Paradigm {Complete}

{Over}

(Not much bc I'm tired and I'm being rushed by Tonibraxton21 )

>>>

Tatianna's POV

I sat in the witness stand, my hands trembling slightly as I gripped the edge. The courtroom was so quiet, it felt like everyone was holding their breath. Judge Anderson was watching me closely, and the prosecutor approached me gently.

"Miss Edmonds, can you please tell the court what happened with Marty Curry?" the prosecutor asked.

I took a deep breath, my voice shaking but determined. "I was... I was sold to Marty Curry by my father for drugs. Marty abused and raped me for weeks. I managed to escape after shooting him, but he ran from the cops and was found later."

The room remained eerily silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. I could feel the eyes of the jury on me, some filled with sympathy, others with shock. The prosecutor nodded, giving me an encouraging look.

"Thank you, Miss Edmonds," he said softly.
"Can you tell us more about the night you escaped?"

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice.
"It was late at night. Marty had been drinking heavily. I saw my chance when he passed out.
I found his gun... I was so scared, but I knew it was my only way out. I took the gun and ran. When he woke up and came after me, I... I shot him. I didn't want to, but I had no choice."

The prosecutor nodded again, then turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I have no further questions."

Judge Anderson leaned forward slightly.
"Miss Edmonds, before you step down, I have a few questions for you myself," he said, his voice firm but kind. "Can you explain how long you were held by Mr. Curry and the conditions you were kept in?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the memories. "I was held for about three weeks, Your Honor. He kept me locked in a small room with no windows. He would come in drunk and high almost every night and... and abuse me. I had no contact with the outside world. I was terrified every single day."

The judge nodded solemnly. "And during this time, did you ever see any opportunity to escape before the night you mentioned?"

I shook my head. "No, Your Honor. He was always watching me, always making sure I had no way out. That night was the first time I saw a real chance to get away."

Judge Anderson looked thoughtful for a moment before turning back to the prosecutor. "Mr. Reynolds, do you have any further questions for the witness?"

The prosecutor, Mr. Reynolds, stood up again. "Just one more, Your Honor," he said, then faced me. "Miss Edmonds, how has this experience affected your life since you escaped?"

I felt a lump form in my throat. "It's been... incredibly difficult," I admitted. "I've had nightmares, anxiety, and trust issues. But I'm trying to rebuild my life. Speaking out today is part of that process. I want to make sure no one else has to go through what I did."

Mr. Reynolds nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you, Miss Edmonds. No further questions."

The defense attorney stood up, a smug look on his face. "Miss Edmonds, isn't it true that you have a history of Larceny Theft and criminal behavior?"
he asked, trying to discredit me.

I took a deep breath, refusing to let him intimidate me. "Yes, I have made mistakes in the past. But that doesn't change what Marty Curry did to me."

He continued to press me with harsh questions, but I stayed calm, answering each one truthfully. Finally, he gave up and sat down, clearly frustrated.

Judge Anderson looked at me with a kind expression. "Thank you, Miss Edmonds. You may step down."

As I left the witness stand, I felt a mixture of relief and exhaustion. I had told my story, and now it was in the hands of the jury. I took my seat, glancing at the other girls who had been through similar horrors. They gave me small, encouraging smiles, and I knew we were all in this together.

Hours later, the jury returned with their verdict. "We find the defendant, Marty Curry, guilty on all counts."

A wave of emotion washed over me. Tears filled my eyes as the courtroom erupted in whispers and gasps. Justice had been served. Marty Curry would never hurt anyone again.

The room was silent, and I could feel the eyes of the jury and spectators on me. Among them were other girls, victims of Marty Curry, who looked at me with admiration. It gave me strength.

Judge Anderson looked at Marty with a stern expression. "Mr. Curry, your actions have caused unimaginable pain and suffering. The bravery of Miss Edmonds and the other victims who have come forward today is commendable. I hereby sentence you to lifetime in prison without the possibility of parole."

A sigh of relief swept through the room. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. The other girls came up to me, tears in their eyes, hugging me and thanking me.

"Thank you, Tatianna. You gave us the courage to speak up," one girl said.

"You did it. You stopped him," another added.

I smiled, feeling a sense of justice and solidarity. Together, we had faced our fears and brought Marty to justice.