Lily stood out on the dimly lit porch as she nervously tapped her fingers on the cold metal table.
The window next to her was broken and the wall under it had the words "MURDERER" scrawled in black marker
She could not believe she was about to meet with Mara Wright, a woman whose face had been in every newspaper for the past month and who was accused of murdering her girlfriend.
Lily had always been drawn to mysterious stories, and when she heard about Mara's case, something inside her had clicked.
She believed Mara was innocent,
at least that was what she liked to make herself believe.
Mara opened the door and let out a sigh
She looked nothing like the demon and crazy psycho killers the tabloids reported.
She in fact looked surprisingly normal
Her demeanor was surprisingly calm.
Soon Lily found herself inside the home of a supposed killer,
The very same home that everything happened in.
The home that contained the dead body of Ayomi Taylors.
*Lily's point of view*
"Miss Peterson, I assume?" Mara asked with a faint smile as she sat down across from me looking at me right in the eyes giving me a chance to really take in her facial features.
She had a skin tone color that the media referred to as "exotic" but I just saw it as caramel brown skin, slightly deeper than her, well technically her ex, Ayomi.
Both of us had brown eyes yet Mara's had seemingly lost all the life from it.
It just seemed cold.
She repeated my last name to draw my attention, which left a bitter taste in my mouth as I had not been referred to as that ever since school
"Umm...you can just call me Lily"
Mara leaned forward, her expression grim which reminded me of my current setting and purpose
"I'll be honest; I didn't expect anyone to believe in my innocence anymore. What do you want from me? You could not have possibly come here on a weekend just to check up on a stranger like me unless you are doing this for attention"
I cleared her throat, choosing my words carefully was crucial here. I could not help but feel slightly prickled at the accusations but chose to maintain my calm
"I've been following your case for a while now, and I can't help but feel that the public's perception of you is wrong. I think your story could be a bestseller, and I want to help you write it. We could actually-"
Mara cut her off abruptly "Ah yes, a best seller that's the real reason.."
I wanted to cut off her tongue at my blunder but continued choosing not to falter or stammer almost like I was scared Mara would sense my fear of messing up "Well yes but also no, I want to write a book that tells your side of the story, the one the media has ignored. I want to show the world that you're innocent, that you were wrongfully accused, and the more popular the book the more people believe you don't you think?"
Mara leaned back in her chair, considering the proposal. "And what makes you think I'm innocent? My own parents didn't believe me. Why should you?"
I took a deep breath before answering the question.
I was excited as I had been planning this answer for a while yet I said it as naturally as possible to make it seem like I came up with it on the spot.
"Believe it or not but I've done my research, Mara. I've read the court transcripts, talked to your people relevant to the case, and something doesn't add up. There are inconsistencies in the evidence, witnesses who were never called, and a rush to judgment that's hard to ignore.
You were never convicted as guilty by the court yet the public has created such an image of you that you might as well be convicted of the crime"
Mara stared at her for a moment,
Mara's eyes were starting to brighten up.
"Even if I were to agree to this, how could a book change anything? The public has already made up its mind."
I leaned in, trying to make my voice as earnest to convey my good intentions. "A book can be a powerful tool. It can shine a light on the truth, change public opinion, and maybe even bring new evidence to the surface. People love a good mystery, and if we can pique their interests, we might be able to change the public perception and most importantly, get justice for Ayomi"
Mara finally addressed the elephant "And what's in it for you, Lily? Why do you want to do this?"
I did not hesitate to answer the question, I chose to remain truthful
"I want to be a writer, Mara. I've always dreamed of telling compelling stories, and your case is a story that needs to be told. If we succeed, it could launch my career, but more importantly, it could give you a chance at justice."
Mara leaned forward, her voice low. "Alright, Lily let us do this. But only if you promise me one thing."
I leaned in, curious to hear what Mara could possibly want
"Name it."
Mara locked eyes with me "Promise me that you'll find the truth, no matter where it leads. If you discover that I'm guilty, you won't sugarcoat it in the book. Promise me you'll tell the whole story, even if it ruins your career."
Hearing this just made me more convinced that I was on the right track. I knew the weight of what I was taking on was heavy but I knew I was ready "I promise, Mara. I'm in this for the truth, wherever it may lead."
"I believe this will help you greatly then, it's hard parting with this it's my one piece connecting to her but I truly think this will help you. But promise me you will not misuse this in any way" Mara said before handing me something small in an envelope but stopping me before I opened it in front of her.
It was not until I left the house with it that I realised how crucial what she handed to me was,
It was a diary
Not just any diary but Ayomi's diary.
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