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Agatha loved her mum even when she hated her, she hated her so much for every hit, every bruise, every insult because that’s what your supposed to do your supposed to love your family. Even if they don’t love you, who would hurt something they loved? Who would scream at their flesh and blood something that’s created from themselves, their own flesh and blood made from scratch. Some nights shed lay in her empty cold bed and she would replay every hit every scratch every time she would be screamed at with such distain and anger whenever she made a simple mistake as a child, and she would always ask one simple question she could never find the answer to why do you hate me so much?
So, for this reason Agatha would never date she would never let someone see all the invisible scars covering her body because if her own mother couldn’t love her how could some stranger? It’s better to harden your heart than allow it to be broken, heartbreak and rejection was something she couldn’t go through again. Not everyone needs to end up with a soulmate she had herself and that’s all she needed in life; she could learn to be satisfied with just that.
Even if she yearns for someone to belong to, someone to wake up next to, someone to cook for, care for and eventually someone to mourn. I mean that’s the natural order of all things, after all death is inevitable it’s the one thing all humans have in common, it’s the one thing all humans fear and can never outrun.
Nobody would want her, nobody should want her she’s too broken to love or even know what it looks like how it supposed to feel, how can you want something you’ve never even experienced its rather silly when you truly think about it. Feeling so desperate to have a taste of the unknown not knowing truly if it’ll be the thing that would make you feel alive for the first time in your entire existence. Could it be the match that finally starts the fire in her heart?
Even if it did it didn’t matter her love was unnatural. Her mother told her outright too many times to keep track and after a while she began to tell herself it too.
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Agatha’s self-deprecating thoughts are rudely interrupted by the shrill sound of her alarm clock commanding her to start her morning routine for work.
“So much for a good night’s sleep” she grumbled as she throws her covers off her climbing out her bed and stomping to the bathroom.
Every morning her routines the same she showers, cleans her teeth, her face and throws on her work clothes. Today she’s wearing a white button up with a matching dark purple set of blazer and trousers - she practically invented the colour purple its basically her signature, her calling card when people see the flash of purple enter the courtroom, they know they’ve lost before they ever truly began.
She’s known for her cold attitude and intense work in the courtroom, she’s one if not the best defence lawyer in the country – sure some of her clients are guilty but her job isn’t to prove they’re innocent it’s to prove there’s flaws in the prosecution’s accusations (even if they are true accusations). For Agatha her job gives her power it gives her respect she doesn’t care if she’s liked she doesn’t care if people judge her, she’s only cares that they fear her (most likely to make up for all the fear she felt growing up).
Once her morning coffee is finished and Senior Scratchy’s (her pet rabbit although she prefers to reference him as her familiar) breakfast has been served to the little furball she heads out the door to start her day.
As Agatha enters the law firms she makes two observations – one the only other person in the building is Lilia her co worker aka the only person that doesn’t walk on egg shells around Agatha which would piss of Agatha normally but she actually respects Lilia no matter how kooky she may be she’s a beast in the Court room and has the ability to know things she shouldn’t, if this was the 1600’s Agatha would’ve accused her of witchcraft. The second observation was a fresh file on her desk clearly a new case, as she approaches her office, she can’t help but speculate what it will be this time petty theft, murder, kidnap? Doesn’t matter she’s seen it all nothing surprises her or really challenges her anymore.
The case turned out to be a murder trail of a woman in her mid-thirties named Wanda Maximoff and the prosecution was trying to pin it on some young man referred to as Billy. The evidence against him was pretty flimsy no DNA, witnesses or CCTV evidence. I mean sure the teen had no alibi aside from claiming to be at home in bed asleep - I mean what teen spends his Saturday nights sleeping at reasonable times? - Total loser or totally lying, guess shell find out she thought to herself sipping her second cup of coffee. Unfortunately, he was also caught trying to break into the lead detective on the cases house as well which is what lead to his arrest in the first place. While this complicates Agatha’s defence a little, she knowns she’ll figure out some simple way to spin it in her favour.
Jennifer Kale – the prosecution-- had stated that in their case they would call upon Dr Rio Vidal the pathologist on the case as a expert witness, although Agatha had never met this woman she knew her statements wouldn’t affect her after all in the initial report it just states that Miss Maximoff body had appeared to have crush like injuries as if a building had collapsed on her in the middle of the woods. In fact, she was sure that whatever this Dr Vidal would say would probably work in her favour, I mean what jury would believe that such a small skinny young man could possibly inflict such injuries especially on a woman that he had no clear connections with.
Turning to look at the clock on her wall Agatha suddenly realises that its already 5:30 aka home time, she softly pushes her chair back gathers her things and starts her journey to her car holding her head high and avoiding looking at any colleagues as she passes their desks. Once the cold December air hits her in the face she’s greeted with the dark winter sky even though it’s still technically the afternoon. God, she loved winter she loved how even though its still early in the day the outside world would be consumed with darkness, while most people she knew would claim this would causes them to have quote unquote ‘seasonal depression’. Agatha felt the opposite there was something freeing and calming about the night sky one it’s a lot less harsh on the eyes than the glaring sun but also it seemed to feel her with a sense of ease as if the spotlight of the sun was gone and she could fade in with the darkness.
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Once home Agatha throws her keys in the empty fruit bowl that rarely contains any sort of fruit and heads straight for Scratchy’s cage opening the door and letting the furball bounce around her living room as she heads to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. Eventually Agatha makes herself comfy on her living room sofa Scratchy on her lap she gives him ear scratches as they watch some documentary called blue planet, the smoothing voice of Sir David Attenborough is slowly drowned out about her thoughts about the new case. Agatha knew she shouldn’t think about work when she’s home, but she never really could figure out a healthy work life balance. Healthy wasn’t really in her vocabulary obsessive and competitive was, to Agatha everything was a competition I mean what’s the point of doing anything if your not winning only losers take joy in having fun and that’s simply because they’ve never felt the rush of being the best, of being able to look in the eyes of another person who knows your better than them then they’ll ever be.
It was no mystery why Agatha was so alone her only companion being the rabbit who’s now softly asleep in her lap no one could keep up with Agatha no one could truly handle her, I mean don’t get her wrong Agatha had acquaintances she would occasionally go for a drink with Lilia and even Jenn – sure they fight a lot in court and don’t see eye to eye on most things but Agatha enjoys her back and fourth banter with the younger woman she’s never truly fazed by anything Agatha spits at her and she can dish it back just as good as she got it keeps her on her toes.
After a while of sitting on her sofa lost in thought Agatha finds herself slowly nodding off even thoughts it’s still the early evening, she carefully removes the furball of her lap trying not to wake him and drags herself into the kitchen throwing a quick microwavable meal in the microwave and pouring herself another glass of wine. Once done she makes her way back to the sofa food and alcohol in hand and changes the tv to Parks and recreation – a secret comfort show she’s watched too many times to count honestly her favourite character is Jennifer Barkley sure she’s only in a few episodes but the woman’s got the right idea in life, one could argue there’s something about her that reminds Agatha of herself almost like their the same person or that’s she’s her just in another universe.
Before she knows it her second glass and food are finished, she turns off the television putting Scratchy back in his cage for the night and makes her way up the stairs entering the bathroom to get herself ready for the night. Once her face is washed and teeth are clean, she throws on a old baggy shirt and a pair of comfy boxers –- honestly Agatha doesn’t know why everyone doesn’t wear them their so comfortable and they don’t give you constant wedgies it’s a win win in her book—and she gets settled under the covers hoping tonight’s sleep will be filled with less depressing thoughts of her sad excuse of a upbringing.
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Just like yesterday morning (and every morning before) Agatha begins her day at the command of her phone alarm, she go through the motions of her routine and heads out the door to begin her day of work. Although unlike yesterday she doesn’t drive to the office instead she’s heading towards where the client Billy, William, teen is being held in preparation for his trial. Today’s task is to meet him ask him some questions build up her case some more and see if he has any questions or requests for her.
The drive to the prison isn’t too far sure its more out the way than her office but the drive allows her to wake up more gather her thoughts as she listens to her playlist that’s softly playing in the background, which consists of more slow gentle songs such as creep, don’t delete the kisses, greenlight and use somebody.
Within walking through the doors of the facility Agatha’s provided with paperwork to fill out and then is patted down by a guard – I mean what idiot would try to sneak in and weapons or illegal substances into a prison it’s like they’re asking to be locked up, they might as well wear a bright neon sign that says lock me up and throw away the key please.
Eventually she’s sitting face to face with her client, the boy has massive eye bags and bright red marks around his eyes, his nails shows signs of him chewing and biting them and his black curly hair is messy and unkept clearly signifying he is not coping well with his new reality – if Agatha was capable of feeling any sort of empathy she’d definitely feel some towards the poor kid. Although any sort of thought of empathy is lost after almost an hour of trying to get any sort of information that’s only met with a sniffle or him full on crying unable to form any sort of answer. Any other person might think this is a sign of admission of guilt that it’s eating him alive, but Agatha knows differently she knows this teen struggling to understand how he got into this situation its not guilt its denial. His feeling like he can’t except that he might be spending what’s supposed to be the ‘best years of his life’ having to bunk with some violent stranger only able to see four brick walls and bars for 22 out of 24 hours a day having to wear an ugly blue jump suit.
After a while of this she’s had enough and snaps at the poor lad “look, you can keep crying till the cows come home or you can help me build a good defence that will prevent you from having your first legal drink be toilet wine after your slapped with a life sentence, if lucky.”
This outburst seems to snap the kid out of whatever crying trance his been in for the last hour, he makes one last sniffle sound and then looks Agatha in the eyes replying to her speech with a simple “okay, what do you need.”
Good now they were getting somewhere, the remaining time Agatha has left with him for this meeting turns out to be relatively productive. Sure, she doesn’t get all the answers she’s needs like he still won’t tell her why he was trying to break into a detective’s house, but she knows she’ll crack him eventually into spilling all his deep dark secrets. Agatha’s the master poker she knows just what to say to people to make them break, honestly, it’s a skill of hers that over the years she’s perfected might as well call herself the queen of antagonising. With one look she knows your hope your dreams your insecurities and she uses to her advantages not caring how much her words feel like a stab in the gut or a kick in the ribs, she thrives on it seeing her words suck the power, the life out of anyone that opposes her its like a drug she can’t get enough off.
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In the next few weeks, the days fall into the same routine, head to the office, visit Billy and then spend her nights alone all building up to the big day when the battle begins, and all her hard work and preparation pay off. The first day of court was officially here if you don’t count the court appearance, which she doesn’t since that’s just a day of tedious things such as Billys charges being read to him, entering his plea – not guilty of course they weren’t going down without a fight, bail and release conditions and then having to set his future court dates.
The morning of the trail Agatha wakes up an hour early than usual she gets ready with recording breaking speed and paces her kitchen coffee in hand reciting her opening speech. In her opinions its perfect not too long where the jury will lose interest and not too short, she also subtly implies that the decision these people will make could forever ruin the life of a sweet innocent teenager. She’s not sure why she’s wasting time rehearsing something she could easily recite in her sleep at this point, and she doubts she’ll even get to say it today considering all that will get accomplished on the first day is picking out a suitable jury. Its such a long and tedious tasking honestly, Agatha doesn’t know why so many people try to get out of jury duty they get paid to make up for their missed work and they get to be apart of something truly important probably for the first time in their feeble existences.
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Just as predicted today was a total waste having to listen to strangers’ pathetic excuses, they create in order to weasel themselves out of their duty, they should be grateful they were even chosen for something so important.
However, it wasn’t all awful Agatha got to enjoy the rush she feels whenever she steps into a busy courtroom when all eyes are on her and she can hear people in the rows behind whispering about her whether its positive or negative she doesn’t care she thrives on the attention she rightfully deserves, what she’s spent years fighting tooth and nail for. Luckily Billy played his role perfectly today sitting there looking like a sweet innocent young man who’s been wronged by the corrupt system like many before him, he was dressed in a small black suit his eyebags still were heavily noticeable, but his once scruffy curly black hair had been tamed and neatened. He didn’t act smug or laid back like many former clients of Agatha he instead he made himself look small almost fragile like a poor defenceless animal that was being hunted for prey by a big bad wolf. But Agatha could see the fire in his eyes hidden behind the performance he was putting on he'd accepted where he was and he was ready to fight like hell for his future and she respected him for that, to push through your fear of the unknown of the unfairness of your situation and decided to do something about it instead of letting life walk all over you.
For once in her career Agatha cared about the outcome of her case not because she wanted to win but because she cared about her client and wanted the best for him, in an odd way she saw her reflection in this kid after all life choose them both to be its punching bags gracing them both with experiences no one should be in at such a young age. Over the few weeks she’s known him and seen the real him not the crying mess she was first presented with she had secretly grown to enjoy the time spent with him – although she would prefer it to be under different circumstances even though shed never tell him that, nope that’s going to the grave with her.
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The next day in court was a lot more exciting in contrast to yesterday Agatha finally got to say her opening speech that was a lot more impactful than the lousy one Jennifer has presented, if she didn’t say so herself.
Following the opening statements, it was the prosecution turn of examining the first witness, in this case Jen had called the detectives whose house was broken into. She had asked the typical questions of “is the culprit of your break in in this courtroom?” “Can you point to the man you saw break into your house?” etc. Sure, this wasn’t the best start to the trail, but Agatha knew how to play this game, after a few minutes of basic questions from Jen its Agatha’s turn was to cross examine the witness. Graciously she rose from her seat and stepped towards where the man was seated.
“So as Jenn kindly established my client is the culprit of the break in on your property, isn’t that correct detective Herb?” she calmy asks while the mans on the receiving end of her piercing stare.
“Yes, that’s true Miss Harkness.” He replied with a nervous tone in his voice.
“Well then why wasn’t he arrested for burglary, why jump straight to manslaughter heck why not a slap on the risk I mean this poor boys criminal record was squeaky clean until now!”
“While that is true Miss the boy had no alibi and refused to answer why he what he was doing on my property, you must agree that’s a bit suspicious?”
“So, what Herb, you’re telling me you never did anything stupid and illegal when you were younger just for fun?”
“Objection, relevance?” Jenn yelled rising out of her chair.
“Sustained.” The judge ruled.
“What I meant to say is surly you could see that him doing this was just a silly act of teen rebellion?” she countered, the objection didn’t make her flinch or waver her commanding presence.
After this Agatha had asked Herb a few more questions challenging his nonsense statements he previously made to the prosecution before dismissing him. What followed was Billys friends’ family and school colleagues being poked and prodded by both prosecution and defence in order to find the right answers that will help sway the jury in their favour, until the judge had decided that was enough for today.
Shortly after Agatha and Billy swiftly exit the court room, as soon as they step out the room they are being bombarded with the bright flash of cameras and relentless shouting of reporters trying to make their voices heard over the competition all hungry for any answers that they could twist and shape into words that would fuel their careers.
Once Billy is safely in his car with his parents Agatha swiftly makes her way to her own car retiring for the night, getting ready for what the next few days would throw at her. She knew that this trail wouldn’t last long maybe a few weeks at a push due to the little evidence, she’s honestly shocked how this flimsy case against him even managed to make it into court in the first place.
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The next day in court is mostly the same the prosecution presents their little to no evidence trying to gasp at straws so it can make even the littlest of sense to the stranger in the stands. Of course, Agatha utterly destroys anything Jenn has the audacity to present against.
Nothing was out of the ordinary, that was until the prosecution called up Dr Vidal to question. In the corner of Agatha’s eye, she sees this middle-aged woman approach the bench her hairs up in a tight ponytail and she’s wearing a suit and tie however her top few buttons are undone, her tie is hanging loosely against her neck while she’s dressed professionally it also gives of the impression that this is her way of rebelling a little and God does Agatha find it hot.
When the woman eventually sits down and finishes her pledge of telling the truth and nothing but the truth she looks directly at Agatha, not Jenn who’s supposed to be questioning her but Agatha.
When their eyes lock it was like something was awoken within her something she didn’t know she had or was there. What she felt it wasn’t love it wasn’t adoration or affection it was hunger starvation addiction. Its as if she was wondering in the desert completely dehydrated on the brink of collapse and suddenly a mirage of a waterfall had appeared in front of her. Because that’s all Rio was an illusion of something Agatha had been aimlessly wandering for.
To top it all off this woman had the audacity to smirk at her with this shit eating grin like she knew exactly what her presence was doing to the lawyer, it was infuriating it made her blood boil, and it was utterly inappropriate and unprofessional. As soon as the smirk appeared it was gone and so was the eye contact or eye fucking as some would argue, Vidal had turned to give Jennifer her whole attention answering any questions, for some reason this just pissed Agatha off more. It was to the point where she didn’t even now what either Rio or Jenn was saying all she could do is glare at Rio with such intensity.
Eventually she was broken out of her stewing bubble by Billy “it looks like your about to pop a blood vessel,” he leans over to whisper to her.
“I’m fine mind your own business teenager.” She clips back at him.
“Considering were literally debating whether I’m going to spend the rest of my life in a dingy cell or not, id argue that this is my business.” He responds unfazed by Agatha’s attitude.
She sighs knowing his right, she needs to pull herself together. Agatha takes a deep breath regains her thoughts and switches to autopilot just in time for her cross examination.
Somehow Agatha manages to ask all her questions without stuttering and falling over her words due to the looks Rios been giving her since she stepped up to cross examine, she’s staring at her like she’s a five-course meal that Rios ready to tuck into. Sure, had Agatha’s gazed occasionally dropped to Rios lips during questioning, yes but that’s only because she was very interested in what her answers were going to be. That’s all it was and nothing else, God she needed a drink after this.
Thankfully after a few more hours Agatha was free to go, the walls that once made her feel powerful and untouchable now made her feel on edge and as she was suffocating needing to escape so she could finally breath again.
Unfortunately, as Agatha approached her car, she could see a figure leaning against it, it just had to be the one person she was trying to escape why did the universe hate her.
“What are you doing against my car?” Agatha asked with a voice full of distain.
This however didn’t seem to faze Rio who gave her a mischievous look and responded, “I was waiting for you obviously.”
“How did you even know which car was mine?” she questioned, rolling her eyes.
“let’s just say I have my ways.”
Agatha said nothing back instead she reached into her bag searching for her phone, eventually pulling it out.
“Wow are you already giving me your number? I knew I had charm, but I didn’t think you’d fall for me this quickly.” Rio practically purred.
“I’m calling the police”
“You mean my colleagues.” Fuck Agatha didn’t think about that.
“What do you want Vidal, just tell me so I can go about my day as far away from you as possible.”
“Well, I was hoping to ask you on a dinner given the fact you were practically undressing me with your eyes back there but based on this interaction I’m going to suggest we just skip to dessert.” Once again that aggravating smirk is plastered on her stupidly attractive face.
“Excuse me!” Agatha snaps.
“What you can’t deny we got chemistry Agatha,” something about the way Rio says her name sends a chill down her spine. “Plus, if it helps, I don’t think the kid actually did it,” she then adds.
“Well done you have common sense and can actually use your brain, unlike some morons in that court room, now if you could kindly get the fuck off my car so I can enjoy the rest of my evening that would be greatly appreciated.” Agatha promptly responded while aggressively yanking her car door open, causing it to lightly smack into Rios back.
“Ok I’ll let you go but trust me this conversation isn’t over, te veo.” Rio responds over her shoulder as she heads God nowhere as long as its in the opposite direction from Agatha.
Unfortunately, Agatha felt like she was telling the truth when she said this wasn’t over and maybe Agatha secretly was looking forward it, even if there’s no way shed admit it to herself. For someone who spends her life surrounded by death she sure knew how to make Agatha feel alive.