The sun is shining bright overhead contrasting with what is happening today. However, at least it will finally be done. The courthouse looming before me. Stopping for a moment the press starts to try and provoke me in my moment hesitation. A police officer grabs me by the arm. Helping me through the crowd. I mentally block them all out, recalling the last few months. The arrest, the murders, the trail all bouncing around in my head like a pinball machine. It's been rough keeping track of everything, and even after finding out the gruesome details. Looking back up at the courthouse, I push forward with the officer. This is the last time I'll see him, I remind myself.
My boss knows that once this is all over I'm leaving to somewhere, and never again looking back. I have no family to speak of. So, leaving this place behind won't be too hard. I just want to disappear and never come back. Wishing to forget about everything and never come back. Maybe go to Eastern Europe and disappear.
Opening the door, I take a deep breath. Turning and thanking the officer for escorting me inside. He nods his head. No smile and nothing to say. Pushing through the door, I go to my seat in the front on the prosecution side. The lawyers give me their usual pitiful smiles and nods. I give them a weak smile back. The rest of the press file in. Trying their best to get to me. The girlfriend of a serial killer. They all see me taking pictures of me, though none can get to me.
Then he walks in. His ice blue eyes find my green. The eyes that I could stare into all day and night. The eyes belonging to a man I once loved with all my heart. A man who I thought loved me. He claimed to have loved me, but I don't understand how. With the things he's done. It makes my stomach churn. Even now looking at him it makes me sick. I'm disgusted with myself.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Reeds." A bailiff calls out. Everyone stands. I look straight ahead, though I can still feel his eyes on me. My heart starts to break all over again. Holding back the tears I keep my head held high. Not even listening to what is being said. It's the end of the trail and of the pain of betrayal he caused me. I can chalk it up to being young and dumb, but that doesn't make me feel any better.
"Mr. Jaggers, do you have anything you wish to say, before I give you your sentence?"
"Yes your honor." He stands turning towards me. Everyone following his gaze to me. Now I really wish the ground would just open up and swallow me. "First, to the girl, I hurt the most. Alora, I am so sorry for any pain I caused you. I love you. You hold my heart and will forever continue to hold it. I never meant to hurt you or be the cause any of the pain you have suffered. Your name will be on my lips when I leave this world. Nothing will stop my loving you." He turns back to face the judge his expression changing to stone. "I'm ready your Honor."
"Daren Jaggers you are brought before this court for your sentence. Having been found guilty by a jury of your peers of five counts of 1st degree murder. You are here by sentenced to 5 consecutive life sentences. To be served back to back, without the possibility of parole. Everyone is dismissed." The judge slams her gavel down concluding the trail and closing a horrid chapter of my life. Before it's all over I walk over to where DJ is standing.
"Wait…please" I plead, when a guard escorting DJ stops and turns to me. "I want to speak with him just for a moment please." The guard looks to the others as if asking permission.
"Make it quick." He tells me.
"Daren, I loved you. I was foolish, young, and blind. Loving you was a mistake. I pray you rot in your cell. I will disappear and you will never hear from me or find me." Turning on my heel I feel him grab me briefly. I'm pushed back by other officers as he is held back. Being dragged away.
The guards doing their best to force him out of the courtroom. "I WILL FIND YOU LITTLE DOVE! YOU MAY RUN BUT I WILL FIND YOU, AND WHEN I DO YOU…." He is dragged out screaming at me. I turn my back on him and walk out. He will be behind bars for the rest of our lives. I will never see his face again. He may haunt me from time to time in my dreams but I will never see him again. I'm finally free.
Pushing through some side doors, I make a quick escape from the courthouse. Practically running to my motorcycle. Everything we had in our home was taken by the cops for the investigation. Which means I'm leaving with practically nothing, but the clothes on my back. Which is fine by me. Less things to make me think about him, or to bring up memories of him. "Hey are you ok?" An officer puts her hand on my shoulder.
Looking up at her. It's all I have to not break down, scared and broken, right there. "Yes ma'am. I'll be ok. I'm just ready to finally leave. To put all this behind me." She smiles and gives me a hug.
"I'm so sorry for all your pain in this. I wish you the best. If you ever need anything here's my card. It has my personal number on it. Let us know how you're doing." I wrap my arms around her and let her comfort me.
"Thank you Officer Baily." The tears start coming down my face. I look up and see the van taking Daren back to jail. Soon he'll be transferred to a prison. Looking back to Baily. "I'm leaving this place. I'm never coming back, I'm just going to disappear. Go somewhere where no one has heard of me." I give her another hug, and with that. I leave that, I climb on my bike and leave this little town forever.
That was so many years ago. Though it feels like it was only yesterday. I still remember Officer Baily and her kindness during the whole ordeal. She was the only one who was actually nice and kind towards me. Most of the guys treated me indifferently. Like I was damaged goods. Who's to say I'm not?