Crying Wolf

Chapter 16 June 23rd

"You look really pretty, Mer." Annie smiles.

Meredith laughed, "You really don't need to lie to me. I have a healing rib, healing arm, and I still look like I got hit by a train!"

"Honestly, why even wear make-up? One, you are already beautiful. Two, we want them to see the bruises, right? It makes it more believable!"

She had her first day in court today, her first day against her classmates. Against someone who she thought was her friend, and her well-known bully in school. Meredith wanted the jury to know about the bond. It was such compelling evidence that he knew she was in danger. 

She took Noah's hand, "can we please tell the jury about the wolf thing, the bond? The judge knows, yes, but he isn't the one who needs to determine guilt. They could better understand how you found the chloroform and how you knew Michael was there before looking at the tapes. Without our bond, the jury can only go off of is on the Ring videos and the photos they took after finding me." She looked into his eyes, "I can tell them. I got the lovely ability to be at the stand first. I believe telling them will give them no reason but to believe us. It would be better if we can show them that you can feel my pain."

She could already tell that he hated the idea, by the way his body tensed and his eyes became darker. She also could tell that he was weighing the options and actually giving it thought. She knew how risky it could be, having the jurors know about the wolves, but how bad-she didn't want to know. She just wanted them to know that there was no chance of faking injuries.

Noah clasps his fingers around hers, "I will think about it more during the drive. Okay?"
"Okay, deal. Whatever you decide, I am fine with it. So please don't stress it too much."

Annie insisted on driving, that she needed the distraction of focusing on the road. Noah then opened the passenger side door for her, deciding it would be better to see her. The ride was long, but she knew it would be worth it after she watched her kidnappers go to jail. She'd feel better, right?

Annie tried to make small talk throughout the drive, but for the most part, the ride was quiet. Noah didn't want the radio on, he didn't even want to engage in the conversation. Probably because he was as nervous as she was, or he was thinking about something else.

As if knowing I was thinking about him, Noah speaks up, "We tell them. If they question our integrity, we show them. We show them that we can't read minds, but we can feel pain. They can blindfold me, and then they can, I don't know, pinch you somewhere and I tell them where."

She nods, "That sounds like proof to me. What happens if they blab about it afterwards?"

"We'll handle it when we get there."

"We are almost there," Annie speaks up, holding out her hand.

Meredith took her sister's hand, "You don't have to sit and watch. I know you feel like you have to, but you don't need to see or hear it all..."

"I want to. I hate what they did to you. I need to see justice for Robbie, but I need to see those 'people' suffer. I will testify against Josie all day, every day. I will run this bitch to the ground."

She giggles as Annie pulls into the parking lot. She took a deep breath before unbuckling her seat belt. Noah opened her door, holding her hand as the three of them walked towards the building. The crowd of people in front of the building shocked her. There were cameras everywhere. She was top shot now, only because she got kidnapped, and lived, at that.

Part of her was scared to hear what these people would dare ask her. Part of her was thankful that this case would get the coverage. Hopefully the parents of the unidentified children can get closure, because Annie could help them cross over.

"Did Josie really have any link to this case?"

"Meredith, do you really believe that Michael was in on this? He's someone's son!"

Noah snapped at that, "He admitted to it when I found him in that basement with her. She is someone's daughter, she didn't deserve that."

"I–"

"Exactly. Ask better questions."

We kept walking, trying to ignore the herd of reporters and the cameras. Meredith almost made it to the door until she heard a question that made her spin on her feet. Looking at whomever asked it, she made a disgusted face at them. Jenna Jones? Her middle school best friend? Bitch.

"How can you be sure that Josie was even tied to this? Seems like she went to your house to make amends, and you called her a liar. You initiated that she was hostile. She was held in jail the whole time you were gone, so how can you be so sure that she's related to this? You just want to blame her because she said something that hurt you."

Noah took her hand again, trying to pull her to the door but she stayed put. So did Annie, who shared the disgust Meredith had. Annie took her other hand in hers, squeezing tightly to let her know she approved of whatever Meredith decided to do.

Jenna began again, "Do you have any proof that Josie bullied you?"

Meredith stood tall, "Look at police reports. This is not the first and only time. Check with the school. There are so many reports from not only me, but from fellow classmates who witnessed Josie harass me. To think that I called you my best friend is a joke."

Jenna's jaw dropped, "You know I am only doing my job right? You're still–"

"You can do your job without blaming me and saying I asked to be held captive and beat to death." Meredith spun back around.

Noah held the door open so Annie and Meredith could walk inside. Annie still clung to Meredith's hand, looking very shaken up about the vile questions that were asked. They got to the waiting room, so Noah and Meredith walked in. Having to be away from her sister for so long before such an intense time scared her.

She put her belongings into the locker assigned for her, locking it and slipping the key into her pocket. She turned around to instantly be pulled into a hug by her sister. Noah joined in on the hug, the glue to us all. Noah saved her in every way possible, even if he was being weird lately.

"I love you, Annie," she whispered. "Thank you."

"I love you too, buggy."

Annie detached and walked away towards the courtroom. Today wasn't the day that Annie or Aimee would be testifying, that wasn't for another day or so. The police officers involved that day, have to testify as well, since Noah had the mic on and had shot at Raymond.

Once they were settled into the waiting room, she wandered over to the closest bench she could find. Noah sat across from her, on the other bench, taking both her hands into his. He quietly prayed over the both of them, praying that the jury would understand the bond and for them to see the three of them for what they did.

"How do you feel? Do you need any pain meds?" Noah questions, looking deeply into her eyes. "Do you need food? Drinks?"

She smiles briefly, "No pain yet, surprisingly. I think the meds from last night are still helping. Maybe just some water, thanks."

Noah goes over to the mini fridge by the door, grabbing water for both of them. He hands her a bottle before taking his place across from her. He always looked so alert, yet so worried all at the same time. Something caught his eye, so she turned, only to gasp and panic as Raymond passed their hall, chains and guards surrounding him.

He takes her hand in his, "Hey, you're okay. He can't touch or harm you. You're safe."

She looked into his eyes, eyes red and watery, "I worry that I will never heal from this mentally. I know my body will heal, but what about my mind?"

"We'll get there. If you need a therapist, we'll get one. If you need any kind of medicine to calm your nightmares, we will do that. You will be okay." He runs his thumb over the top of her hand. "You are not alone. Even if it feels like that."