Anemoia // Sally Face

34: 081486

2001

The dreaded time had come when Sally would be on trial for his crimes.

My parents told me I shouldn't go, since it would be my own friend on that stand, and it could cause issues for us to be seen in a room together, but I would never skip this. Besides, Ash and Maple would be there, and I wanted to support Maple in this time of need. As for Ash, I didn't know what to think about her. She was going to testify against Sally, basically claiming everything about the murders is true. Which yes, he did kill those people, but why? Sally always had a reason for the things he did. Everything was carefully calculated in his head. But this didn't seem logical for him to do. There must have been a reason... Something he couldn't tell us, or we didn't have time to learn.

It was my first time going to the courthouse. The building was small, and only had two rooms for court cases. There wasn't a lot of crime in Nockfell, so it only made sense. The Sally Face Killer story being the most newsworthy thing to come from this town since the killing of Mrs. Sanderson in 1992.

I scanned the room to see if anyone I knew was here. There weren't many people here to begin with, and they all sat scattered out between the booths. The news channel has equipment set up to the side to document this 'historical day' as I heard one say on TV when the trial date was announced. It's sickening that they think this is entertainment. But real people died in those apartments, and they all had families and people they loved. I knew some of them personally... Even Sally, the killer, is my friend, and now he's treated like a reality show, people wondering what fate he'll get from the judge, but not really caring if he gets the death penalty. One day, people will only know him as the Sally Face Killer. They won't know him as Sal Fisher.

...

Maple and Ash weren't here yet, so I chose a seat on the left, in front of where Sally would take the stand. People had conversations on the other side, but I couldn't make out the words; every sound jumbled together. I fiddled nervously with my hands, trying to distract myself from the time I would have to be in here.

"Hi," a voice came from my side, tearing away my focus on my hands. I couldn't believe who I was seeing. The thought of him showing up never crossed my mind. Here in front of me, was Travis Phelps. No black eyes this time, but wearing the same stupid pink sweater he wore in high school.

"Hey, I didn't know you'd come here," I say, trying not to sound rude. I just wondered how the others would react to him being here today.

"I just figured... I'd show some support,"

"For what, Sally being convicted of murder and going to jail for who knows how long?"

"No! I don't think he's a bad person, I know he has a reason..." Travis takes a quick look at all the people standing around.

"You know something-"

"Hey Katie," I'm cut off by Ash, as she makes her way to my seat.

"Hi," I give her a quick glance. I want to know what Travis is thinking, and my head is putting the small pieces together. Travis definitely knows something but is afraid of saying it, that could mean the cult is involved in all of this, which means this trial will not go smoothly.

"Oh Travis, you're here too..." You could see the disappointment on Ash's face as she looks at the poor guy.

"Like I told Katie, I just need to be here to see it all for myself," Travis gives me a glance. He didn't tell me that at all.