Author's Note: Hey guys! I want to thank all 53 of my amazing followers and the many more how have shown continual support towards this story! Writing this has been really hard because its such a gruesome topic, and because I feel like writing it should put a few thoughts in your heads. Again, thank you so much!
Also, I wanted to point out that in the chapters 'Every Ounce of Pain' and 'You Killed Me First' The prosectution attorney shows up as 'Caine' and then he suddenly turns into 'Carne'. His correct name is Carne, My mistake guys! My computer was auto correcting his name and I didn't notice! So sorry for any confusion that caused.
ALSO! I'm writing another story Drowned I hope a few of you will check that out!
Love you all :) and Thanks again! Sorry for the long chapter... hope I'm not boring all of you to death.
She did not dare look behind her this time, she could see the evil clear as day. He was handcuffed to the desk, and at his ankles- an orange jumpsuit ringing out his cruelty in the bolded lettering 'RED REED COUNTY PRISON'. Elsa stared, his hair was cut short, shorter then it had ever been and this time instead of walking into the courtroom smiling this time he had the sorry-ist look on his face. He looked afraid.
Elsa barely stopped herself from grinning at the thought. Welcome to my world, Hans. The gravel hitting it's coaster snapped Elsa clean out of her state of mind.
"All rise."
When Elsa stood her knees suddenly locked and recoiled, she almost fell flat on her face, Jack's arms pulling her back up. She looked to make sure the jury had not seen, she didn't need to look insane at a trial were she would be accused of lying.
Schizophrenics were amazingly good liars.
After the judge called for the case to begin, the defense attorney rose, cleared her throat and Elsa anticipated a gruesome opening statement. She looked down at Jack's hand and squeezed, stress clouding her head with the worst of all outcomes.
"Every one of you in the jury today, thank you for coming, and I'm sure you all have an understanding of why we are here today... Insanity, its a strong word to throw around a courtroom." Elsa did not like this woman at all, she had huge brown eyes and long black hair, the kind of girl whose smirk could send children screaming for their parents. Her face had something not human pasted behind it.
"Who is that?" Elsa whispered to Jack upon the attorney's pause.
"Jeniez Goodwell."
"However, the sorry truth is, that the victim in this case," Jeniez's voice was so smooth, it send goosebumps up Elsa's back. She gritted her teeth as the sinister woman looked her right in the eyes. "Is not a victim at all. Traumatized from a shooting of her own creation? Yes. But a victim of rape? No..."
Elsa held back an agonizing breath the the girl's words, the impact of them hitting her straightforward. She glanced at the jury. Juror 7, a tiny woman with pretty features was staring at the attorney with intense hatred, a good sign for Carne. Juror 11 was staring at Jeniez with intense focus, what was he thinking? Did he think Elsa was a liar?
"The victims of the Fallen High School shootings, died for a lie. A silly, teenage lie. Here is how things really worked out for Hans Issac Valencia. Hans comes out for a year from his hometown in Norway, after leaving for a year and returning for his junior year, he finds that this once cheerleading, happy, bright Elsa has now turning into an emancipated, gothic, depressed teen. And then weeks later, he decides to reach out to her, She brings up the topic of sex, drags Hans into the girls locker room and seduces him."
Elsa's knuckles whitened on the seat of the pew. She could feel the tear of rage hot on her eyelids. How dare her.
"Staff and students hear the commotion, they rush to the bathroom, for fear that someone is hurt, and once they find Elsa and Hans red handed... Elsa raises the accusation 'He raped me.' " Jeniez paused and tapped her fingers on the jury pew, directly in front of Juror 2, who was staring at Jeniez- and did not believe a single word coming out of her mouth. "Now try to put yourself in Han's shoes. being accused of rape." She whistled, "That's a pretty intense charge, especially for a 17 year old boy. He;s facing prison time for 8 years. That's forever. So on the morning of the Fallen High shootings, he snaps. Blacks out, and wakes up to find himself in the county jail facing murder charges." Jeniez backed away from the stunned looking juror, she walked towards her seat, "You decide, if you were 17 again and the same happened to you... what would you do? Cry? Scream? Go Insane?" She pulled out her chair and sat, her opening statement finished.
Carne looked back at Elsa, throwing an 'I'm sorry' look at her.
"Now, what my fellow Counselor here has in mind is... very creative. A girl lying about her rape, although if you look at evidence tape 2, you'll see Elsa passed her lie detector test." Elsa did, she remembered that stupid contraption that only confirmed her every horror. "Right after being taken from Fallen High School the day of her documented rape, Elsa came to the office with extensive amounts of trauma, the head police psychiatrist diagnosed Elsa with Post Traumatic Stress disorder, Clinical Depression and another extreme Anxiety disorder. Now I already know what the defense attorney would say to that, don't mental disorders and lying go hand in hand? Well, Hans was also interviewed by that same psychiatrist who not only claimed Elsa was telling the truth, but also stated that Hans was not insane, under any influence of drugs, and was a compulsive liar." Carne scanned the jury again this time, every one of them was on the edge of their chair, fully intent on Carne's opening statement. "You'll hear from that psychiatrist today, as well as a witness to the stairwell incident, suggesting beyond a reasonable doubt that Hans was completely aware of his actions and their consequences at the time. You'll even hear from Elsa, a teenage girl who has already experienced things... which most will never experience in an entire lifetime. Maybe two." Carne walked across the courtroom, leaning against the prosecution table. "And there is no reasonable doubt, to the fact that this girl, has been forced to grow up much quicker then we ever did. At 17 I was out drinking, having parties, complaining about finals. I'm sure many of you here today were doing the same thing." Elsa watched through teary eyes a few of the jury members throw her a glance, a few were nodding their heads. "Elsa, is 17 and is raising one of the victims of Fallen High School's siblings. She is dealing with the death of her best friend, the threatened death of her sister and numerous Anxiety sources. No, there is no reasonable doubt." Carne looked at the jury one last time, threw a glance at Jeniez Goodwell and sat back down in his chair.
"Prosecution calls to witness Colletta Tylers." Elsa recognized the girl from the police station walk up to the stand.
Elsa held her breath until her lungd burned, she stared at the 12 faceless people in the juror's box, praying they knew the right answer.
.:*:.
After Colletta stated her credentials, which were more then impressive, Carne began to approach her with numerous questions.
"Dr. Tylers, When the victim came into the police office after being picked up from the school, what was the first thing she did?"
"She asked for a pair of pants." It was visible that Carne almost facepalmed with frusteration.
"Okay, and after that?"
"Well she asked if her sister could go with her."
"Into the interrogation room?"
"Yes."
"And what was her reasoning?"
"Well, Elsa admitted that Hans had threatened to kill her family if she ever told anybody, she said she didn't want to leave Anna alone."
"What types of questions did you ask Elsa?"
"The usual, when did it happen, how did it happen, were did it happen."
" And what was Elsa's response?"
"To which of the questions?"
"Lets start with where."
"Elsa explained that it had happened for the first time in the downstairs girl's bathroom by the English hall. The recent, as of the day she was brought in, was committed in the bathroom stall of the girl's gym locker rooms. There are other instances of abuse happening behind the bleachers by the football field, in an alleyway of a close shopping center, once in the hallway and once ore in her vehicle."
"For the first time? Explain to me, how many times did Elsa tell you this happened?"
"Elsa didn't know the numbers, She explained to me that this would happen once or twice a week, consecutively about once every three days. She had been raped the first time in November and this continued until May... We came up with the number of about 42 times."
"42 times?" Carne stopped with a dumbfounded look on his face. Juror 7 covered her mouth and stared with bugs eyes. Juror 9 gritted his teeth.
"Yes, roughly, it could have been anywhere between 28 and 56 times."
"And was Elsa taking a lie detector test during this time?"
"Yes she was."
"Can you explain to the jury Elsa's results?"
Colletta turned to the jury. "As I've sad before I have witnessed many accounts of rape victims, during the time they explain their experience the needle says straight if they tell the truth, if they are lying -which has happened before- the needle does swirls or zig-zags on the paper. When Elsa was taking the lie detector test the needle never once left the line even a fraction. "
"Is that rare in your field Dr. Tylers?"
Colletta nodded. "When a rape victim is not under alot of stress, meaning they came in a day or two after the rape, they've had time to get over the stress and even then they mess up small details that send the detector off the grind an inch of so. Girls like Elsa who come in are most often the ones to stay on the line. Being raped so many times s defiantly rare, Elsa was so full of details she couldn't miss any of them. It is, without a doubt, not possible for Elsa to have been lying."
At that point Elsa's hand were shaking, her breath was faltering, her ribs begged for air. Elsa couldn't look Colletta in the eye, she could not look up from her porcelain shaking hands. Tears rolled off her face, she could feel the eyes of the jury on her as she held a hand over her mouth as to keep from screaming.
Hush little baby don't say a word.
"Dr. Tylers, you also had a session with Hans, what did he say to you during this session?"
"He said he did not do it."
"Were those his exact words?"
"Not exactly, I asked him 'Hans did you rape Elsa Aren?' he looked me in the eyes and said 'I would never'"
"Now jurors, tape 3 in your evidence is the tape recorder and lie detector tests for Hans right after Elsa's alleged rape. Dr, can you explain to me what happens at three minutes and 14 seconds up until four minutes and 56 seconds during this tape?"
"At which question?"
"When you asked Hans if he threatened Elsa's family?"
"Hans went silent, and while he was silent the needle stayed on the grid, similar to Elsa's, showing he was deeply in thought and disturbed by his memories. Then at four minutes he says 'I had to keep her quiet'. That is the only point on the tape were his needle stays on the line, afterwards I ask 'What did you say to her Hans?' and he just says 'I didn't so anything, I never threatened her she's a liar." And the needle started going off the chart again."
"Nothing further." Carne turns away from Colletta who walks off the stand and throws one, disgusted look at Colletta, Hans looks up at her, and smirks.
.:*:.
Elsa stood up and left, she turned for the courthouse door and stormed away, Jack trailing after her. Tears stung her eyes and her throat, she gritted her teeth and run angry fingers through her hair. She crumbled to her knees on the courthouse as the truth settled on her shoulders.
I wish I was lying. Trust me Hans, I wish I was lying.
Elsa barely muffled a scream with her hand, she peered around, hoping no one would see her sudden burst of insanity.
"Elsa!" Jack was running up to her, picking her up off the ground like he always had. "Elsa-"
"Shh. Please don't speak." Elsa whimpered into his shirt. She suffocated her tears, refusing to watch anymore of the trial. "I'm not going back in there."
"You never had to."
"I hate him." Elsa gripped the cotton fabric, her face becoming swollen from the sadness. "I fucking hate him so bad."
"I do to, he's going to jail Elsa. He has to."
"What if he gets away with it? What then?"
Jack hesitated before he spoke. "I won't let him get you Elsa." Elsa shook her head on his chest.
"You're not safe here, with me. I'm just a stick of dynamite waiting to explode Jack... I can't hurt you." She began to let go when he snatched her hands.
"Don't you leave me Elsa. Don't you ever leave me and think that just because you explode at a distance makes it any less painful."
"At least it won't get you."
"It already has."
Elsa stopped her struggle against his hands and looked up.
"It got him Jack... It got Marco... It got Courtney... It got strangers, it hurt Anna. No Jack, not you." And that thought made Elsa wonder, what was a bigger sign of love, letting someone go despite your own happiness, or holding on tight enough to break a spine? Which one hurt less? Was being pushed away really less painfull the exploding? Or was that being selfish? Did pushing Jack away make it easier for her, or for him?
"Then let it get me too Elsa. Hit me with all you got." He let go of her hands and held the contact in her eyes for what felt like forever. Elsa was the one to break the war between their fighting blues. She turned away, let out her breath and hugged Jack intensely. "Is that all you got?" Elsa nodded and smiled at the suddenly cheeky tone in his voice- the sound drizzling out of his mouth like honey, sweet to the taste and healing her wounds. "I think I can handle that."
.:*:.
The prosecution had interview Colletta, , Blake Pitch and now it was Elsa's turn.
"Elsa Delaney Aren, how old are you?"
"I'm 17." Elsa's hands gripped the seat of the chair placed in the witness stand. Fear, it was a powerful thing. It was strong enough to make Elsa's eyes water while the simple question was brought up, and weak enough for her to stand still, look Carne in the eyes. Carne flashed her a smile and mouthed 'Relax'. Elsa tried to nod, she could feel the jurors eyes searing into her skin.
"What High School do you go to Ms. Aren?"
"Currently? I don't go to one."
"Why is that?" Elsa threw a glance at her sister, Anna was staring up at her with huge, glazed over eyes.
"I'm afraid, and I have a sister at home to take care of. I also am taking care of Miza De'James."
"Who is Miza De'James?"
Elsa went to open her mouth when Jeniez popped out of her chair. At this Elsa jumped so high her knees banged against the wooden frame of the box, loud enough for the jury to all star at her and to increase her breath visibly.
"Objection! What does Miza De'James have to do with this case?" Jeniez growled angrily
"Your Honor, Miza is a perfect example of how the victim has been affected by the crime."
"Sustained," The judge squeaked and threw a nasty glance at Jeniez.
"Again, Ms. Aren, who is Miza?"
"Marco's younger sister."
"For those in the jury who do not know who Marco De'James is could you explain?"
Elsa turned and met Juror 10's gaze, an old man with big, gentle eyes.
"Marco was my best friend through elementary and middle school, he was ki-" Elsa choked on the words and paused, trying to catch her breath. "We was killed in the Fallen High School shootings."
"Ms. Aren, I know this must be very hard for you but could you please explain your experience the day of the Fallen High School shootings?" Elsa took a very long, drawn out breath, as she was transported to the day of the shooting in her memory.
.:*:.
Elsa finished by describing Marco's death, her voice was shaky by that time, her eyes were sealed shut and her hands were gripping the edge of the witness box. Silence settled over the courtroom, she finally pried her eyes open to see Carne staring at her. The jury was all 'O' mouthed and speechless. Her eyes traveled to meet the gaze of her attacker's
"You bastard." She whispered. So quietly even in the silence no one could have heard, but Hans did. Hans looked at her and for a minute his eyes gleamed as if he was getting a kick out of her pain. Then, he tipped his head back- and laughed.
His laughter filed the courtroom with a booming, devilish snicker. Elsa felt her entire being start to fall apart again. Then the anger, Hans was trying to purposefully make himself look insane. Sure, he was a physcopath, but he was a smart one at that.
"Your witness," Carne hissed to Jeniez. Then, Jeniez looked up at Elsa, and for once there was a gleam of light in her brown eyes.
"The defense rests."
.:*:.
JURY BALLOT
STATE V. Hans Issac Valencia
() 1. We find the defendant GUILTY of murder in the first degree.
() 2. We find the defendant NOT GUILTY of murder in the first degree.
() 3. We find the defendant GUILTY of sexual assault.
() 4. We find the defendant NOT GUILTY of sexual assault.
() 5. If you answered NOT GUILTY of murder, did you find him NOT GUILTY by reason of insanity during
the time of the offense?
() 6. If you answered YES to No.5: Does this insanity continue?
.:*:.