BIPOLAR

Chapter Seventeen: Judgment

    Sarah's eyes snapped open, but she wasn't back in Dr. Lee's office. She was still trapped in the nightmare world of her subconscious.

    Dr. Lee's voice was distant, echoing through the darkness.

     "Sarah, why do you seem to be surrounded by blood?" Dr. Lee asked, her voice gentle but probing.

    Sarah shook her head, trying to clear the dust. "I don't know," Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible.

    As she spoke, Sarah's gaze drifted outward, taking in her surroundings. She was standing on a deserted beach, the sun setting over the waves. And in the distance, she saw a figure walking toward her.

    As the figure drew closer, Sarah's heart skipped a beat. It was Juke.

    Juke's eyes were warm and gentle as he approached Sarah. He reached out and took her hand, pulling her close.

    "Let's take a walk," Juke said, his voice low and soothing.

    Sarah felt a sense of wonder wash over her as Juke led her along the beach. They walked in silence, the only sound the waves crashing against the shore.

    As they walked, Juke picked up a violin that seemed to appear out of nowhere. He drew the bow across the strings, and a beautiful, haunting melody filled the air.

    Sarah felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she listened to the music. It was so beautiful, so poignant.

    As the music faded away, Sarah turned to Juke, her eyes searching.

   "Why are you here?" Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Juke's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

    "You know why," Juke said, his voice low and mysterious.

    Sarah felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the truth. This wasn't real. This was her mind's way of coping with the guilt and trauma of Juke's death.

    And then, like a floodgate opening, the memories came rushing back. Sarah's eyes snapped open, and she was back in Dr. Lee's office, gasping for breath.

    Dr. Lee's face was calm and concerned.

    "Sarah, what did you see?" Dr. Lee asked, her voice gentle.

    Sarah took a deep breath, trying to process the memories that were still flooding back.

     "I remember," Sarah whispered, her voice shaking. "I remember what happened to Juke."

    Meanwhile at the police station, Blaine walked into the investigation room where Jamin was being kept. Jamin looked up, his expression guarded.

    "Detective Blaine," Jake said, his voice neutral.

    "Jamin Watkins," Blaine replied, taking a seat across from him. "I need to ask you something."

     "What?" Jake asked, his eyes narrowing.

    "Mr. Luther Dostoevsky," Blaine said, watching Jake's reaction, "Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky's book. Why though?"

    Jamin's expression changed, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're just now telling me about him?" Jamin  demanded. "You knew he put a hit on Dad , didn't you?"

    Blaine hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I didn't tell you because of Sarah's emotional state," Blaine said. "She's been going through a lot."

    Jamin's anger didn't abate.

    "That's not an excuse," Jamin said. "What else haven't you told us?"

    Blaine took a deep breath. "Someone placed a hit on Sarah",  Blaine said. "But the hitman refused to take the job."

    Jamin's eyes widened. "I know that. Who placed the hit?" he  asked.

    Blaine shook his head. " I don't know," he said. "But I do know that you should stay away from Dostoevsky."

    Jamin's expression turned determined. "I think Dostoevsky is the one who placed the hit," he said. "Or he might know who did."

    Blaine's eyes narrowed. " Kid listen you do not understand  Dostoevsky asked a CIA operative to kill your dad and your mother. What do you think will happen when the splitting image of Juke appears in front of him? You will die Jamin."
   
     "I'm already dying, besides if it would be too risky for me to confront him while I'm at home. I would put mum in danger or worse."

    "There are better ways than you going into a freaking mental asylum" Blaine said.

     Jamin's voice was resolute. "It's the only way I can ensure my safety," Jamin said. "When I reach there,  I need you to arrange a meeting between me and Dostoevsky."

    Blaine's expression turned skeptical. "Kid are you deaf, he could kill you."

    Jamin eyes locked onto Blaine's. "Please", he said. "I need to do this."

    Blaine hesitated, then nodded.

    "I'll see what I can do," Blaine said.

    As Blaine left the station, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was putting Jamin in harm's way. But he also knew that Jamin was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

     The next day, news outlets all broadcasted the same thing, the sentencing of the murderer , Jamin Watkins.

     The courtroom was packed as Jamin, flanked by his lawyers, stood before the judge. Sarah, Mai, and Blaine sat in the front row, their faces etched with worry.

    Judge Thompson, a stern-looking woman with a reputation for being tough but fair, peered over her glasses at Jamin.

   "Jamin Watkins, you have been found guilty of the murder of Juke Watkins," Judge Thompson said, her voice firm. "Do you have anything to say before I pass sentence?"

    Jamin's eyes locked onto Sarah's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

   "I'm sorry," Jamin whispered, his voice barely audible.

   Judge Thompson's expression remained stern.

    "I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment," Judge Thompson said. "However, due to your... unusual circumstances, you will be transferred to Queen Ingrid's Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation and treatment."

    The courtroom erupted into a flurry of activity as Jamin's lawyers conferred with each other, their faces grim.

   Sarah felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

    "No," Sarah whispered, her eyes locked onto Jamin's. "This can't be happening."

    Mai put a comforting arm around Sarah's shoulders. "We'll appeal," Mai whispered. "We'll get him out of there."

    But Sarah just shook her head, feeling a sense of despair wash over her. As the guards led Jamin away in handcuffs, Sarah felt like she was losing another special person all over again.

     The courtroom doors swung shut behind Jamin, and Sarah stood up, her eyes scanning the room. She felt a sense of numbness wash over her as she made her way out of the courtroom.

    But as she stepped out into the hallway, Sarah was met with a barrage of angry faces. Reporters and camera crews swarmed around her, shouting questions and accusations.

    "You're a monster!"  one bystander  shouted. "You made your own son take the blame for your crime!"

    Sarah's eyes widened in shock as she realized what was happening. She tried to push her way through the crowd, but they wouldn't let her go.

   "How could you do that to your own child?" another bystander demanded. "Don't you have any shame?"