The trial was coming up soon. I was so worried about it that I couldn't stomach any food. The judge had to see that I didn't belong with Uncle Marcus. La Push was my home, and I missed it so much. If I had to bring up that Uncle Marcus raped me, I would. It was only a matter of time until that secret got out. I was ready to break free from my innocent cocoon and become a true woman. I was going to stand up for what I believed in.

Uncle Marcus made me dress up especially for the court hearing. He told me that if I mentioned anything that he would beat me so hard that I wouldn't be able to sit for weeks. Too bad I wasn't afraid of him anymore.

We got to the courthouse, and everyone was there, including Taya, Kimmy, and pregnant Cameryn. They looked at me as I walked over to the front of the courthouse, and I gave them a little smile. I knew I was going to win this case.

Sam and Emily were already sitting down. They both gave me reassuring smiles, but didn't make any other contact. They knew that Uncle Marcus was angry with them, and it was best not to make any sudden movements.

Uncle Marcus put his arm around me and sat me down. He sat down next to me and leaned over to my ear.

"Remember what I said," he said between gritted teeth. I nodded, but wasn't going to listen to him at all. He would never see me again.

The judge was a fat man in his forties with a mustache and a receding hairline. When he entered, everyone stood. He sat down at his post, and everyone else sat down.

"Let's see," he muttered. "Ah, the court case for the custody of Miss Payton Marie Jenson. Who is the guardian of Miss Jenson now?"

"Mr. Marcus Jenson, your Honor," Uncle Marcus' attorney spoke up.

"Alright, and who wishes for the custody of Miss Jenson?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Sam Uley, sir," Sam's attorney stated.

"Let the record show that Miss Jenson is eighteen in three months, and twelve days," the judge continued. "Mr. Kellan, would you like to pose some questions of Miss Jenson?"
Sam's attorney stood up. "I would, your Honor."

I walked to the stand and sat myself down. I crossed my legs, and my hands shook nervously. I tried to calm them by sitting on them, but that didn't help. I needed a perfect time to mention what was happening with Uncle Marcus. I didn't know when; I didn't know how, but I would mention what was happening. I couldn't let him rape me anymore.

"So, Miss Jenson, explain to the court why you were put in Mr. and Mrs. Uley's custody in the first place," Mr. Kellan started.

"Well." I gulped, looking at Uncle Marcus. "My dad, he-he raped and beat me, and my mom had some depression problems."

"I see, and were you happy with Mr. and Mrs. Uley?"

"I was happier than I've ever been," I whispered. "I love them."

"And are you happy living with your uncle?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No sir."

"I rest my case."
The judge stacked a pile of papers next to him and yawned. "Mr. Jackson, do you have some questions to ask of Miss Jenson?"
"Yes, sir." Mr. Jackson, Uncle Marcus' attorney, stood up and walked over to me. "So, Miss Jenson, you say you are not happy with your uncle. Why is that?"

It was my moment to shine; my moment to tell everyone what Uncle Marcus was doing to me. He didn't even deserve to be in my presence. He was scum, and he deserved to be in jail. I hated him so much.

"Because he rapes me," I breathed.

"Excuse me?" Mr. Jackson leaned towards me. "A little louder, please."
"He rapes me!" I almost screamed.

Uncle Marcus stood up. "What?!"

"Mr. Jenson, sit down," the judge spoke. "Miss Jenson, are you sure that's an accurate statement?"

"Yes sir," I replied, tears running down my cheeks. "Every night, he comes to me, looking to rape me. I tell him 'no', but he does it anyways. He rapes me!"

I could see the rage in Uncle Marcus' eyes. He was very angry with me, and I knew it. If he got custody of me, I was surely dead. Everyone I loved was surely dead. Why did I even mention it? I knew I had to, but I put everyone I loved at risk.

"He said he would kill everyone I loved if they told," I cried. "He threatened my life!"

"Your Honor," Uncle Marcus started. "You can't believe such a stupid girl."

"I'm afraid we'll have to be cautionary," the judge stated. "Bailiffs, please arrest him."

"You'll pay for this Payton!" Uncle Marcus screamed. "How dare you!"

I was crying louder than ever. The judge called me down from the stand, and I ran out of the courtroom. Embry chased after me and met me outside.

"Payton," he cooed, holding me in his arms. "Please calm down."

"I hate my life," I cried. "I just want to die!"
"Payton, don't ever say that!" He pulled me away from him by my shoulders. "Everyone loves you."

"No!" I cried, diving into his chest. "I'd be better off dead!"

"Payton, please stop it," Embry whispered, petting my hair. "Everything's going to be alright. They're announcing the verdict now; you're going to live with Emily and Sam."

"But he's going to kill you! He said he would; I know he will! He'll kill you no matter what!"

"He won't even get near me. I promise we'll all be safe. As soon as you turn eighteen, we'll get a place of our own and you won't ever have to worry about custody ever again."

"Embry, I love you," I cried.

"I love you too."

Suddenly, the doors to the courtroom opened and Taya, Kim, and Cameryn came rushing out. Cameryn came and hugged me warmly. She kissed my forehead and let me cry on her.

"You get to live with Sam and Emily," she cooed motherly. "You won't ever have to see that bad man again."

"Yeah," Kim rubbed my back and pressed herself against me. "I promise we'll keep you safe."

"Everyone here loves you, Payton," Embry told me. "You won't ever have to be alone again."

"If he kills you, I'll kill myself," I sniffled.

"But he won't. baby." Embry took me out of Cameryn's hold and placed me in his arms. "You don't even have to worry about that."

For a minute I actually believed him.