brothers.

78.2~ Cross Examination

A/N: To think I wrote this at 20 years old in my first semester of sophomore year... and now I'm 21 and in my junior year! (cringing at the subpar writing rn XD)

Detective Poole was in the courtroom for hours. Susan soon came out after a while, telling us we probably wouldn't be called in today. After more waiting, her thoughts were confirmed. I was both upset and relieved. I just wished I didn't have to come back and wait even longer to face my fears.

I had a fitful sleep. Nightmares of the court staring me down, the lawyers calling me a liar, Pat breaking out of his cuffs and coming after me. All these twisted, confusing, spiraling terrors running rampant in my mind.

Before I knew it, I was back in the waiting area, dressed up, waiting for my turn. Thelma was in there for a while, then Kate was called. Neither of them returned after testifying. I knew they merely went to the audience seats after speaking, but it still held an ominous connotation, as if they were taken away forever, never to come out again.

"Calling Diana Field."

My heart stopped. I was hoping Patrick Jr. would go first. Kyle came over, helping me out of my seat. My legs were turned to jelly.

"Look at me," he said, taking my shoulders. "Don't let them twist your words, don't let them trick you, don't let them win. You know what happened. You know he's guilty. You don't need to worry about anything, okay?"

I nodded. He kissed my forehead and led me into the courtroom with the bailiff.

Inside, all eyes were on me. My throat was dry, my hand clutching Lonnie's leash like a lifeline. I glanced at my family and friends at the front of the audience, all of them shooting me looks of reassurance and comfort. Kate looked pretty shaken, her eyes red and wet, diminishing that comfort.

Then, I saw him.

He didn't look at me yet. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, cuffs around his wrists, his hair disheveled— not that he had much of it anymore. Even through the loose jumpsuit, his potbelly was visible from the way he was sitting. He looked relaxed, as if confident he'd get away with it. How many things had he gotten away with in the past?

His steely gray eyes then met mine. His expression remained a deadpan as I slowed, unable to move. It was as if he were holding me there with his stare, concentrating on taking every cell of me under his control.

"Diana." Kyle nudged me gently. He and Lonnie flanked me, as if protecting me from the criminal's gaze. I didn't look at him again, but in the corner of my eye, I could swear I saw him smirking.

I stood in the corner and raised my right hand at my shoulder, my hand on a Bible. The book cover was smooth and warm under my palm, the leather soft.

"Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give at this hearing shall be the truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of perjury?"

"I do," I answered. I sat down at the witness stand, Lonnie sitting next to me, and Kyle returned to the audience seating.

"Please state your name for the record."

"Diana Brianna Wa- Field, sorry."

"Repeat."

"Diana Brianna Field." I looked at my family, focusing on them. They shared my blood. Not Pat.

"Ms. Field, what is your relationship with the defendant?" the lawyer asked; he was the State's representative, so I didn't have to worry just yet.

"He was my uncle, supposedly," I answered.

"What do you mean by 'supposedly'?"

I explained my situation. "So Patrick isn't actually related to me by blood," I finished.