Behind The Scenes

Twenty-Fourth

WARNING: May be mentions of abuse, panic attacks, trauma, blood, etc. If you are sensitive to these topics, please don't read.

Lia POV:

She nodded.

"I would like the defense attorney to bring his first witness."

Mattheo's father nodded.

"Your Honor, I would like to call Mr. Doe, Mr. and Mrs. Ramn's next-door-neighbor."

Alex smacked his forehead.

"What happened?" I asked.

"He was one of my previous foster fathers."

"Was he good?"

"Would I be worried if he was?"

"Good point."

Mr. Doe walked to the front. He made eye contact with Alex as he walked up. Something about him was strange. He swore to tell the truth and Mr. Crow began questioning him.

"Have you ever seen signs of abuse from the way Alex acted?"

I was sure he would say no, but he proved me wrong.

"Yes."

Alex gasped, his ex-foster parents' eyes widened, and Mattheo's father glared at him. Mr. Doe glared right back. The judge covered her mouth. She was about to say something but Mr. Doe beat her to it.

"I'm not lying about him being abused. I've heard the screams. I've seen him crying. I know what's happening in his house and I hate it. I feel horrible he's going through that and I never thought to phone the police. This 17-year-old had to."

He pointed at me. Mr. Crow was shocked but quickly questioned him again.

"Is it true you were arrested for drinking while being Alex's foster father?"

"Yes. I've been clean since I got out of jail. I never touched a cigarette and never even thought of drinking a beer. I've done community service and tried to change my ways, but I know I'll never change in the hearts of the people I've hurt. I'm sorry, Micah."

I gasped. People turned to look at me and I ducked my head. He was Micah's father.

"Mr. Crow, any further questions?" the judge asked.

"No further questions, Your Honor."

"Do you have any more witnesses?"

"Your Honor, I told you about one more witness."

"Yes, you did."

Alex was confused.

"Your Honor, I would like to call Mindia Milah Fox who has lived with the victim for 15 years."

Mattheo's father raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Hawk?"

"How does your client know the witness?"

"She's his sister."

Alex was shocked. I knew Mindy was a witness. Mattheo had to debate with Mr. Crow to allow Mindy to testify. Obviously, Mr. Crow lost. Mindy, Jane, Mattheo, and Micah walked into the courtroom. Mindy and Alex made eye contact but Alex seemed more relieved than upset. Mattheo glared at his father while Micah smiled at his. Mindy swore in while the others sat next to us. They gave Alex an apologetic glance but he didn't seem to mind. The questioning began.

"You've lived with your brother since you were born, correct?"

"Yes."

"Why hasn't he tried to have them arrested before?"

"We have. Our case was dropped and they believed we were lying."

"Do you have evidence of this claim?"

Mindy bit her lip.

"No, I don't."

The man smirked but the judge cut in.

"I do. Their papers are in front of me."

She held up a red file with Alex and Mindy's name. Mattheo smiled. I knew he disliked his father but I didn't know the extent of the hate.

"Your Honor, may I see the file?"

"Yes."

The judge handed Mr. Hawk the file and he read it over twice. He resentfully gave it back to the judge.

"Very well. How far back are you able to remember?"

"Pretty far. My oldest memory is when I was three."

"Can you tell me what memory of them stood out to you the most?"

Mindy froze. So did Alex. I rubbed his hand and told him everything would be okay.

"This was when I was 12. Alex was 14. We were home alone when I heard a noise. It was our foster parents. They were drunk and this was the first time they treated us badly. Alex was worried so he moved to help them but they struck him. He didn't move and again tried to help them. They grabbed his arm and dragged him upstairs. I didn't do anything. I didn't know what to do. I heard screams that night. When Alex came down, he wasn't the same. He refused to talk to me. From that day until he turned 16, he didn't talk with me. He spoke a few words after his 16th birthday but Lia was the first person who heard him speak full sentences since the event."

"Did he ever tell you what happened?"

"He told me they hit him with a belt 13 times."

"14. One for each year."