Love, Give Me Wings

Chapter 8

(The Court of Owls)

   We're in the car with the noisy sound of city traffic all around us. It took us forty minutes just to get where we are now. By the looks of this traffic, it could take thirty more just to go a walking distance.

   The noise and the commotion around me are making me more sick than I already am. It's time to go speak in front of the jury and I'm nauseous. My anxiety is going through the roof of this tiny car.

   "You'll be alright Catherine. Sammy and I will be there for you no matter what happens. Nothing will happen to you. Just speak the truth, and this will all be over." Said Sammy's mom.

   Sammy grabbed my hand and gave me a reassuring look. I gave her hand a squeeze and continued looking out of the window.

~Time Lapse~

   We made it to the court room. I stand outside the doors, frozen in horror.

   I've never been in one of these before. I've seen them on TV, but that's it. I have trouble speaking in front of a class, much less a jury and a judge.

   Sammy grabs my hand and opens the door. I shut my eyes and walk in behind her. There's loud indistinct talking all around me, but as I walk in everything becomes silent.

   I open my eyes and see a huge crowd on either side of me. It includes some family and friends. Straight up is the judge, sitting on his high pedestal of Justice. That's what it should be anyway... Anymore, it comes down to who pays the most. To his left are many strangers who are to help decide who is guilty or who is innocent.

   Finally, I look down at the table next to the one I'm supposed to sit at. There sits a rather large, very tan man. He has black hair and big ears. He seems rather unfamiliar though. He's in a tux, sitting straight, and has his hands folded in front of him. Next to him sits a fancy man, I'm guessing is his lawyer.

   I slowly walk up, keeping my eyes on this man I knew was my "father". He was acting as if he was someone else. Someone calm and gentle, but I know the real him.

   I make my way to my seat. I have my lawyer sit next to me so I can't see him. I give little peaks here and there, but he doesn't look at me.

   Some time goes by, then the judge silences the room.

   "Hello everyone, this is the last court date of this case before we hold a verdict. There is just one last account that we have not heard yet. Ms. Catherine, please come up and tell your side." He says.

   I break out in a sweat, and stand up quickly. I walk up to the stand not looking behind me, but I feel his eyes piercing through my back. My knees get weak as I fell onto the chair. A woman rushes up to me and I hold out my hand to keep her from getting near.

    "Dear, are you okay? You seem pale." She states.

   "Please, stay back, I'm fine. Just... Some water please." I ask.

   "Okay, okay." She leaves a minute then comes back with a glass of water. "Here you go honey."

   "Thank you ma'am." I told her.

   She nodded and walked away.

   At that moment I looked up at the crowd. They all stare at me. I look down and see my father staring me dead in the eye. I can see his anger in his eyes. The flames getting bigger behind those doors every second. I look away.

   To the left, behind my table, sits Sammy and a familiar face.

   Sabrina is here. She looks at me and gives me a sympathetic smile. She probably was called here to talk about my life at school.