Danny stood up quickly, hurrying for Lindsay, but she ran past him and out into the crowded hall. Danny followed quickly behind her. "Lindsay!"
But Lindsay didn't stop. She weaved her way through the halls toward the restrooms. The restrooms her empty except for herself. Lindsay ran to the closest stall and dropped to her knees. Her stomach lurched as she blanched painfully. Lindsay coughed as the acid burned her throat. She spat into the toilet and pressed the handle. Lindsay rose on her shaking legs and walked to the sink. He wiped her lips and rinsed out her mouth.
Lindsay lifted her head and looked at herself in the mirror. Six months ago, Lindsay would never have looked this way. She would stand tall, showing her authority. She wouldn't take crap from anyone who gave it to her. Now she stood hunched over the counter, face an unhealthy pale with tear stained cheeks. She was a mere shell of what she had been, before Pratt had taken everything from her. Lindsay sank to her knees on the marble floor and cried. Her arms wrapped around her body, tightly as she shook with tears. She couldn't go back in there. She couldn't face him again. She'd be living that night over and over again in her mind against her will, she couldn't do it again if she was asked. She couldn't do it.
Lindsay grabbed the counter and pulled herself up to her feet. She wiped her eyes with her hands and ran out the door. Danny was waiting outside the door for her. Mac, Stella, Flack, and Hawkes were standing with him. Everyone was staring off in another direction, except Danny. He was staring right at her when she exited the restrooms. Lindsay wasted no time heading for the closest exit. Danny followed right behind her.
"Lindsay wait for a sec." Danny called.
"I'm not going back in there Danny! I can't do it." Lindsay replied. She weaved her way through waiting people.
"Yes you can, Linds. You can't walk out in the middle of this trial." Danny said.
"Watch me!" Lindsay snapped.
Danny reached out and grabbed Lindsay's arm. Lindsay turned and twisted her arm in Danny's grip. "Lindsay, listen…listen to me." Lindsay stopped fighting for a moment and looked up. "You can't let Pratt win. If you walk out now, the defense attorney will use it against you."
"The forensic evidence if enough to convict him. I'm not needed!" Lindsay replied. She tried to pulled her arm from Danny's grip, but he held tight enough to keep her.
Danny grabbed Lindsay's other arm. "This isn't for the prosecutor Lindsay! Or the jury or the judge! This is for you! You need to do this for yourself, alright. If you walk on this here…right now…you're going to regret it for the rest of your life."
Lindsay shook her head and starred at the ground. Tears fell from her eyes. "I can't do it, Danny! I can't go back in there!"
"Yes you can, Lindsay."
"No! I've been reliving that night over and over again every time I have to talk with the psychiatrist. I relive that night in my dreams! I can't relive it again, Danny! I can't face him again. I can't!" Lindsay sobbed.
Danny pulled Lindsay to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her back and stroked her head. "I know this is hard for you, Lindsay. But you gotta do this. You're life ain't gonna have peace until you do it."
Lindsay sobbed harder against Danny's chest.
Danny rubbed her back. He grabbed her arms and pushed her to face him, "Listen to me, Lindsay. No matter what goes on in that courtroom, no matter what the defense attorney or prosecutor says, Pratt has to pay for what he did…and you're the only one who can make that happen.
"Now me and the others, we'll be right there with you. You need help, just look at us, alright? Don't look at the prosecutor, don't look to Pratt, look at us." Danny said.
Lindsay nodded.
"You can do this Linds. I know it." Danny said. He pulled her into his chest and hugged her tightly.
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ok, short, but i couldn't have the first chapter as long as it would've been. it was long enough already.
