Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 106: Lonely

Harper's examination of Emma and her evidence began at the root: the stalking and harassment in Unova. She unearthed every police report to back up transcripts of her interviews.

'How is this relevant?!' Lindsey demanded, 'You can't just tell your client's life story to make people feel sorry for him!'

'You can't deny the right to explain why crimes were committed.'

'Having famous parents is hardly why crimes are committed! It's completely irrelevant! Your Honour, I must object!'

Bowen held up a hand. 'Providing it proves to be relevant, I will permit it. I trust the Chief Inspector of the International Police will not waste our time.'

Most of the jury looked dubious. Harper was, truthfully, a little nervous about this part. She knew the general public didn't take kindly to complaints from wealthy people. That showed when only two members of the jury seemed shocked by the reports about six year-old Jamie being hit with Sleep Powder so fans could steal his clothes and cut off his hair.

Amber's heart sank. How could anyone hear about that and feel nothing? She knew their indifference was because they doubted its relevance. They were behaving as a jury was expected to; refusing to allow sympathy for a criminal to influence their interpretation of his crimes. It still sapped all hope from her until she felt pathetic for ever allowing herself to hope. When she glanced at Trip, the likeness between him and Jamie was bittersweet. Their eyes said nothing even as Amber knew they were both dying inside.

Am I really that biased?

They were only halfway through evidence from Unova, constantly interrupted by Lindsey, before the court was adjourned for lunch. Neither Jamie nor his parents ate anything. The previous day, he gave brief replies to Amber's attempts at conversation. Now, he only stared at the floor. He wouldn't even shake his head. Laila said she got one 'yes' out of him, but it was hardly encouraging.

Do those people, fellow human beings, in the jury really believe he feels nothing? I don't believe I'm completely blinded by love for my son. I'm more disappointed in him than anyone else is. But I know he seems so unfeeling because he feels remorse.

Laila was called to the witness stand alongside Emma. She wanted to fervently back up the evidence with her own experience of seeing Jamie suffer, but Harper knew there was no time for speeches now, or Lindsey would convince Bowen that this was all irrelevant rambling. Laila could only answer the most necessary questions to briefly confirm these things happened and that it was distressing. She felt like a failure when she left that evening.

At first, Laila stayed with Aiko. Her patience rarely ran dry, but for once, she had no patience whatsoever for Aiko lamenting Yan's absence. She returned to The Under or stayed with Lyndon, who was quieter than ever since Courtney died.

He silently pondered selling the house they bought when Aiko and Kazuki were born. It wasn't a huge house, with enough space for the four of them and some guests, but it felt as painfully lonely as an empty castle. Their kids weren't coming back any time soon. Kazuki and Clover were planning to move to Laztaz Town, where she hoped to turn Orre's most famous haunted house into a Ghost-type Gym. Unbeknown to Aiko, Yan had Courtney's engagement ring. They would probably move to somewhere closer to the Team Magma Lab.

Lyndon's mom died a few years prior. Since then, even his half-sister Willa moved to Nascott City where rent for her hairdressing salon was cheaper. He would be the last of their family left in Phenac. Alfie offered to move in, but he turned 82 just over a month ago, in February. The harsh truth that he would not be around much longer refused to leave Lyndon's head. He was on the couch, staring at the wall, when Laila went to bed. She wasn't sure if he returned to staring at the wall as soon as he awoke, or if he never moved. He must have stood up at some point. Healthy breakfast tacos awaited her on the table, though it seemed he wasn't going to eat anything.