Hey guys! I'm sorry it's been so long since I have updated I've been so busy with school, work, family and friends. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review!
Frankie had not moved from her bed for a week. She did not speak, eat or hook herself up to the charger. Her mother would come in bringing her meals three times a day. Each time she would remove the untouched meal from hours before. She would sometimes talk to Frankie hoping her daughter would say something. All she got was silence. Her father came in every night to hook her up to her charger. He was so broken to see his baby so lifeless. Frankie wanted to be alone. She was so depressed and scared. Her friends would visit every day to bring her the school work she had for the day. It made them upset to see that the pile of school work had been untouched and was stacked high. They gave up trying to make her happy. Inviting her to the Maul, the club and to sleepovers didn't faze her.
Frankie didn't want to be this way. From what had happened she couldn't bring herself to move. The investigators on the case came a few time to talk to her but she still said nothing. Frankie didn't want to fall asleep because of the fear of replaying that dark day. Every night she would force herself to stay awake because of nightmares.
Today was different. Her alarm went off early in the morning. She reached over turning it off. She sat up slowly stiff form not moving. Look down she could still see bruises on her legs and arms. She slowly got up from the bed walking to the mirror. She stared at the strange girl in it. Her hair was flat, eyes blood shot with black puffy bags under them. She was very skinny almost like a skeleton. She let out a sigh walking to her closet. Opening the door she walked in pulling out a black long sleeve shirt, a black pencil skirt, and black flats. Frankie sighed laying them on her bed. Frankie jumped when she heard a knock on her door. Walking to the door she opened it to see her parent's surprised and relieved faces.
"Frankie you're up?!" Her mother cried hugging her daughter making Frankie flinch. Pulling always Frankie shook her head as her mother took a step back. "I'm sorry."
Frankenstein entered the room looking at his daughter. "Are you ready for the trial?"
She looked back at her bed then at her parents. Understanding what she meant they nodded exiting the room closing the door behind them. Frankie slowly got dressed thinking about what today was. 'Today is the trial. Today Manny is going to get what he deserves.'
After she was finished getting dressed she went down stairs and went to the kitchen to find her parents waiting patiently for her. Walking slowly to the table she didn't make eye contact with them, just stared at the floor with her arms crossed as if hugging herself. She sat in her usual spot as she played with her skirt.
"Would you like some breakfast sweet heart?" her mother asked pulling a plate out of the cabinet watching her daughter. Frankie shook her head not looking up. Her mother sighed and put the plate away.
Breakfast was silent. Frankie zoned out not noticing that it was seven thirty. Her mind was set on what was going to happen at the trial. The questions, how to acted on the stand, to be respectful of Manny and other around her, not to break down on the stand. Her father placed a hand on her making her back away with a scared look on her face. He sighed and frowned with a face of disappointment.
"It's time to go Princess." Is all he said motioning her to the front door. She got up and walked out followed by her dad. She looked up to see the family car. A large black van that had been customized for her father's height. He opened the back door for her as she slid in. buckling her seat belt as he climbed in starting the van. Looking back in the rear view mirror he asked her. "You Ready?" she said nothing just nodded. Her parents looked at each other trading worried and concerned looks. Putting the car in to drive they rolled down the long hill to the road as it started to rain.
The drive to New Salem Court House was about an hour drive. Frankie stared out the window. She was forcing herself to stay wake. She found herself slowly nodding in and out of sleep. Finally giving in she drifted to sleep. Frankie's fear was realized when she started replaying the dark day in her sleep. The pain her caused at the time seemed to burn under her skin. The outer body experience of the dream made her hyperventilate. Watching it play over and over made the depression deepen.
Her father stopped the van outside the large white court house which had many giant windows and flags hanging on it, looking back in the mirror he seen Frankie asleep in the back sweating and thrashing her head back and forth. Jumping out into the rain he swung open the back driver side door. Jumping in the back shaking Frankie waking her up. Frankie screamed opening her eyes realizing what had happened. She lunged at her father wrapping her arms around him baring her head into his chest. Her father felt a warmth grow inside of him he had not felt in a week.
After she had calmed down she turned to see her door open and her mother standing outside with an umbrella noticing tears in her eyes. Frankie stepped out of the car as did her father. Her mother took a step back giving Frankie room. To her surprise Frankie closed the gap between them giving her mother a hug. Pulling away she saw tears running down her mother's face hitting her bolts sparking. Frankie gave her a small smile. Looking at her father with the same smile. 'I know I have been lifeless the past week but thanks to mom and dad I have stayed alive.' Frankie turned to face the court house looking up she started to feel angry because the series of events has lead her here, sad cause of why she was here, confident that she could do this without breaking and nervous because she didn't know what would happen.
"You ready Frankie?" her father said standing beside her hold the umbrella. Once again Frankie nodded and started for the door.
Once inside Frankie looked at the lager open room made of dark marble and wood. There were many doors and book shelves. There were people in suits and dressed nice talking on phones, reading papers and talking, Monsters and Normies. As Frankie started to take a step forward a monster dressed in a black suit with a blue tie and glasses stopped her. His light blue skin slightly shined in the light, his gills were visible just above his collar. Pushing his glasses up on his face with his webbed hand he spoke in a rather bored tone "Frankie Stein?" Frankie nodded. He nodded back and looked and her parents. "Are you the parents?"
"Yes we are. We are her for the trail for Manny Tore. Our daughter is the victim." Frankenstein said matching his tone. The monster nodded "Follow me." He turned leading them to a set of wooden double doors.
"Now Miss. Stein you will go to the front of the room through the gates and take a seat at the table on the right with your lawyer. You will stand when the judge comes in and when you are called to the stand you will be sworn in. Do you understand?" Frankie nodded as he pulled the doors open to reveal the court room. Inside there were a tree rows of pews on either side of the isle. It was silent except a few whispers.
Taking a deep breathe she walked in doing what she was told to do. She shook hands with her lawyer Mr. Flitzburg, he was a fire elemental and Frankie could tell. He's pale yellow skin stood out from that navy blue suit he wore. His fire red hair was slicked back into a pony tail. Frankie sat down making sure she sat up straight. She crossed her legs at the ankles and placed her hands on her lap.
A few minutes had passed when the Bailiff spoke "Being in the accused!" he was a muscular normie. He wore a police shirt and black pants. A door opened on the left side of the room. Frankie looked at the door as her heart dropped. Manny walked through the door cuffed at the hands and feet. He looked down at his hands. 'Does he even know I'm here?' Two muscular guards walked behind him with tazers. Frankie noticed that she didn't have his nose ring in, the bright orange jumpsuit hung on him, his hair was a mess and he had black circles under his eyes. The longer she looked at him the more she felt the anger swell inside her. She wanted to scream at him. 'WHY! WHY DID YOU DO THIS?! THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT!' She tensed holding her breathe.
Her parents sat behind her seeing her tense up. Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. Frankie relax as she turned around looking up at her mother. Her mother gave her a calm smile and spoke in a very calm motherly tone. "You're Okay Frankie. He can't get you." Frankie let out her breath and nodded. Looking past her mother she could see Manny's parents walking in to take their seats. They looked sad and angry His mother looked over at her making a B line for Frankie. Frankie stood up as his mother embraced her in a tight hug. Shocked by how his mother was acting she hugged her back.
"Frankie we are so sorry this happened. Please don't blame yourself for this. This was his fault and we do not stand behind him. We are on your side." Mrs. Tore said as she held Frankie. Pulling her away she kissed her on the forehead. Frankie felt like a little weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. 'I can't believe that his parents are on my side.' Frankie sat back down as his mother went to her seat. Watching her walk over and sat down without even looking or speaking to her son made Frankie get chills. 'They are really on my side.'
The bailiff walked to the front of the room. He stood with his arms crossed as he spoke loudly making the whispers stop.
"ALL RISE FOR THE HONORABLE JUDGE MICHAELS!"
Everyone in the court room stood up as the Judge Michaels entered the room. Frankie watched the Normie judge closely as he took his seat. He looked strong and confident, his black robe hung over a white dress shirt and red tie. His short black hair had streaks of grey. His face looked wise with his black rim glasses. He looked to be in his early fifty with signs of wrinkles on his forehead and cheeks.
"You may be seated. This court is now in session in the case of Frankie Stein vs. Manny Tore. Defense you may call your first witness." The judge said starting motioning to Manny's lawyer as he stood. His lawyer was a larger yeti. His black suit was slightly tight on him because of the white fur he had.
"Your honor we call Miss. Frankie Stein to the stand." The yeti said
Frankie took a deep breath as she stood up and walked to the stand beside the judge. She could feel Manny's eyes on her. 'Now he noticed I was here.' Frankie stepped on the stand turning around with a poker face not letting him see how she felt. The bailiff stood in front of her hold out a bible.
"Please place your right hand on the bible." Frankie did as she was told. "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"
"I do" Frankie answered
"You may be seated."
"Thank you"
Frankie glanced at Manny. He stared at her in horror. 'This ends now Manny I will make sure this will not happen to anyone else.' She looked back at his lawyer who approached her.
"Hello Frankie, can you start by telling us how long you have known Mr. Tore here, and how you met." He asked placing a hand on the stand railing in front of her. Frankie thought for a second before answering.
"Well I have known Manny since my second day at Monster High about two or three months ago. We met when I was on my way to class when he stopped me because I was a new kid."
"I see and then what happened?"
"He told me he didn't like new kids backing me into a locker. I told him I didn't want any trouble and shocked him on accident."
"You shocked Manny?"
"Yes, I didn't even know I could shock people at the time. We both got detention and after that we became really close."
"I see and when did you start dating?"
Frankie thought for a second "I think a month ago."
"Okay and how was the relationship? Did he hurt you?" the lawyer asked starting to pace back and forth.
"No, at the time he was a complete gentlemen." Frankie answered shifting in her seat she knew what he was going to ask next.
"What changed?"
"I felt like he was hiding something from me. When confronted he gave me a necklace to show how much he loved me."
"Okay and then?" Frankie didn't want to answer. She looked down at her hands.
"We went to a party…"
"What happened at this party? Were there drugs?" he stopped pacing to look at her.
"Yes…"
"Did you participate in these drugs?"
"NO!" Frankie was getting aggravated at this point.
"I'm sorry to upset you. What happened at this party?" He asked starting to pace again.
"Manny left and went with his friends leaving me with mine for about an hour. When I finally found him again he was behind the D.J. booth with his friends smoking weed."
"How do you know he was smoking and he wasn't just standing there?"
"Because he took a hit when I confronted him."
"Hmm… Okay. So what happened next?"
"We went our separate ways again till I found him cheating on me with another girl." Frankie felt the tears in her eyes as she held them back and a lumped formed in her throat.
"What so you mean by cheating?"
Frankie couldn't believe she had to spell it out for him. "HE WAS HAVING SEX WITH ANOTHER GIRL! THAT'S WHAT I MEAN." Frankie screamed slamming her hands on the rail as tears started to flow. "I LOVED HIM AND HE LIED TO ME ABOUT HER AND IN THE END IT WAS TRUE THEN WHAT HAPPENS!? HE COMES TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE AND TRIES TO RAPE ME. SAYING `THAT SHE GIVES HIM THINGS I WOULD NEVER GIVE HIM! LEAVING ME IN A MENTAL STATE THAT I NEVER WANTED TO BE IN! TO THE POINT THAT I DON'T EVEN WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE! IF IT WASN'T FOR LOSING MY HAND AND KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND MY FRIENDS STOPPING HIM IT WOULD'VE ENDED WORSE THAN IT ALREADY HAS!" Frankie screamed as sparks started to fly from her bolts as the tears hit them. Frankie was so angry an electric shock wave shot from her body throughout the court room. From the power and anger flowing her, her hair stood up on end.
The lawyer stopped and looked at Manny. Manny's face was complete terror as he stared at Frankie. His lawyer was shocked as he realized the case was lost. The yeti rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"No further questions your honor." He spoke as he returned to his seat. He sat beside and whispered to Manny. He looked upset with him. Manny put his head down. Everyone in the court room started to talk loudly as a few guards ran over to restrain Frankie but the judge stood holding up his hand.
"Do not touch her. Let her get the anger out then we will deal with her. Right now I'm ordering a ten minute recess. There will be no further questioning for Miss. Stein due to her mental state." Judge Michael's slammed his gavel.
Frankie sat back down feeling light headed and more weight gone off of her shoulders. She had so much anger built up from the past week. Finally getting some of it out of her system made her feel better.
Frankenstein and his bride rushed to their daughter grabbing her arms taking the extra energy. Frankie didn't move as the energy left her and went into her parents.
After recess…
Frankie was so tired after she got off the stand. She slouched in her seat with her head down. She didn't pay very much attention till the judge spoke.
"Mr. Flitzburg you my call the next witness."
Flitzburg stood up buttoning his suit jacket and then smoothed his fiery hair. He spoke in a fairly deep voice with a small smirk. "Your honor I call Ms. Cleo De Neil to the stand." Frankie's eyes shot up in disbelief. 'CLEO!? WHY IS HE CALLING CLEO?!' Frankie spun around to see her friend Cleo stand up and glade to the front of the room in her normal "all eyes on me like they should be." walk. She caught her sneer at Manny. Walking to the stand she spun around flashing her flawless smile. The bailiff swore her in and she took her seat. Cleo looked at Frankie with complete confidence. Mr. Flitzburg took a few steps forward looking at Cleo with a sweet smile.
"Miss. De Nile could you clarify for the court your relationship to the defendant."
Cleo sat up straighter and looked right at Manny with mixed emotions, "Manny and I are old friends. We've known each other since grade school."
"I see and Miss. Stein?"
"Well I've known Frankie since her first day at Monster High. We didn't get along at first but we've became really close friends."
"And was it your party that all this started?"
"Yes"
"Did you know there would or was drugs at said party?"
"Figured there would be but I would never participate in them."
"Okay and when did this party conclude?"
"When Frankie ran into my room crying because of what Manny did with Iris and I wanted to focus on Frankie she's more important than any party."
"I see and what happened the day of the assault?"
"Well we all got up. Frankie was still tore up from the night before. And that's when my Boyfriend Deuce and Manny showed up." Cloe shifted in her seat like it was an uncomfortable subject. "A friend and I got between them, Frankie and Manny that is. To keep them apart, but Frankie said it was okay." Cleo's voice became less confident.
"After that?"
"Well we left the room. I didn't want to but Deuce said they needed some privacy. So we stood outside my door till we heard a faint knock on the door from the inside." Cleo's eye's started to tear up and her voice shook. "And that's when we came in to see Manny on top of Frankie… getting ready to… to…" The tears began to flow down her face as she held herself. Mr. Flitzburg handed her a tissue. Looking up she smiled accepting it.
"Go on Cleo."
Cleo glanced up at Frankie as if asking permission to continue. Frankie was crying again but gave Cleo a little nod.
"Well Deuce tackled Manny to the floor where they wrestled around for a while. I had left the room to get the first aid kit and two of my servants for help. When I got back Manny had been stoned by Deuce because he's a Gorgon. I tended to Frankie."
"What condition was Frankie in?"
"She was cold. Barely breathing. I was so scared and didn't know what to do all my friends were crying. She as so drained of power that if it wasn't for a portable charger she always carried… she would've been…." Cleo trailed off looking at Frankie who had a stone clod stare. Emotionless not one felling in her eyes. Cleo took a deep breath as Mr. Flitzburg thanked her and let her step down. Standing as she stepped down running to Frankie hugging her tightly.
"Thank you." Frankie whispered in a flat tone. Cleo pulled her away giving a apologetic smile then turned to go to her seat.
"No further witnesses your honor." Mr. Flitzburg said walking back over to the table where Frankie sat.
"Okay the jury will now decide the verdict." Judge Michael said
"We have reached a verdict your honor." Said a pink Pixie looking monster as she stood up.
"ALL RISE!" the bailiff shouted. All stood at the command
"Please state the verdict." Frankie held her breath. She could fell a heavy weight on her shoulders push down on her. It felt like time had slowed down.
"In the case of Frankie Stein VS Manny Tore. We hereby find the defendant GUILTY on the charges of Aggravated Sexually Assault."
Frankie let out her breath as the weight had instantly lifted off of her shoulders. 'Thank you. Now this will never happen again.' Frankie felt lighted headed and free. She felt her parent's arms around her. It felt good to feel again. She heard Cheers and clasps throughout the court room.
"ORDER! OOOOOOOORRRRRRRDDER!" Judge Michael yelled trying to regain the court room. Finally after it had quieted down the Judge continued. "I sentence Manny Tore to two years in jail. This courted is now adjourned." He smacked his gavel as the curt began to cheer and clap again. Frankie was in a daze. 'It's over' Frankie smiled a true smile for the first time in a week. She didn't even notice her parents and Manny's parents where around her. She snapped out of the daze when Cleo ran through the gate tackling Frankie with a hug. She hugged back feeling Cleo smile into her shoulder. She felt another set of arms around her. These were bigger and muscular. Looking to her left she saw Deuce. She removed and arm from Cleo and out in around Deuce pulling him into their hug. Finally Cleo spoke.
"Thank Ra that this in over." Frankie chuckled the first laugh in so long. Frankie looked at Manny's mom and dad. She opened her arms inviting them in. they hugged her.
"We have to say goodbye to Manny." His mother said kissing Frankie on the forehead.
"Can I say goodbye first?" Everyone was shocked by what she said.
"Frankie we don't…" Cleo started to say when Frankie raised her had silencing her.
"I'm Okay I want to." Frankie said give everyone a smile.
Taking a deep breath she walked over to the guards around Manny. She cleared her throat getting their attention. She stood a good five feet away as one looked over at her.
"Is it okay if I she a few things to Manny?" she spoke in her most confident voice as they exchanged looks. Finally they agreed stepping aside to reveal a tried looking Manny. He's head lifted slowly as she stepped closer. His eyes started to get tears in them when he saw her. He looked down at her in sadness. He opened his mouth to say something but she raised a hand again silencing him.
"Manny I know this is not how you wanted things to happen. Believe me I didn't either but things happen for a reason, but this is how it has to be. Thank you for being my friend. I'm sorry this had to happen." Frankie spoke with so much power in her voice. "Is alright if I give you a hug?" That was Manny's breaking point he broke down in tears dropping his head. Frankie took a few steps forward warping her arms around him. She whispered to him in a calm voice. "Goodbye Manny." She released her hug turning around heading back to her parents and friends who had moved to the door that lead to the lobby of the court house. All looked at her in confusion as she walked talk and brave. She smiled at them. Opening the door she walked out. 'Now I can live. Now I can be who I am. Now I can be FREE.'