{Ashley's POV}
I don't think I'd been this happy since before my father died in 2011. Back then, my life was perfect. Friends, school, family, job; yeah, it was the best. Now, though, I had my friends, and a job. Also, my best friend doubled as my roommate, boss, and boyfriend. Everything was great, and I was back to work finally; three to four days a week. Hayden's birthday was in two weeks, and I wanted to do something special for him, but had no idea what I could do. Hayden had done so much for me; things I could never repay him for. I guess I had some more time to figure it out. Currently; it's 6:20 pm as Hayden and I just arrived at 5:45 pm home from work. It had been a long, busy shift, and I offered to stay later to help him out. I knew Hayden was stressed with losing me, and someone else at 2:30 pm, but then no one else came in until 5 pm. Of course, then we hit a dinner rush. Hayden and I left when he was sure the next manager could handle things. I was exhausted, and possibly getting sick because I had zero appetite for when Hayden asked what we should do for dinner. At this point, we'd been together almost three months on February 24th, and we loved being boyfriend and girlfriend.
"We're both too tired to make something, babe. Why don't we order out tonight?" I suggested to him.
"Yeah, sounds easier. What would you like? Pizza? Chinese?" Hayden asked.
"I guess pizza sounds okay," I told him with a yawn. "I'm gonna use the bathroom, and grab a quick shower, if that's alright?"
"Go ahead. I'll order, and then take one after you," Hayden smiled. I nodded and moved to the bathroom.
(Fifteen Minutes Later)
I walked out with the towel around me, then to my room to get dressed in something comfortable. I heard Hayden come up the stairs. "Babe? I left the money for the pizza on the counter for if the pizza delivery gets here before I get out," Hayden called.
"Okay, baby!" I replied while pulling on my fleece pajama shirt. A moment later, I heard the bathroom door close, and the shower turn back on. I slipped on my socks, then left my room while brushing out my hair. Once it was free of knots and tangles, I braided it, then moved it to hang over my left shoulder. I sat back on the couch with my eyes closed. Yeah, I really wasn't feeling well. Ten minutes passed as there was a knock on the door; I got up and checked the peek-hole first to make sure it was the pizza guy. I opened the door after getting the money for the meal, then I noticed that Hayden only put out for the pizza itself, so I threw in a ten for the tip.
"Have a great night," the man said while walking away with a wave.
"Thank you! Stay warm!" I called as I closed the door, then set the pizzas in the kitchen with two paper plates, and two cups for drinks. Suddenly, there was another knock, and I looked back to the door before walking over to it. I checked once more to see a man with light brown hair and chocolate brown eyes in an officer uniform there. I relaxed a little and opened the door. "Can I help you?"
"I hope so. May I come in?" the man asked. I opened the door more and stepped aside to allow him inside. I closed the door since the heat was on, then faced him. "I don't believe we've met yet, but I am Harry Andersen, Chief of Police. You must be Hayden's girlfriend, Ashley Hofferson, yes?"
"Yes, that's me. What can I help you with?" I replied.
"It seems we've hit a problem in the case against Virgil Grimborn, and his employees of the business, Fantasies," Harry informed as I got a bit nervous.
"What kind of a problem, Harry?" came Hayden's voice. I looked to see that he had come downstairs, dressed entirely now.
"Ah, was hoping you'd be here to discuss this as well. Well, the problem is this; we've been monitoring this place for a while and finally sent a few of the guys in undercover to get proof of Fantasies. We raided, arrested the employees, and saved any of the locked up girls or boys there," Harry began.
"That's great," I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Unfortunately, it's not, Miss. Hofferson. The males and female refuse to talk, or they are so drugged up right now that they don't know anything more than servicing or punishment," Harry stated.
"I know the feeling," I remarked.
"The situation is that because they refuse to consent to rape-kits, and apparently can't talk; we can't build an air-tight case on slavery, forced drug use, the punishments, kidnapping, and all of that. We can only nail them with charges on the business being off the books, and that's not a steep sentence. The judge may just make them pay a fine, then release them. You, Ashley, are the only one who has the information we need to build a case, and then if necessary, testify against them," Harry responded. I froze a bit, and Hayden knew because I felt his hand on mine.
"What you're saying is that you are asking if Ashley will press charges about being abused, starved, kidnapped, and raped?" Hayden asked.
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"Do I have to do anything besides tell you what I went through?" Ashley inquired.
"Well, if they plead guilty, no; they'll be sentenced right away. However, if they plead not guilty…" Harry trailed off.
"Ashley will have to testify in court against them," Hayden sighed. I didn't want to face them! I-I couldn't do that! I began to breathe faster.
"I-I can't. Hayden, I can't face them," I whimpered a bit.
"I-I know it's asking a lot, Ashley, but if you don't speak up; then they go free," Harry tried.
"Let me talk to her, Harry. I'll let you know in a few days," Hayden said. Harry nodded as he tipped his hat, then left. "Ashley, look at me. I know being in the same room as them scares you, and you don't want to tell all those unfamiliar people what you went through. Unfortunately, like Harry said, if you don't do this, then those bastards go free, and you know that they'll just start going after other males and females again; hurting them the same way they hurt you. You're all the police have to put these people away, and keep others from having to endure what you did,"
"I-I know that, Hayden, but…I'm still…afraid of them," I cried a bit as Hayden wiped her eyes and smiled some.
"You won't be with me there, and our friends too. Remember, you hesitated and disobeyed Virgil when I was in the same room as you because you remembered that sense of safety with Hiccup. I'm your Hiccup, Asty, and I won't let them hurt you again. I promise; there will be guards, with guns, plenty of witnesses, and me with you. I swear on my life that you do not have to face this alone, and we'll get through it just as we have everything else," Hayden assured.
I looked down nervously, then felt Hayden's hand on mine before I glanced at him once more. Hayden was right; I could do this because I had my friends, and him with me. "Okay," I nodded to him as he smiled softly. "I'll make the report, and testify if things go to trial," I added. Hayden held me close, then kissed me.
"That's my Ashley. Come on, let's go eat, and tomorrow we can contact Chief Andersen," Hayden suggested. I nodded to him, then we moved to the kitchen to enjoy the pizza before it got cold.
(April 2017)
Well, here we were two months later. Hayden's birthday passed, and mine was in two weeks; I'd be twenty-two. The next day after Harry had come by to ask me that favor; Hayden and I went down to the station for me to do a report about what I went through since being taken by Virgil under the impression it was Child Protective Services taking me away from my mother's neglectful behavior. Of course, when asked if I'd be pressing charges on her; I decided against it. I don't know why I defended her actions; I said she just didn't handle things well after my father died. Regardless, I was giving her the benefit of the doubt, but it didn't mean I was forgiving her just yet because I was undecided if I could, and with all this going on right now; it wasn't my top priority. Three weeks after the report happened, we got news that the hearing for Virgil, Ricky, Johnathon, and Kyle was going to be held, and that of course, ended in knowing we were going to trial. It seemed that there was a part of the hearing once a week, going over different pieces of the collected evidence from the police only about what they found in the raid.
Now, we are in April. Hayden and I have been together for almost five months, and still going strong. However this court stuff was taking it's toll on me to have to watch. I'd sit in the back with my friends around me so Virgil and the others wouldn't notice me right away. I couldn't take them looking at me, but it seemed luck wasn't on my side last week. It took two days out of the week to do; I had to sit at the stand, and tell my story of what I endured from the day I was taken by Virgil and Ricky under the pretenses of it being a removal from my home because of my mother's lazy ways. I tried to keep her out of it as much as I could, but some things, I had to bring up because I was under oath; I wanted these people to suffer a good long while for what they did to me, and anyone else. I was asked by the judge how I was set free, and I was proud to tell her Hayden selflessly paid Virgil the same amount he paid my mom to get me out of Fantasies, and then Hayden and my friends helped me recover from everything. After that, the judge said we were going to take a break, then the jury would make a verdict. That is where we were now, waiting out the time for a decision to be made.
All my friends had come out for this, even Gabriel, my mom, and Craig; trying to show their support. My mother had a silent break down during the explanations of what I went through. I couldn't give exact dates, but I was able to go through how they broke me, some of the punishments after all that, and then the night Hayden saved me. The judge asked how I was able to disobey orders when Hayden came into play as opposed to other customers, and I told her that he mentioned the name Hiccup, and I informed her why that name was significant to me. At the moment, we were all waiting outside the courtroom, and I was nervous if all I told them would be enough to convict.
"Everything is going to be fine, Ashley," Harper rubbed my shoulder. Did I mention that Hailey and Ford are still looking for a home, and expecting a baby eight months? Yep. Hailey found out she was pregnant at the start of April; five weeks in, but she's seven now. Travis and Alicia are still preparing for their arrival in July. Eli and Roxy are planning their wedding for next April, as well Devon and Skye for June 2018. Seth and Caitlyn are doing well too. Yes, all of my friends are happy in their lives; even me regardless of all this crap going on.
"There is no way they'll find those guys innocent after what you said," Seth mentioned.
"I've seen people get out of steeper charges," Travis mumbled as Seth smacked his arm when I frowned and looked down.
"Don't listen to them, babe. All four of those idiots will get put away, and everyone can move on with their lives," Hayden assured gently.
"Gods, I hope so," I sighed.
"Hold faith, lass," Gabriel offered, and I nodded to him. The lawyer came out now, and looked at us.
"They've made their choice," he announced. I took a deep breath and walked in with Hayden beside me, then our friends behind us. We took our seats, and tried to relax. The court began once more as the judge motioned for the jury to make their way inside and sit down.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge inquired softly.
"We have, Your Honor," said the one on the end as I held my breath in fear. The judge motioned for the female to continue. "We find Virgil Grimborn, Ricky Grimborn, Kyle Hunters, and Johnathon Traytor guilty on all charges," I instantly felt the tears slipping down my cheeks at the news. Hayden kissed my forehead and held me close. I couldn't believe it; all of them were guilty!
"I sentence twenty-five years in maximum security prison for the affirmed charges," the gavel hit its pad and I hugged Hayden tightly; letting the tears fall freely now. It was finally over! All of them were going away for a while, and I could finally relax a little, and get on with my life. Everything was alright again.
