Back from the dead. AKA writer's block. AKA I wrote myself into a goddamn corner and had to call in the calvary to help me get out. I will forever be grateful to those of you on the Huntlow Discord, you guys have been rock stars with helping me out.

Also, in between the last chapter going up and this one, I have been informed that somehow this fic is in the top five most popular Huntlow fics? Like thank you? I legit started crying when I found out.

Also also, I've built up so much hype for this chapter and you're all going to be disappointed, but at least it's something…

And now, in honor of our twentieth chapter, we go live to the Bonesborough Courthouse…


Vee had been in a courthouse exactly once in her eleven and a half years of life.

Last time, she'd been there as a victim and witness, testifying at the age of eight against the man who'd held her in a cramped cage for twelve hours. For her it had been the second-most terrifying day of her life, superseded only by the day she'd actually been taken. So many people, all wanting to get a glimpse of the victim and perpetrator of that horrible crime that had rocked their small town to its very core. Hunter and Luz had created a sort of human shield for her, Hunter even using his own hoodie for her to hide in despite the fact that she'd been swimming in it. But it had smelled like him, she'd felt safe, she'd done her job, and Jacob had gone away for several years.

Now she was in the courthouse for an entirely different reason. And now it was her job to protect Hunter as best she could, just like he'd done for her.

Currently, they were seated in the courtroom, her and her older siblings behind where her mother was sitting with Darius. Philip and his lawyer, Kikimora, had yet to arrive. A number of other people had, though, including a few reporters with cameras and everything. She shrunk down in her seat next to Hunter and Luz and avoided being spotted by any of them. Unconsciously she rubbed the bruise Boscha had left on her wrist a couple of days earlier. Just as she thought it was a nasty one, thanks to the once-popular girl's grip.

Damn.

The doors to the courtroom opened, and for the first time Vee got a look at her brother's uncle.

He was tall with dusty brown hair that was streaked with gray, his cold blue eyes somehow still bright as he looked over the courtroom. His nose had been broken at some point and healed badly, based on how crooked it was. But most prominent of all was the scar slashed across his face, deep and distinctive in a way that made her shiver with the thought of what must've happened to him to cause such a scar. He glowered at her, and at the back of her brother's head.

Hunter hadn't even turned around but she could feel him gripping her hand tightly. He knew damn well that the source of his torment, the person who was responsible for his own scar that Vee had never known him without, had walked into the room. She squeezed his hand comfortingly, wishing that he didn't have to go through this.

But he did.

Philip and Kikimora sat down at the table on the other side of the room, and Vee could see Luz glaring in his direction out of the corner of her eye. Mama was sitting at the table, hands curling into fists as she stared straight ahead. If she looked at Philip she might lose control and punch him, which would definitely hurt their case for why Hunter should stay with them. Darius had said something else about Hunter's age meaning that he could choose where he lived and that more than likely Philip had gotten them into court through some kind of connections, that any judge with a brain would listen to Hunter's request, things like that.

She focused her attention on Hunter as she heard the doors open again and this time she was fortunate enough to see Willow coming in with Gus and Amity on her heels. The three slid onto the bench behind the Nocedas and Willow put her hand on Hunter's shoulder. Without hesitation Vee let go of his hand so he could hold Willow's, something he gave her a grateful look for as he gripped his girlfriend's hand.

At that moment, the bailiff announced for them all to rise for the honorable Judge Stronghart, a tall and imposing older man with piercing blue eyes akin to that of Philip himself only somehow colder. He motioned for the courtroom to be seated then turned to the bailiff.

"Shall we begin?" he asked.

"The case of Noceda v. Wittebane is now in session, Honorable Judge Mael Stronghart presiding."

Vee exhaled sharply.

Go time.


"I adopted Hunter when he was four years old."

Camila's voice was even as she spoke and gave her testimony.

"My late husband and I, we loved children and giving back to the community. Helping those who had difficult circumstances was his specialty. Hunter's case popped up and we took him in, gave him a place to live and he was our son. It didn't matter where he'd come from. We loved him just as dearly as Luz. And even after we lost Luis, I kept it up. I helped Hunter through everything in his life, every difficult period that comes from growing up, and I've watched him grow into the kind and considerate young man he is today. I don't believe putting him in another home at this point in time is a wise decision."

"Thank you, Mrs. Noceda," Darius stated, and Camila felt her stomach churning.

For nearly thirteen years now, she'd raised Hunter as her own. This pendejo on the other side of the courtroom was watching her with derision in his eyes, glancing at her children as she spoke. Hatred burned in her heart, a desire to whip out her sandal and beat him within an inch of his life the way she'd almost done to Jacob Hopkins when he tried to steal Vee from her. Of course, she wouldn't. It would hurt her case in keeping Hunter with her.

"Tell me, what kind of condition was Hunter in when he came to you?"

"He was still healing from a severe injury sustained in one of his previous homes. Social worker didn't tell us more than that."

"Was he… receptive? To you and to your husband?"

"He wasn't, at first. He was skittish, scared. So small and afraid of every little noise. We knew he'd been through an ordeal no child should have to go through and we did our best to provide him with a safe space. He found a connection with our daughter, Luz, and I think that helped him feel like our house was a place he could stay. It took some time but we did it."

"How has his relationship been with his sisters in more recent years? Since you lost your husband?"

"Hunter has taken on… a protective role. He cares very deeply for them in a way that I think is rare to see in a boy his age. And they rely on him in turn."

"Thank you, again. No further questions."

"Miss Manus, your witness," Judge Stronghart stated.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Kikimora stood up, smirking. "I have a few questions.

Ay, her voice. Such a sickly-sweet raspy pitch. Annoying, to say the least.

"Mrs. Noceda, would you say Hunter is a violent young man?"

"He does roller derby, if that's what you're implying. But no, he isn't a violent person."

"Hm." She held up a file. "You lived in Gravesfield until about seven months ago, correct?"

"That's correct."

"And nearly four years ago now, your youngest daughter was kidnapped."

"Objection—relevance!" barked Darius.

"I swear, it's relevant," stated Kikimora with a grin.

"Objection overruled. Mrs. Noceda?"

"Yes, she was."

"Held in a cage for several hours by a man assessed by the police psychologist to have mental issues. Is it also true that you and your older children—meaning Hunter—found Valentina before the police did, and that you brutally attacked him in your efforts to retrieve your child?"

A sick feeling welled in Camila's gut.

She remembered that day, every moment of it burned into her mind. Luz telling her they couldn't find Vee. Calling the police and heading out to look on her own. Hunter and Luz refusing to wait at home. Finding the room at the historical society, the one where her baby was in a cage and whimpering in fear, too afraid to even scream as this cabrón stood over her with a knife, preparing to dissect her.

The sound of a sandal hitting skin. Repeatedly.

"Mrs. Noceda?"

"When we got there, when we found him… he was standing over my baby with a knife. Do you have children, Miss Manus?"

"No. I don't."

"Then you wouldn't understand the kind of rage that takes over when it comes to protecting them. My body acted to protect my children. I challenge anyone to think rationally in that sort of situation!"

"Then you'd react in violence to protect any of your children? Is that how a parent or guardian is meant to act?"

She felt her anger rising, and carefully she tamped it down to ensure she didn't explode on this little puta.

"There can always be extenuating circumstances. Always."

"Hm." Kikimora nodded. "No further questions, Your Honor."

"Mrs. Noceda, you may step down," Judge Stronghart stated.

She did just that, locking eyes with Hunter as she made her way back to her seat. He gave her his comforting nervous gap-toothed grin, and she smiled back. Things would be okay. They had to be.


Hunter really did look like the spitting image of Caleb and the whore.

Philip could see his nephew's face clearly as he took his seat on the stand, see him holding the hand of that girl he was always hanging around, and he felt disgusted. Caleb had held that bitch Emily's hand that way once upon a time, fawning over her like she was some kind of goddess brought to earth. As if she wasn't a liar who'd trapped Caleb in a marriage he wouldn't have gone through otherwise.

If it weren't for those eyes, though, Hunter could've been a teenage Caleb brought back to life.

You forced my hand, Caleb. You made me kill you and the whore.

He could only hope Hunter wouldn't go down the same—now, what was this?

Oh, that little girl Hunter claimed as a sister, the one with short hair and a bit of an attitude problem. She was glaring at him with venom in her warm brown eyes. He'd seen her at the library before, and at Darius's house, researching something she really should've kept her nose out of. Let the dead stay buried and all that. But no, she just had to go digging when poor Caleb was already in the ground for nearly fifteen years now. There was no point to her prodding at a sleeping dragon the way she had been.

A mistake on your part, Miss Noceda. Utterly useless. You won't find anything.

He'd rehearsed this speech so many times over the past few months that it was honestly kind of ridiculous. He knew what he was going to say, how he was going to answer any question Darius Deamonne threw at him (the absolute traitor). And Kikimora was going to win him this case, he'd have control over Hunter once again and he'd be able to ensure the boy went down the right path. He even had someone else to testify as a character witness, someone the Nocedas would have no way of knowing.

"Hunter is my dearest nephew," he began, fidgeting with his hands to appear nervous. "The spitting image of my late brother. I care for him very deeply, and the circumstances under which he was taken from me were tragic indeed. He is the last piece I have of Caleb, and I have longed to have him back for all these years apart. I didn't seek him because I believed he would have been fed lies about me, lies about who I was and what I had done. But it's as if God has delivered him back to me by returning him to Bonesborough."

"I am terribly sorry for your loss, Mr. Wittebane," Kikimora said, adjusting a lock of her hair that had fallen loose from her bun. "Tell me, why did you not seek custody of him as soon as you learned he was back in Bonesborough?"

"It's rather simple. Virginia is a very different place from Connecticut. I wished for him to readjust to living here before I brought him home. To his real home and his real family."

He could see Edalyn Clawthorne whispering something to Raine Whispers.

"I am the sole member of his family left alive on his father's side. His mother's side of the family, the Clawthornes, is rather ill-suited to taking care of a child."

Edalyn attempted to stand up before her partner pulled her back down.

"Not now," Philip read on their lips.

"Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Wittebane."

"Mr. Deamonne, your witness," stated Stronghart.

This is a farce of a case, isn't it, Mael? You'll find in my favor.


Willow wanted to throw up as Kikimora stood up and announced her next witness.

"As a character witness for Mr. Wittebane, I call Terra Snapdragon to the stand."

She watched with ice filling her veins as her grandmother—her own grandmother—made her way to the stand to attempt to get Hunter away from Camila. She had that kindly smile, that look that made her unsettling and everything a grandmother was supposed to be all at once. She inhaled sharply and Hunter squeezed her hand. Thank God she'd moved up to sit next to him, Vee on her other side.

"Mrs. Snapdragon," began Kikimora.

"Terra, please, Miss Manus, you're no longer a student." The little shark started to laugh slightly and Willow wanted to punch something.

"Terra, you've known Mr. Wittebane for many years, correct?"

"Yes, I have. I've known him since he was a teenager. I taught him biology, as I did for many of the adults in this room. He's always been a stellar young man, healthy respect for authority and a work ethic that's unmatched by anyone else."

"Then… do you think he's a suitable guardian for Hunter?"

"More than suitable. He can teach that young man manners that Mrs. Noceda has neglected to teach him."

Willow wanted to scream.

Why?!

"And these are necessary skills?"

"Very necessary. Hunter needs a firm hand like that of Mr. Wittebane. To have a mother who is constantly out of the house, have him unsupervised, it's a recipe to send him down a path that will lead him to having a hellish adult life."

"Well, at least we know she hates me for sure," Hunter murmured to Willow half-jokingly.

"Shush."

She stared straight ahead and at that moment, her grandmother's eyes locked with hers. Terra seemed to falter for a moment, having not realized Willow was in the courtroom until this moment. A foolish notion—why wouldn't Willow be here? Her boyfriend's uncle was trying to rip him away from his real family.

"No further questions, Your Honor." Kikimora sat down and Darius stood up.

"Tell me, Mrs. Snapdragon—"

"Terra, Mr. Deamonne."

"Mrs. Snapdragon. Do you have any other motive for testifying here today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just rather interesting." Darius held up a file as he stepped in front of everyone. "You've had very little contact with Mr. Wittebane over the years, despite your claims of closeness."

"I'm old, Darius. I forget things like phone numbers."

"Who you have had quite a bit of contact with is your granddaughter, correct?"

"What does my little petal have to do with this? Objection!"

"Your Honor, I promise you, her granddaughter is her entire motivation to testifying."

Stronghart raised an eyebrow.

"I'll allow the question, then."

"Mrs. Snapdragon. Your granddaughter is in a relationship with Hunter and you don't approve, hence why you wish for him to go away with Mr. Wittebane. It has nothing to do with Mr. Wittebane being a more fitting parental figure and everything to do with your own personal biases."

"Preposterous."

"Then is it not true that you disapprove of Hunter?"

"I approve of him very much. Just not as a partner for my blossom. She has a bright future and cannot waste time in such relationships."

She shut her mouth and murmurs started among the court. Willow felt hope growing just as quickly as her trust in her grandmother shrank.

"Your Honor, Mrs. Snapdragon is not a credible character witness as she has a secondary motivation and personal stake in the outcome of this case. I request her testimony be thrown out."

Terra shook with rage as Kikimora raised her own objection.

"Mrs. Snapdragon is very much credible as a character witness!"

"I have to agree with Mr. Deamonne, I cannot overlook the personal bias against the child in question," Judge Stronghart stated.

Kikimora began sputtering, and then Terra was asked to step down.


Hunter took a deep breath as he sat down in front of everyone.

"Just be honest," Darius had instructed him during the recess after Terra had left the courtroom. "Tell what you know, and what you want."

"Hunter. How are you today? How are you feeling with all of this?"

"Honestly, I want it to be over with. I don't want to go to another home, not when I'm going to be leaving for college in a year and a half anyway."

"Fair enough. Now… if you can, tell us what you think of living with Mrs. Noceda."

"I love it there. I feel safe and loved with my family. I love my mom and my sisters and I've got almost thirteen years of living with them under my belt. It's the kind of place I can really call home. I don't want to go with Mr. Wittebane."

"You're sixteen, correct? When is your birthday?"

"February thirteenth. I'll be seventeen soon."

"Almost an adult. And very much able to choose the place where you want to live."

"Yes. And I want to stay with Mom. She's raised me, taken care of me, and she's the best mother I could ask for. Really."

"And Mr. Wittebane?"

"I want him to leave us alone. I don't want anything to do with him. At all."

Darius nodded and Hunter felt his stomach squirm as his birth father's best friend sat down and the tiny bitch known as his uncle's lawyer stood up. She approached him with a grin.

"Hunter. Does Mrs. Noceda ever hit you?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Nothing more than a swat when I'm being an idiot." He demonstrated by smacking his own shoulder. "It doesn't hurt."

"Then is she ever violent with your sisters?"

"No. Not at all." He shook his head.

"Then can you tell me why your youngest sister has a bruise on her wrist? Like someone violently grabbed her?"

Hunter grit his teeth. He still had to smack Boscha for that. Nobody touched his sisters and got away with it.

"Because someone did. At school. My mother didn't do that."

"Really? Did you see this happen?"

"I heard from Vee and two of our friends that one of the school bullies grabbed her. They broke it up and it left a mark on her because said bully plays rugby."

"It's quite a nasty bruise."

"It is. And we're treating it as best we can."

Kikimora seemed at a loss for words. Hunter hid his smug grin.

"N-no further questions, then…"


Luz had cheered when the judgement was handed down in her mother's favor.

Everyone on their side had left the courthouse in high spirits, a party being held at the Noceda house in celebration of their victory. Luz had passed out that night and the next morning—a Sunday—she was awoken by her mother saying they were going somewhere.

It had been a short car ride to a cemetery, a place that Luz had passed regularly but never visited. Darius was leading the way, Hunter right behind him in the early-morning chill. They both apparently knew where they were going, despite Luz having no clue until they came to two graves side by side. One said "Caleb Jasper Wittebane" and the other said "Emily Ruth Wittebane". She inhaled sharply as Hunter knelt in front of the graves, just like he did with Dad's back in Gravesfield.

"Hey. We won," he stated. "Philip had a fit."

"He did?" Vee questioned, sitting beside her brother.

"Oh yes," chuckled Darius, smiling. "He blamed Emily for his scar."

Luz remembered the screaming.

"That whore! She's taken every part of Caleb from me! She even did this to my face!"

"It reopened the investigation into your deaths," Hunter stated. "They're looking at Philip a lot more closely now."

"He won't be bothering us for a while," Camila added. "It's nice to finally visit you both, by the way. Thank you for giving us Hunter."

"Yeah," Luz agreed quietly. "Thanks. And thanks for fucking up his face, Em."

"Luz!"

"What? She did and she's a badass!"

"She'd be glad to hear it," Darius agreed, nodding.

It was over. It was really and truly over. For now, at least…


I swear to fucking god, I will start updating this more regularly again. Thankfully, this is the last 'issue' chapter I should have and from here it's going to be a lot of cuteness and fluff with only the kind of angst that comes from teenagers dating and having the big questions of their relationship.

I apologize for how dry the court sections were, my brain did not want to cooperate to make them interesting. At least it's over with now. God I wish it was more dramatic… but short of screaming and violent fights, there's not much I can do.

This should be the last chapter published in my childhood home, btw, I have moved as of July 22, 2022!

So long and thanks for all the fish!