CHAPTER 5
FOUR WEEKS LATER. Serena walked up the aisle in the courtroom nervously. She was to testify against her own blood. She sat down in the witness stand, and her mind was blank. She showed no expression. "Please place your right hand on the bible." The judge told Serena kindly, "Do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" "I do." She replied blandly. Her father's attorney approached her. "Please state your name for the record." "Serena Tsukino." "You claim that your father has continually abused you for years, is that correct?" "Yes, sir, many times." The young lawyer cocked his head and clasped his hands behind his back. "How long, would you say, this has been going on for?" "Ever since I can remember." He paused. "How far back do you remember?" "The first time I remember is when I was five, sir. He burned my arm on the stove because I forgot to give my teacher a note." He looked at he floor and then into her eyes. "Have you ever caused self-inflicted wounds on yourself?" Serena blinked in amazement. "Objection, your Honour," her lawyer stood up instantly, "this has nothing to do with her father." "Overruled. I believe it does." The judge turned back to the witness. "No, I have not." Serena was beginning to get upset at this man, but she tried to remind herself that he was a criminal defense lawyer, and he was only doing his job. 'Some job.' She thought. "There have been some previous reports filed, by yourself, but both parents deny you being abused by your father. Is this correct?" The lawyer spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "She was sacred. Mom was too scared to admit that he." "Please answer yes or no." "Yes." Serena was beginning to get teary eyed. "No more further questions at this point, your Honour." The lawyer smiled at Serena and sat back in his seat. "We're running low on time, gentlemen," the judge announced, "We will continue in the morning. The court is adjourned." The rap of his gavel echoed through the mostly empty room.
THAT EVENING. Darien sat on the couch in the living room Indian style, and he didn't see Serena sneaking up behind him. "Boo!" She yelled, trying to put some fun into her day; she hadn't had any fun in the last month. He jumped and spun around, obviously startled. "Serena you scared the crap outta me!" He laughed, and then patted the spot on the chesterfield beside him. "Oh wait," Darien turned the volume on the television up a bit, "Sports are on. I have to see what the hockey game score was." Serena rolled her eyes at him. What was with men and sports? She sighed. "Yeah! We won 6-0!" He threw his arms up above his head and hugged her. "Whoa, there. It's just a game!" She pushed him away playfully. He looked at her, stunned. "Just a game?" He shook his head. They started wrestling on the couch, and Darien tried to tickle her. She shoved him away, but he was relentless. They both stopped when another story on the news caught their eye. "A body was found in a local farmer's field this morning," The female news anchor said, "Police haven't identified the body yet, but they said it looks as though it's been there for some time now. We'll update you on that one tonight at eleven."
FOUR WEEKS LATER. Serena walked up the aisle in the courtroom nervously. She was to testify against her own blood. She sat down in the witness stand, and her mind was blank. She showed no expression. "Please place your right hand on the bible." The judge told Serena kindly, "Do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" "I do." She replied blandly. Her father's attorney approached her. "Please state your name for the record." "Serena Tsukino." "You claim that your father has continually abused you for years, is that correct?" "Yes, sir, many times." The young lawyer cocked his head and clasped his hands behind his back. "How long, would you say, this has been going on for?" "Ever since I can remember." He paused. "How far back do you remember?" "The first time I remember is when I was five, sir. He burned my arm on the stove because I forgot to give my teacher a note." He looked at he floor and then into her eyes. "Have you ever caused self-inflicted wounds on yourself?" Serena blinked in amazement. "Objection, your Honour," her lawyer stood up instantly, "this has nothing to do with her father." "Overruled. I believe it does." The judge turned back to the witness. "No, I have not." Serena was beginning to get upset at this man, but she tried to remind herself that he was a criminal defense lawyer, and he was only doing his job. 'Some job.' She thought. "There have been some previous reports filed, by yourself, but both parents deny you being abused by your father. Is this correct?" The lawyer spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "She was sacred. Mom was too scared to admit that he." "Please answer yes or no." "Yes." Serena was beginning to get teary eyed. "No more further questions at this point, your Honour." The lawyer smiled at Serena and sat back in his seat. "We're running low on time, gentlemen," the judge announced, "We will continue in the morning. The court is adjourned." The rap of his gavel echoed through the mostly empty room.
THAT EVENING. Darien sat on the couch in the living room Indian style, and he didn't see Serena sneaking up behind him. "Boo!" She yelled, trying to put some fun into her day; she hadn't had any fun in the last month. He jumped and spun around, obviously startled. "Serena you scared the crap outta me!" He laughed, and then patted the spot on the chesterfield beside him. "Oh wait," Darien turned the volume on the television up a bit, "Sports are on. I have to see what the hockey game score was." Serena rolled her eyes at him. What was with men and sports? She sighed. "Yeah! We won 6-0!" He threw his arms up above his head and hugged her. "Whoa, there. It's just a game!" She pushed him away playfully. He looked at her, stunned. "Just a game?" He shook his head. They started wrestling on the couch, and Darien tried to tickle her. She shoved him away, but he was relentless. They both stopped when another story on the news caught their eye. "A body was found in a local farmer's field this morning," The female news anchor said, "Police haven't identified the body yet, but they said it looks as though it's been there for some time now. We'll update you on that one tonight at eleven."