Innocence

They're innocent, they know it. But in the eyes of the law, no one's innocent. That's another fact they know very well.

"Hey," Phoenix said to his bunkmate one day. "Miles." Formality stopped meaning anything a long time ago.

"Do you remember that classroom trial from all those years ago?"

Miles made a noncommittal snort. "No. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was just wondering if you remembered that was how the two of us met… and why I decided to become a defense attorney."

Miles turned on his bed to face the wall. "Oh." Truth be told, he hadn't forgotten. But nor did he want to remember.

Phoenix, however, could never take a hint. "Yeah. Remember those days we used to just hang out together? Well, you, me, and Larry… back when things were innocent and carefree…" Phoenix's voice is quivering now. "When we used to actually believe in justice."

Phoenix then gestured around at their cell. Their lives. "Where did everything go wrong?"