Invisible

Chapter Twenty-Two - Testified

"You mean you've known about Bree really being Payton this whole time and haven't said a word to me?" Henry was genuinely surprised. He had been friends with John Brimstone ever since John had first shown up at the Academy. They'd bonded over their mutual love of the job and there was almost nothing they didn't talk about- or so Henry had thought.

"No! Of course not, Henry. I had no idea until she told us today. I mean how was I supposed to know the kid I'd sent away ten years ago was the teenager we are investigating?"

"So everything she said, it was true?"

"Well, I can't vouch for anything she said about the incident in the foyer but, yeah, the rest is true."

"So honestly Brimstone," Henry spoke, leaning back in his chair, "do you buy it?"

"Honestly?" Brimstone asked with a sigh, "I think we need to talk to the doctor. He'll know if what she's claiming is plausible or not."

Henry studied his friend closely. John unconsciously swept his hand through his hair and Henry couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his friend's eyes. John looked like a worried father.. "You're really hoping this kid's innocent, aren't you?" Henry asked with a knowing smile.

"Damn right I am. I can't imagine doing everything I did to make sure she'd be safe only to have her turn out to be a murder."

"Yeah, man I get it," Henry replied, "but you realize you can't talk to her now, right?" .

"What!? How am I supposed to help the investigation if I can't even talk to our only lead?"

"You know as well as I do that if you make one wrong move around that girl the investigation is compromised. I'm sorry John but I can't let that happen."

The fight seemed to physically leave John's body. He slumped in the chair behind him and stared at the floor. "What's going to happen to her?"

"Given what you've said I think I have grounds to release her. I need further confirmation from the doctor that says what she claims to have done is even within her power and then I'm hoping she'll help with the rest of the investigation. Otherwise I don't know how to one-hundred percent prove she's innocent."

John nodded. "Call me if you need anything." He called over his shoulder after he got up to leave.

                                                                                ***

Bree was shocked at the sight that greeted her when Jace opened his front door. His normally handsomely disheveled hair looked dirty and just plain messy. There were fresh purple bruises underneath his eyes. Jace wore what Bree could only assume had one been a respectable pair of pajamas but were now old, ratty and were spotting several holes. Bree looked up, blushing, when Jace cleared his throat. "Jail break?" He sneered.

Bree stepped back wounded at his harsh tone. "Your Dad let me out. He said Agent Brimstone collaborated what I said about when I was little. Apparently the doctor assured him the rest of what I was saying made complete sense given how you found me."

"And?" Jace leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed. "What would you like me to do? Throw you a party?"

Bree looked down, blinking rapidly. "N-no. I just wanted to talk."

"Not interested." Jace said shorty before slamming his door. Bree sighed.

Jace stood silently watching Bree through the peephole in his door. She seemed deflated. Sliding down the opposite wall she cradled her head in her hands. Jace felt a now familiar pull to comfort her. Instead though, he slid across the dead bolt and headed to bed exhausted.

It wasn't until the sun woke Bree that she realized she'd slept outside Jace's apartment all night. God, she though, I'm losing it. Struggling to her feet she headed back to her own place. Except when she arrived there she started to wish she would've stayed groveling outside Jace's door.

"Miss. Micheals." The man standing outside her door nodded shortly. He was stumpy and bald with thick square glasses and wore an old, faded three piece suit. He was also her history teacher.

"Mr. Brigham." She responded, moving to open her apartment.

"I need to speak with you about your history mark, Bree."

She stopped short at the door, denying the old man entry. "What about it?"

"Well we both know your no scholar but recently your grade has dropped below the acceptable range." Bree stared at him blankly. She knew her grades weren't the best but they weren't the worst and that's exactly how she wanted it. Good grades came with awards and attention. "Elites are not only physically and magically stronger than our average population but they are also required to have certain intellectual abilities.That means, Bree, if you don't shaped up you can no longer be considered Elite."

"No. No please. I'll do anything. I can't get kicked out. I can't!" She pleaded.

"Lucky for you another student owes me one. I have arranged for you to be tutored in the library in one hour. Don't be late." He pointed his finger in her face and then turned on his heal and walked away. Bree stood outside for a few minutes stunned. Then she headed inside and got ready.

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I'M SO SORRY!

Yeah you don't really care do you?

For those of you that are lovely and forgiving I was on vacation for a week and I've been struggling with this chapter ever since I got back.

To those of you I promised this chapter would be up soon I'm really sorry I disappointed you.

Rest assured I am back now.

THANK YOU! To everyone who's still sticking by my baby (this story). I love you all xox