The streets of Colorado Springs were busy that particular morning. People were passing by, some of them going for a stroll, others picking up something at Mr. Bray's store or going to the Gold Nugget for a drink. Kids played close to the Gazette, and at Grace's was the usual commotion as it was time for breakfast. Sounds of hammering could be heard from the livery mixing with people's talk and children's giggles from the street. It looked like it was just another ordinary day in Colorado Springs.
Taking all this in as she walked toward the school house, Atlantis slowly went across the bridge, looking down at the water that ran under it. This wasn't an ordinary day - not for her.
Today, the trial was starting. A trial that would change her life forever. A trial that would reveal secrets of the past, maybe even bring her back to her real parents, maybe even siblings if she had any. A trial that would take her on a road she didn't know where it was leading.
But she wasn't afraid. Not anymore. The simple hold of Matthew's palm in her hand and the calmness that her vision quest had brought to her made her strong enough to go up the few steps and open school door. She was ready to face her enemies.
The school house was already filled with some people as she and Matthew stepped inside, his hand never leaving hers silently letting her know that he was there beside her during all this. She looked at him and he softly smiled to encourage her as they sat down. She managed to smile back.
In that moment, the door opened and Hank showed up, leading Heart and Paul, both in handcuffs, in giving the young man a push. "Move, I ain't got the whole day," murmured Hank, smirking.
Atlantis looked up, her fingers instinctively tightening their hold onto Matthew's hand and he gave it a soft squeeze to calm her nerves. She received a look of pure accusation from Heart and hatred from Paul. She didn't even blink. Her heart was peaceful; she only wanted to get over with this.
"All rise for the presiding honorable judge James Harrisson," the bailiff shouted.
"Please, be seated." Looking down at the papers, judge Harrisson said, "In the case the people against Paul Johnson and Heart Phillips filed under the case file number 1514 by the Statute of Law in the criminal cases the prosecutor Mr. Matthew Cooper will now state his case against the accused Paul Johnson and Heart Phillips."
Matthew got up from his chair and looked over at Heart and Paul. He could literally feel the poisoned arrows they sent at him, but he didn't even blink.
"Heart Phillips, you are accused of kidnapping a four-year-old child, using her to make money and later pay off a debt to Paul Johnson who worked with you by making her marrying him. Also, you were helping her husband Paul Johnson in keeping her and her child under poor living conditions where he physically abused them. Then you tried to jeopardize her life and the life of her son by let him know of their whereabouts that almost cost their lives."
This said Matthew glared at Paul. "Paul Johnson, you're accused of physically abusing your wife Atlantis and son Matthew, not only by beating them but you also attempted to murder your wife several times." Matthew glanced at the jury, then at the judge.
"May the accused ones arise," the judge's voice was heard.
As Heart, Paul and their lawyer stood up, the judge asked. "Do the accused ones understand the indictment?"
"The defendants understand the indictment and charges against them," said the lawyer.
"How do you plead?" asked judge Harisson, glaring at Paul and Heart.
"The defendants Heart Phillips and Paul Johnson plead not guilty, your Honour," replied lawyer.
The judge nodded, "Very well. Sit down."
Turning toward Matthew he said, "Mr. Cooper, you may start."
"Thank you, your Honour," Matthew responded, getting up.
Atlantis' was being transferred into eyes as she focused on Matthew while he walked toward the jury.
"Good morning, ladies and gentleman," Matthew greeted them, looking up at the faces of the people in front of him. "I'll get right to the point of this case," he promised as he unfolded a paper in his hand and showed it to the jury. "This is the first evidence that I will bring to this court about this case. It's an article the biological parents of my client published years ago when their child was kidnapped. It says 'A four-year-old girl named Atlantis Williams has gone missing. She was last seen in San Francisco. She wore a brown skirt and a green jacket. Her hair is brown and she has white gloves on her hands. Please, if you have any information, contact the local police station or the press who would reach her parents."
Matthew walked towrad the judge and placed the article on his table, „Proof number one, your Honour. This article was published two days after Atlantis Williams was gone and…»
Suddenly, Heart's voice chimed in, „She ain't no Williams! She's a Phillips, my daughter!»
Ignoring the judge's warning, Heart jumped up from the chair and tried to rush toward Atlantis, but Hank stepped in her way and held her tightly. Still, Heart continued to yell, «How can you lie so horribly, Atlantis? I gave you everything…»
«ORDER!», Judge Harrison banged his gavel.
Colleen panicked, she thought that her friend wuld break down. But what she saw surprised her.
Atlantis peacefully looked up at the furious Heart and icily replied, «You gave me nothing.»
Heart's eyes nearly popped out from her head and she started to yell, but the judge's voice was louder now. He turned toward her lawyer, «Mr. Stevenson, calm your client down!»
While the lawyer tried to talk some sense into Heart, the judge looked at Matthew and nodded at him, «Mr. Cooper, continue.»
«Thank you, your Honour», said Matthew and turned back toward the jury. As silence fell over the crowd in the school house, Matthew glanced at Atlantis and started to talk.
«Atlantis Willaims was just a child when she was taken away from her family. She found out the truth only a few days ago. All these years, her family was probably trying to find her, but without success. Heart Phillps saw an opportunity to earn some money on a child's behalf.»
Matthew placed few papers on the judge's desk saying, «These are medical documents by Dr. Michaela Quinn who did a surgery on Miss Williams' hands. She had webbed fingers and that made her an opportunity for Mrs. Phillips to show her to the world in a circus and earn money on behalf of her deformity. Dr. Quinn, however, managed to fix Miss Williams' hands a few years ago.»
Turning back towrad the judge, Matthew continued, «When Miss Williams grew up, Mrs. Phillips forced her into marrying Mr. Johnson and did nothing when he endangered her life several times and nearly killed her and their child.»
Matthew's forehed wrinkled and he looked at the jury. «Ladies and gentlemen, memebers of the jury. Atlantis Williams went through hell during her pregnancy. Her husband beat her brutally and the baby survived only by a miracle. Later on, Miss Williams got gravely sick with pneumonia and nearly died of it. All that time, Mrs. Phillips was making her believe that she would help her to run away from her abusive husband, but every time when they would settle down in some place, she would send a telegraph to Mr. Johnson about there whereabouts, enabling him to find them over and over again so he could continue hurting his wife and son. Here is a proof for that.» He placed another paper on the judge's desk, explaining, «This is a telegraph that Mr. Horace Bing sent on behalf of Mrs. Phillips' request to Mr. Johnson relieving that they are in Colorado Springs.»
Matthew looked at the jury. For a moment, he allowed the silence to linger and then he continued, «Atlantis' son is four years old now. At that age, she was kidnapped from her family, from parents who loved her dearly. Her childhood was over when she was four years old. I am asking you today, please, don't let another childhood end too early. Let that little boy grow up happily, surrounded by the people who love him. Let him and his mother fully recover from the hell they went through in their abusive family. Give them a chance to have a normal life.»
With one last look at the jury, Matthew said, «Thank you.»
He walked back to his chair and the moment he sat down, Atlantis' fingers covered his hand. He looked up at her and she whispered, «Thank you.»
Her eyes glistened with tears of gratefulness and Matthew gently caressed her palm with his thumb. Not another word was spoken, but the bond of unconditional love that was connecting them was growing even stronger now.