I didn't do it. It wasn't me.

Those were the words that I said, every time someone tried to make me talk, to make me snap under the pressure. I am going to plead my innocence until the very end. But my fate is no longer in my hands.

Someone is talking about me, talking about bits of evidence that apparently proves my guilt. Angry shouts are coming from the crowd. They want them to hurry up and give the verdict. Traitors will be punished. But it's hard to concentrate. All the voices sound detached, and as if they are coming from far away. It all seems surreal, somehow. It's just too atrocious to be true. It all happened so fast. It's madness. It can't be true. Why me? I'm innocent.

My time in prison is all a bit of a blur. I remember waking up in a cell, maybe two or three days ago. I'm not sure how long I was left alone in my cell, being tortured by my thoughts and imaginings. The concept of time became meaningless. The only thing I can remember clearly, in excruciating detail, is when Athrun came to visit me in my cell. I was so glad to see him – at first. I was so relieved that he was alright, that he had survived the explosion. Surely he didn't believe any of this madness. Surely Athrun would believe that I was innocent. I could count on him – couldn't I? But I was wrong.

Athrun's words keep echoing in my mind. It was you who betrayed us to the Earth Forces! Admit it, Nicol! Even Athrun thinks that I am a traitor. He's the only friend I have in this place, but now even he doesn't believe me.

I don't know how much time had passed after that when someone came and unlocked the door to my cell, telling me that it was time for my trial.

I had been marched down the corridors and dragged onto the stage of the hall I knew so well. The old piano stands in the corner of the stage, as if it's mocking me. I was here, playing the piano, at the time of the attack. It wasn't me who planted the bomb. I was here. But I can't prove it.

All the seats are filled. Everyone's here, as if they are witnessing some kind of performance. I had always wanted to play in a real piano concert; it has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Now I am on the stage and everyone's attention is on me, but for all the wrong reasons. It's hard to see the people's faces, with all these bright lights in my eyes. I feel as if they're witnessing my death.

My poor parents. By now they must have heard about what happened. Are they angry? Are they sad? Do they also think that I am a traitor? Come back to us, Nicol, they had said. But what must they think of me now? How does it feel to have your child betray us all?

But it wasn't me! I didn't do it. The worst thing is the fact that no one believes me. All the proof points to me. They really thought this through, didn't they? Whoever it was who framed me. They made sure that there's nothing I can say in my defense. They overlooked nothing.

They haven't said it yet, but I know they're going to. A crime like this – it deserves the death penalty. The punishment for being a traitor is death. Traitors must die. But what did I ever do to deserve this? Will I die with everyone believing that I am a traitor? Will I die with my parents believing that their only child betrayed them – betrayed them and all the people of the PLANTS?

I feel tears prickling my eyes. No, I must not cry. I close my eyes and try to steady my ragged breathing.

If I die, I'm going to die with dignity.

Fifteen is too young to die.

Suddenly, the door at the back of the hall bursts open.

"Stop!"

I look up to see Yzak run through the murmuring crowd, desperately making his way to the stage. What's going on?

"Nicol's innocent."