This chapter is written by Hopelessromanticgurl. Thank you so much for the excellent job! It's perfect.
Chapter 14Things went by pretty quickly after that. Dani became less scared of going to school and even got to know Dave and Paul. They turned out to be really nice. They never laughed or made of her. They didn't mind Santana speak for her or that she always clung to Santana.
Sooner than Dani would have liked the trial came and it was time for her testify against Dave. They had met with a lawyer who helped to get her as prepared as possible. Everyone's biggest concern was that Dani still didn't speak a word. They didn't know how she could asked to testify even if she didn't speak, but she was and now they had to deal with it…but how?
~D&S~
The trial was actually not that bad. Dani brought her music and was able to listen to that the entire time while she waited for her turn. Santana was allowed to sit with Dani and her mother to help give comfort. Santana made sure to keep Dani's eyes on her and other things that kept her calm, and not on the man across from them glaring at them,
But then it all went downhill with they called Dani up to the stand. She could barely walk because her entire body was just trembling with fear.
She sat down on the chair and looked down to her feet. Anything was better than looking up at all the people, anything was better than looking at him.
She put her shaking hand on the bible as they swore her in. Luckily they were happy with a nod to confirm her promise to tell the truth.
But then she didn't respond to anyone or anything. She completely shut herself down and didn't move or speak.
Everyone, including the Judge was getting annoyed with her silence.
Santana and Sue tried to comfort her and encourage her to speak, but it didn't help.
Suddenly, Santana had an idea. She spoke up "Your Honor, I think I have an idea to help Dan…uh…Ms. Sylvester to speak. But I will need a few minutes alone with her." She wanted to sound as professional as possible so he would accept her offer.
"Fine." The Judge spoke angrily. "I'm calling a five minutes recess, but then Ms. Sylvester better speak."
Dani gulped.
Santana growled to herself. "Not helping." She muttered.
The Judge dismissed everyone but Dani didn't move. Santana went over to her. She knelt down in front of her, taking her hand. "Babe, come with me. It's ok. You're safe."
Dani kept her head down but stood and followed Santana out of the court room and out of the court house.
They walked a bit and sat down on the bench. Santana reached into her pocket and pulled out her own music player. She scrolled through a few songs until she found the right one. She put her head phones over Dani's ears.
She whimpered softly.
"Shh, trust me, Babe." Santana said. She hit play and adjusted the sound.
Dani heard the music on the other end and tears started to fall from her eyes.
Skies are crying, I am watching, catching tear drops in my hand
Do you have to, make me feel like, there's nothing left of me?
The music continued to play and Dani could feel all her walls crashing down around her, but in a good way. She started to cry harder as the words of the song spoke to her in way she never expected.
You can take everything I am
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down I will be rising from the ground
Like a Skyscraper.
Dani looked up at Santana and smiled softly. For the first time in a long time it was a real one. As the music ended Dani went to remove her the headphones but Santana stopped her. "One more, ok?"
Dani nodded.
Santana played the next song and again Dani could feel the music hitting her heart.
This is a story I've never told
I've got to get this off my chest and let it go
Take back the light inside you stole
You're a criminal and steal like you're a pro
All the pain and truth I wear like battle wound
So ashamed so confused I was broken and bruised.
But now I'm a Warrior,
Now I've got thicker skin
I'm a Warrior
You can never hurt me again
As the song continued Dani felt power and strength rising up inside her. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time. She welcomed it with a smile. When the song ended she removed the headphones and looked to Santana.
"I don't know if that helped you any but…" Santana started but was cut off.
"I love you, Santana." Dani spoke.
Tears filled Santana's eyes as the sound of her girlfriend's voice. "I love you too." They shared a tight hug.
"Thank you, Santana. That helped more than I could ever express."
"Anything for you, Babe."
"Santana, how is she?" A voice said.
They both looked up to see Sue walking over to them.
Santana looked to Dani who was smirking. She knew what Dani was planning. Santana shrugged. "She's ok."
Dani went over to her mom and hugged her as tight as she possibly she could.
"I know you're scared. But I promise it will be ok." Sue said.
"I love you, Mom." Dani spoke.
Sue looked to her daughter in shock, but then tears filled her own eyes. "I love you too, Baby."
Sue hugged her daughter just as tightly. "Santana what did you do?"
Santana smiled. "My secret."
"Mom, can't breathe." Dani said.
Sue chuckled and let her daughter go.
"Are you ready to go back inside?"
"Yeah. Let's do this." Dani smirked.
She went back inside with her head held high, confidence and strength shining through brighter than ever.
Sue and Santana followed behind her.
"Dave's about to get his butt kicked, isn't he?" Santana asked.
"Oh yeah." Sue laughed.
Dani went right up to the stand and sat down. She looked right at Dave and smirked at him.
He glared as hard as she could but she didn't flinch.
She looked over to the Lawyer. "I'm ready." She said. "But don't bother with the questions. That man over there, Dave, he kidnapped me, tortured me, beat me, raped me, made me watch as he killed Paul and made me watch as he beat and raped other woman and young girls. He is disgusting and he deserves to rot in jail for the rest of his life!"
"Are you scared of him?" Her lawyer asked.
"Yes, deathly. But I'm no longer going to let it control my life. He no longer has any control over me."
"What would you do if he got off free?"
"Um…" Dani turned white and she felt her breathing pick up. She was trying not to think about it. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. "I'm a Warrior." She whispered. She opened her eyes and her breathing returned to normal as well as the color in her face. "If he gets off the free it means the Judge and Jury are idiots and should be put in jail themselves. If he gets off free I'll be scared, but I won't live my life any differently."
"No further questions."
Dave's Lawyer stood up and walked over.
Dani smirked. "Why don't I just save you the trouble and say, no I didn't want anything he did to me. I begged him to stop multiple times. He just laughed. I did not want him to beat me up, I didn't want him touch me or kiss me in anyway. He's a disgusting man who deserves to rot in jail."
"Uh…." Dave's lawyer was shocked. "N-No further questions."
Santana giggled knowing he was scared of Dani.
"You may step down now, Ms. Sylvester."
Dani let out a deep breath and smiled as she got off the stand and went back to her seat in between her mom and Santana.
After a few more witnesses and cops it was time for a recess while the jury made up their mind.
"Dani I am so proud of you. That was so amazing." Sue smiled hugging her daughter tightly. "And you're speaking again. I missed the sound of your voice so much."
"Me too!" Santana said hugging her just as tight. "I'm so proud of you and so happy you're speaking again. I love you so much!"
"I love you both too. But…I can't breathe." She giggled.
They both pulled away and laughed with her.
"There is one more thing I have to take care of. Will you wait here for me?"
They both nodded and watched as Dani went over to Dave.
"What do you want, Brat?"
Dani just glared. "I just wanted you to know that I'm done. I'm done being scared of you; I'm done being silent about you and what you did to me. I'm done letting you control my dreams and my life. I'm done! You are no longer able to hurt me again because I'm a Warrior now and I will always be growing and rising like a Skyscraper when you try and tear me done."
With that she walked away leaving the two men stunned.
As she reached her mom and Santana, Santana lifted her up and spun her around. She squealed and giggled.
Santana sat her down and smiled. "Dani that was so amazing. You are so strong and brave! I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you." Dani said. They shared a hug and kiss.
A few more minutes later the Judge came back with the jury. They found Dave guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Everyone cheered. Dani hugged her family tightly knowing that no matter what happen in the future she would always have the love and support from her friends and family and she would now and forever be a Warrior, rising like a Skyscraper.