she's heading.

She glances back at the officers after five minutes of silence. Something's wrong - different. No one is dismissing Rick, or walking around to make sure no one is causing trouble. She isn't even being rushed towards the courtyard, even though it's time for the daily work-out. Instead, the officers are huddling by the door, watching everyone from afar and being completely silent. Something definitely happened. Evelynn looks away, already pretty sure she knows what it is. Someone's either being moved to another cell or facility, or they're being sent to death row. She guesses it's the first option though. None of their shoulders are tensing within the time she was watching them, and they keep their eyes on Vladd. He's one of the nicest, and quietist prisoners she's ever had the pleasure of meeting. Well, good for him.

Evelynn sighs, an image of her sister flashing across her eyes. She gets up, almost hitting the table with her knee. She ignores Rick's questioning stare and the attention that roams towards her. She's not exactly famous. She doesn't start violence, but she knows she's insulted everyone at least once. She grabs her tray and moves towards Vladd. He watches her with a wary eye, as well as the guards. They start walking towards her the closer she gets to Vladd, but she simply stops five steps away from Vladd and holds out her tray.

Nothing is said as she holds out the tray until Vladd hesitantly grabs it. He's skinnier than Evelynn, surprisingly. And, despite the time she's spent here, she's never been able to drop her caring, grandmother nature.

"Good luck, I'm happy for you."

She ignores his questions, turning around and walking away. She makes a point to stare at every guard in the eye as she walks by them. They really need to stop thinking she's going to kill everyone around her. Their eyes say otherwise, as they follow her to the table she's sitting at. One of them even went as far as to check she didn't poison Vladd.

She sighs, resting her head on the table as Rick puts a fleeting hand on her shoulder. He knows Evelynn hates being touched, though it also has to do with their new company. She ignores everyone as Rick is forced to leave, as usual, and the officers stand around her table. She ignores their stares, knowing they are going to put her through hell for ignoring them.

She just wanted to congratulate someone, how bad can that be?