Victoria gripped JJ's hand as they sat in the courtroom. John B stood at the front. Her leg was bouncing as she glanced around the court room.
Some eyes lingered on her, some, but most where on John B.
Her eyes met her mother's who was sitting with Ward. Her expression changed, wondering why she would be sitting with him.
"John Booker Routledge, pursuant to the North Carolina statute section 14, you are charged with murder in the first degree with aggravated circumstances. If convicted, the maximum sentence would be the death penalty." The judge spoke, striking the gavel down.
The air left her lungs, Sarah sharing the same reaction in front of her. Others in the courtroom began to talk, the conversation all mixing together.
"Your honor, he's seventeen!" JJ shot up.
"Stop." Pope warned.
"Quiet!" The judge yelled.
"He's secenteen! Are you kidding me?"
"Jayj." Victoria finnaly stood up, resting a hand on his chest.
"Hey, John B, we're gonna figure it out!"
"John B!" Sarah rushed forward. "John B!" She cried.
"Sarah!" Kie went to grab her, the deputy beating her to it and holding her back. "Stop! Don't touch her! Let's go Sarah."
The Pogues all walked out of the courthouse together, Victoria holding back her tears as she looked around at the Kooks celebrating around her.
"Is this a joke?" Kie asked, the five of them leaning against the pillars. "Like, are we in hell or?" The finally began to make their way down the steps. JJ reached behind him, reaching out for Victoria's hand. She was quick to accept it, gripping it tight.
"I should have never come home." Sarah cried.
"They're gonna kill him guys." JJ said. "I know it."
"I'm so sorry for what you and your family have gone through." A man spoke. Victoria snapped, looking over at the man speaking to Ward and Florence. "Than God the system works."
"Can you please shut up?" Victoria snapped, letting go of JJ's hand and walking forward. "Of course you think the system worked! It's designed to protect you and people like you!"
"He'll have his day in court. A jury will decide."
"He shouldn't even be in court!" She looked at Ward, stepping closer.
"You should!" Kie piped in. "You'e a murderer! You have a lot of nerve showing up to court!" She was now beside Vic.
"I know you're upset. I understand you're upset, okay?"
"Upset?"
"I know he's got you fooled. He's got you all fooled."
"We're not just upset!" Victoria yelled charging forward.
"Vic!" JJ stepped forward. Shoupe and Thomas beat him to her, holding her back.
"Show some respect!" Ward yelled. Florence held her hand up to her mouth at her daughter's outbreak.
"Get off her!" Kie yelled, grabbing Victoria's arm.
"Muzzle your damn dog, bro." JJ snapped. "Why don't you take the Kooks down for a change, Shoupe?"
"You wanna get arrested? You need to go." The sherrif said.
"This is bullshit." Kie shook her head.
YOU ARE READING
jersey giant | jj maybank
Fanfictionlooking back at all those memories. lord, i hate to sleep alone Victoria 'Vic' Hudson grew up on the cut. But when her father dies and her remarries before the killer was caught, Vic was forced to uproot her life and move to the figure eight. Her li...
