𝙲𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚎̀ 𝚃𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎 | Call of Duty | John Price

Chapter 36 | ⚠︎︎

Warning: Graphic Details Ahead/Mentions of Rape!!!

"And then I slit his throat."

The courtroom gasps collectively at Daisy's blunt admission. The words hang in the air like a heavy fog, thick with the weight of what they imply. The prosecutor's smug expression falters, and even Kate seems taken aback for a moment before she regains her composure. John's jaw tightens, and Melody squeezes his hand so hard he winces.

"Daisy," Kate says gently, "can you tell us why you made that choice?"

"I was angry... More at myself than anyone else." Daisy's voice is a whisper, but it fills the room. "For being so weak, for not being able to fight them off, for letting them do that to us. And when Brad had me pinned down, all I could think about was that I was going to die. I knew if I didn't do something, he was gonna kill me. And I couldn't let that happen—I had to survive, for Melody, to make sure she got home safely. So, I did what I had to do—And I'd do it again if it meant Melody was able to go home to her father," she says with a fierce determination.

The prosecutor jumps up, his face red. "Your honor, this is preposterous! She's clearly trying to manipulate the jury with her sob story!"

Judge Hargrove slams his gavel down. "Mr. Castellanos, that's enough. Miss Bloom is allowed to speak her truth. We're in a court of law, not a theater of accusations!"

Daisy feels a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, the jury will understand. She looks over at Melody, who's crying quietly. John's eyes are burning with a mix of anger and fear, but he nods slightly, urging her to go on.

"Miss Bloom, can you explain what happened after you killed Brad?" Kate's voice is gentle, but Daisy can hear the underlying urgency.

"I was numb... I laid on the ground, still struggling to breathe." Daisy's voice is barely audible, but the courtroom hangs onto every word. "Melody came back, and we just held each other, crying. We were both covered in bruises and blood, and all we wanted to do was go home."

The prosecutor's next question catches them all off guard. "Miss Bloom, are you aware that the autopsy reports indicate Brad had alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of his death?"

"No! I had no idea!" Daisy's voice shakes with indignation. "They were the ones that approached us, they were the ones that started the fight!"

"And what about you, Miss Bloom? Did you have any substances in your system that night?"

"I don't do drugs. And I hadn't drank any alcohol, either."

The prosecutor snorts, looking at the jury as if to say, "Sure she didn't." But Kate is ready for this. She motions to the bailiff, who brings over some reports.

"Your honor," Kate says, her voice calm, "we have the urine sample and drug test from when Daisy was arrested that night."

The judge nods for the bailiff to give him the reports. He quickly skims through them before raising an eyebrow at the prosecutor. "It seems Miss Bloom is telling the truth, Mr. Castellanos. No alcohol or drugs in her system."

The prosecutor's face turns a deep shade of red, and he stammers, trying to regain his composure. "Your honor, the accused's sobriety does not negate the fact that she committed a crime!"

"Mr. Castellanos, I'd recommend focusing on the actual events of the night rather than attacking Miss Bloom's character. We're here to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Brad, Steven, and Zach, not to vilify the victim of a violent assault," Kate snaps back, her voice like a whip cracking in the stillness of the courtroom.