Angel in My Eyes (MIW fanfic)

Chapter 34: Freedom at last (Phoenix)

"I call Phoenix Olson to the stand." The prosecutor said loudly. I stepped out and sat on the stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"

"I do," I said softly.

"In your own words tell us why you're here today?" He asked seriously.

"I was fourteen and I'd just moved to England to attend Brighton academy on a soccer scholarship, on my 15th birthday I met Daemon and we got along as friends. He took me to meet his dad one day and we were talking, he told me that I needed to leave my girlfriend at the time because I belonged to them. I refused and attempted to leave the house, they grabbed me and drugged me. When I woke up I was in my boxers laying in his dad's bed, I tried to run and the beat me. They held me down and took turns raping me. From then the abuse escalated to the point I couldn't eat or sleep, I couldn't focus and I lost my scholarship. I'd attempted to kill myself and was committed to Bennington for recovery. I was sent home and almost a year later they'd moved in down the street, the abuse, the rape and the physical assult continued and they threatened to hurt my family and my girlfriend Skye Cerulli of I told anyone. They manipulated my relationship with her to get what they wanted and abused both of us multiple times. My father found them assaulting me after a soccer match at school and I woke up in the er later that night." Is aid trying to keep my voice steady.

"Mr Olson did you ever invite their attention?" He asked me facing the jury.

I shook my head, "no never. I was new to the country and just wanted to make friends."

"Nothing further your honor." He said returning to his seat. I prepared myself for the defense question.

"Mr Olson have you ever been intimate with a man of your will?" I closed my eyes.

"Yes, shortly after I moved to England." I said softly.

"And you invited those advances?" He continued.

"I made the advances towards the other party," I responded.

"They were welcomed advances yes?" He pressed.

"Yes, otherwise nothing would have happened between us." I said seriously.

"How do we that you aren't just pressing charges against my clients because you made the advances, as a minor, to enter into inappropriate sexual acts with an adult?" He said standing in front of me.

"Because I wouldn't do something I knew was wrong, I didn't ask to be drugged, held down and forced to have sex. I wouldn't ask to be beaten maliciously and hospitalized, I wouldn't have asked to be manipulated and threatened to the point I feared the safety of my family." I said strongly. The defence attorney eyed me.

"Tell me what type of relationship you have with your father?" He asked seriously.

I sat stunned, "what does that have to do with anything?" I asked confused.

"Answer the question." He said seriously. When I refused, "your honor?"

"Son I'm going to have to ask you to answer the question or I will hold you in contempt." The judge said to me.

I sighed, "it's a normal father son relationship. We fight, one of us will apologize, we forgive each other, he's there for me when I need him and I will always do anything for my father." I said seriously.

"Did your father ever touch you inappropriately?" He asked blind siding me.

"NO! Who the fuck do you think you are. My dad loves me, he's not some sick and twisted asshole!" I screamed in shock.

"Nothing further your honor." He said smirking.

"Redirect your honor?" The prosecutor said standing.

"I'll allow it this once," the judge nodded.

"Mr. Olson, tell me is there anything that you wouldn't do for someone you love?" He asked short.

I shook my head, "short of illegal no, I would go to the ends of every corner of the earth for my family or my friends." The questions continued. Finally after being fully inspected and dissected, I was allowed to step down. The jury was out for an hour, before they returned to speak the verdict. Guilty on all accounts with life in prison. We walked out of the courtroom Skye's hand in mine and my dad's arm around my shoulders. "I'm free! No more hell." My leg still hurt and it was going to take a lot of conditioning for me to play soccer again but I can deal with that. "Dad can we get ice cream?"

Dad nodded with a chuckle, "sure thing kiddo. Angelo is waiting for your call by the way."

I looked over confused, "what about?"

"Covering the tattoo behind your ear, I know you wanted too. I'm giving fully consent and I'm even paying for it." He said opened the car door for Skye. "This nightmare is finally over for you two, it's over for your family too. Be kids a while longer then okay?" He teased pulling away from the curb.

"I don't know about you Skye, but I'm feeling really damn good right now. Is this what freedom feels like?" I said looking back at her.