Divergent UNIVERSITY ✅

chapter 26

With the spring semester came a very busy time for both Four and Tris.Four officially has slightly over three months to complete his degree, take all of his tests, and become a certified physical therapy assistant. He also has baseball practice or a game daily. He has met with the Assistant U.S. Attorney, who is prosecuting Marcus on the child abuse charges, several times and has even encountered a couple people who have threatened him on Marcus' behalf.Four never realized how bad Marcus really was. He always seemed like someone who just had a lot of friends. He is now discovering that these friends are really bad guys that are willing to harm others.Charges against Marcus include theft by deception, conspiracy to commit theft by deception- false impression, blackmail, fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud. The charges being filed against Marcus because of the abuse he inflicted on Four are endangering the welfare of a child, torture, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, and blackmail, if found guilty of all charges, Marcus will be sentenced to multiple life sentences.Tris has been equally as busy. She has softball games, practice, or training with Brian daily. She also has five classes this semester that she needs to focus on. She and Four usually are only able to talk on the phone or through video chats because they are both traveling for games and are usually not around at the same time.Brian and Tori spend all of their time tracking Tris and Four to keep them safe. Brian has been traveling with Four for away games and Tori has been traveling with Tris. Other agents are also helping to guard the pair of them because of threats being made to Four. Brian believes that those threats will spill over to Tris at some point.~oOo~The day of the trial arrives and Four is scared to be confronted by his father again. He hasn't seen his father since he was arrested and that is the way he would have preferred to keep it.When he walks into the court room with Tris on his left, Brian on his right, and Tori just behind them, he feels the panic rising in his chest. He looks to where Marcus sits and his heart starts to race. Marcus turns to look at him and smirks at the sight of his son. All of those beatings, hours locked in a tiny cupboard with no food or water, the mental and emotional abuse come flooding back into Four's consciousness. He has had to recount all of it several times over the preceding weeks and he is going to have to do it again today. But seeing Marcus in front of him with the smug look that he has on his face makes Four's stomach feel like it is twisting into knots.They sit behind the attorney and Tris takes his hand in hers. She tries to comfort him and let him know that he isn't alone, but right now she can tell that his mind is a million miles away.This will be the first time that she hears about everything that happened to him in detail. Of course she knows about the abuse and all of the evil wicked things that Marcus did to try to manipulate and control Four, but knowing and having to hear him describe it in great detail are going to be very different things."All rise," the court guard announces. "Judge McCoy presiding."Judge McCoy enters and sits in her seat in the front of the room. "Please state your name for the record.""Marcus Eaton.""Marcus Eaton you are accused of three counts of theft by deception, two counts of conspiracy to commit theft by deception- false impression, five counts of blackmail, fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud. You are also charged of multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, torture, false imprisonment, and aggravated assault, how do you plead?""My client pleads not guilty, your honor," the lawyer says."Opening remarks, Mr. Turner?"Mr. Turner, the Assistant U.S. Attorney, stands and gives is opening remarks against Marcus. He is passionate and very articulate. He provides the jury with a detailed description of Marcus and all of his crimes. After he is finished, he pleads with the jury to do the right thing, and convict Marcus on all counts.Marcus' defense attorney stands and addresses the jury next. He talks about how the 'supposed abuse' that Marcus inflicted on his son was grossly exaggerated.The more the defense attorney talks the angrier Four gets. By the end of his opening remarks, he manages to make Four look unstable and out of control.Once he's done, Mr. Turner takes the floor and begins to call witnesses. And with every witness the defense attempts to tear them apart, unsuccessfully. This process continues over the course of days. Each witness adds another piece to the puzzle of Marcus' criminal life. They each show him to be a manipulative, cruel, and ruthless predator.When it is finally time for Four to be called to the stand, he feels like he is going to faint. His heart races as he walks to the front of the room. When he gets there and stands before the room, he finds Tris sitting where he left her and locks his gaze on her. He knows that if he can focus on her he will be able to get through this."Please state your name," the bailiff says."Tobias Eaton.""Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God?""I do," Four says."You may be seated.""Tobias, how old are you?" Turner asks."Twenty-two.""Tobias, we have heard testimony from previous coaches and teachers detailing their suspicions about the abuse that you endured. Can you tell us if their suspicions were accurate?""Yes they were.""Can you tell us what the defendant did to you?""He used to whip me with his belt and lock me in the cupboard under the stairs that was about three feet by two feet by three feet. While I was locked up I was denied food, water, and the bathroom and if I had an accident, he would beat me more.""I would like to present these images into evidence. These are images taken of Tobias' back.""Objection!" the defense attroney announces. "Why images? If the abuse is real why aren't we seeing his back? For all we know these images could belong to someone else.""Over ruled," Judge McCoy announces. Then she turns to Four, "Could you please explain why we aren't seeing the actual scars on your back?""I tried to cover the scars with a tattoo on my back. Although the scars are still there, they are more difficult to see unless you are right on top of them. I would be happy to show my scars if you would like," Four explains."That will be unnecessary, for now," McCoy announces. "Proceed."ADA Turner continues with his questions about Four's past and his dealings with Marcus, including the attempt to bribe him into throwing a football game.Tris sits there through Four's description of the abuse he endured. Listening to everything that he's been through makes her tear up. She always knew he was strong, but she never realized just how strong he really was, until now.By the end of the questioning, Four is exhausted and he hasn't even been cross examined yet.The defense attorney comes up to the front and looks over Four. "So you are telling us that you had the scars covered. Why?""Because I was trying to get past that part of my life and move on.""Isn't it convenient that the supposed scars that Marcus inflicted on you are gone? Maybe they never existed. Maybe they are a figment of a troubled boy's imagination.""Would you like me to take off my shirt and show you? The scars aren't gone, just covered in ink," Four says angrily."Objection!" Turner announces. "Badgering the witness. He's already explained about his tattoo.""Sustained," the judge says. "Continue Mr. Jones."The defense attorney continues to question Four and try to get him to change his story or to make is story sound like the ravings of an out of control kid looking for attention. By the time Four is done. He is angry, exhausted, and ready to pounce on Marcus for his constant interference in Four's life."Prosecution rests your honor.""Court is adjourned for today. We will continue tomorrow at nine in the morning when Mr. Jones will mount his defense.""All rise," the bailiff announces.~oOo~The next days go on with the defense bringing in witnesses to try to rebut the testimonies of the prosecution. No matter how much he tries, Marcus can't hide his worry about the fact that none of the witnesses are able to challenge Four's testimony.After about two weeks, the defense rests and they have their final remarks. Although Marcus' attorney speaks well his argument for Marcus is pathetic. When Mr. Turner comes up he speaks of the young lives that were destroyed by Marcus and his dealings, beginning with Four.The jury deliberates for three days. Four gets a call telling him that the jury has reached a verdict and what time he needed to be at the court house to hear the verdict.The bailiff enters the room and announces, "All rise!"Judge McCoy enters the room and sits. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" she asks."Yes we have, your honor," says the first juror.Marcus and his lawyer stand and face the jury."On the counts of theft by deception, conspiracy to commit theft by deception- false impression, blackmail, fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud the jury finds the defendant Marcus Eaton guilty. One the counts of endangering the welfare of a child, torture, false imprisonment, and aggravated assault the jury finds the defendant guilty.""Thank you," the judge says to the jury. "You may be dismissed."The jury stands and files out of the room.The judge turns her attention back to Marcus, "Marcus Eaton, you have been found guilty on all charges. You will be remanded to federal prison until sentencing in one week from today.""All rise," the bailiff announces again. The judge stands and leaves the room. The guards take Marcus into custody and handcuff him. As he is escorted out of the court room, he locks eyes with Four."You will regret going against me Tobias."Four does not acknowledge him or try to respond to the threat. The guards shove Marcus out of the room and the rest of the people file out behind him.Once Four, Tris, Brian, and Tori are in the car Tris turns to Four. "Are you okay?""Yeah, I just don't think this is over. He is going to get someone after me or you. I wouldn't put it past him to try to get to me through you.""Don't worry Four, Tori and I aren't going anywhere. We will be sticking around for a while to make sure you both are safe. My bosses agree that Marcus isn't done yet. And once I tell them about the threat he made leaving court today, I have no doubt that they will agree and hopefully assign a couple more agents.""Thank you Brian. I don't know how I would have gotten through all of this without you."Then Four turns his attention to Tris, "You too. I couldn't have gotten through all of this without you." He kisses her gently on the lips. She leans into him and he wraps his arm around her.