We're Not Toys

Chapter 18

TW: Mentions of almost everything that's happened before in one way or another.

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The trial was quick. It took less than a half-hour for the jury to reach their verdict. Guilty. They were guilty. There was so much undeniable evidence against them that if they hadn't been guilty Cross probably would have shot someone with the gun that sat proudly on his hip. They all knew that the two men were going to prison, but for what reasons and for how long were the things that were more important to everyone. They would all be extremely angry if they only got a few years, like rich people sometimes had. The families of some of the dead victims would probably riot if they were able to get out of prison before they died. If the death penalty was legal where they lived then that would be the verdict, but it wasn't, so hopefully they'd die in prison instead.

For Nightmare: 37 counts of 1st degree murder (185), 39 counts of harassment (39), 39 counts of kidnapping (936), 39 counts of stalking (195), 12 counts of theft (36), 59 counts of assault (1888), 14 counts of accessory to rape (210), 21 counts of drugging people and possession of drugs (315), and a few more lesser crimes that were punishable by fines. So in total he would be spending 3804 years in prison, all without any possibility of parole.

And for Killer: 37 counts of 1st degree murder (185), 39 counts of harassment (39), 39 counts of kidnapping (936), 39 counts of stalking (195), 92 counts of theft (368), 213 counts of assault (6816), 14 counts of rape (280), 21 counts of drugging people and possession of drugs (315), and he also had a few fines and smaller crimes. He had it worse because he did much more of the kidnapping, actually raped the people, and tortured them a lot more. So he had 9134 years instead, also without possibility of parole.

They both deserved it. Killer and Nightmare looked back in pure anger, staring directly into Ink's eyes with a look that scared him. He leaned into Night, who they convinced to come into the courtroom this time, and he wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly and keeping him safe. He wouldn't need to be scared anymore, they would be in prison much longer than all of them would be alive. They'd been given the maximum sentence for many of their crimes, but even with the minimum sentence they wouldn't be getting out for a long time. It was an emotional moment as Dream stared them down as they were escorted out of the trial. It was the quickest trial the former officer had ever seen, but it was also the most incriminating case he had ever been a part of. They basically used the cameras to compile evidence against themselves, and made the police's job a lot easier.

Cross took them all home-well, to the hospital-where Dream climbed into bed with Ink and they had a small celebration, just with the four of them. Cross managed to convince one of the doctors to let him bring some cake in for them, but was turned down when he asked about bringing alcohol. He bought some shitty cupcakes, but to Ink and Dream, they tasted fucking delicious. Sure, Ink had ice cream earlier that day, but cake was different, and much better. It was a good day, the best one they'd had in a long time. It was the first time they had really felt safe in a pretty long time. Sure, they had a shit ton of anxiety telling them that maybe they'd get out and hurt them again. But they pushed that to the back of their minds in favour of relishing in the victory they had been rewarded with after all their suffering.

It was a good day. It was a good week. Dream convinced Cross to take him out when they were sent off to their prison, and exchanged looks with the pathetic-looking men. He stared into their eyes, showing them that he was no longer afraid-even though he was fucking terrified of them. They gave the most threatening look they could muster, but it more made Dream laugh (even though he leaned into Cross for comfort and safety). They looked pathetic, dressed in bright orange with chains connecting their wrists together as they were shoved into the police van tasked with taking them to the prison they would spend the rest of their lives in.

Ink didn't want to go, he'd had enough of Killer and Nightmare for a lifetime, and he didn't know how he'd react to the sight. Yeah, he might've been getting better, but he was scared that seeing them like that might hurt him. His therapist was also sure that he was not ready for that, he was barely ready to talk to them through the bars of that cell. But Dream told him how it went, and Ink did actually enjoy the thought. They wouldn't be able to hurt his friend anymore. It was better for Dream, and after Nightmare attacked him he started thinking that maybe it was better for him too.

They were safe here, with people they loved and who would protect them. They would take this over any other situation. Sure, they had their issues, like their trauma and mental health issues, but they'd much rather be here with trauma than with them.

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915 words

Have a good day/night and I hope you enjoyed :]