The Accused

chapter 4

The whole courtroom was silent. A pin could have been dropped, and everyone would have heard it.

Finally, the lawyer breaks the silence. "Murder?" He questions
"That's what I said. Is it not? " Scarlett says,
"No need for the snarky remarks, Ms. Carmen, " the lawyer replies. "When you say they were laughing about murder, what do you mean?"
"I simply mean they were laughing about a murder that had taken place earlier that day. Possibly Kaly Drake"
The court erupts in suspicion. They yell things along the lines of "murderer."
"ORDER!" Judge Din yells. Banging his gavel on the podium. The court immediately stills. "Proceed."
The lawyer turns back to Scarlett. "Ms. Carmen, why do you believe that Ms. Drake was murdered by these strangers."
"Because it makes sense. Kaly went missing that day. She turns up dead. What's the coincidence that these people were joking about a murder that had happened that day?" Scarlett replies.
"How do you know she was murdered?"
"It's obvious,"
"Obvious because you did it,"replied the lawyer.
"ENOUGH!" The judge booms. He turns to the jury. "Ready to make your decision"

The jury nods and leaves the room. Scarlett makes her way back to Rochelle and Aurelia. They all stand there together. Aurelia tries to look confident, Rochelle tries not to break down, and Scarlett keeps a monotone expression. The courthouse erupts in chatter. The spectators voicing their opinions to each other. All seem biased against the trio. Eventually, the jury comes back in. The head juror whispers the verdict to Judge Din.
Judge Din bangs his gavel on the podium. "ORDER!" He yells. The courtroom immediately quiets down. He takes a deep breath. "The jury has reached a verdict." The courthouse goes quiet again. "The jury has found Aurelia Jones, Rochelle Benson, and Scarlett Carmen guilty of the murder of Kaly Drake."
The courtroom erupts in approval.
"SILENCE!" Judge Din yells. He takes a deep breath once everyone is silent. He turns to the girls. "Aurelia Jones, Rochelle Benson, and Scarlett Carmen, you have been proven guilty of the murder of Kaly Drake. You are sentenced to death." He turns to an officer. "Bring me, Gunnar Toge."
"Yes, sir," the officer replies. The officer leaves and comes back with a man. The man walks near the defendant box. His 6'5 "frame towers over the girls. He spares one glance at each of them. His ice blue eyes pierced their souls. He turns to Judge Din. His black hair ruffled. "You called for me,"
"Yes, Gunnar." Aurelia and Rochelle look away, Scarlett fixes her gaze on Judge Din. She swears she can see a smirk on his face. "Gunnar Toge," he says. "These girls have been proven guilty of murder. I've sentenced them to death. Take them away. "
Gunnar looks at Judge Din. "Yes, sir." Gunnar turns to the girls. "Let's go." He walks away with Aurelia, Rochelle, and Scarlett following. As they walk out the door, they hear Judge Din ending the trial.
They walk down a dark, winding hallway. After what feels like hours, they reach a door. Gunnar pulls out a key and unlocks the door. He shoves the girls inside and follows behind. Shutting the door. A small girl, about 5'2", comes running up. Her blue eyes like ice.
"Dad," she exclaims, running up to Gunnar. She jumps up to hug him.
He hugs her back. "Hello, Idona."
He gently sets her down. She sees Aurelia, Rochelle, and Scarlett behind Gunnar. "Who are they?" She asks with a sneer.
"Murderers." Gunnar replies.
Idona wrinkles her nose and tosses her long black hair over her shoulder. "Ew."
Gunnar looks at Idona. "Where's Max?"
"In his room, I think."
"Go find him and bring him here."
"Yes, dad." Idona replies. She spins on her heel and goes off to look for Max. She comes back with a boy, about 6'2", behind her. Aurelia and Rochelle are staring wearily at Gunnar. Scarlett looks at the boy. His warm brown eyes meet her bright green eyes. He runs a hand through his blonde hair and looks at Gunnar. "Yes, father?".
"Dont you 'yes father' me Maximilian."
Maximilian looks down at the floor.
"Look at me," Gunnar yells.
Maximilian looks up and meets his father's gaze.
"You think you can saunter into 'The Chamber' like you own it. And then mess with my concoctions. Absolutely not!"
Maximilian stays quiet, knowing he didn't do anything but plays along. Protecting his sister. "Sorry, father."
Gunnar pins Maximilian to the wall and punches him until he bleeds. "That will teach you," Gunnar mutters. "Take these prisoners to your room," he demands. Gunnar walks off with Idona.
Maximilian looks at Aurelia, Rochelle, and Scarlett. He walks to them. "Im Maximilian."
"Im Scarlett," Scarlett says. "And this is Aurelia and Rochelle."
Maximilian smiles weakly, as if nothing happened. "Nice to meet you." He brings them up to his room. He gets intercepted by Idona.
Idona hugs Maximilian. "Im so sorry, Max. You didn't have to do that."
Maximilian hugs her back. "Yes, I did. Dont worry about it."
Idona steps past Maximilian to Aurelia, Rochelle, and Scarlett. "Hi," she says cheerfully. "Im Idona."
"Scarlett," Scarlett replies. "This is Aurelia and Rochelle,
Idona looks at them and smiles. "Sorry, how i acted earlier. I have to please my father." She looks at Aurelia. "Oh my gosh, you are absolutely gorgeous." Idona turns to Maximilian. "Where are you taking them?"
"Father told me to take them to my room." Maximilian replied.
"I'll take them," she offered. "Well, these two," she points to Rochelle and Aurelia.
"I can't. You know what he'll do."
"Max, please." Idona bats her eyelashes.
"Fine," he sighs.
Idona smiles. "Thanks." She turns to Aurelia and Rochelle. "Come with me." She takes them and leaves Maximilian and Scarlett.
Scarlett watches as Aurelia and Rochelle leave. She turns to Maximilian. He looks at her and leads her to his room in silence. They reach a door, and Maximilian opens the door, which reveals a long winding staircase. They go upstairs. They eventually reach another door. Maximilian opens it. "After you," he tells Scarlett.
Scarlett mumbles a thanks and walks inside. Maximilian follows. He grabs a chair and gestures for her to sit. Scarlett sits.
Maximilian digs around in a drawer and pulls out a knife. He walks straight towards Scarlett.