There was a deafening silence after that proclamation, which let me hear my heart pound in anticipation for the result. I flushed, as I thought everyone in the room was able to hear my heartbeat. The passage of time slowed to a halt as I waited, with both eagerness and dread, at what Judge Roberts would say. Please let me live, I haven't had a long enough life, I just want to live and experience life, I implored to the judges in my mind. Otherwise, just make it end quickly! I can't stand the theatrics and tension!
Judge Roberts cleared his throat quite loudly, as if he was going to make the most important decision ever to occur in the history of Earth. Well, it is the most important to me, I thought. "The court has made its final decision. Only the defendant can appeal this case if he does not agree with the verdict." A lifeline!
"We... hereby declare... that Ty Townson..." Just get on with it! "is..." I can't stand the tension in the room for much longer! "...not guilty on any charge which he was accused of."
MY LIFE HAS BEEN SAVED! IT IS A GLORIOUS DAY TO BE ALIVE! JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED! I couldn't remember what was going on in the courtroom afterwards as I was just so ecstatic for not getting any sentence from the judges. All I know was that I had a couple more hours in my room before I could finally reunite with my family.
My family...
Ma, Pa, and Zoe...
I get to see them again! Everything is alright in the world... When I get back, what am I going to do, after obviously reuniting with my family and friends? Hopefully I don't have to do chores today... Yes, that's it! Maybe Ma and Pa will let me be alone with Gemma for a bit. But what do I say to her? My thoughts drifted to Shade and the Seablite Gang. How will I ever be able to tell her that Shade got arrested and was put in a prison?
I tried not to think much about it, and was just content with being alive as a free person. When the the guards called me up to leave, I cheerfully skipped after them to the helipad. There, a rugged and old helicopter was waiting for me to board, which I did at a scarily quick speed. Strapped onto an old seat made of aluminum, I felt like I was cocooned by the softest blankets possible, and was on a chair made of pure foam, which was just right for me.
The ride was exhilaratingly fast, and we managed to touchdown on the only helipad on Trade Station. I dismounted off of the chopper, which gave me a perception of letting go of all of my worries. Looking around at the familar surroundings, I sensed that I was finally home. Walking down to the submarine docks, I expected to see someone I knew, like Ma, Pa, Gemma, or even another settler like Jibby, but had no luck. In despair, I considered renting a sub from the Trade Station, even though I had no money and I knew nobody there. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a familiar face appeared, and I was both excited and a little shocked when I saw the person. It was Gemma!
I was about to say something to her, when she surprised me by giving me a big hug. However, I soon reciprocated, feeling nothing but a joy of finally seeing someone I knew (and loved, I thought) for the first time in ages. We stayed together, inseparable, for what felt like ages, until I finally pulled back. "Why didn't you see me earlier?" I asked in a joking manner. "Where were you? I searched the entire Trade Station for you like 20 times." she responded pointedly, clearly happy to have me back.
"Well, I got the V.I.P. Treatment, with transportation by helicopter. One of the perks of the new courthouses," I said with an air of superiority.
"If you are such an important person, why don't you let me escort you to your home, instead of just dilly-dallying here in the grimy Trade Station?" Gemma shot back, using a posh tone for her voice.
"Now let's go, before your mother's pies get cold." I was glad she wasn't hit too hard by the recent events, and still had a sense of humor. We hurried into Pa's cruiser, and set sail for home. On the way back, I sat in the cupola watching the ocean with wonder, while Gemma commandeered the sub. Just before we got to my parents' homestead, Gemma pulled me into the main part of the cruiser, and caught me off-guard by kissing me. I responded, savoring her lips and the electricity transmitted through them. A feeling of warmth swept over my body as we interlocked hands and continued to kiss. Nothing could seperate us from each other, and we continued to kiss. After an eternity, Gemma reluctantly pulled back, leaving me dazed.
Soon, we arrived at the homestead, stirring up a lot of muck and silt as we glided through the water. With the cruiser parked at the moon pool, Gemma was the first to get out of the hatch, and soon I followed. When I climbed out, I was startled by the raucous applause in the main building. When I looked around, I soon found out why. All of Benthic Territory had come here to celebrate me returning back to my home.
However, there were only 3 I was looking for. When I saw Ma, Pa, and Zoe, I darted to them like a swordfish catches prey, and gave all of them a huge hug. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the sheer relief on Ma and Pa's faces, and the happiness on Zoe's face. I wish that this very moment could last forever, I mused to myself.