Ryan felt so far away from her when she was confined in the small boxed area. She'd still not wanted him to be sat up in the stands but he didn't want to wait outside not knowing anything. Maria was on his right, even she looked pale. Peter was giving her reassuring glances on Ryan's left in attempt to comfort her even though he couldn't be near her.
The judge stood up, looking as though he was about to make a start. Michelle turned even whiter, if it was possible. Her face contrasted alarmingly with her raven hair. Ryan sighed, he wanted to go and stand with her, not sat in the stands feeling helpless. He blew her a kiss when she was looking, but she ignored it and dropped her gaze to the floor.
After arguing all week that he wanted to be there in court, Ryan suddenly felt like running out. He suddenly didn't want to hear her retell the story. He tried to focus very hard at the wall opposite, but it wouldn't block out her words. Every time her voice wavered, the thumping in his heart became painful. He looked over at Maria; tears were already dripping down her face and splashing onto her front. He glanced left and saw that Peter's face was set like stone, and his fists were clenched. Ryan looked down to the floor, eyes shut, trying to blot everything out. He tried to think about something else- anything else. It worked a little, he could still hear the fear and torment in her voice, but he couldn't make out any actual words.
It must have been bad, Peter kept growling under his breath and Maria kept sobbing. He was glad he couldn't hear, glad he'd found a way to blot it out. He just had to think about something else. Coward, he thought. He couldn't even listen to it and it wasn't even him who'd had to suffer. He felt an arm go around him and leant into Maria, who held him tight while she cried silently. He couldn't hear Michelle's voice anymore, and thought it would be safe to look up. She'd finished talking now, and the two attackers were given a chance to speak.
Ryan listened in this time, anger boiling up inside him. He heard there outrageous, shameful excuses. They were talking a load of filth how could they say things like that?
"She wanted it" One of them growled "She wanted every minute of it. Now she regrets it and she's making this up to –"
"No!" Peter hissed, furiously, cutting across him. The judge glared at him and warned him to keep quiet. He clenched his fist tighter and set his jaw, staring darkly at them.
One of the members of the jury suggested a short break while they took time to decide on the verdict. Michelle didn't need telling twice, she was out before the rest of them had chance to recall what had just been said.