Adorably Abducted ✧ Sparklington/SyndiSparklez

Sustained

"Ready?" Ingrid asked, clutching firmly onto my wheelchair. They refused to let me walk on a crutch. I felt pathetic. How am I supposed to act like a survivor, when I look like a victim?

"Yeah."

"Ethan and your friends are already in there... There will be lots of paparazzi too, but don't pay any attention to them," Ingrid whispered. "You got this, champ."

Two security guards held the doors open as Ingrid wheeled me inside. The jury all stood to face me as we made our way to the defense table. I avoided looking over to the opposite side of the room. James was over there, and I didn't want to deal with him right now.

Ingrid gently pushed me close to the table, before sitting down beside me. She set her briefcase on the desk, carefully grabbing her neatly organized papers.

It was so weird sitting here beside her. This person sitting next to me isn't the Ingrid I know. Ingrid is sweet and calming, Ingrid wears jeans and always has a smile on her face.

The person sitting next to me had no expression, wore business clothing, and seemed harsh.

I took in a deep breath, trying to portray the same image. Harsh and stern. Nothing can get to me.

Who am I kidding?

I'm shaking like a terrier, and the only thing we've done is sit down.

"Ms. Mulaney. You're opening statement, please," the judge ordered.

Ingrid nodded, standing from her seat. My palms felt clammy, my head spinning. I could see Ingrid's mouth moving, but I wasn't paying attention to anything she was saying.

She paced around the open space in front of our desk, using lots of hand gestures, making eye contact with the jury behind us. I watched her pause, and stare directly at James. Her violet eyes scanned over his face, her brows furrowed.

I kept my gaze locked on Ingrid. I don't want to see what she's seeing. I don't want to look over there, and I won't.

Taking in another deep breath, Ingrid quietly sat back down beside me. With her back at my side, I felt much safer.

I zoned out for a while, listening to the monotonous voice of the judge.

"Calling Jordan Maron to the witness stand."

Ingrid gently brushed her hand against mine, giving me a soft smile. A guard walked behind me, wheeling me to the front of the room, turning me to face everyone in the room.

"Mr. Maron, do you swear on God to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth?" the judge's voice ricocheted around the room.

"Yes," I croaked out.

Ingrid stood from her seat, pacing in front of me.

"J-" she caught herself. "Mr. Maron. Is it true James Hayes kidnapped you on the night of August 18th?"

"Y-" I began to speak.

"Objection!" a man from the prosecution table yelled out.

"Sustained, Ms. Mulaney, please reword your question," the judge barked.

"Mr. Maron, is it true you were with James Hayes on the night of August 18th?"

"Yes."

"Was it by choice?"

"No."

"Mr. Maron, how long were you living with Mr. Hayes?"

"A little over three months," I said, clearing my throat.

"Did you want to be there?"

"No."

"Mr. Maron, did you use Mr. Hayes' computer to escape?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Maron, why did you want to escape?"

Ingrid told me to be prepared for this question. "I was afraid for my life."

Ingrid smiled brightly at the judge. "No further questions, your honor."

I sighed, as Ingrid walked back to our desk. That was quick and painless.

"Request for Cross Examination, your honor?" the man from the other desk asked.

"Sustained."

ņ̴̢̱̩̻̪̓̄͌́̌̀̄̓̔̋̔͊͝O̴̧̘̬̩̮̣͋̊̂̏̽̊̈́̎̌̃̽t̵̢̧̟̬̪̫̹̏̈́͂̓̽̄̕͝ͅÖ̷̗͔́̓́͌͘k̵̭̯̘̐̃͠á̶̢͎̍̃́̈́́͂͋̅͝͠ỳ̸̢̨̯̺͉̦̣̞̱̱̰̭͈̐̀