Saving Riley

68

Riley's POV 

Today was a day that I don't I would ever be able to prepare myself for but I know as soon as i've done it, it's over
"You okay?" James asked coming in from the bathroom, I sighed before chuckling as I watched him struggle with his tie
"You don't have to come you know" I whispered. I was already pushing it by telling him he didn't need to
"you don't actually think that I would let you do this alone do you" He asked placing his hands on my waist making me smile
"You're stuck with me I'm afraid" He said pressing our lips together 

We arrived at the courtroom just in time to watch Lucas be brought in still in cuffs
"You've got this" James said giving my hand another squeeze
"Riley, it isn't too late. If you want some special measures put in place, we can do that" My lawyer said, I bit my lip glancing over at James
"No, I want him to look me in the face when it comes to him facing what he did" I said making James wrap a protective arm around me
"All Rise" The porter said alerting us the judge was entering the room

Before long we were all seated waiting for the Judge to speak
"Before we begin, I need to remind the jury, you need to impartial. Don't be having any prejudgements until you've heard everything" The judge said addressing the jury
"Okay Prosecution. Your opening statement please" The judge said making my lawyer nod before stepping forward
It was time for all for all of this to be out in the open

"We are here today to not only discuss the recent events of an abduction but we are also here to talk about a abusive relationship. One I have to say in my 35 years of doing this line of work I have never seen" He started making me instantly fidget
"We are going to see how this one young man can turn this young lady into nothing but a play toy, a punching bag, something he can just push aside when he doesn't need her" He continued

"I warn you now, it isn't going to be pretty, it isn't going to be easy to stomach what you'll hear but I urge you to listen to ever single second of it. We need justice for Riley" He said before offering me a smile
"And the Defense?" The Judge offered as my lawyer came back over to join us

"As my Colleague has said, the things you will hear are important and I urge you to pay attention. This relationship was not one sided and I'm certain we can all come to that conclusion together" He said
"My client has hold his hands up for certain things but others are nothing but a string of lies fed to someone to make believable" He said

I looked at James who's other hand was clenched in a fist. This was not going to be easy for anyone involved that is for sure..

--

"Alright, now we are back from Recess. Defense who would you like to call to the stand?" The Judge asked, I knew for a fact it would be me
"Riley" His Lawyer said

After saying my oathe, I sat on the stand looking right at him while he burnt holes into my face
I was looking him dead  in the eye, I don't know why but I felt like I had an upper hand
"Alright Miss Raymond. Can you tell me when and how you met Mr Daniels" His Lawyer asked
"I met him on September 16th, our first day at Julliard" I confidently said
"And how would you say that exchange went?" He asked 
"It was okay, he was sweet. I wasn't really looking for more then just friends at that point" I said
"And why is that?" He asked
"I'd just come out of a long term relationship" I explained
"With the gentlemen sitting there, is that correct?" The Lawyer said pointing to James
"Um yes?" I said 

"Relevance?" The judge asked
"why did you two break up?" He asked making me look at James then to my lawyer then back to Lucas' lawyer
"I er, he broke up with me to make sure I didn't give up my opportunity for Julliard" I said still confused
"And how was your relationship with him?" He asked, I looked at the judge before looking back at the lawyer
"My relationship with James?" i asked making the Lawyer nod
"My relationship with James is and will always be the best thing I've ever experienced. From a young age he helped me grow as a dancer, as a person and overall has done nothing but benefit my life" I said making James smile too himself 

"And what about your relationship with Mr Daniels?" The lawyer asked
"At the beginning, it was like no other relationship, there was laughter, there was happiness" I started 
"But the second I was in deep he switched" I said looking Lucas in the eyes
"Can you clarify what you mean by switched?" The lawyer asked
"he became this person I was scared of. He would sit there day in and day our picking at what I ate, what I wore. Anything I did" I said getting a little overwhelmed already
"And to clarify. Did you do anything to trigger these responses?" He asked making my breath hitch
"You're trying to turn this on me?" I asked 
"Please answer the question Miss Raymond" The Lawyer repeated

"No. I never did anything to trigger it. All I would have to do is breath the wrong way to get some sort of abuse from him!" I yelled before closing my eyes to try and compose myself a little more
"How about we take a small recess?" The judge offered, I was quick to nod before running off the stand and straight out the door.