Under Your Skin

33

"How does the defendant plead?"

"Guilty on all 3 counts."

"Defendant is denied bail and hereby remanded and sentenced to 30 years in Henley State Prison, pending immediately." The judge landed his gavel down on the bench and it's like everything turned slow motion. I could feel Hayden squeezing my hand, but I couldn't bring myself to squeeze it back.

I watched as the stood Hailey, turning her around and I finally saw her face. It was stale. No emotion. No matter how much she pleaded, I was sure there was no regret in what she had done.

Her eyes met mine and that's the only time her emotions peeked through. A soft smile as she gazed at me. I pulled my eyes from hers and looked at the floor.

I could hear somebody speaking to me but I was too zoned out to hear it clearly. Soon I felt a strong hand on my shoulder, and I finally looked up, snapping back into the present.

"We can go now son." Daniel said to me.

My dad said to me.

That alone was another hurdle I was going to have to get through.

Because Hailey was going to plead guilty anyway, it's like the trial was already over. During testimony from the police and our lawyer, a lot was brought to light.

The one that interested me most, my custody. And one I knew was only going to put a wedge between Jason and I.

Hailey had a friend, who's name she also gave up, who worked in social services and the ability's to...change records. I don't know what it was about Hailey but she had the ability to make people jump through hoops for her, all for her to commit murder and a kidnapping.

When my mother...was killed, her friend made sure to get my case, seeing that I was in the state with one parent. She didn't bother to alert my father and re-locate me where he was stationed. Instead she documented that I had no living parents, and placed me under supervision and care of Hailey.

In my opinion, more people should be at fault here. For not paying attention. For not being diligent and noticing the lies printed on forms. But I couldn't set the world on fire, so I'll settle for the direct 3 who played their part.

As for Jason, I knew this would bring about a distance between us. As soon as Hailey said that I was supposed to be her son, I saw the heartbreak in his face. I don't want him to feel unloved.

He didn't ask for any of this, none of us did.

"Come on....let's go." Hayden said softly to me and I snapped out of my thoughts. I gave her a nod before getting up from the aisle and walking out. I stopped in the bustling hall and turned around looking for Jason. He walked out of the courtroom with his head down and I walked between Hayden and Daniel to get to him.