Chapter 24: Celestial

After a weekend gone, the court was back in process. The sentencing of Dale Hewitt was the truest feat for Max. The one she knew would truly test her faith in the justice system. Max was sitting with Edward and her mother. She loathed the steps of the psychologist coming to the witness stand. Pompous looking and reptilian, a high nasally voice making the same discomfort as nails on a chalk board.

"Can you state your name and occupation for the court?"

"Yes, I'm Dr. William Goe, I am a licensed criminal psychologist."

"Are you familiar with the case of the state vs Dale Hewitt?"

"Yes, sir."

"What was your role with Dale Hewitt in regard to the case?"

"I was the psychologist that conducted the psych evaluation of Dale Hewitt."

"What did your evaluation determine?"

"Well, I have diagnosed Mr. Hewitt with PTSD, considering a traumatic childhood of abuse, bi-polar disorder, and FASD. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was a primary factor in regard to his conduct as much of the disorder consists of unpredictability, compulsivity, and mental retardation, to some degree."

"What degree?"

"That's to be determined. It's a spectrum that requires much evaluation to come to a full understanding of each individual case of FASD."

Max thought to herself angrily, IQ test… what's his IQ? Are they even going to ask?

She hushed it under her breath, "This is horseshit…"

"Dr. Roe did you familiar yourself with the matters of the case before being called witness?"

"Yes."

"What is your stance on Mr. Hewitt's mental capacity in committing this crime?"

"I believe… that Mr. Hewitt did not have the mental capacity to be fully aware of his crimes."

Max hissed into her hands, trying so direly to not cause a scene. Edward rubbed her back comfortingly. Then the prosecutor marched to the witness, clapping his Italian shoes on the floor in a demanding way.

"Dr. Roe, what are your credentials?"

"Excuse me?"

"What is your education and licensing in the medical field of psychology?"

"Uh. I went to Blenverry University in Metropolis. I received a master's in psychology, I've been practicing for nine years."

"Alright, did you conduct an assessment on Mr. Hewitt?"

"I did."

"How about an ECG and consult of a neuroscientist?"

"A what?"

"Did you… confirm your proceedings with an ECG and a neuroscientist? He has FASD, as you have shared to the jury, PTSD, I'm sure these call for an extensive diagnosis and thorough examination of the brain. Especially considering the gravity of his crimes."

"Uh. No, no. An ECG and neuroscientist consult was not directed."

"Okay, how about a simple IQ test? Most people can take them over their phones now. Was an IQ test conducted?"

The doctor was visibly beginning to sweat, bringing great satisfaction to Celeste's loved ones.

"No… unfortunately."

"So, how can you make such a grave assessment that Dale Hewitt, the man who raped, tortured and murdered an eight-year-old girl - how can you make your professional statement that he is not mentally suited for accountability of his crime?"

The doctor went quiet, leaving the courthouse just as silent. The jury stayed frozen to their seats; glowers written to their faces.

The prosecutor glanced to the judge and said quietly, "No further questions, your honour."

"Mr. Hewitt. You wanted to make a testimony to further your claims that you weren't mentally aware at the time of Celeste Atkins murder." The prosecutor asked the defendant on the stand, not even looking him in the eyes.

"Yes."

"What did you want to say?"

"I'm someone who struggled with abuse my entire life. My father he… he would sexually assault me, he'd hit me. He used to make me… sleep in the basement so he could rape me without my mom or brother knowing. I never really knew love. Since a child, I'd had fantasized of dark things. I didn't want these things, but it was almost like a… compulsion. I knew being sexually attracted to children was a problem, but I couldn't find help. I didn't want to be like that, I knew it was wrong, but no one wanted to help me. I started drinking, I took drops… I just lost myself more and more. To the point I was staring outside of myself like I was watching myself in a window. The things I'd do, the things I did to that girl, I wasn't there. I was but I wasn't. Like I was possessed by a demon."

"Are you admitting to the jury and the court that you took Celeste Atkins from the Webbler campground?"

The courtroom was quiet, but the discomforting tension could be wafted through the room. Listening to the man's voice, his mannerisms and the words he was saying was a vivid nightmare.

"I was high and drunk. Just driving around Webbler looking for a kid to watch. Not to take, I just wanted to watch. I wasn't going to go to the campground, but I remembered there was some playground there. I saw two kids, two girls. I was just watching them at first. Then that demon started clawing at me again, I wasn't able to control myself much there after. I was actually waiting for them to separate… so I could take the little one. I wasn't too interested in the older girl, but she was the closest. If I didn't take my chance, I wouldn't get one."

"Excuse me, sorry. You're saying you were planning on taking Maxine Atkins?"

"The little one, yeah."

Max was overcome in the visceral horror at the statement, but pure disgust at what he was admitting. To know that he wasn't even interested in Celeste, but took her anyway. To know his predilection was for children younger than eight. Yumi, Jeff and the grandparents gasped in shock, all frozen and too shocked to react more than that. Even Edward's face went slacked in disbelief.

The prosecutor muttered, "So, you're saying you would have preferred a younger child to abduct than that of Celeste Atkins?"

"Yeah. If anything, that should speak of how sick I was at that time."

His defence was gruelling in his seat to the damning statement.

Yumi trembled in her seat, beginning to sit up as she scornfully scowled at the witness stand, "You monster."

She said it quietly. Only catching the attention of a few closest to her. Max reached her hand to pull her down but Yumi pulled away.

The judge asked, "Ms. Atkins you need to sit down."

"You fucking depraved monster!"

"Mom! Stop!" Max tried to pull her mom away, but she was already charging from the pews to the front, her fist ready to swing. Guards came sprawling to subdue and remove her from court.

"You preyed on my child! You don't deserve to speak when you stole her voice! Take him away! Take him to death! You are not human! You are nothing!"

Yumi's enraged yowls fleeted from the courthouse, submerging disturbed whispers and chatter of others in court.

"Order! Order!"

Max ran after her mom, tears swelling in her eyes to hear the desperate cries of her once again, revisiting the grimmest memories. Edward went to follow, but Eiko pulled him down and shook her head. "Let them deal with it."

The judge finally spoke, "The jury will be conveying now to distinguish a sentencing verdict. We will resume proceedings when the jury has come to a conclusion."

Max was standing out the female washroom, waiting for her mother. She had made it clear she wanted to be alone, but she insisted on staying close.

"Max!"

She set her sights behind her to see Edward jogging up the hallway. Max slumped off the wall and waddled to Edward, her face beginning to wince. Edward immediately took her in an embrace. Max began to wail softly into his shoulder, clutching the cloth of his shirt. Edward pressed his lips to the top of her head and cradled her, letting her sob in his comfort.

"I'm sorry." He muttered, his own voice unsteady.

Max cried for a while longer, then sniffled and pulled from him to look into his eyes, "He didn't even want her. Who... who thinks like that? Why?"

"He's a predatory piece of shit, that's why."

"Why did he even… I can't…"

"I know you can't see it now, but this was actually a good thing," said Edward as he brought his hands to her shoulders. "He just screwed himself. He thought he was encouraging this insanity case. He only confirmed it was premeditated."

Max sighed long and low and got herself together. She shook her head to the floor, "My mother… my father, we're all experiencing this all over again. I didn't need to know that. I didn't need to know he was going to prey on me. Because… I almost wished he had. That way Celeste would still be alive."

"Max..." Edward sighed sullenly.

"Isn't that fucked? That I wish I went through what Celeste went through so she'd be okay? Would he have let me live if he did?"

"After hearing that..." Edward curved into a scowl, "I wanted to jump out of the pews and strangle him. I can't imagine how close you were to being taken. I can't comprehend that I would have never met you. I am so happy… so relieved… that he didn't take you."

The bathroom door opened then, and Yumi wiped her tears and said, "Me too. I love you and your sister so much it is every foundation of my soul. This man took Celeste for absolutely no reason, and if he had taken you… it would have been just as horrible and destructive to our family as it was with Celeste. Hearing that now, he could have easily have taken both of you. My God, I can't imagine. That bastard is in that room now because of you. Because of you, Celeste isn't left in limbo."

Eiko came jogging up to the three of them and said in short breath, "Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt. But… it's time for the impact statements."

Max, Yumi, Jeff, Edward and Eiko were more casually dressed, considering half of them would be making victim impact statements. Her grandparents were attending, too, their grandfather going up to make the first victim statement.

The prosecutor addressed, "Before the sentencing is determined. We will be having a few of Celeste's family members to come up and offer a victim impact statement, and offer their own pain and turmoil to this truly senseless crime. The pain this family feels was not just the loss of this young child, it was the loss of closure for twenty years where this case remained unsolved. I invite Haiko Chisaka to the stand."

Jiji came from the door with a slow jaunt, and the pallor in his tone was already tearing Max and her mother.

He cleared his throat and spoke as clear as he could, as understandable as he could given his thick Japanese accent, "Many years ago, my family came from Japan to America for a better life. We wanted nothing more than the American dream. We were poor in our pockets, but rich in heart… because of our love of family. My children went on to build beautiful lives. We didn't just get to love them, but the lives they brought to our family, as well. My Celeste… was my nikkō. My sunshine. She was bright and warm, since the day she was born. She was my first granddaughter, and brought such joy to my daughter, Yumi. She saw only the most in people, she trusted the goodness of people. That kindness is a rare thing to find. That kindness was taken from the world, and from our family so evilly. So disgusting and senseless it was no longer our American dream. It became our nightmare. For twenty years I feared I would outlive this day coming to pass. Even though I am here today to watch this man finally be accountable for his crime against our Celeste, but I am not glad. I am not content. I am heartbroken. I am grieved and the rock in my belly still remains. My granddaughter suffered the worst kind of death for no reason than sick desire, and for that a life sentence would be a disservice to Celeste's memory. Not even the death sentence can amount for what he's done. I believe truly, his own demons and his own karma will prove justice for Celeste."

As her grandfather walked off the stand, he wiped away a single tear and went to join his family. Jeff, Celeste and Max's father, came up next.

He said shakily, "You know, I like to imagine Celeste on what she will be like now if this man hadn't drove by Webbler campground that day. Even as a child Cece was one of the happiest, amicable, and kindest people you could meet. She loved her dolls, she loved playing her role playing games. When I'd listen in on her game in the next room, I swear it was always the most wholesome of scenarios. Not even in the comfort of her own when she thought she was alone playing with her dolls, she never indulged hate or pain, she never had a bad bone in her body. She was purity in and out. An angel we were gifted. Everyday she's been gone, our family has suffered. There's been turmoil, a divorce, and even my own struggles with alcoholism which I know has only added to the pain of my loved ones. I blamed myself for years for not protecting her. I was the hero in her story. I saw her trust in the world, and took it for myself, when I should have been the one to have reasonable doubt. But even then, I could never imagine a human being like this could exist. I could never anticipate this kind of evil existed, until it took my daughter. This is a man who saw my child. He did not see her innocence. He did not see her purity or a child to protect. He only saw prey. A man with a mindset like this is someone who will never change. No matter any mental illness he may cling to for an excuse, or what traumas he endured in his childhood, he saw Celeste and chose to prey on her, knowing it was wrong. The death penalty for this man is the least he can endure compared to the unspeakable agony he subjected Celeste to. A child that never deserved even an ounce of pain."

Next up was Yumi, who came up to the stand and she was already crying. However, there was a fury in her eyes, "I've been asking myself for twenty years how a human being could do this. How can a grown man, a person who should have the natural instinct to safeguard and honour children, do this to a defenceless eight year old girl? How could you see that child, that child that wouldn't harm anyone, and know what you'd want to do? How dare you live while she is gone. How dare you speak when she is silenced. I'll say it again, Mr. Hewitt, how dare you take my child from me! You stole her from our love, you ripped her innocence from her mercilessly, you snuffed her out and tossed her in the gutter like trash! Why are men like you alive, when people like Celeste are gone? You have the nerve to evade justice for twenty years, then continue to try and rip the innocence from our world still? Did you not see what your depraved reality did to us? Do you have a soul?You've revealed to me that evil does in fact exist, and that evil took my child from us so barbarically. I will forever see Celeste's smile in my dreams, her laugh and her softness for the rest of my life. You will rot in jail forever, living with your crime until the day you meet your karma in the depths of Hell. I do not offer any mercy or understanding in your circumstances, Mr. Hewitt. You had none to spare to Celeste."

Then it was Max's statement, and she came up to the stand confidently but also sheltered. She remained stoic as she poised, and gently brought the mic closer as she flicked her eyes to Mr. Hewitt. She was the first of them to actually look at him, and she twitched her lip in disgust to see him now. To know he was the last thing Celeste had to see as she suffered.

"I've been hunting you for fifteen years. I… never gave up on Celeste, despite how preferable that would have been for you. I imagined this day very vividly. I imagined I'd look you right in your eyes as I'd leap from the stand and exact vengeance in rage. I imagined I'd be so sickened by your face I wouldn't be able to speak without nausea. I see you now and none of this is the case. Whatever I'd do or say, I know you wouldn't care. Not even if I exacted the same pain you dealt my sister onto you. You wouldn't even feel it because you'd need a soul to feel." The court was deathly quiet. She had no sadness or vulnerability. Not even a wave in her tone. Max's voice had gone lower than it ever had, vindictive and stern. For Edward, it had lost its sweetness entirely. A rage in her he had never seen before.

She continued bitterly, "I don't see a mentally ill individual before me, I see a man who was calculated and so machiavellian. You were able to avoid the authorities for years. You were cunning enough to try and build an insanity case to spare your life. How I wish Celeste's life could be determined under the eye of such sheltered justice. She was torn apart in a van, left in a gutter to die. You had a despicable urge, and you didn't come to that playground to watch. You were enacting a plan that had been fantasized so much it was longer satisfying. You are a completely self-aware, lucid and depraved criminal. You had the capacity to do all of this, you were fully aware of what you were doing and planned your escape and avoidance of justice thoroughly. Your downfall was your desire coming to the light again.

Your ego and your narcissism preyed not just on Celeste, but another child who will have to be haunted by you forever. My sister's life will ultimately be your undoing. Despite the inhumanity and degradation you put her through, she had more meaning in her short eight-year life in just the tip of her finger, than you do in all of your 56 years. I urge the judge that this man will not feel remorse in prison. He will never feel pain or sadness. He cannot feel. Anyone who does this to a child and her family does not feel. The only justice that can be served on this man, is the afterlife of his horrendous deeds. My sister will be remembered in love. You, Mr. Hewitt, will be remembered in hate."

Then lastly, her grandmother Amaya Chisaka, came up to the stand.

"Kon'nichiwa min'a. I am Amaya Chisaka, I am Celeste's sobo. Or in English, grandmother. I am going to read a poem a friend from my support group wrote for Celeste.

I am Celeste, what does my name mean?

I smelt summer wind, I heard the trees,

I did not know they were warning me,

The rumbling engine came for me,

I wanted to say goodbye to Maxine.

Mommy and Daddy, I am not gone,

I'm in your tears, I'm in your thoughts,

I wanted to let you know I am fine,

I'm warm in your hearts, I'm giving you a sign,

That I'll always keep your love as mine.

Sobo and Jiji, do you hear me?

I'm at your window, I'm in the trees,

I'm with the wind, can you hear me?

I'm watching you all, do not cry please.

When the light left, it hurt so bad,

I didn't want to cry, I didn't want you to be sad,

The pain went away, the light returned,

But this time in a different world,

Where I could be with you all everyday,

Making sure you were okay.

My sister,

My mother,

My father,

My sobo and jiji,

I love you all completely,

I was taken from your arms,

Only to return in your hearts,

For all eternity.

My wings bring the warm winds of spring,

My voice is the sweet sound it sings,

My tears are the rain feeding the flowers,

My hands are the warmth in the day hours,

I was taken by evil, but returned to be your Angel,

I am here with you today to shelter,

I am Celestial, I am warmth in the sun beams,

Now I know what my name means."

The poem left the pews of Celeste's family in tears, with even Max's lip waggling and sniffling into her long sleeves. Sobo walked off the stand, wiping away the tears that had been demanding under her lids the entire read, showing in short inflections of her reading. It was the perfect revisit of her memory after statements only filled with dread and rage. The idea of Celeste in the court room today to see her memory being exacted was a comfort they all clung to. That her name was the truest of all.

The court filled with the same tension through the attendance. Even the officers, the clerks, the journalists. Except the Atkins and Chisaka family. No matter what happened, they were sure of one thing. Celeste's voice had been heard. It had screamed a song suppressed for twenty years. No matter the verdict. Death or not. Celeste was heard. Her celebrations were being hailed in public outcry. The comfort in believing she was there for them was enough. It was more than enough.

They took their seats once again. Max shined a smile up to Edward, more than grateful that he was there with her. After everything they had been through with each other, this was the biggest day of Max's life. He smiled back contently, like a small smile he'd give her as any other day. It soothed her worries – reminding her no matter what happened, he'd be there. He gave a light peck at the top of her head to confirm it. Sobo and Jiji joined hands, with Sobo's free hand weaving around Eiko who leaned her head on her mother's shoulder. Yumi and Jeff glanced to each other nervously. There was firstly sadness, sadness for everything they had lost together. Their marriage, their spark, their daughter. Yet among all of it, there was still hope building. Reminding them of every fond memory together. The love lost rekindling for a time. Just time long enough for what was to come next. Jeff made a teary smile and moved his hand over her's, she promptly took it firmly. As if she was waiting for him to do so. They were back twenty years ago to him being the anchor in her darkest days. As if no time passed at all.

The jury started to fill the courtroom. Their verdict was handed to the judge. Despite the belief everything would be okay, Max still dwindled into herself. Fearing the worst, despite knowing the best. She had family still, someone to love. But when this day ended, the goal she had for fifteen years would be over. For something so pivotal in her life, she prayed it would be a favourable end.

The judge announced, "The jury have reached the determination of sentencing for Mr. Dale Hewitt. It is as follows…"

In a sudden moment, as the judge spoke her voice faded. Falling into one of Max's memories. A memory when she was so small she shouldn't remember it. Pulling herself and Mr. Trunks to Celeste's room after a nightmare.

"Max?" Celeste asked in a tired coo as she heard little footsteps come to the side of her bed. "Is that you?"

"I had bad dream, Cece. I don't wanna sleep alone."

Celeste made a soft sigh. It would be far too easy for an older sibling to turn them away, but Celeste was never the kind to put her needs above others. Especially her sister. Celeste pulled the blanket. "Come on. Come sleep."

Max crawled into Celeste's bed, squeezing Mr. Trunks by her head as she snuggled up to her sister.

"Are you still scared, Max?"

"Yes."

"What was your bad dream about?"

"What happens to me if I die?"

Celeste was spooked to hear it. "What?"

"Do I go somewhere new?" Max asked in a shrill voice. "Is it scary?"

"No." Celeste said surely. "We become light. We get to follow the people we love and light their way. That's what Sobo and Jiji told me."

"Is it scary to be light?"

"Not at all." Celeste replied. "We know everything. Understand everything. We remind family everyday we love them. We get to fly in the sky and be free and happy forever. Have you ever had a dream where you fly?"

"Yeah," replied Max in a smile. "Those are my favourite."

"It's like that. But you get to spend it with the people you love. If you died, you wouldn't really die. You'd always be with me."

"And we can fly together?"

"Yeah," said Celeste and cuddled up to Max closer, "One day we will. We got a long time before that, Max. You don't have to worry. I'll look out for you."

"I love you, Cece." Max didn't even notice her adored Mr. Trunks fall to the floor. In that moment, she had all she needed.

"I love you, too. Max."

Max's tears were coming, unable to process the words and legal jergen from the judge as every fond memory consoled her in a moment that would change everything. All with Celeste. Their games, vacations, camp outs in the backyard, tea parties with Mr. Trunks, and all the comfort of her words. She was always wiser than any eight-year-old. Truly an old soul. Where she'd go, light would touch. The same light even when she was gone. It shined through the courtroom windows. Max swore she didn't imagine it as they started to shine brighter. So bright it was warming her skin. Could it be the clouds moving way from the sun, or someone else?

Then the judge walloped the courtroom with the greatest punch of all. The words that sent the Atkins/Chisaka family from their seats in tears. Max had lost her breath in the moments before. When the words were said, air returned like a wave. It threw her face in shock, rushing tears down her cheeks. The death penalty was said with such vigour. Even the judge was honoured to say it. Twenty years after their world was crushed into chaos and despair, Celeste was finally avenged.

Max pushed into Edward with the strongest hug he ever got from her. All he did was squeeze her back and let her cry – knowing full well how needed it was. Yumi and Jeff wove into each other in weeps. Sobo and Jiji praised happily, with Eiko leaping from her pew in victorious tears. As did the courtroom. The spectators who had no inkling of the suffering their family had endured since Celeste left them. They had no idea that she was there, only her family did. As they celebrated, they knew it in pride. She was finally given the ode to rest in peace, and her family the path to finally heal together.