Chapter 7

Kathryn's legs shook as she waited in the interview room with her father. "Dad, I didn't do anything."

Mr. Midas looked at her. "I know Cruella is your best friend, but you need to do the right thing and tell the truth."

Their lawyer cleared his throat. "Not until I make sure you won't get in trouble. You help them, they help you."

Graham came in and sat down. "Thank you for meeting with us today. This will be recorded. For the tape, the time is seventeen thirty-six, we have Kathryn Midas, George Midas her father, and Mr. Geffery Blank who is her lawyer. This is officer Graham and I'll be interviewing."

He looked at Kathryn. "We have video evidence of you and Cruella talking right before the attack on Emma. Please tell us the truth so we can make sure Emma gets the justice she deserves."

"She will help you if you make sure she has immunity."

"I figured you'd say that, so I have talked to all involved and our prosecutor has agreed to give full immunity."

Mr. Blank looked at Kathryn. "Tell them everything."

Kathryn cleared her throat. "How far back do I go? I mean, this all started years ago."

"Just tell me everything you can."

"Well, Regina, Cruella, and I always teased Emma, but Cruella and Regina took it to a higher level than I ever did. I'm not innocent, I could have stopped it, but I didn't. Then recently, Regina and Emma made up and now Regina won't even talk to us anymore. Cruella blamed Emma for that. Friday night, we were at Cruella's house, and she kept saying she was going to make sure Emma really did kill herself this time. I remember telling her to just drop it; just move on, but she said she couldn't. She said that the next time she saw Emma, she would make sure it was the last. Then on Saturday, when we saw Emma, Cruella brought out a blade and said it was time. I told her no. I said it was too far and we'd get into too much trouble, but she couldn't be stopped. I left and called Regina to warn her. I was too scared to call the cops, since Emma's dad is one. I was scared I'd be in trouble, but I didn't want Emma hurt." Kathryn said, her tears falling now. "I'm so sorry. I should be in trouble. I should be." She took a breath.

"Did Cruella call you later?" Thomas asked, not letting the tears dampen his anger, as he took notes.

"Yes. She said that if anyone asks, I wasn't there, and neither was she. I…I figured since Emma didn't die, maybe it would all go away."

Mr. Midas couldn't stop his eye roll. "You are in trouble, Kathryn. You're in big trouble. Maybe not with them, but you are with me."

Kathryn wiped her eyes and looked down. "I know. I deserve it."

"So, when this goes to court, we can count on your testimony?"

Katheryn's eyes widened and she looked at her lawyer. "Do I have to?"

"Yes. Morally and legally, yes you have to, or they can arrest you as an accomplice. You're lucky they're not already doing that."

She looked at Thomas. "Yes. I'll cooperate."

Cruella sat in the other interview room with her lawyer. "I didn't do it."

He tried his best not to roll his eyes. He was doing this for Grason, but part of him wished he was still on vacation. "They have evidence, Kathryn. You need a better defense. Has this Emma threatened you?"

"No. She's just annoying."

He rubbed his forehead. "What the hell were you thinking? You could go to prison for life, Kathryn and why? Because she annoyed you? There's no way you're getting off, so the best we can do is convince them this wasn't premeditated. That will at least take the sentence from possible life to a max of nine years. Unless we can also fight that you're tried as a juvenile and not an adult."

"I can't do nine years in prison! I'm only fifteen! I looked it up and in Maine, you're not tried as an adult until you're 18 and the maximum length I can get is until I'm 18."

"Well, did you also see that if the crime is murder, attempted murder, or rape, the prosecution can put an order to charge you as an adult and then it's up to the judge. Seeing you looked this up shows you planned this, and that's not good at all."

"You're not a very good lawyer you know. You should be getting me off."

"You're the worst kind of client! A guilty one!" He tried to compose himself. "Let me do the talking. For now, all you say is no comment."

She looked at her father. "Dad, isn't there someone else?"

"No Cruella. You really messed up this time. I told you I may not be able to get you out of this. You tried to kill her! What is wrong with you?"

Thomas then came in looking smug. He sat down and pressed the record button. "For the record, the time is eighteen fifty and we are with Cruella and Grason Duval and their lawyer Mr. Smith." He sat back. "We have video, and eyewitness evidence that you attacked Emma Swan unprovoked."

"She ruined my friendship! It wasn't unprov…"

"Shut up!" The lawyer said through his teeth.

"No comment."

The lawyer looked at Thomas. "What kind of deal are you willing to make? If we keep this in the juvenile court, and she pleads guilty for example."

Thomas smirked as the prosecutor came in and sat. "For the recording, Prosecutor Gold has entered the interview."

Mr. Gold folded his hands. "There is no deal to be made. We have all the evidence we need, and we have already put in an order that she be tried as an adult. However, if she will plead guilty, we can look at life with parole instead of life without it."

The lawyer swallowed. For the prosecution to not offer more than simple parole, they had evidence. He looked to Grason who gave a small shake of his head and then at Kathryn. "I need to talk to my client."

"The interview is paused at nineteen o five." Thomas said, stopping the recording as he and Gold left the room.

"I can't do much, Grason. They have proof. Honestly, it is my recommendation that you plead guilty, Cruella, so this doesn't get too far into the media, and you can quietly go and hopefully get parole at a later date."

"How long before parole?"

"For attempted murder? At least ten to fifteen years. But it's better than no chance at all."

It seemed the severity of what she'd done finally hit her as she realized her dad couldn't get her out of this. "Fine, but I'm not sorry."

Mr. Smith sighed but went to the door to let Thomas and the Gold back in. Thomas restarted the recording. "She pleads guilty."

By Monday, Emma was still in pain, but not as bad as before. She was still up early even if she wasn't going to school and sat in the kitchen sipping coffee. She could hear her dad's muffled voice but couldn't tell what he was saying or who he was talking to. She put more ointment on her wrists and then fresh bandages, smiling as he came in. "Morning dad."

David kissed her temple. "Morning Princess. I'm surprised you're up."

"They were itching." She stated, gesturing to her wrists. "You look happy. What's up?"

"You'll find out in just a bit." He said and the doorbell rang. "Come on out to the living room." David answered the door and shook Belle's hand. "Thanks for coming. Thomas can't tell me anything, so I appreciate you coming here." He led her in. "This is Emma. Emma, this is Ms. French, our lawyer."

"Please call me Belle." She smiled kindly as she came in and sat on the chair. "How are you doing, Emma? I'm so sorry for what you've been through."

Emma smiled softly as Mary came in and sat by her. "I'm okay. In a little pain, but much better than even yesterday."

"I'm glad to hear that." Belle said and smiled. "So, I've been on the phone with Mr. Gold, the prosecutor for your case. As it turns out, Cruella has decided to plead guilty."

Emma was shocked when she heard this, and honestly, a bit disappointed. "So, she won't go to court?"

"She will still stand before a judge to first see if they will charge her as an adult or a child, and then for her sentencing. Emma, if you want, you still get to tell your story. Mr. Gold is wondering if you'd do a victim's statement at her first court date so the judge will hopefully charge her as an adult."

Emma chewed her lips. "I want to tell my story, but I'm scared. If she's tried as a minor, she'll get what, 3 years? Then I have to worry about her coming back after me."

"I won't lie, that is a possibility, but honestly with the severity of what she did, I don't know how judge Milian would agree to that. She's very good at reading people and cases. The date is set for Thursday at ten am."

Emma nodded. "I'll be there. If…will the judge be upset if I cry?"

Belle carefully took one of Emma's hands. "No. Cry, Emma. If you need to cry, you cry. If you need to yell, you yell. You do what you need to get your side out there." She patted her hand. "I also should tell you that Kathryn has admitted to everything and agreed to testify if it came to it. I'm not at all telling you what to do, but I think you may feel better knowing you don't have to worry about her."

"I do. I really do. I can't talk to her or forgive her just yet, but I do feel better." She looked at her. "Can I write down what I want to say?"

"I highly suggest you do. Sometimes the judge likes to have the statement as something to help them decide the punishment. Almost like evidence. And if you go off track from what you've written, that's okay too. Judge Milian doesn't have a time limit like others do."

That afternoon, Regina and Emma were in Emma's room and the blonde was telling her and Ruby - who was on the phone - what Belle had said. "I'm kind of nervous. I don't know if I should go all the way back, or just what happened that day."

"I think you need to build the story, Emma." Ruby said. "She needs to know this has been going on for a long time."

"I agree. You can talk about me and Kathryn too, Emma. Don't hold back." Regina stated.

"I don't want to have to do that too much. I want to stay on point."

"Be sure you tell her how scared you are if she gets out soon. It's okay to be scared and it's okay to tell people that." Ruby added. "I'm getting that morning off so I can be with you. I have to go. I'll talk to you both later.

"Thank you." Emma said with a smile. "Bye." She hung up the phone.

"I'll be there too, if that's okay." Regina said. "I've taken this week off of the chatline because…well honestly, I've needed my own counseling."

"Oh Regina. This wasn't your fault at all. You saved me."

"I know, and I need to try to stop feeling guilty. Mal said it's normal, but it's good to sort of take a break and talk through it." She gave a small smile. "Also, my parents have actually been spending time with us. It's been nice."

Emma smiled softly. "I'm really glad, Regina. You deserve that."

"They want to know if you can come to dinner tonight actually. I forgot to ask you earlier."

"I'll ask." Emma said and looked at Regina. "Thank you so much for being here for me. I really do like it better when we get along." She joked and then squeezed Regina's hand.

"I do too, and I'm glad I can be here." Regina said with a smile.

That evening, Emma sat at the table with Regina, Henry, Cora, and Zelena. It felt weird at first, but quickly any tension seemed to ease. They talked and joked, and Emma was glad it wasn't all about what happened to her. Of course, they had all asked that she was okay, and they did talk a bit about it, but once that was done, they all seemed to agree to not bring it up again. That is, until it was time for Emma to go.

"Can I come with Regina to court on Thursday?" Zelena asked Emma. "I don't want to be there if you'd rather I not be."

"It's open court, so anyone could come, but I appreciate you asking. Yes, you can be there."

"I'll bring them." Cora said with a smile. "But don't let that change what you tell the judge, okay?"

"That's right. You tell your truth, Miss. Swan." Henry said, grabbing his keys. "Regina, do you want to come with me to take Emma home?"

"I can walk, Mr. Mills." Emma said.

"Rubbish. I'll take you."

On Thursday, Emma's stomach was all nerves as she tried to swallow down her breakfast. "You can eat more after, sweetheart. Don't push yourself now." Mary said softly. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks. I didn't want to wear eye makeup because I'm going to cry. I know I am. I cried writing everything down. But Mal said strong people cry too." She had been talking to Mal online all week and knew that was part of why she felt okay today.

In the courtroom, Emma sat by her parents with the Mills family and Ruby behind her. She listened as Kathryn pled guilty and Mr. Gold was making his case to have her punished as an adult.

"She planned this all. She knew exactly what she was doing and had been bullying Emma for years. She researched online what her punishment would be and how to properly slit someone's wrist. She is dangerous and had it not been for a friend, Miss Swan would be dead. You have that evidence from the doctor, I believe."

"I do, thank you." The judge stated, looking through paperwork. "Is Miss Swan here today to give a statement or is she waiting for the sentencing?"

"She's here, your honor and ready." Belle stated from next to Mr. Gold as she gestured to Emma.

Emma felt her heart pounding as the judge looked at her with kind and soft eyes. "Miss Swan, it is very brave of you to do this. Please, come up here and give me your statement." She said, gesturing to the witness stand next to her.

With shaking hands, Emma made her way to the stand and sat down. She looked at Cruella, but her eyes were down on the table, doodling as if she was bored. "Thank you, your honor. Do I just…say it?"

"First, take a breath and try to relax. I want to hear from you exactly how this has affected you and what you went through."

Emma gave a nod and looked at her papers. "When I was five, I learned what bullying was. In kindergarten, Cruella Duvo, Kathryn Midas, and Regina Mills started picking on me almost every day. As we grew, so did the bullying. In elementary, I was hit, teased, they cut my hair, and always just taunted me. Last year I…" Emma took a shaking breath as she wiped at her tears. "I had enough and took a bottle of pills to end my life. Thankfully, my parents found me in time and got me help. I didn't actually want to die; I just didn't want to keep taking all the torment. Since then, Regina has stopped, and we've had deep conversations about what all that did to me. I've forgiven her and we've actually struck up a friendship. I guess Cruella didn't like that, because when she cornered me and cut my wrists, she told me I ruined her friendship." She turned the page. "I'm not a perfect person. I've done things I'm not proud of, and I have given some things back to them, mostly verbal. However, I didn't do anything to deserve to die. It's only been a few days, and maybe things will get better, but right now, I'm terrified to be outside on my own. I can't walk to town alone, the thought of going to school next week terrifies me so much I'm already having anxiety attacks. I've lived the last nine years thinking I knew anxiety just by seeing one of them, but that was nothing compared to how I feel now. Even though I know she's behind bars, I can't help but worry that anyone can jump me anytime. If it weren't for my parents, friends, and therapist, I would be feeling pretty badly about myself because of this, but they've not let me go there. However, late at night when there's no one else around, I do sit and wonder what I did that was so terrible. I don't know, and I don't know if I'll ever know. What I do know is I didn't deserve this. I feel very strongly about that and if she gets out in the next three years, I have no idea how I'm going to cope. She's dangerous and unremorseful." She sniffed and looked at the judge. "What she did was an adult action and I honestly feel she deserves to be punished as an adult. Thank you for your time."

The judge smiled kindly. "Thank you, Emma. Go on and have a seat." As Emma went to her seat, her father and then mother hugging her, the judge looked at Cruella who was still scribbling as if nothing was happening. "I understand Emma's father would also like to make a statement."

David, to Emma's surprise, got up and sat in the stand. "Your honor, my daughter hasn't had the easiest life. She lost her mother before she could even know her and then went through this on a daily basis. She didn't tell anyone, so we didn't even know it was as bad as it was until it was almost too late. Then, I looked back and realized how badly I missed the signs. Cruella has been part of a group that tormented her for years, but while the other two seemed to have grown up, she hasn't. There is nothing worse for a parent than when their child is hurt, and I've had to now see her fight for her life twice because in part to Cruella. She knew what she was doing, knew to look up what her punishment would be. I ask you to please take this all into consideration."

"Thank you. You may have a seat." The judge said and looked through her papers. "Kathryn Midas?"

Again, Emma was surprised as she didn't even realize Kathryn was there. She took the stand and instead of looking at Cruella, she looked at Emma. "I bullied Emma for years. I can't even say why, to be honest. But I didn't want this. I told Cruella not to do it. I should have told someone; I know that now." She looked at the judge. "I can't let this case happen without making it clear that she planned this. I guess a part of me never thought she'd do it, but she did." She looked back at Emma. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Thank you." The judge said. "I hope you've learned your lesson, Miss Midas."

"I have." She said and went back to her seat.

"And lastly I have a Regina Mills."

Emma's head shot back, and she watched Regina go up to the stand. "I started the bullying way back in kindergarten. I know Cruella wouldn't have if I never would have started. However, I stopped. I have worked so hard to change my ways, but she never would. I told her to leave Emma alone, to stop picking on her, but she just wouldn't. So, I stopped hanging out with her. I stopped giving her my attention. Your honor, I'm not trying to say I'm better than her, but I do think she's dangerous if she's let out too soon. Please, Emma didn't deserve any of this, and she deserves to live in peace for a while."

"Thank you. I'm glad to hear you've changed your ways."

The judge then looked at Cruella who was completely unaffected by this. "I hate to treat a minor as an adult because I know the science. I know their brains are not fully developed. However, in this case, I see no remorse, no empathy, and no respect." Mr. Blank nudged Cruella to put the pen down. "This is a very serious crime and one that needs a proper punishment. Emma, I hope you can relax a little because it is my decision that Cruella Duvo will be charged as an adult. Sentencing will be held now, actually. I have all the facts, so there should be no issues." When both Mr. Gold and Mr. Blank - who had warned the Duvo's that this could happen, shook their heads, they and Cruella all stood. "This was a horrible crime, Miss Duvo, and you sit there and scribble while your victim pours her heart out. You've done that the whole time and that shows no respect whatsoever. You will be in the Juvenile Community Corrections in Bangor Maine until your eighteenth birthday when you will then transfer to Maine State Prison in Warren. I suggest you use the tools and resources they have in the Juvenile center as it is far different from Prison. You can get your high school degree, therapy, and life skills that you will hopefully then use at the prison to make your time go by in a productive way. I see they agreed not to give your life without parole, which I am glad for. However, it will be a minimum of ten years before you are eligible for parole. Cruella, only you can make that happen. You must change how you think this world works. I do wish you luck and hope you can learn from this." She then looked at Emma. "Take your life back. You've survived so much; you can survive this." She banged her gavel and Emma watched as Cruella said goodbye to her father and was led out of the room. She turned and glared at Emma before walking out the door.

Emma watched her and once she was gone, she let out a breath. "Did you see that?"

"Yes." David said. "And that's why she was sentenced as an adult."

Emma hugged her parents tightly. "Thank you, daddy, for speaking. I need to go talk to Regina and Kathryn."

"Are you sure?" David asked. "I'll come with you when you talk to Kathryn."

"No, it's okay dad. I'll be right back." Emma then went and first saw Kathryn with her father. "Kathryn? I didn't know you were going to say anything today. Thank you for doing that. It honestly means a lot. And…thank you for not joining her in this."

"Oh Emma. I'm so sorry. I should have called your dad or something as soon as she said she was doing it. I'm sorry for all of it, Emma. I…" She teared up a bit. "I'm so sorry."

Emma let out a breath and hugged the girl. "I've forgiven Regina, so I'll work on forgiving you too. I'm sorry, I know you feel guilty, but knowing you could have stopped this makes it a bit harder."

"I understand, Emma. I do. Just please don't be scared of me, okay? I won't ever hurt you again."

Emma then went to Regina and hugged her. "Thank you. You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did, and I wanted to. I wanted to get it out there. I'm so happy with the sentence. Are you? Do you think it will help your anxiety?"

"I am happy, and I really hope it does help. Mal is helping with that too. Hey, do you think on Saturday, maybe I can come in and see how this chatline thing works? Mal said she didn't mind if you wanted to show me. I just have to sign some privacy papers."

"I'd love that, Emma. I'll be there at ten. I'd love to show you how it all works." She smiled over at David and Mary. "I think your parents are waiting for you. I'll talk to you later."

Emma hugged her, letting it linger a little longer than normal. "Thanks again." She then went to her parents and Ruby as they headed off to have a celebratory lunch.