I. Indigent

Viper sat angrily in her jail cell. She couldn't believe everything that had happened this week. She was worried; not only did she have a high chance of being placed into an actual mental hospital, but she'd never, ever experience everyday living. Viper wondered about Ivory, remembering that Blue needed her, he'd keep her alive, even if he made sure she suffered for Viper's poor decisions. Viper, however, wasn't thinking of Ivory. She knew that Ivory would've turned against her, so her friend's decision didn't matter.

The door opened, and Detective Justin came inside, holding her file and other paperwork. Viper turned away from him, her orange jumpsuit blinding her eyes. The young convict brought her feet up to her chest and sat uncomfortably on the hard jail bed.

Justin grabbed a stool and sat in front of Viper. "Viper, look at me."

She ignored him.

"I can get you out of this if you listen to what I'm about to tell you."

"It doesn't matter!" she said. "All evidence has been tampered with. There isn't proof that anything I've said or shown is real. I have a file against me, and people out to get me."

"If you were afflicted with a gang, that would be the case. They'll make sure everything that everything is false. However," Detective Justin scooted over, "you'll face more jail time than you should if they find anything connected to the Blue Dragons."

Viper turned away from the window and stared wide-eyed at the detective, "You ... you believe me?"

"I believe any story until it's proven false, I promise you that. There have been many cases where the victim was considered crazy or wasting time, but they were right in the end. You just have to listen to me, Viper."

Viper thought for a moment. "Okay ... I'll listen to you."

Detective Justin didn't like how she said it but figured it would buy him time to help her. "Do you know what an indigent defendant is?"

"A what?"

"An indigent?"

"Nope never heard of it."

"An indigent defendant is someone who is in jail or prison for a crime, and they can't pay themselves to get out."

"Like bail?"

"Well, everyone has bail money, even you. Your bail is high, and if you're really involved with the Blue Dragons, they will want you to be here; you're less of a threat locked up. And if I'm correct, Ms. Campbell won't come to bail you out either."

"I'm skeptical about her number not working," Viper said.

"I'll figure that out. Your bail is at $60,000," Detective Justin began. Viper's eyes widened. "There's obviously no way that you have the digits to pay that off. So, when you go to court, you will plead guilty."

"But I'm not guilty," she said.

"Viper," he raised his voice, and she moved back in shock, "listen to me. If you try to fight them about a case where there is evidence against you rather than supporting you, you will be guilty and go to jail. Those like you, who decide to fight the justice system and plea not-guilty, only have a 30% chance of winning and a 70% of losing. That means that only one-third of those who plea to fight the system are found not-guilty and can walk their merry way."

"Why does it end up like that?"

"Because most people don't have the money to pay bail. If you were rich, you could say that you plea affluenza and leave right now. You aren't rich, so you don't have the money, and you certainly don't have the support. Pleading guilty will give you a sentence, but it won't be severe as the one that would be given to you if you were to plea against the justice system and lose because you lack the opulence and evidence."

"I understand what you're saying."

"They might put you in a mental hospital, but it might be better than here."

"No, those people work for him. Who knows what they'll do with me."

"That's why you might have a higher chance of living your sentence here if you listen to me. I must warn you, it'll be hard. You'll always have a record, and finding a consistent job will be difficult, stressful, and time-consuming, but it's better than staying here for ten to fifteen years because of defiance and lacking evidence."

Viper nodded. "I'll take your advice. And you're going to help me?"

"I can't defend you in court; I'm not a lawyer. The only thing I can do is go up to the judge and answer questions. That's the best I can do. You have to listen to me, and you must trust me. I'm not your enemy; I'm someone who can help you, even if you are considered crazy."

"Okay, thanks."

Detective Justin looked at her one last time before quietly leaving the room. Who knew what will happen during the trial?

Viper thought long and hard: If she had a shorter prison sentence, she knew that finding a job would be difficult; the Blue Dragons might even go after her. If she went against what Detective Justin told her to do, she would have a longer sentence, but the system would protect her. Blue won't touch her if she isn't in a mental hospital or with the member that set her up. The Blue Dragon's obviously don't want her in jail; they want her locked up and to be seen as crazy. Viper would never see Ivory again, but it'd be worth it. Ivory may find her way out eventually and hopefully join Viper.

She thought back to Hawks and what he told her. Ivory might have money over her head, but if no one knew who she was, no one but harboring and rival gangs would believe what Viper said. She always noticed Hawks and even Rover flirting with her best friend. The reason was evident to her, but Ivory was oblivious to that type of stuff. Ivory never paid much attention, which could get her into trouble. It was hard to figure out which side Ivory would choose, but Viper knew that Ivory was only looking out for herself, and was angry that Ivory wouldn't choose her, even if Ivory wanted her life path to be different.

Then, Viper decided her fate. She wasn't happy with her choice, but she went with it. It was the only way to make sure that she was safe and well taken care of.