Day 1
Law rolled his shoulder for what must have been the 8th time that past hour, trying to get used to the orange uniform he was required to wear. It was a generic size meant to fit most of the people they arrested, but obviously they didn't put too much stock in making sure they weren't itchy and uncomfortable to actually wear. The seam rubbed against his skin something fierce.
There wasn't much use asking for a better fitting size. The next step up was way too large for him, and the next size down would have only aggravated the problem. Best to just deal with the minor inconvenience he had now.
The past few days were beginning to feel like a blur for him. Being processed had been relatively easy for him. The Commissioner had been there to make sure everything was in order and he wasn't mistreated—of course, that didn't stop the pointed looks from the fellow officers around them, who obviously knew he was in for gang affiliation—so his paperwork was filled out without incident. They took his fingerprints, basic information, and seized his few belongings before giving him his new 'uniform' and some basic things he'd need to live in his cell.
The county jail was of course crowded. In a big city like this, there are bound to be a lot of troublemakers thrown in here. He wondered how many he'd recognize. It was neat and orderly and clean, but he was sure there were secrets hidden behind the cell doors, waiting to eat him alive. Law wasn't worried. He'd faced dangerous people all his life. It's all he'd been doing for the past few months. His skills weren't that rusty anymore.
Two officers escorted him down a long hallway on the third floor. Metal bars ran along the entire balcony, preventing anyone from jumping down on the cafeteria area they'd use for meals. They walked him almost towards the end of the hallway, until they stopped in front of a door on the right.
After a moment, the officer radioed to the tower to open his cell door, and a loud buzzer sounded. The cell door slid open and he gestured for his fellow guard to bring Law forward.
The bartender stepped forward and inside what would be his cell for the duration of his stay. It was small and sparse, no surprise there, but at least he was by himself. The door shut loudly behind him, and the guards wandered off without saying a word to him. What a cold welcome, he thought with humor to himself.
He placed his bundle on the bed and sat beside it. If he stretched out his leg just far enough he'd be able to touch the wall. There wasn't much room to move around. But enough that he could do some basic exercises to keep himself in shape.
Law sighed, glancing out the barred door of his cell at the ones across from him. Some were yelling curses in Spanish at other inmates across the way, and guards were already on their way over to quiet the unruly ones down. There was noise no matter how long he waited for silence, and he doubted he'd get much sleep here.
Day 6
Lunch was a delicate tight-rope balance of minding your own business and being threatening enough not to be messed with, as Law quickly learned. Most criminals here weren't being charged or sentenced to long, serious crimes. As he'd quickly discovered, most were thieves and drunks and tweakers and stalkers. Murderers were sent to the prison, so Law was a relatively big fish among the average jail resident, though he made sure to keep it to himself. The last thing he wanted to do was suddenly gain a following. That wouldn't exactly earn him sympathy in court for gang relation charges.
No, Law needed to play things cool and under the radar as best he could. Granted, the other prisoners weren't always the most cooperative with that quiet plan, as today happened to show.
One of the skinnier prisoners Law had seen around came up from behind him and slapped him on the back a few times. "Hey! I don't think I recognize you around here. New to the place?" He questioned with more enthusiasm than what Law thought necessary, he eventually made his way around to the other end of the table and sat across from the bartender.
"Sure…" Law said blandly, eyeing the man with suspicion. The man nodded with vigor, smiling as he ate his own food.
"Name's Kaku! New inmates like us gotta stick together, or we're dead meat to someone with a big crew, you know?"
Law just tried to ignore the man. But he wouldn't be deterred that easily, it seemed.
"So, what're you in for anyway? No one around here really seems to know." He didn't have any problem with speaking his mind or talking at all. Law stilled, glaring at him with a little more vehemence.
"Whatever it is you want, leave me out of it. Find someone else to bother." He mumbled, shoving another spoonful of corn into his mouth.
Though his words were dismissive and callous, Kaku only smirked a little wider, rising from his seat with his tray. "Ah, well, this place has a way of dragging you in to its worst shit, pal. Get used to it."
Frowning at his strange words, the bartender watched him go, noticing the way he immediately went for a table filled with inmates that all appeared to be listening to what one man in particular was saying. He didn't appear pleased. Maybe a local crew. Law didn't know. Kaku said a few words to the big man at the table, and the leader's eyes shot directly to Law.
He faced forward as the other man stood from the table, intent on coming over to him. Internally, he was going through a worst case scenario. What could he have said to make the big guy pissed at him? His eyes widened, remembering the way Kaku had slapped his back a few times. Maybe he'd planted something...
Hand immediately going to his back, he felt a little slip of paper against the fabric of his uniform. He ripped it off, inspecting it. It was a picture of a little red-headed girl. Shit.
"Hey, fuck-face." He heard behind him a split second before he was dragged out of his chair by the back of his shirt collar. He collapsed to the ground and his plate fell to the floor somewhere nearby with a clatter, a boot resting none too gently against his chest. "Mind telling me where the fuck you got that picture of my daughter?"
Around them, the inmates had gone quiet, all eyes turned to the unexpected commotion. Fights were few and far between in a jail compared to a prison, but they still happened. "Pretty sure this is a misunderstanding." Law wheezed, trying to breathe with a foot pressing down on his lungs. "That guy planted it on—megh!" He was cut short by the man above him digging his heel into his chest.
"Rule one around here is not to mess with Teach." He proclaimed, before reaching down to grab him by the front of his shirt. His superior strength was used to slam him down onto the nearest metal table. The inmates began to cheer and holler. Law was left out of breath and therefore unable to reach up in time to stop the fist from connecting painfully with his face.
Another one landed where the first did, right against his eye. He'd have a pretty stark shiner in a few hours, that was for sure, but his instinct for survival was kicking in quickly, and he recovered enough to dodge the third fist aimed at his face. Ducking to the side, he brought his leg up and into the man's crotch with as much force as he could muster.
Teach grunted out loudly and collapsed to the ground, in time with the closest prisoners cheering out their encouragement to keep going. Free entertainment for them, Law guessed. He stepped back, forcing himself away from the fight. Any further than this wouldn't be deemed self-defense and he'd have a few tough questions to answer to the guards. He could already hear them yelling close by for prisoners to get out of their way.
Teach was still nursing his injured balls when the guards flooded the area, shouting and pointing their hardened batons at any prisoners nearby who might hope to join in on the fun. "Everyone on the ground!" "Hands on your heads!"
Law didn't need any other motivation to follow orders, and flattened to his belly on the ground. Teach was too preoccupied to do much other than groan. But he had enough of his senses back to open his eyes just a smidge.
He glared daggers at Law, in what was clearly meant to be the message, 'You're dead meat.'
Day 8
Foot bouncing as he waited in the metal chair, Law's head was rolled all the way back to stare at the ceiling. The small conference room was only furnished with the two chairs and a table, but it was enough for the jail's visitation policy. A guard stood on the inside of the room, just by the door, watching to make sure he didn't do anything he wasn't supposed to.
After a few minutes of just sitting there, he finally heard a knock on the door, and the guard stepped away to allow the silver-haired attorney to step inside. Carrying her signature briefcase and dressed smartly in a pencil skirt and jacket, she nodded politely to the guard who'd allowed her to enter. By the time she sat at the table with Law, the door had been shut behind her, leaving the two of them alone.
"Before you ask, yes, Summer is fine, and missing you terribly." Hitomi greeted, raising a brow at the sight of the still very prominent black eye he was sporting. She didn't ask, however. Law nodded in gratitude, always worried about the blonde who he was restricted from seeing at the moment. She had yet to be verified on his list of approved visitors. "Now, onto the reason I'm here. Your first hearing will be two days from now at 10:00. We will be discussing your bail terms, and whether you are to be denied visitors."
Law's eyes widened. "They can deny visitors?"
"In some cases, yes." Hitomi nodded evenly, opening her briefcase and shuffling the first stack of papers she grabbed. "Criminal visitation can be revoked, as it isn't a constitutional right recognized by the federal government. Each state has their own version of it, but here it is perfectly within the jail's right to prevent visitors."
He shook his head, now somewhat worried that he wouldn't be allowed to see Summer at all during the course of the trial. "Great…"
"I highly doubt they will, in this circumstance. You've been cooperative the entire process, to my knowledge, so there isn't much point in restricting your luxuries." She reassured, placing a small stack of papers in front of him. "Just don't go picking any more fights and you should be fine."
"I'm not planning on it." He said, knowing that sometimes, it was out of his control and he'd have to defend himself if it came down to it. Just like with Teach. "Who's prosecuting me?"
Hitomi sighed. "It's a federal lawyer I'm not familiar with, so I couldn't tell you, honestly. Though the fact that he's not local may be to our benefit."
"Why?"
"Having someone that nobody recognizes prosecuting you can paint them as an outsider. Someone who doesn't understand how things work around here. You're a local. Granted, you're being tried for a crime, but you're still local. People on the jury may recognize you. And that may sway their decision to grant you mercy." She detailed with a shrug, but Law shook his head with a scowl.
"All of this sounds like a bunch of lines from a psychologist or something." He didn't put much stock in things like that, to be honest.
Hitomi chuckled, retrieving a pen from her briefcase and passing the papers over for him to sign. "A lot of 'lawyering' is dependent on psychology, Law. You're a bartender, I'd think you employed that sort of thing all the time."
"This is a little more serious than convincing someone to buy another drink." He muttered, crossing his arms.
"Very true, but the same thought applies." After he signed a few of the release documents they needed before the first hearing, Law gave her back the pen and papers, and she stuffed them back into her suitcase. "How are you being treated? You need to tell me if any of the enforcement abuse their authority. We can possibly use it to get your case dropped if it's serious enough."
He shook his head. "It's jail, so…as nicely as can be expected of a suspected criminal. Nothing life-threatening, though."
She nodded, pondering his answer for a moment before leaning closer and lowering her voice. "How bad is it in here, really?"
Law stared at her with a blank expression, not having to say much given the state of his face. "I'm still alive. We'll put it at that."
Hitomi pursed her lips, nodding silently. "Alright, well, hopefully we can get your bail granted so you don't have to stay inside any longer. Is there any threat of Doflamingo's men being in here as well?"
Law shrugged. "Besides Vergo, I don't know."
"Vergo is in another holding facility." Hitomi said knowledgeably. "Which is good. The entire reason I'm able to defend you is because his case I'm prosecuting on is in another district. You're damn lucky you live just across the city lines of my usual district. Otherwise I'd be legally unable to defend you."
Internally, he sighed with relief. The one thought he was afraid of was chancing upon Vergo in here somewhere. Now that that worry was dashed, he could rest a lot easier. Teach, on the other hand, may be a problem he'd have to content with again soon.
"…given the nature of the case and the unpredictability that it entails, we are moving forward with the decision to deny bail for the defendant." The judge spoke, taking his gavel and hitting it against the block on his desk.
Law swallowed, sighing without any expression on his face. Hitomi, who stood next to him, tensed up and squared her shoulders. "Yes, Your Honor." She replied woodenly.
Before he was escorted out by the court officer, she gave him a sympathetic glance, and the mouthed message of 'I tried.' Beyond her, in the audience's seats, he could see the teary eyes of Summer. She was trying to hold it together as best she could, but he could tell it wasn't easy for her.
He held his head down and walked back into the defendant's holding room, where they'd reattached the restraints at his feet to take him back to the jail.
Day 15
Law's black eye had mostly disappeared and wasn't nearly as tender to the touch. Surprisingly no one else had tried to plant something on him like that day in the cafeteria area. In fact, no one had really messed with him at all since then. Teach had kept his distance after serving his stint in solitary, but every time they encountered each other since then, they'd exchange a nasty glare. Silence, no words spoken, just an expression meant to display their distaste for each other.
Kaku knew better than to cross Law's path again, and smartly stayed far away from wherever he happened to be. He'd be lying if he said that he didn't take pleasure from the fear he'd instilled in the man after their first meeting. At least he could ensure nothing else would come from Kaku's meddling.
In fact, a lot of prisoners now knew better than to touch him. His handling of Teach's assault had put him on the radar of every guy looking to pick a fight in the place, an unfortunate result of trying to defend himself. But at least he'd proved himself a difficult opponent. Not every plan was foolproof though. He should have seen this coming eventually. Now his every move was watched like a hawk.
As a result, Law spent most of his time in the library when he didn't need to be locked in his cell. Not because he enjoyed reading, but it kept him away from most of the other prisoners and in sight of at least two officers at any given time. Keeping close to the jail guards was the smartest move he could see making in the meantime, and did it as often as he could reasonably get away with.
He'd actually taken a liking to several books while he was stuffed away in the library, simply because he had no other means of entertainment. He was never big on literature or anything having to do with books, but he could see the appeal. Most were donated books from the libraries or churches around, so there wasn't much modern publishings.
His highlight, however, were the letters that Summer sent whenever she could. Despite being in the same city as the jail, letters took longer than anticipated to send and receive. Each one had to be screened and approved by someone in administration. But he always enjoyed reading them, especially her handwritten ones.
That morning, he'd gotten one slipped through the bars of his cell by a guard passing by, and Law eagerly grabbed for it. He undid the envelope and read the words written there:
Hey Law,
I'm still getting used to this letter writing thing. I don't think I've ever done this before, so maybe that says something about too much technology in our society or something? I don't know...I just hope my handwriting isn't atrocious. Wouldn't that be embarrassing, sending all these letters and they're all indecipherable?
I probably sound like a broken record by now but I miss you. I hope the trial will be quick so I can finally see you without all those shackles and a jumpsuit. Orange really isn't your color, by the way!
You asked about the bar and things seem to still be alright. Corazon has been back working since a few days after his discharge, even though the doctors told him to take it easy for a week or two. You know how he is. Won't listen to anyone when he makes up his mind on something. Sort of like someone else I know... *Hint hint* I'm keeping a close eye on him though so you don't have to worry.
I know he's concerned about business slowing down with his absence, and they definitely aren't as busy as they used to be. I went in a few times to check on Corazon, and the regular patrons are dwindling. I'm still trying to figure out something I could do to help, and I might have an idea in the works. But don't even ask, because I'm not gonna tell you! Don't want to spoil the surprise.
I've been taking a lot of jobs recently to get my income back on track. You'd be surprised how many weddings there are this time of year. I mean…March for a wedding? It just seems so out of place, but I'm not complaining. I guess a few of my previous customers have left some good reviews, so that's helping out a lot too. I'm just lucky my camera stuff was hidden away where no one could find it. It would have been crazy expensive to replace them all.
Hitomi can't tell me anything about the case, since it's all confidential between you and her, but I'm hoping that with her help you can get through all of this without a problem. After that first hearing I'm still a little worried...and you don't have to say it, I know I'm a worrywart. I just can't help it.
I guess it was too much to hope for your bail to be granted, but I was still hopeful. If there's anyone who can get you out of this whole mess it's Hitomi though. Even Zoro and Soma say she's the best at what she does. Well, I guess they would say that either way, considering they're both her family...bad example, but you know what I mean!
I saw you had a black eye in your hearing the other day, is everything ok? I have no clue what being in jail is really like but I hope they're treating you ok in there...If they'd let me, I would send in a first aid kit or something to help, but I have a feeling they'd reject it. Needles and everything…but if there is anything you know I can send to you that will make it through just let me know.
I'm terrible at writing letters...it's like 11:00 pm right now and I don't know what else to write down, so I guess I'll leave it here for now. Please be safe in there. Don't make too many enemies, even though I know you're trying your best not to. Write me back as soon as you can!
Summer
Still smiling, Law read it over a second time, just to be sure he committed the words to heart. Then he folded the letter back up the way it had been sent and stuffed it under the head of his mattress with the other two he'd received from her. Right now, they were his most prized possessions in this small world he was trapped within.
Day 28
"The next hearing is scheduled for tomorrow." Hitomi said, sitting herself down across from Law in the same conference room as before. "12 o'clock sharp."
He nodded in understanding. "What's the plan?"
"Well, the prosecution is moving to begin the trial within the next month. They apparently have all of the evidence they need to begin their case." She responded, unfolding a file from her briefcase and laying it out on the table. "Their witness is set to testify against you, though I'm still not sure who it is. They're keeping the identity secret for their protection.
"On top of that, apparently they have an old surveillance tape from about 14 years ago that shows footage of you running a drug deal."
Law ran a hand through his hair, leaning back a bit in his chair as he listened to his attorney. "I've seen the tape myself," she continued, "and despite the length of time that has passed since it happened, they are intent on presenting it to the jury. If I were on their side, I would be thinking along the lines of trying to paint you as a sadistic, immoral teenager who has never grown up or learned from his mistakes. That's what I would do, at least."
"So, what now?" He asked with a shake of his head.
"Well," she sighed heavily, setting the first stack of papers aside and producing another, thicker, stack on the table, "your first option would be to take a plea deal. I've spoken with the prosecuting attorney and they are willing to extend an offer of seven years minimum for the charges of gang activity and drug distribution combined, as well as an additional 1 year of probation and community service as a gesture of restoring your place in the community."
Law's eyes scanned the document, skimming past all the lawyer filler words and landing on the passage that described the deal itself. Seven years. That was half the amount of time he'd spent trying to run from his past in the first place. And his stay wouldn't be nearly as comfy as what the jail had afforded him. This stint would be in prison. Heavier lockdowns. More dangerous people. Actual gangs that have been established for years he'd have to tiptoe around.
A shank waiting to jab him in the neck around every corner. For seven years. If there weren't any of Joker's old operatives in jail, there were certainly a few in prison.
"What's my second option?" He asked after several moments of thick silence. He doubted he'd like this one very much either. And he was right.
"You can fight your charges in court, in front of a jury, and risk the chance of increasing that seven years into twenty." Hitomi didn't mince or sugarcoat her words. "With a case like this you may also be in newspapers. Online articles keeping up with the case. A small chance of it but still possible; news teams. Your name could be slandered on video and print, whereas plea deals typically fade away into the rest of the statistics. But if you want your freedom, that's what needs to be done."
"Neither sound like they have upsides..." He said cynically, nearly feeling sick to his stomach.
Hitomi watched him sit there and stew in his emotions for a moment, before lacing her fingers together and leaning forward on the table. "I'm required by law to inform you of the offer on the table, which is the only reason I brought it up. As an attorney, and from an entirely minimal risk standpoint, your safest option is the plea deal."
He nodded, ready to accept her advice, but she continued before he was able.
"As your friend," She stressed the word emphatically, "I say you fight it. From everything you've told me, I do firmly believe that you were simply trying to keep yourself alive by doing what you did back then. Committing those crimes was as close to self-preservation as you could get, given you had nowhere else to go. Explain that to the jury. Give them the gritty details about just how awful it was to do those things. You had no other choice. That will play upon their sympathy. Create a picture they can't help but shy away from, because that's going to provide the emotional appeal we're looking for."
Law looked away, swallowing thickly. "I don't know if I can. There's...a lot they won't want to hear. A lot that might make me look like a monster instead." There was several moments of silence between them after that.
"Then there apparently is no point in me helping you, is there?" She nearly spat, narrowing her eyes at him. He looked up in surprise. "I'm not here to watch you give up and accept these terms. I'm here to make sure you get out of here to see my best friend again. Because that's the one thing in the world that would make her happiest right now. So excuse me from sounding unprofessional, but my advice to you would be to pick up your balls again and get a fucking grip."
Hitomi shook her head angrily, lowering her voice. "I don't care if it'll be painful to bring up those memories. I don't care how gruesome those images are in your head. If you want any chance of walking away from this a free man, I suggest you do whatever the hell you have to do. To see Summer again. Because I guarantee in seven years? She won't be the same person she is now. And who knows if that Summer will be willing to wait for you any longer."
Law ducked his head down, mulling over everything. When she put it that way, he didn't have any sort of choice. Summer was the only thing keeping him sane these days. He hadn't gone through all of this just to lose her now. Or to give up. And despite the risk of possibly being locked away for 20 years at the end of all this, at least he'd have tried his damndest to get back to her.
"Alright…" He mumbled, not cherishing the thought of the court appearances to come.
Hitomi nodded with pleasure, her smile returning, and started putting the papers back into her briefcase. "Good. I'll decline the prosecution's offer and we'll set the trial date. Just don't hold anything back, or this whole thing will have been pointless." She clicked the briefcase closed and stood from her seat.
Law didn't move for a few minutes after she'd left the room. But after awhile, the guard was required to bring him back to his cell.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
