~Quick change, the period of time they're in the house is going to be about three/four months. I think a year makes sense... but for what I have planned, dragging it out that long would be really difficult. Love you guys~

It had been another week or so before we heard news on the trial. 

But today... today we got something major dropped on us. 

Park had come over and was speaking to the group. We were all in the living room.

"Alright everyone, the trial starts in a week," he said. 

I gasped. "W-What? We haven't even met with our lawyer!" 

"They'll be here tomorrow, okay? We're going to be working with you for the next week to build your case. As for the trial, I'll have more details on it soon." 

I looked around at all the guys. Their nerves were definitely up. I couldn't blame them; I looked calm, but on the inside, I was freaking out. 

"So... when do we begin testifying?" Yuto asked Park. 

"Well, again, your lawyer will help. The first day is going to be opening statements, so each side can explain their case. The evidence will be displayed in the opening statements, then I'm sure there will be a few testimonies after that." 

I felt someone grab my forearm. When I looked, I was surprised to see Yeo One holding my arm tightly. I put a hand on his and squeezed. "It's gonna be okay, Yeo One." 

Hui watched us for a moment, but when I looked up at him, he looked away. 

"Okay, so do I have to go meet the lawyer, or are they coming here?" I asked. 

Park's phone buzzed, so he put a hand up to gesture for me to hold on. 

I turned to Yeo One while he talked on the phone. "What's wrong?" 

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me," he said, sighing. "I just got nervous." 

"I understand." 

"So we're actually gonna see the HM?" Kino asked. He was standing behind Yeo One and I, pacing nervously. 

I gulped. "Yes, we are." 

"Okay, sorry about that," Park said. "The lawyer is coming here. They're gonna meet with you and the guys, get your case organized, hear out everyone. That's all happening over the next week." 

I nodded. "Okay, sounds good." 

Park left soon after telling us this. 

I decided I wanted to go for a walk in the woods behind the house. I asked if anyone wanted to go with me, and Kino said he did. 

"How are you?" I asked him. 

We walked side by side, actually quite close, in the woods. He looked around, enjoying nature, a small smile on his face. "I'm great. This is the best I've been in years, maybe even ever." 

I grinned and stepped over a branch. "I'm so glad." 

"I mean, I know the trial is coming up..." he sighed. "I really don't want to see the HM's face again. A lot of people are scared of monsters... I'm scared of him." 

"He is a monster," I told him. "And you know what, he's going to go away for a very long time, hopefully forever, for it."

Kino nodded. "I hope so." 

"So, does testifying scare you?" I asked as we walked further into the woods. 

"Yes," he said, laughing nervously. "Very much. I know I just have to tell the truth, but basically standing up to the HM... I never had the strength to do that before, I just hope I have it now."

"You're gonna be amazing. The lawyer is going to help us tomorrow, and all you have to do is answer the questions truthfully." 

"What if they ask something that could get you in trouble?" Kino asked me. 

I blinked. "Like, the chloroform? They know I used it." 

"I don't know, just anything. I don't wanna get you in trouble." Kino sighed and looked away. "Or any of us. What about Wooseok?" 

"It's gonna be okay," I told him. "Really. It'll all work out." 

"I hope so. I mean, you're on the case, so it should." Kino grinned. "You're like a guardian angel." 

My heart melted and I actually teared up a little. It didn't matter to me what the public thought of me, but the fact that they all care about me and love me... it was the most fulfilling things I had ever felt. I adored them. 

"Oh stop it," I said, laughing softly. 

"You're not good with compliments, are you?" Kino asked. 

I turned red. "Not really, no." 

He laughed. "You're funny." 

I grinned and hid my face. Ugh, I was so awkward!

We walked for about an hour. 

A nurse came over and checked all of the guys, and even stayed with them so I could go out. I didn't want to leave them, but I figured if I did, I could get them snacks, maybe some more games, something to make them feel a bit better. 

I warned the nurse before I went out to not do anything to them or she'd get an earful from me. She seemed to catch my obvious drift. 

I went out to the store. 

As I went down the aisles, I felt extremely uncomfortable. People were staring at me, whispering about me. My face had been plastered all over the news, in the papers, on magazines. It was so creepy to see myself everywhere. I was seen as a hero, but I really didn't feel that way. And, by others, I was seen as crazy. I just wanted to lay low and take care of the guys, but now that we had escaped, and the media was everywhere, it was close to impossible. 

I grabbed some junk food and some soft drinks. I wasn't sure what everyone liked, but I'm sure they would be excited about something. 

I got a few card games too, then tried to get out of there quickly. 

"Excuse me, are you Jane Whittaker?" 

I turned around and noticed a middle aged woman with shoulder length brown hair and deep smile lines looking at me with wide eyes.

I nodded. "Um, yes, I am." 

She seemed shaky. She was obviously nervous. I wasn't sure what was going on, and it made me a bit nervous as well. I gave her a small smile. "Is everything okay, ma'am?" 

"Oh, yes, yes, everything is fine," she said, putting a loaf of bread in her cart. "I'm sorry, it's just... crazy to run into you at the store." 

I laughed a tad awkwardly. "Well... I go shopping too, like everyone else." 

"You're living with the patients, right?" 

I started rolling my cart toward the self checkout and, as expected, she followed me. "Yes... I am. Are you with the press?" 

"I'm not," she told me. "I'm just... curious." 

I didn't like this. I started scanning my items and putting them in bags. "Yeah, I live with them." 

"I'm going to be at the trial," she said. "In the audience." 

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess it's no surprise that I am too." 

She chuckled. "Um... Hoetaek. How is he?" 

My heart stopped and I looked up at her. "How do you know Hoetaek?" 

She gave me a soft smile.

 "I'm his aunt."