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Sheriff Diaz stared at the boy, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table.

"He said some guys came by and tried to mug him. Bryce put up a fight, but it was one of him against three of them."

"So these men assaulted Bryce Walker and as a result, he was unable to get up off the ground himself?" Sheriff Diaz questioned.

Alex nodded, "Yes. He begged me to help him, so I did. Or, I tried at least."

Sheriff Diaz leaned forward, "What does that mean, Alex?"

"I tried to help him up, but I slipped. My brain injury isn't completely healed yet and I couldn't hold onto him when I tripped. I made him fall into the water."

Sheriff Diaz was silent for a moment, trying to think of what to say, "What were you doing on the pier that night?"

"I wanted to clear my head and the pier seemed like a calm, quiet place to go. When I arrived, I saw Bryce on the ground, in pain." Alex paused, "What was I supposed to do? Just leave him there?"

"No, Alex. I do believe you tried to do the right thing, but it doesn't change the fact that what you've done is involuntary manslaughter."

Alex's eyes welled up with tears that he tried his best not to shed, "I know."

Sheriff Diaz sat back, "Well, I can't convict you of a crime. I don't have the power to do so, but you will have to stand before a judge and plead guilty."

Alex let out an uneven breath, "Okay."

Sheriff Diaz nodded and stood up, "I need to go make a few arrangements for the trial, someone will be here to take you to a holding cell."

Alex looked terrified at those words, but still nodded as tears ran down his face.

Sheriff Diaz walked out of the room and sighed as different thoughts began to race through his mind. Why was Alex reopening the case? Could it be guilt? Or was there something more intense going on?

He got the answer to his question when he heard a shouting noise come from the front desk. There stood Montgomery de la Cruz, and he was alive. He was quickly dragged away, but Sheriff Diaz made no move to follow him since he was in shock.

"What the hell.." Sheriff Diaz said under his breath. He looked across the room and saw Deputy Standall.

He quickly stormed over to him, "Care to explain why Montgomery de la Cruz is still alive?"

Deputy Standall shrugged, "Maybe someone realized he wasn't safe here and tried to give him the chance he deserved at life."

Sheriff Diaz gave him a confused look, "You know what that kid was originally brought in here for, right?"

"Yeah, I do know..." Deputy Standall contemplated his next words. "But I also know that he doesn't deserve to be framed for murder."

Sheriff Diaz, "How could you possibly have known he was framed?"

Deputy Standall sighed, "I know it like I know Alex was confessing in that room just now."

"And you're okay with your own kid getting locked up? Why not just let De la Cruz take the fall?" Sheriff Diaz asked.

Deputy Standall looked at Sheriff Diaz like he was crazy, "Are you even listening to yourself right now? Letting someone innocent be in prison for life?"

Sheriff Diaz scoffed, "Innocent? Montgomery is a rapist."

"And his father is abusive, but we never did anything about that." Deputy Standall countered.

At Sheriff Diaz's silence, Deputy Standall continued, "I'm not justifying what he's done, but maybe we could've prevented some of the things that happened."

Sheriff Diaz looked at the ground, before turning and walking away in the direction of the courthouse.

As Deputy Standall watched him leave, his eyes landed on four familiar faces standing outside the police station. He quickly made his way to them. Charlie noticed him first, since he was already glancing around, trying to locate any other members of the paranoid group.

"Deputy Standall!" He called out.

Estela tore her head away from Diego's arm and saw Deputy Standall walking over. Winston didn't hear or see any of it. He was still staring forward at the place where Monty had disappeared.

"Hey guys." Deputy Standall greeted, less than enthusiastically.

"So? Did Alex confess yet?" Diego asked.

Deputy Standall nodded, "Yeah, he's most likely being transferred to a holding cell as we speak."

"Holy shit." Charlie swore. Deputy Standall could see the fear in his eyes, "Everyone else is in the waiting room, if you wanted to go see them."

Charlie couldn't have gotten in there faster. As soon as he was gone, Estela began asking Deputy Standall multiple questions about her brother. Diego looked over at where Winston was standing and noticed that he still hadn't moved.

"Hey. You okay?" Diego asked as he approached him.

Winston shook his head, "I just... I thought I lost him once. I can't lose him again."

Diego looked at him sadly, "You won't. You have proof he was with you that night, right?"

Winston nodded, then suddenly looked as if he remembered something, "My mom!"

Diego was confused, "Uh, what about your mom?"

"She's a lawyer who takes on tons of pro bono cases. I bet I could convince her to take on Monty's."

Diego's eyes widened, but then he grinned. Estela and Deputy Standall walked over to them.

"What was that about Monty?" Deputy Standall asked.

"Diego will fill you in, but I have to go." Winston told them.

"Go?! What are you talking about?" Estela asked as Winston raced over to his car.

"You might need these!" Diego yelled and threw Winston his car keys.

Winston caught them and smiled as he got into his car. And although he was scared, for the first time in a while, he also felt hopeful.

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