When Summer Ends

Chapter 22

3/5/2022-

Trigger warning: Physical Abuse

The next 4 chapters are going to be hard. They have to do with Gabe's trial, and will contain talk of assault, abuse, and rape. I was dreading writing them because of what they would contain, but also because I don't know a lot about how a criminal trial would work. I did research, I watched movies with similar situations, but I still really struggled writing these chapters. Please forgive me if I've written anything that doesn't line up with how a trial actually is, I did my best.

As always, I am always here if any of you need to talk. About anything. I truly do care for each and every one of you and even though I may not know you in real life, I want to be there for you if you need anything at all.

The courthouse looms above me, it's dark exterior making me dread going inside. Dark windows line the grey walls, leading up all four stories. People in dull, colorless clothing walk in and out of the large, heavy doors, oblivious to the world around them.

Thunder rumbles in the distance, coming to join the dark clouds that hover overhead, while raindrops threaten to drop at any moment. The weather perfectly reflects the mood of today.

My mother stands to my left while Rylie stands to my right, holding tightly to my hand. I wonder briefly if she's more nervous than I am. In my left hand, I clutch the manila folder filled with photos tightly.

"You ready to go in, Aspen?" My mother asks gently. I take a deep breath before nodding. Rylie and I follow er up the long, concrete stairs, and I quietly thank the man that holds the door open for us.

The inside of the building is even more depressing, but I shouldn't be surprised. Mr. Kent meets us just inside the doors, and I'm surprised at the relief I feel when I see his familiar face.

"Hello, Aspen." I take his outstretched hand. "You must be Rylie, and Mrs. Hart." He shakes their hands. "You all look very nice. Are you feeling ready for today?"

I glance down at my outfit as he talks, seeming to notice it for the first time. I'm wearing a simple long dark blue dress with a dark blue jean jacked. I'd figured it was better to cover up as much as possible.

William leads us up more stairs and down a hallway before we enter a small, quiet room. Two long couches sit opposite each other, their backs against the walls. A small desk and chair sit underneath a single, square window that shows a gloomy view of a grassy courtyard.

My mother, Rylie and I sit on one of the large couches while William sits on the other, and he begins explaining how today is going to go. I'd seen enough movies and TV shows with criminal trials to know the basics, but living it was a whole different ordeal. William explains that I'll be sitting with him and a prosecutor at a table in front of the audience section, and Rylie and my mother will sit just behind us in that section. Then he says the words I'd been dreading.

"Gabe and his defense attorney will be at the table beside us. You won't have to speak to him during the trial, only his attorney. He will be asking you similar questions to the ones I asked last week, but a lot more. He will also try to find ways to contradict your answers and evidence."

The more William explains, the more nervous I get. I had done nothing wrong but he made it sound like they'd find a way to place me in the wrong. I didn't know if I was actually ready for this.

I quickly excuse myself and hurry to the bathroom, needing a moment to collect myself before I have to go into the courtroom.

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The courtroom is bigger than I expected, but the setup matches all the ones I'd seen on TV. The jury box sits on the rights ide, and people sit silently in their seats, watching as everyone enters the room. Rylie squeezes my hand one last time before following my mother to their seats.