Life is Strange: The Pains of Love
Chapter 21 of my Life is Strange story, enjoy.
Reviews
Marina Ka-Fai: Yes indeed :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Holywoodunderfed: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; well, we can only wait and see.
theflyingace32: Yes indeed :) Well, first place it takes us is obvious, since, I did say we still had to face the trial. Then there's Stella's pregnancy to consider :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.
Chapter 21
Seated on the bench outside the courthouse, waiting anxiously for things to begin, Stella found it difficult to breathe. She tried to stay focused, to figure out some way to stay calm, despite the knowledge that, in just a few moments, she'd be facing the monster who attacked her. She touched her swollen stomach, praying that all the stress wouldn't cause any problems for her unborn child. Jamie gently put his hand on her shoulder.
"I...what if I..."
He shook his head. "No Stella, don't, don't do this to yourself. You can do this, I know you can."
She bit her lip, looking around. She wasn't the only one in a state, the others were there too, she was relieved to see that those that had suffered with her were getting their day to make their voices heard, their chance at justice.
Kate sat, comforted by Brian, nervous at her close call with the rapist herself, she'd have to reveal what happened in regards to that. Max and Warren were also present to offer them their support, something for which Stella was grateful for. She hadn't seen them, but was sure that some of his other victims were also present.
Finally she saw Kennefick and Marina, the two of them both offered her warm smiles; Marina also resting a hand on her own, albeit smaller, pregnancy bump. They all looked pale, worried, but determined.
"You can do this, we can all do this." Jamie said.
She was amazed that Jamie, despite his issues, was able to reassure her like this, amazed and overjoyed.
But that joy was cut short when the doors opened, it was time to go, she looked over at the others, they all smiled at her, she did the same, but their smiles were shaky, they were nervous and with good cause.
Still, along with Jamie she headed for the courtroom where her rapist's trial was to be held, it was time for her to see justice done for what had happened to her.
Meanwhile, as they also headed into the courtroom, ready to do their part, be it testifying, or simply being there for their friends and loved ones, Marina, Kennefick, Brian, Kate, Warren and Max all prepared themselves.
'I...I have to face this, they're holding the trial for what that man did to all those poor girls.' Kate told herself. 'I just, I hope I can do it.'
Brian, seeing her turmoil, squeezed her hand reassuringly. Smiling to him she nodded. Kennefick and Marina didn't say much, but they both focused, ready, prepared for what was to come.
It was time to see that man pay for his actions, to let him see that, while they had hurt all of those, he hadn't broken them. That would be their true justice.
Facing her rapist was the hardest thing Stella had to do. So much so the trial passed by faster than she could process, or at least, that's what it felt like. Telling a bunch of random people of her misery was reliving her rape all over again.
Jamie had been near her all the time, his fingers hugging hers, she could feel his strength and his love flowing under her skin with this mere touch. Once on the stand, to give her testimony, it was his eyes on her gave her the courage she needed. Not even that beast's stare could make her silent. She'd tell everything.
Everyone and everything was on her side. The medical records proved she had been raped, the DNA proved it was him all along. Marina would back her up, she helped Jamie find her, saw her at the hospital, Kate and Brian too, Kate had nearly been victimized too. Stella knew she could stutter, she could be embarrassed, she was the victim, not him.
It was just one event she had to go through until she could bury this part of her. Jamie would help shovelling, she knew. With his love, the stain would wash away and she'd live, happy. That would be her best revenge: standing tall, mended, happy, proud. Her rapist would never win.
Kate gave her testimony too, about how she had been drugged; tests proved the drug used on her was the same as the ones used on the other victims; the same as the ones found in the rapists possession. Any attempts to attack the credibility of those testifying against the rapist failed, much to Stella's relief.
'Especially when that's their only weapon.' She noted. 'He has no witnesses, so much evidence against him...'
Thankfully nobody had said anything, even in whisper, when she had got on the stand, her pregnancy bump clear for all to see. The defence had tried to attack her using that; how could she claim to be raped if she kept the child.
Stella had been firm; explaining her personal opposition to abortion; besides the child was an innocent that couldn't help who it's father was. Her strength had surprised even her in that regard. Before Stella knew it however, it was time, the jury had left and were coming back.
She tensed, the back of her mind adding to her fears as she worried what impact all this stress would have on her unborn child. Jamie squeezed her hand reassuringly and she felt herself relax slightly. When the trial finally ended and the jury came back with their sentence she waited, rigid, but then it passed.
The sentence he was given had the sweetest taste in her mouth. Thirty years, with no chance for parole, he'd be an old man when he got out and Stella, Stella could go on with her life, no longer living in fear of him.
Exiting the courthouse, stepping into the bright sunshine, Jamie at her side, Brian, Kate, Marina and Kennefick all around her, Stella smiled, the nightmare was over. It seemed the only things that remained for them to go through, before facing the unknown time that was the future, was the births of both her child, and Marina and Kennefick's.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.