You're Family Now

Part 38

Preston's pov-

All of us were questioned on what happened. A few of us even spoke with multiple detectives.

Gemma's woken up a few times and each time she's screaming. She says things like how her sister can't take her. She says that she can't survive her again, she can't live like that again.

I was with her for the first few days, then the hospital finally decided it was too dangerous for Gemma to be doing this over and over again. A week passed and they finally put her on medication to calm her anxiety enough to be able to handle herself.

"How many days has the trial been happening?" She asks out of the blue. I sat, clutching her hand not expecting her to talk as she stared at a blank TV screen.

"Four..." I murmur. The courts are holding the adoption case and Gems sisters abuse case as one since they deal with a similar topic, which is wrong in my opinion.

"How many more do you think will happen?" Again her voice is small, it sounds as if she's hollow or entranced in something.

"I don't know Gem.. I don't know."  I didn't know and frankly I didn't want to. Each hearing has been torcher for all of us present. Only me, Mitch (of course), Adam, Jerome and Alesa can attend and the others appear to testify now and again. For the most part though, they stay and keep eyes on Gem while we're gone.

"Please tell me she isn't winning. Please tell me it isn't going her way." Gemma voice held emotion this time but it wasn't the one I always enjoyed listening to, this time, it was pain and terror.

I nod solemnly. I hear Gem take a stuttered breath and the sound of her choking back a sob.

"Um.. I'm sorry to intrude but I need to ask Gemma a few questions if that's alright?" The detective asks. It was the same one Mitch had spoken to a while back and she's been working the hardest to fight against Gems sister.

I want to object but Gem squeezes my hand telling me no then nods to The woman.

"So-" The detective starts out but Gem cuts her off.

"I'll answer your questions after you tell me what's happening in the trial." Gems tone was level and strong this time.

"I'm not authorised to disclose that information, I'm sorry." The detective replied.

"I deserve to know about my own trial." Gemma demands once more earning a sigh from the woman. "Tell. Me."

"Alright. Alright. What's happening right now is she's claiming that the photos have been tampered with and she's claiming that you're suffering PTSD after finding your mother the way you did... amongst other things." The detective sighs disappointed.

"Other things meaning..?" I ask, and change the positioning from just holding Gems hand to intertwining our fingers.

"Since you never went to the hospital to get tested for claiming to have been raped, there's no evidence supporting it and it's too late now to test."

"Why do they believe the photos were tampered with? What has she said?" Gem inquires.

"She says she doesn't have enough strength to do what the pictures show. She also says that since those photos were from your 'crap phone' it isn't hard to mistake a shadow for a bruise and a scratch for a cut." The detective didn't even try to hide the disdain she felt.  "There's also one more problem... when you were adopted your case worker not only filed your papers incorrectly but the proper protocol was not followed, along with you being adopted and cared for by a majority of males, brings suspicions to the jurors."

"Preston, can you run to the house and get me some clothes? I'll call the nurse." Gems words struck a certain fear in me. Something in her is broken, something what wasn't before.

"W-what are you going to do?" I stammer but she ignores my question.

"So what you're saying, Detective, is that odds are Mitch will not regain custody of me. Correct?" The detective nods.

"Alright. Preston, please go and hurry back because I'll need your help." Gem again requests.

"Why? Gemma, what are you going to do?" I squeeze her hand slightly as I desperately look for an answer.

"I'm going to make damn sure that I don't go back to hell, and you're going to help me." And with that, I smile to her then race out to my car.

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HELLO! Hey guys, it's Bri and I'm sorry that this is short and I haven't updated in SOOOOOOOO long but I've been busy with school and after school things (and relationship things) but I will update again soon I promise.

Thanks loves!
                 -Bri