CONTENT WARNING: Sexual Assault mirroring current events. A lot of content was taken directly from court case documents. Rating changed to M and stay as such until the end of the book.
Disclaimer: This is a completely unrealistic court setting for dramatic purposes only. In real life, these things can be drawn out for weeks, months, and even years, and the defendant typically wouldn't know their sentences immediately. As this is fanfiction about vampires, I think we can just pretend this is how course works :)
Everyone in the courtroom held their breath as the judge was given the piece of paper with the verdict. Her knuckles were gripping the sides of the chair so tightly, they were turning white. Time seemed to stand still as he looked over the decision of the jury. Alaina watched as his eyes scanned the paper and she realized she was holding her breath.
"The jury finds mister Bryce Townsend guilty on all counts of sexual assault. The maximum sentence for these crimes is 14 years, but we will be handing down one year of probation and 500 hours of community service. Mr. Townsend will also have to register as a sex offender for life."
Several people gasped out loud you and could hear Bryce's mother let out a loud sob. Whether that was a happy or disappointed cry, Alaina would never know. Bitterly, she hoped his mother was upset, but she had a feeling she was pleased her son didn't have to serve a day in jail. The judge waited a few moments for the room to quiet down, and when it did, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"A longer prison sentence would have a debilitating impact on this fine young man," the judge continued. "I do not think he is a danger to himself or to others and I trust his version of the events, even though it is obvious that the jury did not. I understand that your life, Ms. Pawlowska, has been devastated by these events - not only the incidents that happened, but the criminal process as well.
"Regarding my decision to grant probation, I have to contemplate: is prison the this defendant an antidote to that poison? Is incarceration in state prison the right answer for the poisoning of her life?"
Alaina shivered. How was this judge actually comparing feeling sorry for giving a rapist prison time over the feelings of the person who was actually raped?
"So in conclusion, my decision is final. Mr. Townsend, you will be contacted directly by your probationary officer And Ms. Pawlowska, you and your family are free to go."
For a brief moment, Alaina felt as if her life was ruined. The boy that raped her and caused her so much pain and so much anguish was barely getting a slap on the wrist, while she had to learn how to live again. How to love her body again. How to feel comfortable in her own skin.
But after the brief moment of rage passed, a wave of calm washed over her body like a wave. It was over; it was finally over. This entire messy, disgusting, infuriating process was over. She never would have to think about this disgusting excuse of a human ever again. She had friends, family, and a boyfriend that cared about her more than anything, and she knew, in this moment, all Bryce had was money and his family name. She would take what she had over dollar bills anyday. In spite of herself, she smiled.
The judge knocked the gavel on the bench. "Court dismissed." Immediately, a wall of sound and flashes erupted in the court. It was deafening and Alaina couldn't help but to cover her ears, desperately trying to drown out the sound.
Alaina was quickly ushered out of the courtroom by her lawyer, avoiding as many people and cameras as possible. She was in shock; the unthinkable happened - he was tried and convicted. Although the sentence was far too lenient, Bryce Townsend was convicted of sexual assault. This would shake the state to the core and she was forever grateful that she wouldn't be around to witness it.
He led them to a small meeting space, shutting the door behind them. "Alright team, we will stay here to debrief while the commotion outside dies down." He rubbed his temples. "That judge killed us."
Alaina's dad agreed. "I hate that the sentence was so…" he paused, trying to find the right word through gritted teeth. "So pointless."
Bother her mother and her father began talking loudly over one another, each more upset by the second. "The judge was paid off!"
"More than likely," the lawyer said. "But Alaina's letter definitely played a part in the jury's decision, which was a great move. And he will have to register for a sex offender for the rest of his life so there's that -"
Her parents erupted in conversation. "That family has too much money for their own good!" "How can he basically be free just like that!" "Oh, if I ever get my hands around him I'll -"
"Stop," Alaina said suddenly with a raised voice, causing both of her parents to look at her confused. Alaina stopped for a moment, breathing deeply. "Please… I think we all knew deep down that this wouldn't go the way we wanted because of who we were dealing with. All that matters now is that this entire ordeal is over and we can move on with our lives."
Her parents stared at her, amazed at what came out of her mouth. They assumed she would be livid, or at the very least, extremely upset, but they could hear from her voice that she was resolved and ready to move on. A surge of pride pulsed through both of her parents as they saw her mature take on this devastating event.
"Can we just go home?" She asked quietly, staring at her feet. "I just… I just want to go home."
"Oh honey," her mother said enveloping her into a hug. "We are sorry. We are just having trouble processing this. Let's stay here for just a little while longer so we can hopefully leave the courtroom in peace, okay?"
Alaina nodded meekly, desperate to leave the room. Although she felt stronger, she knew as soon as she stepped foot out of the giant, old wooden doors of the courthouse, she would feel like a brand new person.
And she did. An hour later, after giving thanks and saying goodbye to their lawyer, Alaina and her parents left the courthouse. Even after all of the time waiting, they were ambushed at the doors by the reporters and news outlets. Alaina had to push through countless people yelling questions in her ear.
After what seemed like hours of saying, "No comment, please," they finally made it to the car that was waiting for them. Alaina sat in the backseat of the car with her father, her head resting on her dad's shoulder. She felt at peace for the first time in months. Even with the disappointing verdict, the calmness that spread through her body was a welcomed change from the pit of anxiety that had stationed itself there before. She felt free, in a way. Free from the hold that this boy had over her mind and body.
They were driving in a comfortable silence, only the sound of the bumpy road underneath them to fill the car, but this is exactly what they needed. They no longer had to fill the void with words or sounds; they could finally just be.
Arriving back at the hotel, Alaina and her parents walked into the lobby and started towards the elevators, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor of the foyer. Alaina noticed a small patio outside a door near the elevators with flowers and a few unoccupied benches, drawing the girl outside.
"I'm going to sit outside for awhile," Alaina said just as the elevator dinged open. "I just want to sit in the fresh air for a second." She rummaged through her blazer pockets to hold up the room key. "I'll be up in a bit."
Her parents seemed to hesitate, not wanting to let their daughter out of their sight, but after a moment, her father nodded. "Be safe, sweetheart," her dad said as both of her parents headed in the elevator, the door closing behind them. Alaina shrugged off her blazer and walked outside. The sun was shining so brightly Alaina had to shield her eyes.
She sat down on one of the benches, stretching out and putting her feet up. She could smell the roses blooming all around her, signalling the arrival of the Midwest spring. Robins and bluejays fluttered around her, their song intertwining with the sounds of people on the street and cars on the road. In short, Alaina had never seen such a beautiful day.
She closed her eyes and let the sun light wash over her, warming her skin. She sighed contently, the first she had felt at peace in as long as she could remember. However, that was about the change in a moment. She felt the familiar vibration of her cell phone in the pocket of her discarded blazer. She quickly fumbled through the jacket, finding her phone. Unlocking it, she read: One missed message. Unknown number.
She recognized the zip code; she knew it was from Forks. But who could have gotten her number. She opened the text.
Hello Alaina, dear. Please call me when you have a moment. It's of the utmost importance.
Her mind raced. Who in the world could this be? She thought, puzzled. And who texts like that? She quickly sent her response.
Sorry. Who is this?
No more than a few seconds later, the response glowed back at her and in an instant, her heart was in her chest.
It's Carlisle.