Clouds Cover the Sun Because they like the warmth

Horrifying Testimony

Trigger warning for Mentions of Rape

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Hours passed by with several women giving their testimony. Hearing their stories, the terror they faced. Horror's that Manon couldn't believe. Hearing their stories made Manon think back. She was rather lucky compared to the others. She had gone through her own horror, but her co-workers went through something just as bad. If not worse. Next to be called was Kattie. She stood up and it was then Manon noticed a man who looked at her. He was a stocky man who looked to be around Kattie's age. With a beard, glasses, and dressed nicely like the rest of the people there. Kattie walked up with a composed posture, and when she went to the stand Manon noticed the prosecution pulling out a box. It struck her as odd. Kattie took a seat. "Mrs.Tyler, would you please walk us through the day you were assaulted?" Kattie took a deep breath. 

"It was a Friday. April twenty second nineteen sixty-nine. Everything was normal that day. I was getting my kids ready for school, and then bringing them to school. I had been out the previous week due to my youngest child Jacob catching the flu and giving it to me. So I had been staying late and having my husband pick up the kids from school. I stayed very late that night. As I believed I could finish it all that evening. I was tired and had gone to the breakroom to get some coffee. When I did I heard a loud thump followed by a cry for help. I thought I was hallucinating, or that I was just tired until I heard another cry for help. I didn't know anyone was still in the building. I followed the cries into a storage room but as soon as I walked in the door shut behind me." She spoke in a shaky voice. Before closing her eyes. "I was forced to the ground. I did my best to fight him off. Kicking, screaming, fighting, scratching. He still managed to overpower me, and then he raped me." Kattie took in a shaky breath. 

"I don't remember how long it lasted. All I know is that I was exhausted by the time it was done. I had laid there for a while longer before finally getting home. I didn't want to tell my husband, or let my children know what had happened." Kattie said as she whipped at her eyes. "When did your husband find out?" The prosecution asked as Kattie looked up. But not at them. Not at the prosecution. Not at them, but to one person in particular. "Three weeks later when I found out I was pregnant." A few gasps went through the room as Manon squeezed Norman's hand. Several other gasps rang through the room. One especially audible one from Daniella. Manon looked over at her with a raised brow. "She told us it was her husbands." Daniella whispered as a tear slipped down her face. Though curiosity caused her to look at Wilbur. His body position had barely changed but now he was sitting up straight. Manon felt a sick feeling in her gut. "How did your husband react?" 

"The best way a man could act. Understanding." A small smile came to Manon's face. "What did you do with the baby?" "I didn't have the heart to abort so we decided to keep them. Raise them as if he was no different from our other children. The only difference is that we would pretend he didn't have a different father, nor the fact that he wasn't originally wanted." Kattie said as the prosecutor sat down. The defense stood up. "Mrs.Tyler when looking at records you only have two children, and if the day is correct then neither of your kids' birthdays line up with that. What happened to the child?" Kattie looked like she was about to cry. "You can ask Doctor Bariy Appleton and look at the medical records. He came out a still born. His ashes are in that box the prosecution has." The defense sat down as the prosecutor walked over to the jury. Opening the box and revealing it to the jury. Kattie walked off the stand. Her heels clanked as she walked quickly back to her seat. "Next witness Fiona Little." Fiona walked up. Body quivering as she took the stand. "Mrs.Little will you please walk us through the day of your assault." Fiona took a deep breath. 

"I stayed late that night. I was covering for Kattie while she was on her maternity leave, and I felt bad about her having to deal with all the paperwork after what had happened, and the kid you know. So I figured I would take some of the work. I had just finished and was about to leave when I was grabbed from behind. I screamed and he covered my mouth. I tried to fight back. I even tried pulling off my gloves to use my powers against him. When he dragged me into the janitor's closet." Her eyes were watering as she took a shaky breath. "I was bound, and gagged. At points when I would try to struggle he would start to squeeze them when they lost circulation." Fiona took in a shaky breath. 

"I was raped for several hours. I don't remember much from the last few moments. I just wished it would end." Fiona began to sob. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "It's alright Miss.Little, I think we need a break. Recess." Judge Tompson said as he banged his gavel down. Manon stood up and watched as Fiona rushed out of the courtroom. Kattie followed her trail quickly. "I'm going to go comfort her." Manon said as Norman nodded. As Manon walked quickly following Kattie to the women's restroom. When she walked in Kattie was already beside Fiona holding her shoulder. "It's alright girl. You did good." Kattie said as Manon walked over. Standing besides Fiona. "You did. That was very brave, and I'm sorry you had to go through that." Manon said as Fiona looked up at her. Makeup is already becoming smudged. 

"I'm scared though. He got to walk away so many times. I don't want it to happen again." Manon wanted to promise Fiona he wouldn't. She wanted to assure her it would never happen again. Though there was a twinge of fear in the back of her mind. Even though they had already gone through countless hours of testimony. Hell this trial may last another day or two as there was still much to go, and yet he was a man. He could point at all of them, and call them sluts, and cheaters. "He will be put behind bars. There are far too many of us to deny he is guilty." Kattie said firmly, putting the force behind her voice that made even Manon believe it was true. She nodded in agreement. Fiona let out a sniff. "Okay." She said as the women stayed in the restroom for another several minutes before Manon left. Leaving the other two women alone. When she walked out Norman was waiting for her. 

"How is she doing?" He asked. "Better still rather upset." "Who could blame her?" Norman had a look of guilt on his face. Manon walked up and held his hand. "It's not your fault." "But it is. If I had just listened to Manuel the third time he heard about it. It's likely I could've helped save multiple of those women. Even you." Norman said as he cupped her cheek with his free hand. Manon sighed, she knew there wasn't much she could say to convince him. "You barely had any proof. You couldn't just fire the man without it." Norman sighed. "I know." He said quietly. "How are you feeling?" Norman asked. "Nervous. I don't want him to get away, but I'm afraid they won't believe me." Manon said as she looked down. Norman's thumb caressed her cheek. Moving to wipe non existent tears that felt close to forming. "There's no way they can't. You had me, walk over after, and Lucy who likely witnessed it all. You have back up, and he's not going to get away" Norman said as Manon looked up at him. "I know so." Manon gave him a soft smile before pressing a kiss to his lips. When pulling back she hugged him. "Mind if I stay the night tonight?" She asked as Norman hugged back. "Come right over." Manon felt comfort in his arms as the two stayed there for a while longer. Whilst mentally preparing for the long dragging of hell that awaited.