A Guide To Surviving Hell: My Three Years

Chapter One

"All rise." I stood from my chair, my lawyer beside me and Timothy across the room. I could feel his glare on me, he was trying to scare me; he can't hurt me here; he can't hurt me anymore. "Be seated." The judge look us over. A frail, dark skinned girl, and a smug, Caucasian man. He thinks he can win this. "The victim, Jasmine Cooper, is charging the defendant, Timothy Smith, for the murder of her parents, and the rape and murder of countless other-" "133." I spoke up over the judge, she looked at me. "Excuse me?" "He raped and killed 133 children in my presence. 155 in total, plus the attempt of rape and murder of me." I looked the judge dead in the eye. I knew I was right, because I could name every last one of those 133 children he brought in, how long he raped them, and how he killed them. The only information I couldn't provide was where he put the bodies.

I am called up to the witness stand. As I sit, I see his eyes; he's glaring. Mrs. Johnston, my lawyer, warned me of this. "...people who are victim to similar circumstances as you can also fall victim to their attackers fear inducing calmness. Mr. Smith will attempt to scare you into silence. You cannot let him." "Miss Jasmine Cooper, would you please retell your story for the Jury?" I take a deep breath and nod. I've many people this, but no matter how many times I repeat it, telling will never stop hurting...

"June 22nd, 2013, 9:36 AM." My voice was shaky, and saw Timothy smile. I continue on, speaking with more confidence in my voice. "I was 13 at the time. My baby cousin, Mackenzie Joseph, was sitting in fount of me while I braided her hair, she was 6 years old. We had planned to go out for brunch, then a movie." I sent a hard stare at Timothy, he seemed to tense. "Then he showed up." I paused, looking at Mrs. Johnston, she gave me a small nod. "I heard the door being opened, then my mom screaming. My dad yelled at her to get us, but he was cut off before he got through 'Jasmine'. My screamed again and a second gun shot rang out. I pulled Mackenzie close to me and shut and locked my door, quickly securing it with my dresser." I paused again, taking a deep, shaky, breath. "He banged on the door, kicking and screaming for us to come out. I told Mackenzie to hide under the bed, while I look for my phone.

"I was sobbing my eyes out, trying to explain what had happened to the 911 operator. Just when she had said that police were on their way, he smashed through my window. Something was thrown in and all I remember was the female operator asking what had happened." I stopped. I was shaking. I had to keep going, I couldn't let him win.

"I woke up to the musty smell of a dark basement. I heard Mackenzie crying, I tried to reach out to her, but my hands were cuffed to the wall. After about what seemed like an hour, I heard footsteps and the light flicked on. Timothy stood there, looking down at us. He walked down, that's when I noticed all Mackenzie and I had on were our undergarments. When he reached us, he knelt down and said, 'My 22nd and 23rd prizes.'"