Remember when I said I was getting better at time management? Not even close. I'd love to say I've been working on this story for the past couple weeks but that would be a lie.
Hey guys this is it, the chapter everyone's been waiting for, the trial! Probably a long chapter we have a lot to cover so grab a snack and get comfortable! What's gonna happen? Even I don't know! Read to find out.
EDIT 5/9/18: Might be spilt into 2 chapters.
EDIT 5/18/18: Nevermind...
Disclaimer: I don't own Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends or any of its characters!
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theblindwriter95: Thank you!
naturefox64: Thank you for both reviews!
ENJOY!:D
Sunday night and all is calm at Foster's if only that were true, to be honest Foster's is the furtherest thing from calm right now. Between the usual shenanigans and the anticipation before the trial, you could say it's the calm before the storm only it's not calm, at all. It's more like the beginning of a storm which no one knew how it would end but they were hopeful or most of them were. Not much has changed since Thursday, Bloo is still mad at Frankie but chose to push it aside for Mac's sake he's done it before he can do it again, Mac needs him right now and oh did Mac need him. Ever since their crying episode, Mac has been reclusive, barely saying anything to anyone that wasn't him and rarely leaving their room, the only time he did was to eat and then he would go right back despite everyone's attempts to make him stay. Bloo hadn't left their room much either, his mind racing just as much as Mac's, no matter how much he didn't want to admit it he was not ready for Monday, he wasn't ready to see Mac's 'family' or even the others he honestly just wanted to be alone- or alone as he can be right now, no matter how upset he is Mac always takes priority.
"Bloo?" Bloo turns to look up at Mac who was in his bed while he was on the floor.
"Yeah?"
"I don't think I'm ready for tomorrow."
"Me either pal."
"You?" He lifts off the bed and turns his head to Bloo, "Why aren't you ready?"
Bloo lets out a sigh, "I don't know I guess I'm nervous for you if that makes any sense."
"A little bit, thanks it's nice you care so much."
"Of course I do, you're my bestfriend."
"You to Bloo." They fall into silence again, that was common these past few days, silence and a lot of thinking. Mac continues to glance at Bloo as if looking for something he's been really worried about him lately between the crying episode and what happened Thursday morning somethings up with him but what he can't figure out. But he can't worry about that right now as much as he wants to he has other things to think about, he can't stop worrying about tomorrow he thought he'd be ready by now but he's not and that scares him. He wants to run, get away from here and he's never wanted to do that before but the thought of seeing them...
He lays back down and tries not to cry. "I can't do this."
"What?" Bloo perks up and looks at him.
"I can't do this Bloo, I'm too scared I thought I could but I can't."
"That's oka-"
"No it's not!" Bloo jumps at looks at him surprised, "Sorry, but it's not okay you heard Frankie I have to go."
"I know but frankly I'd be worried if you weren't scared. I wish I could say you didn't have to go, if I would have known it would affect you this much I wouldn't have changed my mind."
"It's not your fault."
"You only said you'd go cause I thought it would be good! But I was wrong. Really wrong."
"Bloo, through this whole thing you've been the one to listen to me, to make sure I was really okay you weren't content with a few words like the others, you push me to want to get better, you've been right here, this whole time, it's not your fault."
"Thanks... I think you'll be okay, tomorrow."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks, I hope I'll be."
Meanwhile, Frankie is also nervous but trying to keep it together for Mac.. even though he isn't around much which worries her but she can't bring herself to talk to him, she'll probably just make it worse. She is currently mopping the foyer while thinking about tomorrow and after mopping the same spot for 5 minutes she lets out a huff and throws the mop down, it makes a clattering noise in an otherwise quiet foyer and she flinches hoping Mr. Heriman didn't hear. After a few seconds she lets out a sigh of relief the last thing she needed right now was a lecture she picks up the mop and heads into the kitchen where she chases away a couple friends trying to make something out of the utensils. She pulls the finished dinner out of the oven and goes on the intercom.
"DINNER IS READY!" She hears a stampede head to the dining room and rolls her eyes with a smile. Some of the more helpful friends come in to help take the food to the dining room. She thanks them before turning to Wilt.
"Could you go get Mac and Bloo?" He nods and she thanks him before bringing the last of the food to the dining room the friends cheer and thank Frankie before digging in. A few minutes later Wilt walks in with a scared look on his face and sits down.
"Yeah they're not coming down." Frankie looks at him surprised,
"Why? What happened?"
"Bloo yelled at me when I tried to get them to come down, something about Mac wanting to be left alone."
Frankie sighs, "I'll go to talk to them after dinner."
"Good luck." After dinner, Frankie walks up the stairs dodging various friends and knocks on Mac and Bloo's door when she doesn't get a response she leans against the door and hears whispering and knocks again.
"Guys?" The whispering stops and the door opens and she looks down to see Mac standing there.
"Hey Frankie."
"Hey pal can I come in?" Mac nods and moves out of the way, Bloo glares at her from Mac's bed but doesn't say anything to which she grateful for, she really doesn't want to get in an argument right now. It's silent for a few seconds before,
"Did you want to talk about something?" Mac asks from below her she looks down to see him staring at her questioningly.
"Yes actually, Bloo why did you yell at Wilt?!" Bloo jumps at the question not expecting it and looks at her.
"Cause he wouldn't leave!"
"He was trying to you guys to come down, you've been cooped up in here all day!"
"So?"
"So?!" Mac watches as the two of them start to fight, this is what they were trying to avoid. Mac catches Bloo's eye and sends him a questioning glance which he sighs at and stops talking, he doesn't feel like fighting.
"What is going on with you two?"
"Um how about the fact the trials tomorrow? We're scared, Frankie!" Mac replies making them both look at him, Bloo with a small smile.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" She questions softly looking directly at Mac which makes Bloo huff in annoyance, she asked both of them.
"I don't know, I don't really want to talk about it."
"Well you have to! You can't keep bottling this up Mac, it's not good."
"I have been talking about it, with Bloo."
"You know the other person you asked." Bloo interjects angrily which makes Frankie sigh, he was still mad at her for Thursday but she couldn't focus on that right now, there were bigger issues to deal with.
"He's right you know, you did ask him too." Frankie sighs and runs a hand across her face.
"Okay look I'm sorry, I am worried about both of you."
"Or you just mad just I yelled at Wilt."
"Well yes but I am worried about you Bloo."
"Whatever." He replies, crossing his arms and looking away from her, she sighs again and walks to the door.
"Whenever you want to talk." She leaves and the room falls into silence again, it stays that way for the rest of the night.
The next morning is chaotic but not in Bloo and Mac's room both boys are currently sleeping not peacefully and in the same bed but they are sleeping. However this sleep can't last, today's the big day, the trial and nobody is ready for it. The alarm clock suddenly starts to blare making them both groan.
"5 more minutes." Bloo says groggily as Mac starts reaching for the alarm clock before shutting it off and plopping his head on the pillow with another groan. They both drift back to sleep for a few seconds then,
"C'mon guys," Frankie knocks at the door, "Time to get up!" They both groan again as she enters and turns on the light.
"Come on!" She says pulling the blanket off them, "I know it's early but we gotta go soon so get up!" She walks out and slams the door making them both jump.
"Bloo," Mac says as shakes him, "Get up."
"Nooooo." Bloo whines and buries himself into Mac's blankets which Mac smiles at softly, inordinately fond of his best friend and shakes him again.
"Noooooooo Maaac let me sleeeeep."
"Wish I could, really but we have to get up."
"But it's eaaaarlllly."
"I know that's how court works, I think. Now come on let's go see if we can eat something."
"Fine but I won't be happy about it."
"I'm not asking you to be."
The bus ride to the courthouse is silent as all occupants refuse to say anything said occupants are Frankie, Mac, Bloo, Madame Foster and Mr. Herriman. Mac is drumming his fingers on his and Bloo's seat trying not to freak out but failing and failing fast. Bloo wordlessly grabs one of his hands and squeezes it, they look at each other and shakily smile Mac breathes in and tries to calm down but has little luck. He can't stop himself from freaking out he should be ready for this, everyone told him he would be, but he's not, not by a long shot. Bloo shots a glance at him every few seconds but he pretends not to notice, for both of their sakes, they arrive at the courthouse far too soon and Mac gulps as Frankie stops the bus.
"Time to go in."
"Court is in now in session case 4534-3E9I Child Abuse hearing, the honorable Judge Rebecca D. Carter residing, all rise."
Everybody in the room stands and the judge walks in she looks to be about 30 with red hair in a bun with thick black-rimmed glasses over blue eyes and is wearing a typical judges robe. Mac makes a show of not looking at anything but the floor and Bloo makes a show of not looking anywhere but Mac.
"Please be seated." They all sit and Mac tries to look at his 'family' but fails and starts rubbing one of his hands nervously. He was not ready for this. He couldn't focus on that, not now he had to focus on what to say and how to make sure he never had to see them again.
"Mr. River your opening statement please." Mr. River is Mac's lawyer who was sent by the Child Advocacy Agency, he looks to be about 27 with thick brown hair, brown eyes, and a sturdy build he is wearing a blue suit and red tie.
"Today I am here to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the plaintiff in question was in fact physically and mentally abused in his previous occupancy. I will do this by bringing you the facts and key testimonies I would like to start this by calling to the stand one of the defendants in question, Ms. Linda Smith." She walks up to the stand and everyone watches with mixed reactions.
"Please state your name for the record."
"Linda Ruth Smith."
"Ms. Smith, today you are here because you and your 13-year-old son have been charged with mental and physical abuse what do you think of these charges?"
"I think they're absurd I never hit him more than necessary."
"And how would you describe necessary?"
"Only a few times, whenever he did something wrong, I think that's perfectly reasonable."
"Ms. Smith are you aware Mac went to the hospital last Monday morning and was revealed to have some bruised ribs?"
"No, I was being arrested at that time."
"Surely they told you what you were being arrested for."
"Oh yes, now I remember!" She gives a giggle, "I had so much on my mind at the time."
"Too much to remember one of your sons was seriously injured?"
"Well I, um."
"No further questions your honor."
"Mr. Johnson do you have any questions?" Mr. Johnson is Mac's mom and brothers lawyer, he has brown hair and eyes, looks to be in his thirties, and is wearing a black suit and tie.
"No your honor." Mac's mom steps down and ignores the glares being sent her way as she walks back to her seat.
"However I would like to call Terrance Smith to the stand." Terrance gets up and walks to the stand.
"Please state your name for the record."
"Terrance Lawrence Smith."
"Mr. Smith, how would you describe your relationship with your brother?"
"Uh alright, I guess."
"Did you ever do more than roughhouse with him?"
"No just brotherly fighting."
"Were you aware of where your brother was after school?"
"Yeah at that foster home his imaginary lives in. He went to visit after mom told him to give that thing up." Bloo lets out a low growl and Frankie grabs his hand and rubs it.
"Did you ever try to get him to stop?"
"Yeah, all the time he wouldn't listen."
"So he does stuff like this often?"
"Oh yeah, regular rule breaker."
"Thank you that's all the questions I have."
"I have some questions." Mr. River says standing up, "Mr. Smith when the police took a statement from Mac he said you were the cause of most of the abuse."
"He was lying, I never hit him."
"I have statements here proving otherwise from a Miss Frances Foster and a Mr. Blooregard Q Kazoo they both went on record saying you hit Mac multiple times, they also said you called him names like 'stupid' and 'worthless'."
"What's your point?"
"Is this something a good brother would do as you claim to be?"
"I was just looking out for him."
"By injuring him and making him feel horrible about himself?"
"I, uh."
"No further questions your honor."
"Very well then let's take a short recess."
"This is going well." Frankie says to the others, they are all currently standing in the hall outside the courtroom.
"I don't know." Mac nervously says from his spot beside Bloo who was glaring down the hall at Mac's mom and brother who are in a heated discussion with their lawyer.
"Oh the contrary, this is, in fact, going well. The Jurors seem to be on our side and your testimony will drive the nail in, Mac."
"I hope so." People start walking back into the courtroom.
"Seems the recess is over we should head back in as well." They all head back in and Bloo gives Mac a small pat before going to his seat.
"Defence calls Francis Foster to the stand."
"Oh, right I have to speak too." Frankie says under her breath as she stands, she gives Mac a reassuring look as she makes her way to the stand.
"Please state your name for the record."
"Francis Brigette Foster."
"How would you describe your relationship with Mac?"
"Um, at first he was just a kid who came to see his imaginary best friend every day but now he's like a little brother to me."
"What caused you to be concerned that he might be getting abused?"
"To be honest I didn't suspect something until last Monday Morning when he came over to the house instead of going to school."
"What about Terrance did you suspect he was up to something?"
"I knew he bullied Mac, we all did that's why he was banned from the house but we didn't know it was that bad."
"What did you think of Ms. Smith before this? Were there any signs of her being neglectful?"
"I honestly thought she was a mom just trying to provide for her sons, but there were times when Mac would come to the house hungry and I did see bruises I just assumed the others were playing a little rough."
"So nothing to cause suspicion?"
"Well, I did notice Mac had been acting oddly before all this, he was jumpy and would freak out if he stayed too late."
"Did you ever try to talk to Mac about it?"
"Yes, he always said nothing was wrong."
"So let me get this straight, other than a few bruises which most kids have there was no evidence of any abuse."
Frankie sighs, "Yes."
"No further questions your honor."
"Ms. Francis," Mr. River starts, "You said Mac is like a little brother to you, how do you treat him?"
"Very well, I play with him and his friends sometimes, I help him whenever he needs it and since he's been staying at Foster's I've always made sure he's had enough food and tried my best to make sure he feels safe and protected."
"You never raised your voice? Never hit him?"
"I would never, even if he went against some rules but he's a good kid he never gets into trouble, he keeps everyone else out of it."
"Could you explain to the jury what exactly happened last Monday morning."
"Yes, it was about 7 when I heard the doorbell ring which I thought was odd since we didn't open for another hour. I opened it and there was Mac I asked what he was doing there since it was a school day but before he could respond he almost passed out. I told Bloo to take him into the living room while I got him some water. When I got in there I asked Mac what happened, he said his mom kicked his side so much he couldn't even get to school. I then drove him and Bloo to the hospital and went to call the cops while his doctor x-rayed him, when I got back his doctor told me he had some bruised ribs. We moved into the child's ward while we waited for a cop to come question Mac and after that, I took them both back to Fosters after that I went to the police station to try and get everything in order to adopt Mac."
"That's all the questions I have, I would like to call Blooregard Q Kazoo to the stand."
"I knew I forgot something." Bloo says as he gets up Mac looks at him worriedly but he shrugs it off mental saying 'worry about yourself.'
"Please state your name for the record."
"Blooregard Q Kazoo."
"How would you describe your relationship with Mac?"
"He's my best friend."
"Your his imaginary friend meaning you used to live with him, why don't you anymore?"
"Cause his mom forced him to get rid of me."
"Do you know why?"
"No, maybe cause she hates me! I've always protected Mac and neither of them liked that!"
"Protected him from what exactly?"
"His mom and brother, they would constantly hit him and call him names, one of the reasons he created me was to protect him cause he was only three at the time so he couldn't protect himself but even as he got older he didn't. I always tried to get him to but most of the time I would have to step in."
"So you would get hit too?"
"Not as much but yeah."
"Did you ever sustain any serious injuries?"
"I think I got a concussion once but I don't really remember Mac told me about it."
"That's all the questions I have." Mr. Johnson stands up and walks to the stand.
"Mr. Kazoo would you say you and Mac are close?"
"Yes."
"So close that if he asked you to say certain things you would?"
"He would never ask that but even if he did I wouldn't!"
"You're his best friend, how can we be sure you're not making stuff up so he can away from his previous occupancy?"
"Why would I do that unless there was a good reason to?"
"What would you classify as a 'good reason'?"
"That he was constantly getting hurt, he wasn't safe there!"
"So you're admitting to lying?"
"Why would I be lying?!"
"Enough!" Judge Carter interjects, "You're clearly upsetting him, Mr. Johnson so come up with less emotionally charged questions or stand down!"
"No further questions your honor." Bloo steps down and walks back to his seat ignoring everyone's worried looks, Mr. Jonshon also sits down. Mr. River glances at Mac before standing up.
"I would like to call Mac Smith to the stand."
"Please state your name for the record."
"Mac Jacob Smith."
"Mac how are you feeling right now?"
"Um, nervous."
"Well I can assure you there's no reason to be nervous I'm just going to ask you a few questions. Who is the nicest grown up you know?"
"Frankie."
"Who's the meanest grown up you know?"
"My mom."
"What has she done that was mean to you?"
"She hit me she's done it a lot recently."
"Do you know why?"
"She said it's cause I was bad but I don't remember doing anything wrong."
"Where exactly has she hit you?"
"My face, arms, sides but the bruised ribs were the first really serious things."
"This statement also says she and your brother said some mean things, could you tell me what they were?"
"They said I was stupid and worthless, they said they wish I wasn't born!" Mac starts crying and Frankie and Bloo have to fight their natural instincts not to go up there and comfort him.
"Okay Mac it's okay they won't hurt you anymore. No further questions your honor."
"I have some questions-"
"No, no more questions." Judge Carter interrupts, "Step down Mac." Mac nods and walks back to his seat Frankie reaches over the bar and pats him comfortingly.
"Juror's please go into the chambers and decide on a verdict." They step out of the room and Mac tries to calm himself down, his mom looks over with distaste and Frankie has to hold Bloo to keep him from going over there. She starts quietly talking with Mr. Rivers while keeping her hold on Bloo who starts wriggling in her grasp but a look from a teary-eyed Mac makes him stop he tugs at Frankies' arm and tries to get down, Frankie sighs and lets him down and he starts trying to comfort Mac to the best of his abilities, Judge Carter notices this and gets a thoughtful look. The Juror's walk back in and everyone watches with abated breath,
"What is your verdict?"
"We find both defendants guilty on all charges." On one side of the room relief and happiness on the other defeat and anger.
"Very well the sentencing hearing will be tomorrow, get these two out of here." Some officers come and take them away ignoring the threats and shouting, once they're gone the judge turns back to the remaining people in the courtroom.
"There's still the matter of Mac's future placement, Ms. Foster I understand you filed for adoption."
"Yes your honor."
Judge Carter picks up some papers, "Everything looks to be in order however before we can go any further there will need to be a house visit, it's standard procedure there will be someone there tomorrow. Court is dismissed." She walks out of the chambers and all that's left is Mac and others, Mac turns to the others with a smile.
"It's over, I never have to see them again."
"It's over pal." Frankie responds as Bloo happily jumps on Mac and they both laugh as they hug. It's over, it's finally over. But Frankie can't help but wonder, what will tomorrow bring?
Phew! I finally finished, it took awhile but I did it! I hope you all enjoyed, this was a really hard chapter to write I have no idea about court hearings if you couldn't tell but I like to think I did a good job. Okay until next time, whenever that is!
BYE!:D
