Chapter 37

(Madge POV)

Don't cry. You cannot cry. No matter what happens, you cannot cry.

I repeat this to myself over and over. I chant it as we walk into the courtroom. As Marcus is walked in. As the judge reviews the case file. As the judge announces that he has questions. And so far it's working. I am not crying. Not yet anyway. I am however nauseous and terrified. If the judge decides he needs to speak with me, I have no idea how I'll ever convince my legs to carry my to the front of the room.

"What history do you share with Miss Undersee?"

Marcus clears his throat. "We dated."

"For what length of time?"

"We went out for awhile."

Awhile? Two dates! That is not what I consider describable as awhile! I seethe from my seat.

"Could you be more specific?" The judge asks him.

"We were close. Our families fully supported the relationship. There were even talks of us marrying in a couple years."

No there were not! I mean, not on my part anyways! I can't believe this! He's lying!

"And on the evening in question, were you still dating one another?"

"I thought so, yes."

"Briefly, give me your version of that evening."

"We met in the meadow near her house to look at the stars as we always did on clear nights. We then went for a walk and ended up over my the mines. We went there sometimes, to be alone. And then I don't know exactly what happened. We were in the middle of a pretty heated kiss that was leading well, it was getting very real serious and then all of a sudden these guys come running at us and attack me. I didn't even see who it was."

I gasp audibly and my mouth gapes open. Lies! Complete and total lies! Does he not know that I'm here and can completely dispute his story? Gale sits stiffly next to me, jaw tight and locked in anger.

"And if that is in fact the truth, how is it that Miss Undersee filed a complaint against you, rather than these other mystery attackers?"

"I believe she's confused. Traumatized by the attack, I'm sure. Possibly embarrassed to have been seen in such an intimate moment with me, us not yet being officially engaged and all."

"Thank you, you may return to your seat."

Marcus nods at him and then returns to his seat. I close my eyes and silently curse his entire existence. How can he do that? How can he say I'm making it all up just because I was embarrassed about making out?

"Miss Undersee, I've a few questions for you as well."

I swallow and go to stand. Gale gives my hand a squeeze and I move towards the front of the room to stand before the judge. My legs feel wobbly and my stomach is churning. Do not cry, I tell myself. Do not let them see you cry.

"Is this you in the picture?" The judge immediately asks me as he holds up a large, glossy picture of my mouth with Marcus's fingers outlined in a dark bruise. I hadn't looked in the mirror that night so I hadn't seen just how awful it was. I quickly avert my eyes to the floor, not wanting to see the photos.

I nod, not sure I can speak out loud.

"I'll need a verbal response."

"Yyyess." I stammer.

"How did you obtain an injury like this?"

I take a deep breathe and the room feels like it's spinning. I glance back at Gale who nods for me to answer. It's all the encouragement he can offer right now.

"When Marcus held his hand over my mouth so tightly that it bruised."

"Did you previously file a similar complaint against Mr. Landers?"

"Yes."

"Were you dating him?"

"No. I mean, we went out on a date. Two actually. But that was before my first complaint."

"You had ended the relationship?"

I hate how he refers to it as a relationship. "I'd told him I no longer wanted to date him."

"On the evening in question, were you taken against your will?"

"Yes."

"Were you involved in any scenario where you and he were caught kissing or anything of the sort?"

"He kissed me but I didn't want him too."

"Did you make any attempt to call for help?"

"No."

"I see. And briefly, can you share your version of the events of the evening?"

"I was in the meadow, alone. Marcus came up and grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth. He threatened me if I made noise. He forced me to go to the mines with him where he continued to threaten me. He...he touched me and ..." My voice cracks as I have to replay in my mind how it felt to have his hands touching me and his lips on me. "And he told me it was all because I filed that first complaint. My boyfriend and best friend came looking for me and they pulled him off of me and detained him until Peacekeepers arrived just after them."

"Thank you."

I return to my seat and Gale's arm immediately wraps around my shoulder and pulls me against him. I feel like I can't even breathe. This is so awful. What if the judge doesn't believe me? What if he thinks I'm the one that's lying? What if Marcus comes home to 12 and is totally free to come after me again? That can't happen, it just can't happen!

(Gale POV)

My ears can't believe what they're hearing. He's just making it all up and making it sound like one big misunderstanding! And he's doing a fairly damn good job of sounding like he's telling the truth. His voice isn't shaky and his posture is straight. And he's looking the judge right in the eyes. I stare, flabbergasted that this is happening right in front of us. That piece of shit is standing there lying! That filthy liar! It takes all the restraint I have in me to not stand up and go kick his ass. Court or no court, I cannot believe he's doing this!

Madge shakes as she walks up front. Her walk is the polar opposite of the confident walk she normally has. She's scared and it's showing. She looks away when shown pictures of her injuries. She hesitates to answer some of the questions, looking back to me. It kills. All I want is to be up there with her, helping her through it. When she does answer, her voice cracks and she stammers some of her answers. You'd never know she was skilled at being interviewed. No. When Marcus attacked her, it stripped away all her confidence. This raw, hurting version of her that he's caused is heartbreaking to watch. I hate it. I hate him more for it.

Finally she gets to come back to her seat and I pull her against me, knowing that it isn't nearly enough to make this any better for her at the moment. We all wait in total silence as the judge flips through the file again. If he buys that load of bull Marcus is trying to sell, then that means Marcus will be coming back with us and Madge will be in danger again.

My heart beats in my ears as I wait to hear the judge's decision. I can't even imagine what this waiting is doing to Madge. It's got to be killing her. And Marcus is sitting there not even looking nervous. How is that even possible? Shouldn't he be the one most worried? Isn't him who is about to be punished? Please, oh for the love of God, please tell me that he is in fact about to be punished!

Finally, the judge speaks again. "After reviewing the case file and considering the testimony of both and Miss Undersee, I feel that I am ready to give my final decision."

A peacekeeper motions for all of us to stand. I hold tightly to Madge, not wanting her to have to hear anything short of a guilty verdict.

"In the charges of kidnapping, I find you guilty . I find it impossible that those bruises, as photographed by peacekeepers, could have been caused by simple kissing or similar consensual activities. In the charges of assault, I believe the bruises in the photos attest to those. As for intent, I'm unclear of what your ultimate intentions were regarding Miss Undersee but given your prior record and her testimony of your actions that evening, I feel I can only find you guilty as well. As for the testimony you provided her in court today, I charge you with perjury as I'm sure you are aware that lying in trial is a violation of Capitol law."

I let out the biggest sigh of relief and feel an enormous weight lifted from my shoulders. Guilty. He's been found guilty! I hug Madge closer as we listen in wait for the punishment.

"As for punishment, I'd like to note that there will be no appeals. Anyone who intentionally lies in my courtroom will not be granted the luxury of an appeal. You , are sentenced to 75 years of servitude."

Servitude? What the hell is that?

"Avox." I hear Madge breathe out in a voice lower than a whisper.

"You will be taken directly to processing and punishment will be enforced."

I think that's it and I go to turn and hug Madge when I hear him call out her name.

"Miss Undersee?"

I turn back.

"As victim, you will accompany the peacekeepers and to processing and full victim's rights will be provided." He tells her and then smacks a golden mallet thing on the desk before leaving the room.

Peacekeepers come and motion for Madge to go with them. I go to follow her but I'm stopped.

"Only Miss Undersee has access to victim's rights. You will be taken back to the train and Miss Undersee will meet you there shortly." The peacekeeper tells me.

I look at her and she looks terrified but I'm not exactly sure why other than the fact that we're separating for a little bit. But something in her face tells me it's more than that. But I can't ask. She and Marcus are whisked away and I'm lead in the opposite directing, desperately glancing back over my shoulder at her. Her eyes are wide and teary and I don't understand what's happening and why she looks so scared.