Chapter One-Hundred and Eighty-Five

Clarissa smiled as John's eyes started focus on her, holding her hand out as he came out of the flashback. "You're okay baby."

John's eyes locked on the red splotch on her cheek, shame flooding his mind. "I hurt you!" He launched toward her, touching the red skin with gentle fingers. "Mom…" He met her gaze, fresh tears shining in his eyes. "I didn't mean it."

She shushed him, kissing his forehead as she tenderly held him to her. "I know, Pumpkin." She whispered, holding him close as the tears spilled over.

John froze as his own scream of pain reached his ears, the sound so familiar from that night that he could feel the pain. "Mom…"

Clarissa nodded, brushing his hair out of his eyes, only to see that the brown was shot through with yellow. "I know, Baby." She couldn't stand to see that yellow, no matter how faint it was, it always meant he was afraid.

"Prick Dick… he… he learned that stuff from Jacob."

Her brow furrowed, confused until she remembered that John had been forced to watch his mother be raped as a child. "You think?"

John nodded, remembering how his father had forced her to blow him. "Those were things he did to her."

The Judge stepped out of the private room, sorrow in her eyes. "I must say, I have seen a lot in my twenty years as a judge… but that may have scarred me for life." She looked down at John, giving a little smile to show that she was there for him. "I have found the Dead Cross Gang guilty of the charges. Including, rape, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, possession of illegal drugs, blackmailing, and statutory rape of a minor. Each of you will serve a total of ten years in prison."

Prick Dick's eyes widened as he looked of his shoulder at his pregnant fiancée. "Hailey?" He stood as the cops took his arms, letting them cuff him. "I'm sorry, Babe."

She nodded, standing to kiss his lips for the last time before he was taken from her. "We'll wait for you."

John shot to his feet, rushing toward the judges stand. "Make sure he's kept safe. That kid needs a dad." He remembered holding Johanna for the first time, knowing that he wouldn't be able to stand it if he was forced away from his own children for ten years. "Please."

She gave a small smile, resting her hand on John's knuckles. "I'll do my best."