Heartbreaker ~ Larry Stylinson {English}

96. The trial.

~ Pov Louis ~ 

I nervously tap my foot on the floor. I look at myself in the reflection of the window. I tighten my tie and run my hand through my hair. Adrenaline rushes through my body. Today is Kjell's trial. And while that one officer was reasonably assured that we would get justice, I'm scared. It's the first time I'm going to see that Kurt, his killer and drug trafficker who screwed up his goddamn life. The anger I feel just thinking about it is unthinkable. I don't even want to know what I'm going to do when I see that man.

I can't handle this alone. I can't do this on my own. Yet here I am alone today, without Harry. We haven't talked to each other since our little fight a few days ago. Would he have forgotten the trial? Who knows, maybe he just got the date wrong. Maybe I should let him know that today-"Louis?"

I turn and see the agent from a few months ago who was at our door with the news. I force a smile at him.

"Officer," I greet him.

"You can call me Simon." I smile for the second time. "They're about to start. Will you come in?" I nod and get up. I follow him to the large doors, but just before I walk in, I look around for the last time. But Harry is nowhere to be found and I doubt he ever will be.

There is a huge buzz as I sit down somewhere on the front benches of the courtroom. I look around. Several men in suits, lawyers, women in suits, and some people who are here as an audience, but there's no one I recognise. "The court," announces a loud and deep voice. The buzz dies down and everyone quickly stands up and then sits down again when we are told to. The female judge begins her introduction, but I only half listen to what number the case is and who is being put on trial.

It is only when the defendant is called to the booth that I look up. "Kurt Davis," it says. That's him, that's the killer, it seems. Anger rushes through me when I hear his deep voice. "I swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth." I hope for you that you do, Kurt...

He looks big, but not extremely muscular. Here and there a tattoo and holes from where his piercings were before they took them out in prison, but nothing exaggerated. He is wearing a black shirt with the top buttons open. His hair is shaved short and his sleeves are rolled up. His eyes are dark and I can't bear to look into them, because the thought that he was one of the last persons to see Kjell alive gives me shivers.

He is questioned by the opposing party's lawyer. I can barely bear to hear his voice, his lies, or the truth, I don't know. All this is just too much. I close my eyes for a few seconds and try to focus on my breathing. After a few seconds, I feel a finger rubbing the back of my hand. I open my eyes and look to my left. "Harry..." He gives me a small smile.

"Sorry I'm late," he whispers. I nod as a sign that it's okay. He slides a little closer to me on the hard couch and intertwines his fingers with mine. "Is that him?" he asks, clenching his teeth and staring at Kurt. I nod.

"Yes that's him." I feel his pressure on my hand intensify and I look at him. He looks tense, angry. I rub my thumb against the skin of his hand. "Hey," I whisper to him. He turns his face towards me. "He's not getting away with this." Harry nods.

"Indeed. Even if they don't convict him now, he won't get away with it." I frown.

"Harry, what are you up to?"

"Provide justice, if they don't." I bite my bottom lip, but focus back on the trial when the opposing lawyer asks where the defendant was on the day of the crime.

Kurt shrugs. "With a buddy of mine."

"With a friend of yours?"

"Yes. Didn't I say that?"