AN: A quick explanation as to why this chapter is longer than usual: I wanted to finish most of the informative elements that were necessary to be dealt with before I'd continue on, you will find that there were some side-plots included that help building the story, leading it to where I want it to go. I think this chapter is pretty important, however, as I give another insight on Tom's calculating and manipulative qualities even as a child. You will see what I mean.
Chapter 7: Merciless
For me, insanity is super sanity. The normal is psychotic. Normal means lack of imagination, lack of creativity. - Jean Dubuffet
There was a moment of silence, John cautiously held up his hand, indicating that he was to do no harm as he stared into the mirror.
"Put down the knife, boy-"
"Drive!" Tom yelled, holding Joelle closer upon which John scowled, but quickly started the car.
"I can see it on your face, John. Drive off to the police and I will kill her right away." Murmured Tom and John gulped, glancing to the left and right, he couldn't believe he was being blackmailed by a child. Child. That wasn't an ordinary child. That intensive yet calculated glance, he was so calm as he held that knife to Joelle's throat - as if he had done it years ago already.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing there, huh?" Asked John, glancing into the mirror as he continued driving ahead out of London.
"Of course I have." Said Tom collectedly, the cold metal brushed against Joelle's skin. She held completely still, but he felt her trembling body against himself, watching her squinting shut her eyes.
"Marvolo, please, you-"
"Quiet." Murmured Tom dangerously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What do you even want to do in the forest, kid?!" Growled John when he took a turn after said mile, driving ahead. They've been far out of town by now and drove off into a lonely field that led ahead into the forest. Tom used to come here with the rest of the orphanage a couple of times in his past.
"Stop here." Said Tom. John stopped the car, standing in the middle of the snow covered darkness surrounded by trees.
"Get out of the car now." Said Tom, narrowing his eyes.
"Marvolo, please-"
"Quiet!" He hissed at Joelle, glaring ahead at John, who frowned, not yet moving an inch.
"Get out of the car now, I said." Growled Tom furiously, starting to cut into Joelle's skin a slight bit; Joelle screeched up at the feeling, and her gasps were what caused John to finally get up and step out of the car.
"Close the door." Said Tom. John scoffed but followed his orders - and just when the door closed, Tom let go of Joelle.
"Crawl to the front!" He commanded, pushing her ahead while he moved to the passenger seat. Joelle looked to the left and right as she sat in front of the steering wheel, eyes widened.
"What are you waiting for! Drive back." Tom then said.
"Dr-drive?! I can't, I don't know how!" Squeaked Joelle.
"Do it!" Groaned Tom in frustration, smirking when John tried to open the door but of course, he could not get in for the same reason why Joelle could never get out of his room. Joelle still sat in front of the steering wheel stiffly, looking round nervously, shaking completely when she tried to check how everything worked.
BANG.
John threw punches against the window, Tom scowled, glaring at him, yelling at Joelle to hurry up - the girl, throughout the whole struggle of emotions of anxiety, could not concentrate at all, had no clue - but then the car started. John stood in front of it, desperately trying to push it back, then walked around it, furiously attempting to rip the doors open.
"STOP RIGHT NOW, JO!" He yelled but Tom smirked when above John's head, twigs started to rain down on him along with large heaps of snow, causing him to back away from the front. Joelle pressed and pushed and stomped down on everything she could, trying to find out how to work it - and before John could start smacking a large branch against the window, Joelle managed to drive off and away, not seeing anything throughout the thick trees.
"Oh my god!"
"Take the left!" Instructed Tom and Joelle did without hesitation - bumpily driving further ahead. It took some time until she saw where she had to go next; the road was barely visible.
"Oh my god, oh my god!" She yelped. "What are we doing! Ah! The snow, oh my god, oh my god!"
"Try not to lose control over the-"
"MARVOLO! I am driving in the middle of a snowy foggy night on a glazed street without a damn driving license!" She shrieked. "Oh my god!"
Tom just kept quiet, the corner of his lips, however, twitched up and he put on the seatbelt just for good measure.
"Hah, that won't help you either" Joelle whined helplessly, then frowned. "He...he will go to the police and report that I stole the car and wanted him to die out there or something!" She cried out but Tom smirked, shaking his head.
"Not if we go to the police first. Besides, he would be a complete idiot if he went to the police now. I've heard everything he said, Mrs. Cole saw your black eye and I've seen what he tried in front of school - even Bryan was there. That's enough to make sure he will keep his mouth shut."
"But what if he dies out there?!" Yelped Joelle. Tom shrugged. "I don't see where that'd be a loss. It's not so far away, if he starts walking now he will be back home by tomorrow. If he's lucky." He smirked.
Joelle glanced at him, then ahead again, shaking her head in disbelief - and suddenly, she became the most beautiful person; she laughed out loud; a sincere and cheerful laughter, louder than any she had before.
"You're absolutely crazy Marvolo, pfhah, I've never met a child like you!"
"You never will again." Grinned Tom and Joelle laughed once more, shaking her head. She was not so bad at driving either, even though it was a tad bumpy.
"Where am I supposed to park the car?" She then asked once they were back on a regular road, then frowned upon seeing more traffic. "Oh my god" she squeaked again, driving so slow that cars behind her honked furiously.
"Shut up!" She yelled at them, causing Tom to turn his face away with a wide grin.
"For somebody who shouldn't drive, you do have a big mouth." He smirked.
"You shut up too." Murmured Joelle, Tom chuckled.
"I'll just park that damn thing here." She groaned, sharply ripping the steering wheel around to the left and drove up into a lonely alley where some more cars were covered in snow. The engine died. Silence. The both of them stared ahead, panting a little, then looked at each other at the same time, breaking out in cheerful grinning. Joelle threw her arms around Tom and he let it happen, cooly rubbing her back.
"We made it!" She squeaked. Tom nodded, observing her happy face once she let go of him. She was shaken with emotions, trying to suppress the tears.
"You're more courageous than I could ever be, Marvolo. Promise me one thing."
Tom looked up.
"Never ever give up. No matter what you're doing. Always fight for the right thing. Promise me." She said with a hint of a stern tone and Tom considered her before he nodded; it seemed so important to her.
"I promise." He said, then leaned back and sighed, his eyes wandered off to the side, watching Joelle staring down to her thighs with a concentrated and troubled look.
"You won't go back home." Said Tom. "Now that this happened...you can't anyway, can you? If he's your father's wife's son, then he probably lives there with you. You can't go back home, Joelle." Tom said, suppressing a slight grin.
Just as planned.
But his grin vanished upon Joelle's next words.
"I'm scared..." She whispered. "My father is so in love with John's mother. And Marianne would never believe her oh so perfect son would...would..." She gulped, not finishing the sentence. "My father would think it's just a story I made up so he leaves her. Well...he knows that I wasn't fond of her, he knows that I never wanted to move away from Bristol. None of them would ever believe me...John was right when he said that..."
Tom narrowed his eyes, his nostrils flared. That man obviously knew how to pressure and manipulate Joelle.
"Forget about them. You don't need a family like that! You need to tell your aunt everything, she will take you in."
"I can't..." She sighed.
"You will. It's either you...or I will." Tom frowned. No! This couldn't be, everything would have been so pointless if Joelle decided to keep quiet. Tom couldn't let it happen; he almost glared at her when she shot her head towards him.
"Marvolo...it's not that easy. I'm underage. I can't just move into an orphanage without my father's consent."
Tom's eyebrows twitched together, he thought about disposing of her father for the briefest of moments, then scratched that idea as soon as he saw the glistening tears in Joelle's eyes, but she did not allow them to break free.
"John is far away now, Joelle. He can't hurt you! We will go and tell Mrs. Cole now, we will tell the police what he did - he has to be punished! And then you can- will move into the orphanage! Come on now!" Tom growled, getting out of the car, but Joelle shook her head, squeaking when Tom stabbed the knife into the seat, walked around the car and ripped the door open angrily, starting to pull her out. He was quite strong, too.
"Marvolo!"
"You will move into the orphanage!" Tom repeated, wrapping his hand around her wrist to pull her out, she stumbled after him in both shock and surprise.
"Marvolo, let go, what-"
"I promised you. I won't give up." He grumbled, marching through the snow with her. Joelle wanted to say something, but instead a smile embellished her face and she stopped trying to pull away from him - and together they made their way into the orphanage, stopping with a frown as soon as they entered.
"Tom! Joelle!" Sighed Mrs. Cole in relief, throwing her arms up. She was surrounded by two men in dark uniforms - Joelle glanced at Tom and he looked back. Policemen. Perfect.
"Evening." One of the officers said, his voice dark and firm. "Where exactly have you been?" He asked, frowning at Tom. "You have been reported as missing, boy."
"And Joelle, shouldn't you be at home?" Asked Mrs. Cole. Neither Tom nor Joelle said anything for a while, until Tom broke the silence.
"Tell them now, Joelle. Tell them. Or I will." He scowled and Mrs. Cole frowned.
"Tell us what?!" She shrieked. The policemen stood next to her, one of them put his hand on Joelle's shoulder. "What is it, girl?"
Joelle shook her head.
"Joelle's stepbrother blackmailed and abused her." Said Tom simply, causing Mrs. Cole to gasp. "John?! Joelle, dear, is this true?!" She rushed up to the girl but Joelle had her head lowered in shame, hands clasped around her coat firmly. Tom watched how she was hugged tightly - he searched her eyes and she sighed, giving him a defeated nod, and together they told them what happened; even though Tom left out a single information that he would tell during the trial. He smirked thinking about it.
"That was very brave of you to do, young man." Smiled Officer Garrant, patting Tom on the back.
"You ought to be a man of law someday. Maybe with less drastic methods." He added, chuckling. Tom did not respond. His eyes wandered over to Joelle, who cried against her aunt's chest, repeating words of 'ashamed' and 'don't know what to do'. It took her a while to soothe Joelle enough to listen to what he police had to say.
"We do need you to repeat this at the department, Miss Cole and young Mister Riddle, you will also be asked to repeat it in front of court as you will be filing a charge. We do then need the other witnesses, namely Bryan Lessing and you, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole." Added Officer Foster. Tom nodded before Joelle did, her aunt still rubbed up and down her shoulder, asking "does it have to be now, Officer?"
"Well, yes. My colleague will try finding Mr. err, John Lawrence, he surely must be on his way back." He spoke, nodding assuringly at Joelle. "We shall also contact your father now. It will be a long night."
It almost seemed surreal when they all sat together in the dining room during Christmas Eve the next day. Tom watched how Joelle smiled brightly upon everything and everyone, especially after the fact that she knew John would never be able to hurt her again as he now remanded in custody awaiting trial; the policemen found him somewhere close to London during the night and took him in to hear his version of the story. Joelle was not forced to see him once more, the officers, however, called Mrs. Cole earlier this day, telling her that John Lawrence admitted to everything upon the pressuring evidence laid out against him, giving everyone a reason to cheer up.
The only time Tom caught Joelle in a momentum of turmoil was when she had another conversation on the telephone with her father who, as far as Tom could hear, seemed to be wanting to come home as fast as possible. What a hypocrite, Tom thought. He did not fulfill his duty of supervision, instead had some fine time in France while his underage daughter was stuck with his wife's bastard of a son, surely this would have to be enough to allow Joelle to decide where she wanted to stay until she was old enough, and surely it somehow made a difference that the matron of this orphanage was Joelle's aunt, surely, surely law would be on Tom's side; he wanted Joelle here. But he had to await the trial in two weeks and be patient.
"Marvolo? Did you hear?" Joelle asked. Tom shook his head, looking at her. "Hm? No, what?" He rubbed his head.
"Would you like to help me preparing the dessert?" She asked. Tom shrugged, nodding.
"You seem to be really happy." He then said and Joelle smiled. "It's...probably the happiest Christmas I've spent after my Mom passed away." She sighed and looked down to him, kissing his forehead. "And it's all thanks to you. I'd want you to be my brother any day." She snickered.
Tom snorted a chuckle, turning his face away with a grin.
"So smooth." Joelle grinned back, starting to mix some eggs into a bowl. Tom watched her curiously, but leaning against the doorframe was his version of helping. He wasn't good at any kind of kitchen business.
"I'm happy too." He then said. Joelle glanced at him. "Really?"
"You want to move in here. That makes me happy." Said Tom suggestively; he did not really know if Joelle truly wanted to.
"You're right. I really don't want to go back home. And besides, even when they say I'm not allowed to move in...they can't force me to stay there. I'll just come here anyway." She sighed, adding some flour into the bowl.
Tom nodded with a faint grin. It was downright too perfect to be true; incredible.
But did Joelle really think he rescued her just to play the hero of the day? Silly girl. No. This was winning on so many levels. It wasn't just gaining her complete and unconditional trust. Joelle will stay here, he knew it. Everything was prepared already, Mrs.
Cole asked Billy and Eric to share a room which, as they were best friends, was like an early Christmas present for them - so Joelle even had a real place to sleep. John was out of his way - no more making a fool out of him and his intelligence, no more wondering where Joelle had gone; she would come right here after school, Tom would know where she is, any time, any second of the day he would know. This was full control. This was fun.
"Joelle, darling." Smiled Bryan, walking into the kitchen. He kissed her cheek softly, glancing into the bowl of ingredients while Tom's eyes narrowed, he gritted his teeth.
Bryan. How could he forget.
"Hey." Joelle smiled faintly and turned her face away when he tried to kiss her on the lips, making it seem as though it was just bad timing for him when she walked off to get more ingredients. Bryan shrugged, but Tom could not be fooled. Maybe the Bryan issue would soon be dealt with by Joelle herself.
If not, he had enough ideas.
The rest of the evening was spent with warm stories around the chocolate cake that Joelle baked for everyone - a first class ticket to every child's heart. It was downright beautiful and peaceful, almost unbearable for Tom. He was happy when he blinked his eyes open the next morning; it was over. Finally.
Not yet.
He glanced over to his desk, seeing something wrapped up on top of it. A present? Children at the orphanage never got a Christmas present, however, they received something for their birthdays - but it wasn't Tom's birthday yet. Surely it was from her. Tom rubbed his eyes, not entirely awake yet when he reached out his hand and grabbed the rectangular shape. Felt like a book. Joelle saw Tom reading sometimes, it was a nice thought to think that she wanted to surprise him with a new story. Too curious, he started to unwrap it, and indeed, what he held in his hands was a heavy covered book in black leather; his initials printed on it. T. M. Riddle. Tom observed it closely; opening it - a note flew his way. He grabbed it, reading.
Marvolo,
I think you should capture one or the other memory that enriches your life. Memories, in the end, will last even when we believe ourselves too busy to remember.
- Joelle
A diary. Tom glanced at the back of the binding, seeing that Joelle purchased it at Winstanley's Bookstore & Stationers, not far away from here. His eyes swiveled over to the door.
"Good morning." Smiled Joelle, walking in.
"Good morning." Said Tom, holding up the diary. "And thank you." He said, a content look on his face when she sat down next to him.
"You're welcome." She smiled gently, but Tom frowned then.
"I don't have anything for you." He murmured but Joelle shook her head. "Please, you have done enough for me, snowman." She snickered when Tom huffed, but he grinned nonetheless.
"There's something you can give me, though." Joelle said. Tom glanced at her when she opened her arms for him. He hesitated at first, then sighed and hugged her tightly while she giggled, letting go of him the next moment; Tom almost pitied that she did.
"Do you want to come downstairs? Breakfast is ready." She asked; Tom nodded, and together they walked down.
"Look! Joelle brought me a Yo-Yo!" Squeaked Amy at Dennis, who smirked widely and showed her the harmonica he got. Tom glanced at the objects as he shoved some scrambled eggs into his mouth, his mood slightly stricken, but lightened up as soon as Joelle sat next to him and handed him some cut apple bits with a playful wink. Tom suppressed a slight grin, but his eyes fell on the harmonica and Yo-Yo again while nibbling on his food.
They don't deserve anything from Joelle.
Days passed. The life at Wool's orphanage was pretty convenient - school has not yet started for anyone, and Tom and Joelle spent most of their time together. Aside from the occasional visits from Amy or Bryan, Tom was quite pleased that he had Joelle's attention for himself. They played chess together or simply talked about some books and even strolled around London.
One day, they've been in a really fancy store that both Joelle and Tom knew they could only visit just for fun. Joelle introduced herself as the bigger sister, saying she wanted a really high quality suit for her little brother - because he had to be dressed up well for his big sister's engagement party. It was hilarious to watch how the saleswomen put Tom into the most expensive of fabrics; but whenever he was wearing one or the other suit, he wrinkled up his nose, saying he had seen better. Joelle laughed out loud when the women disappeared, quickly taking a picture of Tom while standing next to him with her tongue stuck out, then put away her camera before saying that they'd rather go to a different store.
It was the day before New Year's Eve, and as much as Joelle tried to hide it, Tom knew she planned something for him. It was one of the rare hours where she was not around him, and beginning to wonder where exactly she had gone, Tom got up and tried to find out. He peeped his head into the kitchen, hearing her speaking to somebody.
"But why not?" The male voice asked. "I think you did not give us enough of a chance."
Bryan.
"It's not you, really, it's all me. You're a wonderful person, I'm just not ready to appreciate it yet. After all the mess with John, I realized that I need a friend, not a partner." She said softly, looking up to him. "I understand if you don't want to be friends, I know it's a lame phrase and-"
"I am your friend, Joelle." He rubbed her shoulder. "And only immature jerks would leave you hanging. Take your time...I won't lie, I will continue to hope that maybe someday we can try again. But right now, I want to be the last person to pressure you." He kissed her forehead. Tom's eyes narrowed. So noble. He couldn't stand it.
"Thanks, Bryan." Smiled Joelle, hugging him softly. It wasn't a normal hug, Tom thought. It was something else, something he could not define, but he watched how Joelle and Bryan remained in this position for a little longer.
"Joelle?" Asked Tom then, acting as though he had just walked down. Joelle let go of Bryan, smiling at Tom even though he couldn't ignore the sigh of annoyance coming from Bryan.
"What is it, sweetheart?" She asked, walking closer.
"Come with me please." Said Tom. "I want to show you something." He said and turned around; Joelle followed him upstairs and into his room where Tom locked the door as always.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Nothing, actually." Shrugged Tom, sitting down. Joelle blinked at him, scratching her head.
"Huh? You said you wanted to show me something." She frowned.
"That's what I said, but not what I meant." He mumbled.
"Then what did you mean?" Asked Joelle, sitting down on his chair, causing Tom to frown.
"Why don't you sit next to me as always?" He asked with a faint shade of anger in his voice. "You're avoiding me." He added.
"But Marvolo, what makes you say that?" Asked Joelle, sitting next to him. He glanced at her, then away again, shrugging.
"You haven't talked to me in hours." He mumbled. Joelle chuckled, rubbing his shoulder a little.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel neglected-"
"I don't feel neglected!" He hissed at her; causing Joelle to frown a little before she pulled her hand away.
"Okay. Tell me how you want to improve the situation then." She said.
"Improve the, pft." Scoffed Tom before he glanced at her, seeing she was serious. Fine.
"Well for one, I want the rules to be picked up again, because if you neglected something, then it's that." He said sharply, causing Joelle to suck in her lips in amusement.
"Can you sum up the rules for me again, Marvolo?" She asked sweetly. Tom glared a little, inhaling deeply, crossing his arms. Did she really forget or was this just too funny for her?
"Nobody is allowed to hug and cuddle with you. Remember that when you see Amy! You will listen to my commands. And no hanging out with Bryan, not at all. Yes, quite literally no hanging out, not even at at schoolyard swings, are we clear on that?"
Joelle frowned in amusement. "What about the apple part?" She chuckled, earning herself a death glare from Tom. "If you remember the rules so well, why are you asking me!" He barked.
"Oh Marvolo, relax, will you?" She chuckled again. Tom grumbled something under his breath, shaking his head.
"I shall introduce punishment this time. I have been quite charitable the last time you broke the rules, which, if you remember, you broke all of them." He huffed; Joelle laughed out loud when she heard that, but Tom looked most unamused.
"And what do these punishments look like?" Asked Joelle. Tom could hear that she did not take it seriously.
"We will get there. All I can do is suggest that we should not get there at all." He patted her head. Joelle chuckled again when he continued. "Please know that I don't wish to hurt you, Joelle. But you might leave me no other choice." He sighed.
"You would never hurt me. I trust you." She smiled and leaned back against the wall, staring ahead with a smile on her lips. Tom inhaled deeply, shaking his head at her.
"I sometimes wonder if it's not you who's almost eleven, and me who's actually sixteen." He mumbled. Joelle nodded, her amused expression was gone.
"Tell me what's on your mind." Said Tom, constricting his eyebrows, wanting to see if Joelle understood this as a command.
"Nothing I wish to trouble you with, Marvolo." She forced a smile, sitting upright again.
"Is it the trial?" Tom asked. Joelle sighed.
"You don't have to look at him when he's there." He said. There was a moment of silence before Joelle interrupted it.
"I really wish I could've spared you from all of that, Marvolo. My problems shouldn't be yours, you're still-"
"Quit treating me like a baby! I'm not like one of those...Amies, Erics, Billies..." He growled. "I understand as much as you do, if not even more. How many times do I need to prove it?"
Joelle lowered her head, glancing aside.
"It's best if you stayed here. You can't be left alone with your thoughts, obviously." Murmured Tom.
At that, Joelle had to chuckle. "Quit treating me like a baby!" She repeated and Tom grinned, looking away, then frowned when she got up.
"Did you not hear me?" Tom frowned. "I said its best if you stayed here." He got up from the bed as well.
"I say it's not best. Look at that bed, you barely fit in. I'll tell Ellie that you definitely need a bigger one anyway. You're almost taller than me I think." She stood next to him to see the difference; quite in fact, Tom was just slightly shorter, but only by inches.
"While that's a good idea, it was a command, Joelle. You don't want to receive your first punishment, do you?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, not so keen on that." Joelle shook her head with a chuckle, then turned around to walk towards door, but she didn't even try reaching to the door handle. Tom smirked when she glanced back.
"It won't open, will it?" She asked.
"Try it." Said Tom smoothly, leaning against the wall next to it with crossed arms, watching how Joelle tried to push down the door handle - but, unexplainably out of nowhere, it opened. Tom blinked, his eyes widened and he watched Joelle walking out with a victorious smile on her face.
"Good night, Marvolo." She whispered, and off she went. Tom was so shocked and surprised that he did not even think of any sort of punishment anymore, his eyes glued to the door.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" It squeaked the next morning; Tom shot his eyes open, seeing Joelle right next to him on the bed with a bright smile, she bent down to him and kissed all over his face.
"Joelle..." Tom groaned, sitting up with a scowl, rubbing his cheek while Joelle jumped up and let the sunshine into the room, even though it was already there.
"It's such a beautiful day." She smiled, sitting down next to Tom again, then snickered. Tom looked at her, awake from the getgo, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you hiding behind your back?" He asked with a faint smirk, but Joelle shook her head.
"No idea, wanna check?" She asked, Tom just shrugged cooly as he tried to glance around her, but she already pulled out a slim and long box for him, handing it over.
Tom opened it with a concentrated look.
"It's part two, so to say." Joelle said, and Tom understood why; it was a very expensive looking quill. He has often seen these, of course nowadays they were almost out-fashioned, but Tom liked it a lot. It was special. It was from her.
"I'll write into my diary with this." He said while observing it, but Joelle handed him something else; this time it wasn't wrapped up. An ink bottle.
"Now you're almost ready to go." She smiled, ruffling through his hair.
"Almost?" Tom asked. "What's missing?"
"A memory of course." Smiled Joelle, snickering when she pulled out a photograph from that day; it showed Tom in a very fancy suit and a smug grin with goofy Joelle standing next to him. Tom chuckled lowly when he saw it.
"You look like always." He smirked and Joelle laughed, playfully pushing his head away.
"Not so cheeky young man." She huffed, then got up. "Breakfast is ready. Come on." She yawned, reaching out her hand to him - he took it and together they walked downstairs.
Tom spent a quiet but nice day with Joelle. The latter even turned down Bryan's New Year's party - they would've gone somewhere outside with Paul and some other friends, but Joelle mentioned that she just wasn't the party type of girl - much to Tom's relief, he never understood the occasional get-togethers just to have a bunch of alcohol. It was already late in the evening and most of the kids were outside, waiting for the fireworks to start while Joelle and Tom decided to sit in front of the window to watch. It was too cold.
"I don't want school to start again." Tom murmured.
"You don't like school at all, do you? You're such a smart boy, Marvolo. You can go far if only you could get rid of that boredom."
"It's not my fault that everything bores me." He grumbled, turning his face away from her.
"I'm sure I could keep up with your classes if somebody let me." He added. Joelle nodded.
"No doubt about that." She smiled. Tom glanced at her for a while; Joelle always believed in him. Somebody like Mrs. Cole would've told him that he's exaggerating and overestimating his abilities - but Joelle knew that it was the truth. With her, Tom felt like he wanted take over the world and she'd still say that it was quite likely that he could do it.
"I'm eleven now..." Tom mumbled. "I don't feel like anything has changed. What awaits me? A boring future with even more boring people, a boring job...a boring life."
"No." Said Joelle. "I believe you'll have the most exciting life that you could imagine."
"There are two words in that sentence that don't apply to me, Joelle. Believing and imagining. Believing isn't knowing, and imagining is a nicer word for dreaming."
"You're already doing it. You believe you'll have a boring life and a boring job - you even imagine it. Why not the other way, why not the optimistic way?"
"Because I'm a realist." Shrugged Tom. "I don't have time for dreams."
"Then you don't have time for life." Sighed Joelle, looking out of the window. Tom frowned a little, then sighed as well, thinking about her words.
"You're an odd person." Said Tom then. "How can you always be so positive?"
"But is there a reason not to be? We are alive." Smiled Joelle. "I couldn't dream up a miracle better than that."
"Would you live forever if you could?" Tom asked, glancing at her. Joelle gave it a few seconds.
"People think it's noble when they say they are not afraid of death, they think they're brave, think only the weak fear to leave this earth. Truth be told, I can't imagine to be nonexistent. That makes me vulnerable to that question. I love life, every bit of it, only a mad person would be fine about letting it go...but maybe a little madness is absolutely okay..." She sighed.
"The truth is, the result remains the same, it makes no difference whatsoever - how you feel about death." Said Tom.
"Oh." Joelle smiled. "I believe it makes all the difference in the world."
Tom blinked a little, shaking his head. "Life is so pointless, Joelle. We don't live to survive. So pointless!" He suddenly growled out in frustration. "Special people shouldn't die."
"Special people won't die. Look! The firework has started." Squeaked Joelle. Tom's eyebrows twitched up, but he thought about it. Yes, she was right. Special people are immortal, they will be remembered.
He was special.
Two weeks passed. Tom thought it was quite understandable that Joelle did not want to see her father when he stood on the threshold a few days ago, merely closing the door on his face, saying that she did not need him now, asking where he was when she did. Tom could definitely understand Joelle's anger, however, he heard how Mrs. Cole had a conversation with him, after all, Joelle's father was the matron's brother.
It was the day of the trial, Joelle sighed, she needed a lot of tea to calm down. She has been up for three hours before anyone else - Tom heard her and found her in the kitchen; she was trembling. Quite an effect that this John had on her.
"Dear." Said Mrs. Cole, fixing Joelle's dark collar later. She looked enormously elegant, Tom thought it matched her so controlled behavior, however, he liked her casual version better. He has seen a lot of women around in London, but to him, none of them acted as much like a lady as Joelle did; she was without trying.
"Listen. He can't hurt you again, okay? Everything will be alright." Said her aunt, Joelle nodded bravely, but, for a reason Tom could not understand, she almost broke out in tears when she saw Bryan and flung her arms around him tightly while he rubbed up and down her back, trying to soothe her - and he even managed it, upon which Tom couldn't help but feel less than him.
It almost went in slow motion when Joelle and the rest walked into court an hour later, their appointment set, they waited in front of the door. John sat further away, policemen around him, just in case. It was a strange atmosphere. Tom looked around and noticed the same woman that opened the door for John that day - it must be his mother, considering the tears she cried into a handkerchief, repeatedly stating that her son was innocent. Tom also got to see Joelle's father for the first time - a tall and broad man with thick dark hair, dressed up well, but stood further away from his wife than expected, and instantly hasted over to Joelle once he saw her, pulling her into his arms. Tom could not hear what they talked about as Mrs. Cole pulled him away, giving them some privacy, but his eyes wandered over to John again, leering at Joelle in both murderous lust and wrath.
The trial was a bad awakening.
"So, Mr. John Lawrence, you are claiming that you did not sleep with Miss Joelle Cole?" Asked Mr. Tucker, John's defensive lawyer.
"False, Sir. I did sleep with Joelle, however, I did not rape her. She wanted it as much as I did."
"You bastard!" Screamed Joelle. "You're not doing this! You're not manipulating them, you-"
"Miss Cole!" Shouted the judge firmly, but Joelle just shook her head and fought the tears, Tom saw how her chest heaved up and down, her whole body was trembling - and so did Tom's. His nostrils flared as he glowered at John, so he did really try it this route. Pathetic.
"Please continue, Mr. Lawrence." Said the judge. John nodded.
"Joelle never liked my mother. She was always against her father's marriage, she mistreated my mother, Sir, never listened to her, she went wherever, never gave her a real chance. Joelle's father is...well...not as strict, I suppose he did not want to further pressure his daughter, whatever the reason." He paused theatrically. "I wanted to be there for Joelle when she had nobody. Yes, it's true, I...wanted to be as close to her as possible. But she allowed it."
"Liar!" Yelled Joelle again, but before the judge could say something, Mr. Tucker quickly went on.
"Mr. Lawrence, did I understand it correctly, you are saying that Miss Joelle Cole is falsely accusing you of rape to trouble the marriage of the both of your parents?"
"That is the only reason I can find for that, yes, Sir." Said John. Joelle jumped up from her seat, but was pulled back down by the prosecutor; the latter whispered something into her ear and Joelle nodded, her knee wobbling up and down in anxiety.
"Miss Joelle Cole, you are next." Said the judge. Mrs. Hillsburry whispered something into Joelle's ear again, then the both of them got up to the front.
After a longer procedure of Joelle explaining her version, explaining that John abused her for some time and continuously slapped and blackmailed her, it was finally time for Tom to come to the front. He had do suppress a smirk when he did because John Lawrence's eyes narrowed upon seeing him.
"Hello Mister Riddle." Smiled the judge; his voice turned a little softer. Tom nodded at him.
"Mister Riddle, please tell me why you have been hiding in the car the night before Christmas Eve, and tell us what you have heard once Mister Lawrence and Miss Cole entered." Said Mrs. Hillsburry.
"Before I answer that question, I must explain my experience with Mr. Lawrence. I have seen him attacking Joelle in front of school, he waited in a car for her. Another time he tried to pull her into the car, which Bryan Lessing will confirm, he was there too. After a long time of absence, Joelle visited the orphanage with a bruised face. As you have heard, she admitted that he has beaten her. When John Lawrence came into the orphanage the night of the event, I saw that Joelle was oddly stiff and scared, he had an impact on her, she did not go with him voluntarily but she was too frightened to disobey. I slipped into the car before anyone could notice and hid behind the passenger seat until they sat in. I've heard how Lawrence stated that he missed Joelle's body all the while grinning. He also told her that she needed to be disciplined in order to remember her place as a woman, and that he would not allow her to make a fool out of him, and made a sharp remark about Bryan's inability to recognize him. I then held a knife to Joelle's throat in order to make Lawrence drive off to the police."
"You little liar!" Hissed John. "You ordered me to drive into the forest!"
Tom frowned and shook his head. "Into the forest? You must be mistaken, Mr. Lawrence. That's where you wanted to drive off to, as I recall, you wanted Joelle to receive her punishment in the forest. You even managed taking away my knife, saying it will come in handy."
John's eyes were widened with rage, loud gasping and whispering erupted from all around; Joelle's lips parted; Joelle's father jumped up from his seat, shouting at John, he could barely be held back. "You wanted to kill my daughter in that forest?!"
"Silence!" Yelled the judge - and the whispering died out at once, his eyes fell on Tom again. "Go ahead, my boy."
"Mr. Lawrence has of course seen through me, after all, I'm just a child, how much power do I have over an adult?" Tom asked; some people nodded.
"Well, as we all know, he did not drive up to the police as I ordered him to, my naive plan did not work. So once he was in the forest, he got out of the car, he wanted to get Joelle out but we were faster, she crawled to the front and we drove off as fast as we could." Said Tom, biting his tongue stop a smirk; John's dumbfounded face was glorious.
"This clearly changes the case, Sir." Said Mrs. Hillsburry while looking at the judge, getting up from her chair.
"Not only sexual assault and personal injury, this is also an attempt of murder."
"I never wanted to kill Joelle! That child, that devil, you little shit!" Growled John, rushing up from his spot, he aimed to run towards Tom but the security held him back, handcuffing him. Tom glanced over to the jury, then back ahead, biting his tongue a little harder. Hilarious.
"Mr. Lawrence, the police has found you close to the forest that night, there have also been traces of the car, do you deny that you have been there?" Asked Mrs. Hillsburry.
"That little devil threatened to kill Joelle, he wanted me to drive there into the forest! You forbade me to drive off to the police, said you would kill her on the spot!" growled John, but Tom just frowned.
"Me? Kill? And why would I want you to drive into a forest?" Tom asked, the other people murmured again while nodding.
"BECAUSE YOU PLANNED THIS YOU GOD DAMN PIECE OF-"
"Mr. LAWRENCE!" Yelled the judge, rapidly banging onto his desk. John swallowed, panting in anger, but Tom didn't quite see it, he would be scared to burst out laughing if he took another glimpse.
"Is there something else you wish to add, Mister Riddle?" Asked the judge. Tom shook his head. "I've said everything that needed to be said, Sir."
It was like it happened in slow motion - but Tom wanted it like this, exactly like this. His eyes rolled back slightly when the decision came.
Mr. John Lawrence. Guilty on all counts.
Tom smirked. This would make a good memory for his diary.
