Aelita sits in the courtroom, her fingers nervously tracing the worn edges of the table in front of her. She glances at her lawyer, who offers a reassuring smile. The anticipation in the air is palpable, and the low hum of conversation from the gathered onlookers fills the room. It has been a long and painful journey to reach this point, and now she has to summon all her strength for what lies directly ahead.
The wooden benches creak as people take their seats, the echoes of their hushed conversations mingling with the shuffle of papers from the legal teams. Aelita feels the weight of the courtroom's scrutiny, her eyes flicking towards the seats on the other side, where Brandon sits with his own lawyer. She quickly averts her eyes, not wanting to make eye contact with him.
Her heart races as she braces herself for the trial, knowing that the painful memories and the truth will soon be laid bare for all to see. This is the moment she has been waiting for, the moment she will confront the past and fight for justice.
The bailiff calls the court to order, and the proceedings begin.
Her lawyer rises from his seat to give his opening statement.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, your honor, esteemed members of the court, and all those present today, we gather here to address a grave injustice that has shaken the lives of those involved. It is our solemn duty to seek justice and ensure the safety and well-being of the innocent. Today, we bring forth the case of the People versus Brandon Pelletier, a case that revolves around a harrowing act that left scars not only on the body but also on the soul of a young woman.
"This trial will examine the events of one night, a night that has left Aelita Stones with indelible emotional wounds. We shall demonstrate that Brandon Pelletier's actions on that fateful night transgressed the boundaries of morality, respect, and legality.
"Through the presentation of evidence, the testimonies of witnesses, and the unwavering determination of the prosecution, we will unveil the truth. We will reveal the trauma and suffering Aelita Stones has endured, the pain that no one should ever bear. We shall lay bare the truth of what transpired that night and how it has affected her life.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, as you listen to the proceedings, keep in mind the essence of our justice system: to protect and uphold the rights of those who have been wronged. The burden of proof lies with us, and we shall fulfill our responsibility to unveil the facts, the evidence, and the truth.
"I implore you to consider the magnitude of this case, to remember the responsibility we all share in preserving the rights and dignity of our fellow citizens. At the conclusion of this trial, we will request your careful consideration of the evidence and your commitment to justice. Thank you, Your Honor."
William watches the proceedings with a mixture of anger and apprehension. He clenches his fists, his jaw tightening as he listens to the defense attorney's opening statement.
"Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, esteemed members of the court, as the defense, we acknowledge the importance of our role in the justice system. Our mission is to ensure that our client's rights are protected, and that his side of the story is heard, fairly and without prejudice. In doing so, we seek to challenge the allegations brought against Brandon Pelletier by the prosecution.
"We believe that, as this trial unfolds, the evidence will show that the allegations brought against my client lack the required certainty to convict. We will challenge the credibility of the witnesses and the veracity of their accounts. We shall emphasize that the prosecution's case relies on conjecture rather than concrete evidence.
"In conclusion, I ask you, the members of the jury, to fulfill your essential role as impartial arbiters of justice. Keep an open mind, and remember that the foundation of our justice system is rooted in fairness and the protection of individual rights. In the coming hours, we will present our case, and I implore you to scrutinize the evidence carefully and fairly. By doing so, you will play a vital part in upholding the principles that our legal system cherishes. Thank you, Your Honor."
William's knuckles turn white as he grips the edge of his seat, his anger and frustration mounting. He can't believe what he's hearing, the blatant attempt to discredit Aelita and her testimony. It's infuriating, and he has to fight the urge to lash out.
The trial continues with the lawyers presenting their cases. Aelita's lawyer goes first, presenting evidence such as the screenshot that Brandon posted on social media, the video he sent to William, and the rape kit analysis results from the hospital lab.
Brandon's lawyer does all he can to discredit the evidence, claiming that the video was a joke, and that the screenshot is nothing but proof of a possibly consensual interaction between Brandon and Aelita. He also argues that the rape kit analysis results could have been doctored or fabricated in order to constitute a witch hunt.
William can't help but roll his eyes at the ridiculous claims. He knows that Aelita would never lie about something like this, and he's confident that the jury will see through the defense's attempts to undermine her.
As the trial progresses, the tension in the courtroom grows. William's anger and frustration continue to mount, and he finds himself struggling to remain calm. He can't believe the audacity of the defense, the way they're trying to twist the facts and discredit Aelita.
Eventually, Sissi is called to the stand to give her testimony as a witness.
"Your Honor, members of the jury, my name is Elisabeth Delmas, and I would like to testify to what I observed on the night in question. It was a lively evening, and the dance floor was filled with laughter and dancing, as is typical at school events. Aelita, a dear friend of mine, was an active participant in the festivities, and I witnessed her dancing and enjoying the evening.
"However, there came a moment when Aelita suddenly needed to go to the restroom. Approximately ten minutes passed, during which I became increasingly concerned about her whereabouts. I decided to leave the dance floor to search for her, worried that something might have happened.
"As I made my way through the crowd, I finally spotted Aelita near the front door of the venue. What I saw was deeply distressing. Aelita appeared to be in a state of distress, with tears streaming down her cheeks. More alarmingly, she had a visible bruise on her neck, and a cut that was bleeding. Her appearance was starkly different from the cheerful and carefree young woman who had been dancing minutes earlier.
"I immediately approached Aelita to offer my support and inquire about her well-being. She was visibly shaken, and while I did not witness the events that led to her distress, it was clear that something troubling had transpired.
"Your Honor, members of the jury, it is my hope that my testimony may help in shedding light on the events of that night and contribute to the pursuit of justice. Thank you."
Odd watches Sissi's testimony with a mixture of pride and admiration. She speaks with confidence and conviction, her words ringing true and powerful. He can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her courage and loyalty, her willingness to stand up and speak out on Aelita's behalf.
The defense cross-examines Sissi, attempting to discredit her account and paint her as an unreliable witness. However, Sissi remains steadfast, her testimony remaining consistent and credible.
Next on the stand is Camille.
"Your Honor, distinguished members of the court, my name is Dr. Camille Roux, an emergency department physician at the Ambroise Paré Hospital. On the evening in question, I received a distressing call from my cousin Bastien, who is a close friend of the defendant's boyfriend. My cousin informed me about an incident involving a young woman who was assaulted.
"Upon her arrival, I personally escorted Aelita to a private examination room to ensure her privacy and comfort during this difficult time. I introduced myself and explained my role as a medical professional there to provide assistance and support.
"During our initial conversation, Aelita appeared visibly distressed and emotionally shaken. I asked her a series of questions intended to assess her physical and emotional condition and to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Subsequently, with her consent, I conducted a comprehensive examination, which included collecting evidence through a rape kit. Throughout this process, I ensured Aelita's comfort and prioritized her emotional well-being. It was a distressing and emotional experience for Aelita, and I provided her with support and empathy throughout the examination.
"I want to emphasize that, as a medical professional, my primary role was to attend to Aelita's physical well-being, collect essential forensic evidence, and document the extent of her injuries. I was not present during the events leading up to this incident and cannot provide firsthand information about the assault.
"I hope that my account will assist in the pursuit of justice and serve as a testament to the dedication of the medical community to support those who have experienced such traumatic events. Thank you."
Next up is the moment Aelita has been dreading for months. It's her turn to take the stand.
"Hello, my name is Aelita Stones. I am here today to share my story of being sexually assaulted by Brandon Pelletier. I had been drinking throughout the night and had suddenly felt unwell when I decided to go freshen up in the restroom. Brandon followed me in there. He launched into a tirade about how, my boyfriend, William Dunbar, had humiliated him during the collegiate soccer championship game and that he needed to teach him a lesson by using me and my suffering to get to William.
"He told me to get on my knees, but I refused. So he angrily slammed me against the wall so hard that my head started spinning. He then wrapped his hands around my throat. I couldn't breathe, let alone speak. It felt like forever before he finally released his grip and stepped back.
"But he wasn't done yet. He brandished a knife and held it to my neck, demanding that I perform oral sex on him. When I refused, he backhanded me so hard that I fell to the ground. By this point, I realized there was no point in fighting against him. I knew if I didn't do as he said, he would keep hurting me, possibly even kill me. So I opened my mouth and let him in. Afterwards, he took the video shown earlier mocking William and left me there on the bathroom floor, crying, bleeding, and alone.
"I was so ashamed and scared. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want anyone to see me like that, so I cleaned myself up and tried to leave without anyone noticing. That's when Elisabeth saw me, as you heard from her testimony."
William feels his anger flare up especially powerfully as he listens to Aelita recount her horrific ordeal. His heart aches for her, and he wishes he could take away her pain and drop it all on Pelletier.
"I'm here today because I want Brandon Pelletier to be held accountable for his actions. I want him to be punished for what he did to me. Rumor has it this isn't his first time being caught for assaulting a woman. I want him to be taught that his actions have consequences."
"Objection, Your Honor! Speculation!" Brandon's lawyer shouts.
"Sustained," the judge replies. "The jury will disregard the witness's statement. The witness will only speak on her own experience."
Aelita looks away sheepishly. "I apologize, Your Honor."
Brandon looks straight at Aelita and smirks, his eyes full of malice. His eyes follow Aelita as she returns to her seat, her shoulders slumped from the emotional exertion of telling her story.
The judge speaks. "The jury will now deliberate on the verdict. Court is adjourned."
An hour passes.
William paces the hallway, his emotional state hanging on by a thread. He knows he has to keep it together for Aelita who is sitting on a bench nearby, her head in her hands, but just like the last couple of hours, he is finding it extremely difficult. Sissi and Odd sit on either side of her, offering silent support. Ulrich, Yumi, and Bastien stand with their arms crossed, their expressions grim.
Finally, the bailiff emerges. "The jury has reached a verdict."
William stops pacing and turns to face the door. Aelita lifts her head, her eyes red-rimmed. Sissi and Odd exchange a glance.
The courtroom is silent as everyone files back in. William holds his breath.
"On the charge of sexual assault, the jury finds the defendant not guilty."
William's heart sinks. Aelita lets out a sob. Sissi and Odd both cover their mouths in shock. Ulrich and Yumi exchange a look of disbelief.
"Unbelievable that they didn't even get him on basic assault," James mutters. "I don't like this."
The judge bangs his gavel. "Court is adjourned."
William is numb. Aelita is inconsolable. Brandon is smug as ever, flashing a smirk at William as he exits the courtroom. "Better luck next time. Just remember that I always get what I want, Dunbar."
William's blood boils. "Spoiled bastard." He growls as he clenches his fists, his jaw tightening. He wants nothing more than to punch Brandon in the face.
Aelita continues to sob, her heart shattered. She feels defeated, betrayed, and humiliated.
Sissi and Odd try to console her, but it's no use. It's over.
Brandon Pelletier has won.