Stay

98

My world felt like it was crumbling as I sobbed into Colby's chest. "I cant....He...how....oh god." I sobbed. "Shhhhh I got you were safe." Colby said laying his cheek on my head as Colby's parents walked in with Everest. Sam was pacing angrily on the phone with somebody.

3 HOURS EARLIER.

I took a deep breath as I sat with Phil and Will in the court room at 12. "The jury may now deliver there verdict. All rise" Judge Richards said. Every one stood. I nervously picked at my fingers. "We the jury find the defendent." the foreperson started. I took a deep breath this was it the moment I have been waiting for.

"Not Guilty." The foreperson said. My heart cracked in my chest as I fell to my knees. I was in shock as Phil helped me stand back up. For the next 15 minutes I stood there frozen in shock. I didn't even hear Judge Richards dismiss the court. I only realized it was dismissed when Colby ran over to me and instantly held me.

I didn't react I couldn't I stayed frozen numb. It felt like everything around me was going in slow motion. I hadn't felt this helpless since I was a kid when I first told someone about the abuse and the law didn't believe me. In that moment I felt like that scared little girl again.

Colby's POV

I stood there holding Marissa tightly in my arms. My mind racing. Not guilty how. I took a deep breath. "Marissa hey." I said. She didn't respond she was in her head. Sam walked over and helped me walk Marissa out to the car.

My Dad drove and My mom sat up front so I could sit in the back with Marissa and Everest. When we got back to the house My parents took care of Everest as I helped Marissa inside. I got her upstairs and changed into pj shorts and my love like blood t shirt. I helped her into bed and laid with her pulling her tightly to me.

I hugged her tightly like my mom showed me at thanksgiving hoping to get her out of her head. I did this on and of for 2 and a half hours but it didn't work. Sam and Kat walked in with Quin. "How is she." Kat asked. "Still stuck in her head I don't know what to do." I said sitting us both up.

"I have an idea but your not gonna like it." Quin said. Before I could ask what it was Quin wound back and slapped Marissa across the face. "Quin why did y.." I started but stopped when Marissa brought her hand to her face coming back to reality. Sam got a phone call and picked it up as Marissa clung to my shirt starting to sob.

Marissa's POV

"I cant....He...how....oh god." I sobbed. "Shhhhh I got you were safe." Colby said laying his cheek on my head as Colby's parents walked in with Everest. Sam was pacing angrily on the phone with some body. Layne handed Colby my water bottle and Colby brought it to my lips. I took a small sip trying to calm down.

Sam hung up and walked back over. "That was Phil he is just as shocked as we are he recommends we file an appeal and mistrial. In the meantime not to leave the Airbnb until we leave." Sam said. "W...would Mark be taken back into custody till a new t...trial." I said. "Unfortunately no." Sam said

I nodded trying to hold myself together. "When is our flight home." I asked my voice raspy. "9 am tomorrow." Colby said. "Okay." I said. I slowly laid down just staring at the wall. "We will give you some space." Layne said. "Do you want Everest to stay in here." Lesa asked me. I nodded. I was terrified to have him out of my sight now that Mark was released. She smiled and laid him in the bassinet then her Layne and Sam left the room leaving Colby Everest and I alone.

Colby rubbed my back as we laid there quietly. I eventually fell asleep. I woke up 4 hours later alone in the bedroom. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I froze when I heard something get knocked over in the bathroom. I frantically looked around me for something I could use to defend myself.