Okay so a lot of court stuff is gonna happen in this chapter and honestly I don't know a lot about how it goes exactly. What I write is the experience I basically get from watching a lot of law and order and other stuff on Ion television because well, it's positively entertaining. If I get anything wrong PLEASE bare with me.

Oh and I changed Luke's uncle's name from Mason to Jordan, just to clear that up.

Alrighty, this is going to be a very long chapter so get comfortable children. Now once upon a time...........

It always seems impossible until it's done.
-Nelson Mandela.

   -Maggie-

I did not want to go to school today, already knowing what rumors were going to be spreading around. I had to face everyone, and not only that, the trial was right after school. The lawyer testifying against us is known for winning many cases similar to mine and there's a huge chance he'll win this one. Luke's uncle Jordan is flying on his way over here, at least that's what Luke told me through text this morning; and his parents will be there too, for support. It was quiet during breakfast this morning since all of us are on edge for the trial. I barely touched my food, but before I left Sarah literally shoved grapes into my mouth, commenting on how I had to eat something or else I'd faint in the middle of the court room. Count on Sarah to choke you with grapes while you're already struggling to breathe with a lump in your throat.

So now here I am, in my car parked at the school parking lot. I lost count of how many times I've found myself sitting in my car; afraid to go inside the building and facing all those people. A knock on my window made me jump. I placed my hand on my chest and glared at Luke through the glass. "Luke you scared the heck out of me!" I exclaimed. He smirked and nodded hides head. "I noticed. Are you planning on coming out anytime soon, or are we playing some game of Tom and Jerry?" I sighed and unbuckled my seatbelt, getting out of the car and locking it after. Luke pulled me into a much needed hug and I returned it, closing my eyes. "How are you not freaked out right now?" I asked. His body language showed no sign of nervousness, making me question how he does it. I felt his chin rest on my head as he spoke. "Today is a scary day, but a smile can help us get through it." I laughed as pulled away a little so I could look at him.

   "I peg you as one of these people who would get a tattoo sleeve of random quotes." Luke laughed sarcastically before pointing out the elephant of the room. "You ready to go inside?" I groaned and shook my head. "No."

   "Well then thank God you have me." Luke grabbed my hand with a cheeky smirk. Leading us through the parking lot. "I should've dyed my hair black and changed my name so no one would recognize me." I said. Luke glanced at me while quirking his eyebrow. "Your filthy cousin goes to this school, Mags. I'm pretty sure she would recognize you." I frowned, realizing his point. 

  "Touché, and don't call her filthy. She has a name." Luke chuckled as we reached the doors. "According to Miranda she has plenty." Before I got to reply to that, Luke opened the doors and we stepped inside. People were already staring, as if they knew when we were going to come in. I tightened my grip on Luke's hand as we kept walking through the halls. "Their opinions don't define you Maggie. Ignore the staring." I nodded and after what seemed like an eternity of walking, we reached the hall where my locker was. I was relieved but when I caught sight of who was standing by it, my feet stuck to the ground as if they were part of it. "Luke, let's go to your locker first." I said, pulling him back. He furrowed his brows and placed a hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong?" He turned to where my eyesight was focused on and readjusted his hand around mine. "I'll be there with you. If she crosses the line I'll back you up. What do you say?" I reluctantly nodded my head. It's better to face her now than throughout the day while Luke is in a different class.

   As we arrived at my locker Saskia gasped when she noticed us. "Oh God, Maggie." I was about to ask what she wanted but she took the words out of my mouth when she stepped forward and hugged me. "I have so much to say right now but I want to start with apologizing." I looked at Luke over Saskia's shoulder and raised my eyebrows. 'She's hammered', he mouthed. I rolled my eyes at his assumption as Saskia broke the hug to look at me. "I've been nothing but a very bad cousin to you and I had no right to judge you for having a baby, no matter how it happened. I also had absolutely no right to put up that website or pulling that stunt at the hospital. You should've pressed charges Maggie; it's beyond my knowledge why you didn't." I sighed and looked at Luke. "Could you give us a second?" I asked. Luke nodded slowly, suspiciously eyeing Saskia as he stepped to the other end of the hall.

  "I didn't press charges because despite all those times you made me feel completely worthless, you're still my cousin. Besides, your parents divorced and it hit you hard. You had to take it out on someone and it so happened that I was the perfect target, being pregnant and all you had a reason to." She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "Just because I've been going through a hard time doesn't mean you should've too. I want to start over Maggie. Nothing I do will help forget what I've done but forgiving me could be a start. It's up to you though." The bell went off, signaling it was time for everyone to get to class. I smiled at Saskia as I began walking towards Luke so we could go to home room. "Well, I have the first day of trial today after school. An extra friend wouldn't hurt." With that said, I joined Luke and we began walking.

   "That looked like it went well." Luke said. I smiled and looped my arm through his.

   "It did."
*************

Okay, I managed to make it through school, the only whispering done around was about Luke and I becoming an item. Saskia sat with Luke and I at lunch. It was awkward at first but after a few minutes of silence we managed to strike up a conversation. Luke and I had brought extra clothes to school for the court trial since we didn't have time to go home and change. As soon as the bell rang we both separated and agreed to meet out in the hall. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror I smiled softly, already imagining Sarah's reaction when she sees Saskia later on. A frown soon came to my face as I realized it probably isn't a good idea to not warn Sarah, especially if we're going to be in a courtroom with several witnesses if anything happens.

I stepped out of the bathroom with my backpack, straightening out my simple green dress. Luke was already out in the hall waiting, leaning against the wall wearing dress pants, a white shirt and black tie. He flashed me his teeth as he smiled when he noticed me come out. "You look-"

"Like a girl who is about to go to court for a trial against the guy who raped her and his really good lawyer who has won seventeen cases similar to these?" Luke sighed and shook his head.

"I was going for beautiful." I blushed and lightly hit his shoulder. "We're gonna be late. We should go." I said. Luke grabbed my arm, stopping me from walking away. "Hold on, I need to do something important first." Before I got to ask what in the world was more important than the trial I had to attend to, his lips were landing on mine. I closed my eyes and immediately kissed him back, resting my hands on his shoulders. Honestly I wouldn't mind doing this all day with Luke, but the trial was about to start and we needed to get there in time. I reluctantly pulled away and smiled as he groaned in protest. "What happened to taking things slow Mr. Banfield?" He rolled his eyes placed his hands on my waist.

"Says the girl who kissed me back. Now, let's go. We don't want to be late now, do we? I want you to meet my uncle beforehand." I took a deep breath and we both walked out of the school. "Do you want to go in one car? I can drop you off here after." Luke said. I nodded my head eagerly and we both started making our way to his car.
——

Luke and I managed to make it to the courtroom with twenty minutes to spare. People were starting to take their seats as we made our way to the front row in the middle where my family and Luke's parents were. I greeted my parents, Graham, and Sarah before going to Hannah to hug her. "Don't be nervous darling. Everything will come out okay, just wait....." she whispered in my ear. I smiled at her and nodded my head.

"I sure hope so." After hugging Thomas as well, Luke lead me to a tall man who had some similarities to Hannah. "Uncle Jordan, long time no see." Luke said. The man turned around and instantly smiled when he saw Luke, pulling him into a hug. "Lucas, you've grown! Last time I saw you it was at a band concert you had in sixth grade." Luke chuckled as they pulled away. "Yeah I remember. Uncle Jordan, this is my girlfriend Maggie. I told you about her last night." Luke placed his hand on my back, nudging me forward a little as he spoke. I smiled and shook his uncle's hand.

"Maggie, it's nice to finally meet you. I heard a lot of great things about you over the phone. Feel free to call me Jordan. I'm sorry for what you have to go through right now. These type of things aren't easy, especially at your age." I nodded my head slowly.

"It's nice to meet you too. I feel like I'm about to faint." I replied. Jordan rested his hand on my shoulder. "That's completely normal. Now, listen. Walter's lawyer has won many cases, but he hasn't gone against me, and there's a first time to everything. I'm going to do all it takes to make sure he gets locked up- as long as it's legal of course.  Now, there will be times where he's going to call you up for some questions. I'm not going to lie, you'll be nervous at first with everyone staring at you. If he asks a question you aren't comfortable answering, just give me some signal and I'll back you up. I'm going to ask you some questions too as well as your parents and sister. If you need a break let me know. This session is an hour long, so they'll give us recess when it's halfway through. Do you have any questions you want to ask me?" I shook my head.

  "Okay, well your parents explained what happened, but I need to hear everything from you personally before we start. Is that okay?" I nodded my head and turned towards Luke. "I'll be right back." I said. He nodded and kissed my forehead, the simple action calming me down. Jordan lead me outside the courtroom and into an office. We sat down and I began telling him everything. After explaining how the night went and when I saw Walter again, Jordan gave me an example of the questions he would give me so I would be ready. Before I had time to react it was time for the trial to begin. Jordan and I rushed back to the courtroom and I took a seat in between Sarah and Luke.

   "What is Saskia doing here?" Sarah asked. Her expression was not happy at all and I sighed as a police officer walked to the front of the room. "Please stand for Judge Hansen." We all stood as the judge walked in the room. "I can't explain right now but please don't try anything in a room full of witnesses." We all took a seat once again as the case was explained and the judge officially announced the start of this trial. I grabbed Luke and Sarah's hands. Breathing in and out deeply. Sarah rested her head on my shoulder. "Everything's gonna be alright. We got this." She whispered.

   Jordan and Walter's lawyer- who went by the name Quentin Valesco walked to the front of the room. After having a silent conversation with the judge they returned to their spots. "Mr. Valesco will begin this trial." Walter's lawyer leaned against the table they were placed at. "Your honor, I'd like to start by asking Ms. Brown a few questions." The judge nodded her head. "Proceed."

  Jordan looked at me and I nodded, slowly standing up and walking to the stand. I took a seat, facing everyone. My throat went dry as I saw everyone stare right back at me. After going through the oath procedure, Mr. Valesco started his first question. "Ms. Brown, this situation happened about a year and three months ago. Am I correct." I nodded my head. "Yes." I replied. Mr. Valesco crossed his arms and tilted his head.

  "Why didn't you report Mr. Tarrant then?" I looped my fingers together as his questions and my answers started back and forth.

   "The situation hadn't hit me the night it happened. The next day I woke up feeling disgusted even though I had spent the rest of the night in the shower trying to get the feeling of his hands off me. I didn't say anything because just thinking about it was like going through it all over again."

  "What gave you the courage to speak up now?"

  "I went on a date with my boyfriend a few days back. We went to a clay studio and then to the art festival just outside of town. Everything was going perfectly fine until the man we bought some wooden rings from- Walter Tarrant- said something that made me realize it was him. I didn't recognize him at first but those words hit me hard and I wanted nothing but to get away from him. I thought he was going to try having his way again and I got scared, just like last time, but this time I chose to  I speak up. I was tired of holding it in for so long." I said to him.

  "What words did he say exactly?"

  "He said, 'It's a wonderful night to take advantage of'. Those were the same words he had said the night he raped me."

"What is your purpose for being here in trial today?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Elaborate that question."

"Do you want Walter Tarrant in jail because he raped you or because you need money to support your kid?"

"Objection!" Jordan stood up, a stern expression. The judge held her hand up towards him. "Overruled." Jordan sat down, glancing at me with a sorry expression. I shrugged and looked at Mr. Valesco.

"I don't need money to support Graham. This trial isn't to solve financial problems. I want that man in jail for bringing constant nights filled with nightmares of what he did happening to me again and again countless times. Because of him I have been mistreated and tormented at school, being called hurtful words by anyone whenever they got the chance."

"I hit just three more questions. You love your son Graham, yes? He's a big part of your life?" I turned my attention to Graham and smiled as he played with my dad's tie in his hands. I didn't feel as nervous anymore while I looked at him.

"I do. I can't imagine my life without him. He's the main reason why I manage to get through every day."

"Then if you're so grateful to have Graham in your life what's the big fuss? Had it not been for Walter Graham wouldn't be here. If anything you should be grateful to Walter. It looks like to me that you just want some extra money for yourself; therefore you decided to start this lawsuit, using your excuse of fear to back you up." I gaped at Mr. Valesco, too shocked to be able to speak. How could he even say that? He just turned my words on me.

"Objection, your honor." Jordan's voice echoed through the silent room. The judge allowed Jordan to take over and he looked at me, raising an eyebrow to ask if I wanted a break. I slightly nodded my head and he motioned his behind him, telling me to leave the stand. I walked back to my original seat, the whole room was tense as I did so.. Luke immediately grabbed my hand while I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"I'd like to call my client's sister, Sarah Brown up to the stand." Sarah patted my knee twice before standing up and walking to the stand, taking a seat.

"Sarah, I only have a few questions for you today. You've mentioned that you and Maggie are close, correct?" Sarah nodded her head.

"Yeah. We've been there for each other our whole lives." Jordan's back was facing us, but by the time of his voice I could tell he had a serious expression by his tone of voice. Then again, he's standing in front of a judge.

"When you and your parents found out Maggie was pregnant, how did she behave from then on?" Sarah looked at me and frowned.

"She wasn't herself. Yeah, she still smiled and pretended she was okay, but I could tell otherwise. Every night would hear her cry herself to sleep, and when she started showing it got worse. She would come home right after school or work ended and wait until she was in her room before she'd burst out crying. She would tell me about how people have been verbally bullying her, but she'd act like she could handle it. Till this day I still hear her cry herself to sleep sometimes."

"So it's safe to say Walter Tarrant effected Maggie's life by a great amount?" Sarah once again nodded.

"Yes it is. People like to superficially glance at the summary of books and already decide whether they like it or not without reading deeper into it. The people in Maggie's school did the same. They saw she was pregnant and immediately started judging her without stopping to think what happened and how she felt. That filthy man right there," Sarah pointed towards Walter, shaking her head. "is the reason why people made my sister feel like it was her fault that she got pregnant." Jordan joined his hands together behind his back, nodding his head. "That's all for now Ms. Brown. Thank you for your time."

"I'd like to question Ms. Brown as well, your honor." Mr. Valesco stood up, nodding towards Sarah. The judge allowed it and I noticed Sarah glare at Mr. Valesco as he approached her.

"Ms. Brown, you stated that you and your sister have been there for each other your whole lives. This means you'd back her up when she needs help?"

"Of course. She's my sister and I'd do anything for her." Sarah answered. Mr. Valesco chuckled, the sound causing everyone to wonder what was funny at the moment.

"Your honor, there's your proof to why my client should be let free. This young lady is stating she'd back her sister up for anything at all. That would include her sister's claim of my client getting Ms. Brown pregnant."

  "What exactly are you stating Mr. Valesco?" The judge asked. Mr. Valesco pointed right at Graham.

  "Everyone is talking about how the pregnancy has effected Ms. Brown's life. But they're missing a point. Whether Ms. Brown really wants money, or she's trying to get bad gossip about her to stop, but my point is, there's no proof that my client is the father of that baby. Ms. Brown could've had sexual relations with someone else around the time the rape happened and used my client as an excuse. What a coincidence that she sees my client participating at an art festival.  The baby doesn't even look like my client. The father could most likely be her boyfriend!" Sarah stood up from the stand and started walking towards Mr. Valesco.

  "What is she doing?" Luke widened his eyes as she shoved Mr. Valesco. Security guards immediately appeared and pulled Sarah away from him. "Maggie had her life planned out before she was raped! We first time was supposed to be after she was happily married! There is no way she would sleep with someone before-"

  "Order in the court!" The judge began to hit her gavel against the surface of the desk she was seated at. "Ms. Brown, take a seat." She ordered. Sarah pulled away from the security guards and took her seat beside me without a word.

  "Your honor, I'd like permission for a recess." Jordan announced. The judge crossed her arms and raised her voice as she spoke. "You both have ten minutes." She hit her gavel once more and stood up, leaving the room to her office. Jordan turned around and shook his head. "The nerve of that man." He muttered. I let out a nervous breath.

  "The judge is leaning towards their side right now." I said, addressing the elephant in the room. Jordan furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "Not for long though. Who is that behind you?" He said. I turned around to see Saskia. She softly smiled when she saw me looking and waved. I did the same before turning back to Jordan. "That's my cousin Saskia." He raised his eyebrows and looked at me.

   "The one who put up that page about you and tried killing you?" The way he said it made Saskia seem like a complete psycho, even though she did do those two things. I nodded my head. "Yeah that's her. We made up just today." Jordan clapped his hands together. "Do you think she would mind me asking her a few questions?" Luke and I faced each other and I shrugged. "It's up to her." I answered.
********

   Ten minutes later, everyone is back to their seats and Saskia is at the stand, Jordan standing near her. "Ms. Noonan, what is your relation with Ms. Brown?" He asked.

  "I'm her cousin."

   "I heard you go to the same school as her. Is it true that you were the one who began starting the rumors about Ms. Brown when the fact that she was pregnant came to light?" Saskia nodded her head.

   "Yes."

  "If you don't mind me asking, why bully your own cousin?" Saskia stayed quiet for a moment before answering.

  "Maggie had a perfect life; amazing grades, a scholarship to a top university, and a great family. My life was the exact opposite. Yeah I have good grades and I get to go to a good college, but my parents had divorced and the only thing they've been worrying about is who gets to take everything, not including me. I was in awe of how set her life already was, but when I found out she was pregnant I was livid. I never got to have the perfect life but she did, and then she went and ruined it by getting pregnant after-what I thought-having a one night stand. So I spread rumors about her and made sure she realized how I felt."

  "You even went to the point of trying to take away her life for that?" Once again she nodded.

   "I heard she was in the hospital because apparently she tried to suicide. Again, I was angry. 'Little miss perfect couldn't handle a little heat', I thought. So I when I found out she lived, I thought, why not give her what she wanted? Death. She didn't press charges, despite how low I went to make her feel what I feel. That's when I found out through the news the real reason to why she was pregnant."

   "Ms. Noonan, tell me something. At school, were there any guys Maggie had been chatty with at school?" Saskia shook her head.

  "No. I turned the whole school against her. The guys were the one who called her the worst words."

   Jordan nodded slowly, humming to himself in thought. "So do you believe that Maggie could've slept with anyone from your school and gotten pregnant?" Saskia shook her head.  "The only guy that has been friendly with Maggie is Luke Banfield, but there's no way he's the father. He enrolled as a new student in the beginning of this month, way after Maggie had her baby." Jordan crossed his arms.

   "That's all Ms. Noonan." Saskia stood up and took her seat as Jordan faced the judge. "Your honor, you heard it yourself. Ms. Brown wasn't likely to sleep with anyone from her school and her sister stated earlier that she would come home from class right after it ended, the same with work. Everything points to Walter Tarrant."

  Mr. Valesco scoffed and stood up.

   "Your honor, that proves nothing at all. Ms. Brown could've had sexual relations with a man from her workplace. Mr. Banfield has no proof that my client is the father of Ms. Brown's baby." The judge looked at Mr. Valesco.

   "Do you have proof that he isn't?" She asked. When Mr. Valesco stayed silent she looked at Jordan again. "Continue Mr. Pratt."

"Your honor, I have a few more people I'd like you to meet. Eleanor Dawson, Isadora Fitz, Caroline Ganzar, Rebecca Jezek, Fernanda Hastings, Autumn West, and Dana Vance; could you please stand?" As all seven girls stood up from our side of the courtroom, I glanced at them confused. "Who are they?" I asked Luke. He let out a breath and shook his head. "I can't believe he did it." He muttered. I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean Luke?" Before he got to answer, Jordan did it himself.

"Your honor, these ladies you see standing were also raped by Walter Tarrant. I managed to buy them some tickets so they could come today. I won't question this but I will tell you this; Walter Tarrant has a warrant for arrest from nine other states, seven of them from these ladies you see standing." Jordan grabbed seven papers, each of them having similar drawing of Walter, and handed them to the judge.

"Objection, your honor."

"Overruled Mr. Valesco."

"He has raped ten girls in total, one of the victims being Ms. Brown. Now, the last two victims, Abigail Halen and Casey Stone couldn't be here because unfortunately they committed suicide the same year they filed Mr. Tarrant's arrest. After speaking with their parents, I have the suicide notes that these girls left before the tragic situations. They both state how they felt too disgusted with themselves after the rape, and they felt too much like trash to feel the need to live any longer."

"Your honor, this man has taken the lives of two bright girls and almost one of the eight victims in here. How many more lives will he take or mess up before justice is served here? If he did all this, I can assure you he is definitely the father of Ms. Brown's baby. Can you imagine how hard it is for a eighteen year old girl to raise a child on her own after being raped at seventeen? Not only did Mr. Tarrant effect all of his victim's futures, but he also effected the future of this six month old baby. What will he feel when he finds out his father was a man who hurt many women? That boy will spend the majority of his life afraid that he'll end up just like his real father. Shouldn't that be held to justice?"

I turned towards Luke. "I didn't attempt suicide, that was an accident." I said, noticing how Jordan said I almost took my life. Luke softly smiled. "He knows that." He whispered back. I widened my eyes as I saw Jordan's intention and kept silent as he continued speaking.

"If Mr. Tarrant is served guilty, I can't assure that no one else will be raped ever again later on. But it will avoid some people from going through that. God knows who else he's been meaning do this to." The courtroom went silent for awhile. A few moments later Jordan spoke up once more.

"The only thing we pretty much inherit is fear. That's the main thing that Ms. Brown didn't report Mr. Tarrant earlier. She was afraid he would go after her again. Let's not have any of the women in this room leaving feeling unsafe, afraid and on edge that they might be Mr. Tarrant's next victim."

Judge Hansen linked her hands together and rested her chin on them. "Is that all you have for now Mr. Pratt?" She asked. Jordan nodded his head.

"Yes, your honor." She then turned her head to Mr. Valesco.

"Mr. Valesco, do you have anything to say to defend your client?" He stood up and nodded his head.

"I do, your honor. Mr. Pratt here is related to Ms. Brown's boyfriend and his family. How do we know that the suicide notes and these ladies are all real? Those notes could've been forged for all we know. We all know the saying blood is thicker than water. Mr. Banfield could be acting against many laws just to give his family a favor." The room instantly filled with whispers, some 'you think so?'s' and 'what ifs' being heard. My heart pounded as Judge Hansen sighed and hit her gavel.

"Silence! Mr. Pratt, is it true you're related to Ms. Brown's boyfriend and his family?" Jordan sighed and nodded.

"Yes your honor, I am. But every evidence I have provided is legal. How in the world would I get seven girls to act as victims? You could look at their ID's if you'd like." He suggested. Ms. Hansen shook her head.

"This is like a mix of the Maury show and Blue Bloods. Who's the father and I have relatives testifying for me in court. I don't know which one of you two I should take side of. This leads to the final choice. The defendant's verdict will be polled by the jury. Please take a seat while the decision is made." Jordan came over to us and sat down.

"This has been a tough trial but I think we're going to win. If we do, Walter Tarrant will be locked up for up to ten years." Jordan said. He looked at me and gave me a small smile. "How are you feeling?" I shook my head.

"I feel like going to sleep right now. All of this has me overwhelmed. How do you do this almost every day?" I asked. Jordan shrugged his shoulders.

"I manage through it all. Besides, I never take a case if the person I'm testifying for is guilty in any way. I want justice not malice." He stood up to grab his suitcase and shove his stuff inside. I rested my head on Luke's shoulder. "What if his verdict is not guilty? He'll find me for doing this." I said. Just the thought made me want to cry. Luke lifted my hand up to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on it.

"Don't think that way Maggie. If we leave losing this trial, I promise to keep you safe for as long as I live. You and Graham. No one will hurt you." He murmured. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Miranda grinning. "Maggie, it's so nice to see you again." She said. I smiled and gave her a hug while still staying seated, too nauseous to stand. "Miranda! I thought you left back to England." I said. She shook her head. "I was going to but Luke here told me about the trial and I couldn't just leave without showing support." She explained. I felt touched that she felt the need to be here for me, glad that she decided to come. "It means a lot, thank you so much Miranda." She waved her hand as she sat down. "Don't mention it." I sent her one last smile and turned to Saskia, sitting a chair away. I motioned her closer and she did as told. "Thank you for going up to the stand Saskia. You were brace to do it. I almost ran out the second I sat up there." I told her. She smiled and shook my shoulder.

"Hey, I owed you anyways. Count it as one of the many things I'll be doing to make it up to you." I was about to tell her she did that need to keep giving me all these favors until suddenly the echo of the gavel being slammed made us all face forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Judge Hansen put down her gavel. "the defendant's verdict will now be announced." She said, looking at the people to her side. I watched, completely nervous, as the woman standing up opened the folded up paper. We all held hands, my family including Saskia, and Luke's family including Miranda and his uncle. This was it. Right now I'm going to see if Walter Tarrant will make up for all the bad things he brought in not only my life, but also the lives of his other victims in the room. His verdict will tell us whether or not the jury cares that two lives were taken because of that man. I thought that the scariest moment in my life was telling my parents I was raped just two days ago, but now, this tops it all. Standing in a room full of people and being questioned right in front of them and the man who raped me was scary, and at this moment I was about to find out if my nightmare was about to end, or of it was going to keep tormenting me every single night to come from this day on. If his verdict is not guilty, I'll spend the rest of my life waiting for this to happen all over again, hating myself for not speaking up sooner. This day is one I will never forget no matter how hard I try. The end of it will lead to my next chapter in life, a good one or a bad one. Taking one last deep breath, I rested my forehead on Luke's shoulder and closed my eyes tightly as the woman cleared her throats and spoke out loud so everyone could hear her clearly.

(A/N: forgive me for that super long paragraph there, I'm trying to hit that word count.)

"We find the defendant...."

************

Okay, okay I'm sorry. I know cliffhangers are a pain, but you can't be a real author without them. If you hate me for this just be grateful I didn't kill a main character off.

Until next time ;)