𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 42: Evermore

My old man used to tell me, "it's best to never say you've hit rock bottom." 

"Trust me," he said. 

"You can always go lower. And the thing about hell is there's always another on below."

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The gavel struck, "John Booker Routledge, pursuant to the North Carolina statute section 14, you are charged with murder in the first degree with aggravated circumstances."

Grace's breath hitched.

"If convicted, the maximum sentence would be the death penalty."

The audience of the courtroom erupted in whispers as the judge struck her gavel once more, dismissing the hearing.

Sarah had tears in her eyes and was breathing heavy. JJ had a look of pure shock on his face, Kiara a look of disgust. Pope was just trying to process the situation.

JJ sprang up to shout, "Your Honour, he's 17!"

Kie stood and pushed a hand to his chest, "Stop."

Grace stayed in her seat, staring across the courtroom at Ward Cameron. He was sitting in his stupid suit next to Rose. He was sitting and watching one of Grace's best friends, scratch that, Grace's brother get convinced of a crime he didn't commit. Grace's eyes were locked on the side of his head, ignoring JJ and the rest of her surroundings and glaring daggers into the man.

JJ ignored Kie and continued shouting, "He's 17! Are you kidding me?"

He pointed over at John B, "Hey, John B, we're gonna figure it out."

Grace snapped out of her rage induced glare and watched Sarah cry out for John B as he was taken away.

"Sare!" Grace called while hurrying over to her. 

Kiara got there first and pulled Sarah back while scowling at the cop that was shoving her. "Stop! Don't touch her!"

Sarah swatted the cop's hands away and followed Kie. 

The Pogues made their way out of the courthouse along with the rest of the crowd.

Grace clenched her jaw while overhearing the crowd's mutters and mumbles.

"Justice is served."

"He had it coming."

Kie, Grace and Sarah stopped at the top of the steps next to JJ and Pope.

"Is this a joke? Like, are we in hell or...?" Kiara grumbled.

The group made their way down the steps and onto the gravel driveway.

"We should have never come home," Sarah replied tearfully. Grace just nodded in agreeance.

"They're gonna kill him, guys. I know it," JJ added. 

Grace ignored him as her eyes drifted back to Ward.

He was walking out of the court while talking to a fellow kook. 

"I'm so sorry for what your family has gone through. Thank god the system works."

Grace sprang forward, away from her friends.

Kie beat her to the punch, "Can you please shut up?" 

The group of kooks, including Ward stopped walking to look at her, "Of course you think the system worked because it was made to protect people like you."

"The system sure works for people with money to pay off witnesses, huh Ward?" Grace added sarcastically, anger evident in her voice.

"He'll have his day in court. A jury will decide," one of the men replied.