Lincoln was straightening his orange-colored tie in front of the bathroom mirror, wearing his light blue suit. He had spent the night at Lyra's house in her guest bedroom, as Lyra felt that they should be under the same roof together with what the young boy was about to endure.
"Are you almost ready?" Lyra walked into the doorway. She was dressed in black, a jacket over an undershirt, slim pants, and high heels. Lincoln turned to look at her and then looked back at the mirror and sighed. Since he woke up, he felt like he was mentally drained to the point of being out of words. Anxiety had taken over, but he wasn't panic-stricken or hyperventilating. Somehow it was showing on his outside as being more listless and depressed. Lyra knew it too. The poor boy was overwhelmed from everything that transpired, everything that he felt happened so suddenly. Staring almost blankly into the mirror, his mouth opened slightly and closed a few times over.
"..." But no words came out, only a few muttering sounds.
"Lincoln..." Lyra and Lincoln had developed a special bond in the time they met and got to know each other. It was hard to say if Lincoln had such a connection with anyone before, but at the very least, it was a connection he had not felt in the days when neglect and abuse had been inflicted on him. Lyra walked up to Lincoln and rubbed his back up and down. "It's okay," she whispered to him softly. Lincoln wished it was. He felt like crying, but yesterday seemed to be his last day for letting out tears and he just felt like an empty shell of himself today, as if his clinical depression had returned in full swing. "It's gonna be fine, Lincoln," said Lyra in a motherly voice. While riding in Lyra's vehicle, Lincoln tried to relax in the front seat.
"Lyra," he finally spoke.
"What's wrong, Lincoln?" Lyra asked.
"I... I know my family wanted me to be strong... and I promised... but..." He sniffled. "I don't think I can..." His voice hitched.
"You are strong, Lincoln," said Lyra, placing one hand on the boy's lap. "You've always been strong."
"But I'm scared."
"You're still brave."
"I am?"
"Yes," said Lyra. "Being scared and being brave are two different things. Being brave means doing what you have to do, regardless of how you're feeling. And right now, it's about you facing your family, telling the truth, and seeing things through until the end."
"...I don't want to lose my family," Lincoln croaked.
"I know you don't," Lyra replied. "But... it's as your mom said. This just might be how things are."
"Promise me," Rita continued. "If you are to testify against us... do it. Be honest and truthful."
"Mom..."
"If the court and state law want us, then it's just how things are... and we can't fight it."
"Mom..." murmured Lincoln, feeling his eyes beginning to water. They soon arrived at the courthouse and before going in, Lincoln spotted his family with police escort, including... his dad! Knowing that he was desperate to see him based on that phone call, Lincoln quickly got out of Lyra's vehicle.
"Dad!" he called.
"LINCOLN!" cried Lynn Sr. "Son!"
"Dad!" Lincoln didn't hesitate or even think twice. He just rushed into his father's arms and the two embraced, Lynn Sr. even lifting his well-dressed son off the ground.
"Thank God..." muttered Lynn Sr., coming to tears. "Son... I-I screwed up big time... I'm so sorry..." Of course, Lincoln's father wasn't the only old man Lincoln got to reunite with.
"Heyyyy, Lincoln!" It was Albert, Lincoln's grandfather on his mother's side. "How're you doing, buddy?"
"Pop-Pop!" The two hugged each other.
"You're looking good," said Albert, holding his grandson's shoulders. "I would have come to the hospital, but when I first heard what happened, I just... collapsed. I could barely move. And after that time we spent together, I thought I'd still be more fit for my age than that." Lincoln obviously felt a little guilty.
"Did you... say anything to my family?" he asked.
"Not really, no," Albert answered. "I was just so disappointed that I could only just... give them a sideways glance. And I shook my head. I think they might have found that worse than if I was to yell at them or something. I just... had no words... I'm so sorry for what happened to you, kiddo." They hugged again and Lincoln sniffled.
Inside the courtroom, a small audience gathered and took their seats. Among them included Officer Schoffner and the parents of Girl Jordan, one of Lincoln's classmates from school. Girl Jordan was usually addressed as such to avoid confusion between her and a boy student who shared the same first name. Her attire consisted of a skirt down to her knees that matched the color of a long-sleeved jacket she wore over a white undershirt. Lincoln and Girl Jordan briefly got to talk just outside the courtroom before going in.
"I heard everything," said Jordan in disbelief. "I can't believe it."
"I know," murmured Lincoln.
"Lincoln, I'm so sorry. I know there was that one time... I-I said you'd be an outcast for not going green... I just didn't know how large your family was. I was so young. A-and now things have come to this." Lincoln placed his hand on his hand, as if to stifle a headache.
"Don't worry about it..." he said. "I'll be okay."
"But you don't look so good," said a worried Jordan. "Can you ever forgive me?" Lincoln just nodded, his hand still rubbing his forehead. "I told my parents..." Jordan continued. "They called on a couple of allies to help."
"Lincoln, it's just about time," said Lyra.
"Okay," said Lincoln. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"Good luck, Lincoln," said Girl Jordan. It was then time for the more important people to enter the courtroom.
"Rita Loud and Lynn Loud Sr., come forward" said the bailiff, making a gesture for the defendants to do so. Lincoln's parents went in and took their seats, Officer Gavelyn standing by as the acting prosecutor. Lincoln himself then came in alongside Lyra and Jordan and they took their seats - Jordan with her parents and Lincoln with Lyra. Lincoln then spotted the rest of his family sitting behind his parents, including his sisters, Albert, his girlfriend Myrtle, and even Leonard, Lynn Sr.'s father that he and his sisters called 'Gramps'. For a few of his sisters, it did feel a little awkward having to be dressed up and well suited to appear before a professional court judge, namely Lynn Jr., Lana, and even Lola. But for Lola, it was simply because she could not wear her usual princess getup. She had to wear the closest thing to a tux. Leni couldn't help but give a little kindly wave to Lincoln, making him crack a small smile, which he needed to put on badly. He was here to testify and he had to be strong for his family regardless of whether he was with them or against them.
"Court is now in session!" the bailiff announced. "Please rise... for the Honorable Judge Rex Wonklin!" Everyone in the room stood up as the bailiff faced a door that opened to reveal the court's judge entering the room to take his seat at the front. He had long, surprisingly smooth white hair tied into a ponytail down to where his neck met the top of his back and of course wore a traditional judge's robe. After seating himself, he pounded his gavel on the table's sound block.
"Be seated," he declared. He looked over to Gavelyn who tipped his police hat to him, so he nodded in response. The time had come. "Let us begin with the opening statements. Our prosecutor, Samson Gavelyn, will now read the charges." The bailiff handed a few documents over to Officer Gavelyn, who proceeded to read the important parts that were written.
"We're dealing with a case that has moved up from what is classified in accordance to the Michigan state law as fourth-degree child abuse to second-degree child abuse."
"Objection!" the Loud family's lawyer suddenly shouted.
"Overruled," said Judge Wonklin instantly. "Mr. Gavelyn, please continue."
"Thank you," said the gruff officer. "It all began over a matter of young Lincoln Loud accused of being bad luck, which rose to levels of paranoia amongst his family. This included social distancing, as in not coming near him, boarding up his room, selling all of his possessions, including school supplies, and locking him out of the house in the dead of night. For two nights straight, the boy was without a roof over his head. That is, a proper roof over his head. And no shelter. On the second night, a wild raccoon had come into contact with him. And then there was being forced to wear some mascot costume from Royal Woods Middle School, which is now considered stolen property as reports from faculty have indicated." Lincoln shuddered in Lyra's arms, having to relive these particularly painful memories that made him sick. "Long story short, young Mr. Loud had been sick for ten days straight before finally being admitted to the local hospital, where the cause of his sickness was revealed - skin rashes leading to open infections, sleeping out in the cold, and a wild raccoon that slept on his head. The boy had a mild to moderate case of pneumonia, which was fortunately treated in just a few days." Gavelyn then pulled out a thumb drive. "Your Honor, with your permission, we will listen to a recording of the emergency call that was put out, the one that got Lincoln out of his abusive situation at home... swiftly."
"Granted," said Wonklin without missing a beat. So Gavelyn plugged the thumb drive into a computer, copied the file onto its main drive, and played it for the courtroom to hear.
"Hold on to your butts," he said.
"9-1-1 emergency, who's calling?"
"Leni L. Loud!"
"...Leni?"
"Yes, I called the police last night..."
"Alright, what's your emergency?"
"Please help! My little brother is sick! His skin's all splotchy, his face his pale, he's having trouble breathing..."
"Got it, what's your address?"
"1216 Franklin Avenue!"
"Okay. Stay calm, Leni. We're sending an ambulance."
"Please hurry! I don't wanna lose him! I'm scared..."
Leni shed tears where she was sitting, remembering the horrors of the event as well as what could have happened if her parents decided to keep playing along with the bad luck charade any longer. Another week and Lincoln might have been done for! This was also the first time the other members of the Loud family heard the call and needless to say, they were horrified and wracked with guilt, especially Lynn Jr., who was tempted to go over to Lincoln and cling to him for dear life. Girl Jordan had let out a small yelp, covering her mouth with her hands. Lyra had one hand covering her mouth and felt her heart racing. Gavelyn then looked to the Loud parents.
"So... do you have anything to say?" he said solemnly. The parents were of course silent as the grave, possibly too shaken up to even utter anything. "That's what I thought," said Gavelyn. "Let's continue. In addition, it appears that the case has opened the floodgates, as the phrase goes, thus we received numerous incidents ranging from simple misdemeanors to more serious offenses, each one concerning several members of the Loud family. It may be baffling as to how and why these reports were never filed sooner given the apparent magnitude of damage some of the incidents have caused. Also in addition, we've had to add a few unprecedented charges, namely towards the family father, Lynn Loud Sr." The man in question gulped and began to sweat, knowing that he royally screwed up in an attempt to 'rescue' Lincoln. "These include threatening a child care center, breaking his house arrest issued by the local police, and resisting law enforcement. Therefore..."
"I said objection!" screeched the lawyer. Wonklin gave an exasperated sigh and decided to let the lawyer have the floor.
"What?!" he begrudgingly asked him.
"This trial is outrageous!" the lawyer insisted.
"This is just sad," muttered Gavelyn, rubbing his temples singlehandedly. "I could use a quarter pounder with cheese right about now."
"Dare I ask how you come to such a conclusion?" asked Wonklin.
"Each degree of child abuse under the Michigan Penal Code is treated as intentional abuse, whereas my clients, unaware of the damage they caused, have done no such thing!" declared the lawyer with a rather sharp tone.
"Wrong, sir!" the judge barked. "Wrong! Under Section 750.136b of the Michigan Legislature of state law, it states quite clearly the definitions of child abuse, the degrees, penalties, exceptions, and affirmative defense. And you can read it for yourself in this provided copy, which the bailiff will hand to you for your own convenience." The bailiff went over to the lawyer to actually hand him an aforementioned copy on a sheet of paper, as a now angry Wonklin read his own, adjusting his reading glasses. "In the state of Michigan of the United States of America, child abuse is considered either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity. Any individual, be it a parent, teacher, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child less than the age of 18, including health and welfare, may be found guilty when a child is physically or mentally harmed in a non-accidental manner according to state law!"
"Exactly!" the lawyer insisted. "Non-accidental! My clients have been devoid of that and the damage inflicted was an accident!"
"The definitions that I just went over are all there, black and white, clear as crystal!" Wonklin insisted.
"Treating this as intentional just because it happened for days on end without anyone taking notice does not justify!" the lawyer argued. "This case is bullying my clients!" Wonklin banged his gavel on the sound block again in response, but said nothing. A few seconds of silence emerged and despite Wonklin having a bout of anger, he suddenly smirked.
"We'll see about that," he sneered and then looked over at Gavelyn. Between them, they decided to advance the case to the next step.
"This next document comes from the local Child Protective Services," said Gavelyn, handing it to the bailiff who then handed it to Wonklin. He looked it over, eyed the family sitting before them once, and then proceeded to read.
"We have as follows," said the judge. "Science equipment in the exact same room as a baby crib, a coffin, and a few outdoor animals, including a...rattlesnake?!" Lana gulped, but maybe fearing the safety of her beloved El Diablo. "A rattlesnake?! Really?!" Murmurs began to stir among the courtroom audience. "I don't think this even deserves an explanation," sighed Wonklin. "Moving on."
"We will now proceed to bring in our witnesses," declared Gavelyn. "It should be noted that their statements are in regards to these other misdemeanors and offenses that were brought up as a result of our actual case. They will be necessary in pointing out any eccentricities of the Loud family... and perhaps shed some light on whether or not their actions towards young Lincoln Loud... were truly intentional. Our first witness works in public pool management and maintenance here in Royal Woods - manager Mr. Schwimmer." A man in a very important-looking suit with neatly-combed hair stepped forward to have the floor.
"Good day," he began. "We're looking at a family that seems to be considered too large and too unstable to be in any public pool settings. We've received numerous reports, and not just in Royal Woods." He handed a document over to the bailiff, who in turn gave it to the judge to read. "Quite a few towns had to permanently ban the Loud family from all their public pools for misbehaviors and misdemeanors, including chicken fights during senior swim, throwing vegetables in the water, and of course dealing with a baby who apparently hasn't been potty-trained."
"Say that again," snarled Rita.
"You best hold your tongue, Mrs. Loud," suggested Gavelyn rather firmly.
"You can't let him talk that way about my baby!"
"There were witnesses, I'm afraid," said Mr. Schwimmer calmly. "You can't argue with what has been seen."
"How I would argue," retorted Rita. Judge Wonklin only slammed the sound block again with his gavel.
"I think not," he said. "Carry on, Mr. Schwimmer."
"So in conclusion, it's obvious that there's a serious lack of parental discipline and guidance. It's like for whatever reason, the parents have decided to let these kids raise themselves. That can't be good." Gavelyn nodded in response to Mr. Schwimmer being done.
"No further questions, Mr. Schwimmer," he said. "Thank you for your time. Our next witness is-"
"It's about time, you idiots!" boomed an angry man, barging into the courtroom. Lincoln's face went as white as his hair with horror and the other Loud children looked just as terrified as the man cracked his knuckles. It was the aggressive manager of the local Super Mart.