Raven slouched in the small cold prison cell hopelessly.
She was caressing the hairpin and the hair ribbon in her hands.
She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She hoped that she could just wake up from the nightmare. She didn't.
At that exact moment, Will and Jaden arrived breathing heavily from running. A guard walked behind them.
" Be quick." He told them. They nodded.
Seeing them, Raven forced a smile. She walked over, and stood just behind the bars.
" Are you good?" She asked them.
Jaden nodded. Will only stared at her expressionlessly.
" Are they feeding you?" Will asked.
" I just arrived."
" Are you hurt?"
Raven forced a smile and nodded a couple of times. " My heart..."
She sighed. " I want to wake up."
She gripped at the bars and looked up at the ceiling to prevent tears from falling. She swallowed and forced another smile.
Will mentally sighed. He reached his hand through the gap and patted Raven's shoulder.
" When is the burial ceremony?"
Silence fell between them.
" After three days."
Raven mentally sighed thinking she wouldn't be able to attend the burial ceremony.
As if they had read her mind,
" You will attend it." Jaden assured her.
" You will be proven innocent." Will added.
Raven nodded although she knew that the chances were limited. Especially because of the ladies who insisted they had seen the whole thing.
Will and Jaden clearly wanted to stay with her, but were forced out.
That night Raven didn't sleep. She sat in the corner, hugging her own legs.
The cell was cold. But what felt colder was her heart. Dawn found her wide awake.
The next day, Madam Wang paid her a visit by mid-day.
The guard opened the cell door for her.
Raven quickly stood up and greeted her.
" How are you doing?"
Raven hesitated, " Fine."
Madam Wang scoffed, " Your eyes don't say the same."
Raven gave a nod and a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
" I have talked to the officials."
Raven seemed interested.
Madam Wang stared at the cell's bars.
" Death sentence."
Raven's heart skipped a beat. Her pupils lost focus. Her hands clenched nervously.
" But..."
Madam Wang sighed.
" I know, I know."
She went on, " I know you didn't do it. But all evidences points to you. People are even saying you once said you will kill them."
" It is a lie." She whispered, lowering her head.
" Raven,"
Raven raised her head.
" All people are asking for your death. All of them. They are saying that you're cruel for the society. A wolf in sheep's clothing."
There was a little pause.
" Raven,... The government is supposed to give them what they want."
Raven nodded.
One thing she knew very well was that Eniva and her daughter were one of the most important people in the city. There weren't many doctors, so naturally her death was a great loss.
" That sword... It's not mine. They can..."
" It originally belonged to her husband. They assumed you took it from the house."
They all became silent.
" When?" She asked.
" When am I to die?"
Madam Wang shook her head. " The execution is in seven days."
Raven let out a deep breath. She involuntarily pinched herself, wondering if she could wake up.
Madam Wang patted her shoulder. The guard arrived then, and opened the cell for her to leave. And she really left.
Raven suddenly collapsed to the ground.
This wasn't the first time someone had been stabbed in her place and then end up dead. Subconsciously, she caressed the cross on her neck.
" Seven days." She murmured to herself.
She didn't want to die. Not until she found out the real murder.
That day Jaden and Will didn't come. But Liza did.
She sat just outside the cell cross-legged.
" Why are you sitting there?"
" My legs are tired of standing."
" You're getting your clothes dirty."
" Ahh," Liza waved that statement away.
" It is nothing." She added.
" How is everyone?"
" Fine."
" How are you?"
Raven shrugged. " I don't know."
That was the most genuine answer. Liza nodded in an understanding manner.
The guard suddenly came, " I told you to be quick."
Liza nodded at him and stood up.
She dusted off her robes.
" Here."
It was a note. Raven reached out and took it.
She immediately knew it was from Will and Jaden.
" See you." Liza told her hopefully.
Raven couldn't help smiling at it. "See you."
After she had left, Raven unfolded the note.
Oh our Raven, there are some certain things we are taking care of. Don't get too upset because you miss our... no, my handsome face. Be strong.
Raven's lips slightly curled upward. She instantly knew that the note was written by none other than Will. She started laughing despite herself.
" These idiots."
Her laugh stopped with a sigh.