"A Glimmer of Desperation"

The officer's face was still red with anger as he glared at Ashley, his eyes blazing with intensity. The victim's parents looked at Ashley with a mix of sadness and confusion, their faces etched with pain and sorrow. They seemed to be searching for something in Ashley's expression, but she could see the doubt in their eyes. "I... I want to call my mom or dad," Ashley cried, feeling a sense of desperation wash over her. "Please, can I call them? I need to talk to them." The officer's expression didn't change, but he turned to one of his colleagues and nodded. "Let her make a call," he said, his voice still firm. Ashley was led to a small phone booth in the corner of the room, and the officer handed her a phone. Ashley's hands were shaking as she dialed her parents' number, hoping that they would answer. As she waited for someone to pick up, Ashley's mind was racing. What did the officer think she had done? Why were they treating her like a suspect? And what did the victim's parents think of her? Finally, her mom answered the phone, and Ashley burst into tears. "Mom, it's me," she cried. "I'm in trouble. I need your help." Her mom's voice was calm and soothing, but Ashley could hear the worry in her tone. "Ashley, what's going on? Where are you?" Ashley took a deep breath and tried to explain. "I'm in some kind of police station. They think I did something, but I didn't. I swear, Mom, I didn't do anything." Her mom's voice was firm. "Okay, sweetie, stay calm. We'll get a lawyer and figure this out. Just stay on the phone with me." But before her mom could say anything else, the officer appeared beside Ashley and snatched the phone out of her hand. "Time's up," he said, his voice firm. Ashley felt a pang of fear as she was dragged back to her cell. She was thrown inside and the door slammed shut behind her, leaving her alone in the darkness. As she sat on the cold floor, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that she was in grave danger. She had no idea what was happening or why she was being treated like a suspect. All she knew was that she had to find a way to prove her innocence before it was too late. The officer's words echoed in her mind: "We have evidence. We know you're involved." But what evidence? And how could they think she was involved when she knew she hadn't done anything? Ashley's eyes welled up with tears as she realized that she was completely alone and at the mercy of the police. She could only hope that her mom would be able to get a lawyer to her soon, and that she would be able to clear her name before it was too late.