Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 41

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

Today as Sadie looked out into the gallery she saw a lot more familiar faces. All the Losers were present with their parents. Only Georgie and Danny were absent as they were at the Dunnings' for the day. Mrs. Dunning had become a lifesaver to both Wendy and Maggie in that regard, being able to watch the boys when they were needed in court. Much of Derry High School seemed present in court today as well, the school being closed out of respect for the day, including her husband. Due to their work schedules, Jake Epping almost never got to see what his wife did at work, and here he was two rows back from the prosecution's table.

Pride bloomed in Sadie's chest as she met his gaze. She knew today was going to be hard, harder than yesterday to be sure, but knowing her husband was here gave her strength.

Again, Mr. Holborn came in leisurely with Mr Gray just before the bailiff called the court to order. Winthrop entered, and the day began.

"The prosecution calls Edward Kaspbrak to the stand," Sadie said rising.

Eddie walked through the gallery, a guard pushing the gate open so that he could cross the bar. The bailiff then escorted him to the witness stand. The entire time, Eddie focused on his breathing. In his head he ran through a list of things he saw, things he could feel, hear, smell, and taste. He was careful never to look at the defense's table, like the old myth of Medusa, he was sure that seeing his former father would turn him to stone. But that didn't stop him from feeling those eyes on the back of his neck, boring into his soul.

At last he reached the witness's stand.

"Place your hand on the Bible, Mr. Kaspbrak. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

His eyes flicked over to the Bailiff, "I do."

The Bailiff nodded.

Eddie looked to where Sadie was standing across from him, just as they had practiced. She asked him some basic questions to start: his name, his age, what his relationship was to the defendant.

He fell into a rhythm and the nerves he was feeling began to settle.

"What can you tell me about the medication the defendant gave you?" Sadie was asking.

"He told me I was sick. He said I had asthma, and he got me an inhaler. Then he said I wasn't growing as much as I should be, so I started a vitamin regiment of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc tablets. After I got sick a few times, I was also prescribed prednisone. And most recently I was prescribed propothyoucil for my metabolism. I found out that besides the vitamins these were all placebos. I was never really sick the way he said. He made me believe there was something wrong with me my entire life just so I would be more reliant on him."

"Objection," Holborn shouted. "The witness is speculating."

Eddie's blood froze in his veins.

"Overruled, Mr. Holborn." Judge Winthrop said. "Prosecution may continue."

"I am so sorry," Sadie said, the expression on her face was genuine even though she had heard his testimony many times already. "What can you tell me about the defendant's approach to meals?"

"He was harsh. He used to keep the kitchen cupboards locked, and would only allow us to eat at meal times. He said it was because we would eat him out of house and home, but there were a lot of nights we went hungry."

"This happened in every city?"

"Yes."

"When did it start?"