THE TRAIL DAY

THE TRAIL DAY

There was no jury just a judge to decide the fate of a young man named Ace. His parents showed up with several witnesses. Lei and a lawyer where at the other side of the court. Ro and Zee Smith her parents waited and prayed in the courtroom just behind her. Then along behind them were some of her friends, Milo, Shang, Kida, and me, Marty. Milo was called to the stand first.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth so help you god?"

"I do."

"You may be seated." Ace's parents who also worked as lawyers stepped up to Milo.

"What is you name young man?"

"Milo James Thatch"

"And Milo how long have you known Mrs. Lei Smith and her family?"

"Well let's see since she was seven so for almost seven years Sir."

"Ahh, so you know her really well don't you?"

"Yes I do Sir."

"So what would you say about her honesty?"

"She's always been honest with us."

"Even when telling you about the rape and beating."

"She was afraid of being killed I don't think that should mix with dishonesty."

"Okay then would you describe her relationship with her family."

"Pretty close they noticed something was wrong as soon as I did Sir."

"Ahh and what did they do about it?"

"They sent her to mental doctors, had her tested for drugs and even sent her to a psychiatrist."

"That is all." I smiled those questions got all negative responses.

"Next person I call up to the stand is Marty Walter." I stood up and walked through the doors. I was sworn under oath before asked any questions.

"So Marty how long have you known Lei Smith?"

"Two weeks Sir."

"How did you meet her?"

"At school she is in all of my classes."

"So you saw her often. How did you become her friend if she shut herself out from any social activity in the last month."

"Her friends Shang Li and Milo Thatch introduced her to me."

"What compiled you to get to know her?"

"She seemed to be holding a dark secret. I seemed to be able to sense these things."

"So when you went over to her house on May 15, two days ago what did you have on your mind?"

"I was going to find out what was wrong with her. She looked very pale today and I was going to see if she was feeling alright."

"And what did she do when you asked her what was wrong."

"She stayed silent and turned away."

"What did you do?"

"I grabbed her arm."

"Why?"

"To keep her from running off again. I was going to find out what was wrong."

"Then what happened Marty?"

"She yelped in pain and I wanted to see what was wrong so I pulled up the sleeve of her sweatshirt and shirt up to see it."

"What did she do?"

"She yelled no don't please"

"Why did you keep on going?"

"Something was wrong and she wasn't going to keep a secret anymore."

"So you kept on going even though she asked you to stop."

"Yes I did."

"I'm through here."

"I would like to cross exanimate him please."

"Go ahead."

"Marty when you did this did you have any intention of hurting her?"

"No."

"What did you keep on telling her through out the event?"

"It's going to be okay and I promised that I wouldn't hurt her."

"What did you do after that?"

"I alerted Mr. Smith to get help and placed her on the couch in the living room. I told him to look underneath her clothes and see for himself. He took off her pants and took one look before rushing to her room and grabbing her a tank top and a pair of gym shorts."

"And who were you holding during this time?"

"Mya, Lei's four month old sister."

"Thank you. You may step down." He smiled at me proudly.

"I call Lei Smith up to the stand." Lei weakly walked up to the stand she still hurt badly. She hissed as she turned the wrong way. She swore under oath. Then hissed again in pain as she sat down.

"Lei is it? You were hurt real bad weren't you?"

"Yes and Yes."

"Can you point to the person who did this to you in this courtroom?" She pointed directly to Ace.

"It was him. That horrible monster over there."

"Why do you call him a monster Lei?"

"He made me do horrible things only a monster would make a person do."

"Can you name those things?"

"Yes he came by and put a hand over my mouth. He pulled me out of sight of any friends or family then he would have sex with me. He would rip me apart. Make me give him a blowjob. Then afterwards he would beat me. Then leave me alone to clean myself up before going home. I would do my best. He threatened to kill me if I ever told."

"Well excuse me if that is not unbelievable but where would he do it to you where there are no people."

"In the abandoned warehouse a block away from my house."

"Why not tell anyone soon?" Lei was in near tears. The judge sustained that question. "I believe that this case is over. I don't think we should cause this young girl any more pain. Since you have a lack of witnesses and evidence defense I think this case is closed I will look over all the evidence and talk to Lei in my chambers.

~*~

I went into the judge's chambers. He had me take a seat. I tried to suck up my tears. He handed me a tissue. "Lei it's okay I'm not going to be mean or bad okay." I nodded. "What happened to you was horrible and I'm 99% positive I'm going to rule for your side now your father said you wore a tank top and gym shorts. Can you please take off the covering clothing to show me the injures. I nodded slowly taking off the sweatshirt and warm-up pants. He had a small stick in his hand and counted the bruises and cuts. He stopped suddenly.

"Alright thank you honey. That's good. You are a 100% sure it was him?"

"Yes he made me do all that stuff and did this all to me."

"Okay you may go back to your family. I'll make my ruling in about ten minutes."

I headed out to my mother and father who were waiting for me. I saw the disgusted faces of Ace's parents. I bet they thought it was impossible for him to do that to her. Well he did ever-single one of them and he made her remember too. The judge came out. He looked down at me with apologizing eyes.

"I am glad to say that I'm disgusted with men like you Ace. This poor girl will be scared for life because of you. So for how long she is scared is how long your sentence is. For attempted murder, rape and bagerism. Also he was being tried as an adult so he is going straight to jail."

I hugged my parents. My nightmare was over finally. But I saw Ace and his cold dead eyes glare at me. I knew it was going to be just the beginning of my nightmares. I walked out of the court room limping but I wanted to stand proud. My dad carried me out to the Hummer. He was going to drive me and all my friends' home to a victory party.

My mom would be driving my brothers and sisters home in the convertible. Shang and Marty helped Milo, Kida and me into the car and then they pulled themselves up to the automobile that was a couple feet off the ground. The engine started and my dad turned up the music. Milo and Kida where sitting close together. Shang and Marty where shouting and cheering. Saying my name proud. We all went to a restaurant that our friend owned.

It was like a sports bar but more for teens. It had a small dance area for us. My mother and father sat down at a large table and we ordered a round of burgers and soft drinks. All my friends came over when they heard the news.

We all sat together. They were glad I was back to normal. I went slow dancing with Joshua Sweet. He held me off the ground slightly so I wouldn't hurt as much. He was so gentle I didn't feel a slight bit of pain. "So Marty found out what was wrong?"

"Yeah Sweet he did."

"You know he loves you more than anything Lei."

"How do you know?"

"Sweet always knows Lei, heh I'm surprised you haven't caught on yet."

"He is stubborn though."

"No he's in love that's what."

"Hmm." Soon I felt Sweet move me slightly as I closed my eyes.

"Hey you don't mind if I cut in do ya Sweet?"

"Nope not all." He let me go for only a second before I was in Marty's strong arms.

"Marty?"

"Yeah and I thought you'd gone out and forgot about me." I rested my head on his shoulder before sighing.

"I don't think anyone can forget you especially since you're so persistent."

"Hmm. Maybe that's because I like ya?"

"Well either way you're my hero Marty."

"Hmm I was hoping more for a true love or boyfriend."

"Well who says my hero can't be my boyfriend?"

"I guess no one." He kissed my head before he carried me over to the table. I sat down for a rest. The pain relievers worked only half the time so it still hurt. I was weary around other boys besides Shang, Sweet, Milo and my family and of course Marty. I would be soon away from the fear soon.

We ate and if a single boy besides those few would be scared off if he tried to get too close. Kit was the most aggressive one. Shang gave warnings and Marty wouldn't even let them try. Milo lay back hanging with his girlfriend Kida who was one of my best friends.

My dad carried me home to my room. My friends stayed over for a sleep over. Kida slept in my room. While the others slept in the guest bedroom. Our house was huge. MY mom got it a long time ago and we've lived in here since I was born.

Kida slept in the top bunk while I slept on the bottom. Off and on I would go to sleep but Kida would talk to me when I was up. She say I was really brave and comfort me if I need it. But I knew I did the right thing. I was just worried what the people at school would think.

Someone came up to my room late that night at three. I heard the door creak open. "Hello Lei."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Red remember me?"

"How could I forget I just couldn't see you."

"I know I'm invisible right now. What did I tell you? Huh you made it didn't you, you proved the justice system works."

"Yes I guess it does."

"I know some young men down the hall who love you."

"Who?"

"Marty, Matt, Mark, Shang, Milo, Joshua, your dad, even some young women and a little girl love you."

"My mom, Kida, and Mya."

"Wow your quick. Anyway you got people who love you the way you are up here too."

"Who?"

"Well I love ya just the way you are. You're sweet, kind, gentle, caring. Now don't you go changing that you hear?"

"I promise I'll try not to."

"Good then I leave you with this message. Your not alone any of those people even I will help you whenever you need it."

"You promise."

"Yes I promise. I'll be with you always. I'm probably never that far away if you ever need me."

"I'll call okay."

"Alright goodnight sweetie." He kissed my forehead. Soon I heard my dad coming down the hall. I quickly laid down petting my calico cat with my pale fingers.

"Lei honey."

"Hmm?"

"Are you alright I thought I heard you talking."

"I was talking to myself."

"Okay sleep tight baby."

"Goodnight daddy."