After The Rain✔️

The sentencing

After our fun filled weekend, we returned to the sentencing. Well, not them but me. I walked into the courtroom hand in hand with Raven with my parents and friends following behind me. Devin and Randy watched us. Randy glared at us seeing the fact his brothers were with me. I refused to falter.

"Before we get to the sentencing, Miss King is allowed to give her victim statement. Miss King," the judge acknowledged me. Raven gave me a kiss on the cheek and wished me luck.

I walked up to the podium and took a deep breath. My hands were shaking from being so nervous. I looked at them both and started.

"I was asked if I had anything I wanted to say to you. I have a lot to say. That night, you took a lot from me all because you felt you had the right. You wanted to break me and I have to admit, you almost did. You thought you were so smug that you would get away with it but you were wrong. Since that night, I went from being that wallflower and someone whose name you chose not to remember to someone that fought and won. I fought for all the victims who were too scared to fight. I fought for all those times you thought you could beat me down, because I got back up."

"People like you will never change no matter what you say or do. You will find someone else that is weaker than you because that's the only way you can feel good about yourself. Keeping people down is what makes you happy, well, newsflash, I'm not that person you can keep down anymore. The one point you failed to understand while you sit in a jail cell, I get to enjoy the things you want. I will get to have a life and your life is over. So, I guess my question is, was it worth it? Was it worth to be labelled a sex offender? Was it worth destroying families for one night that can never be undone? Not so big and bad now are you?"

"My name is Molly King and I am no longer a victim but a survivor. Remember that name because that's the name of the person who finally fought back and won."

I looked at them and they sat there stunned. Who would ever guess the wallflower would have taken down two guys at once?

I walked back and took a seat next to Raven. He leaned over and whispered, "I'm so very proud of you." I gave him a smile.

Devin and Randy stood as the judge handed their sentence to them. Devin got fifteen years while Randy got ten years. Both had to register as sex offenders as well. Neither was allowed within 100 feet of me once they were released. They were also sentenced to Ionia Prison and would be lucky if they survived.

I was just glad it was finally over. Maybe now other girls will feel comfortable enough to come forward and have the courage to do so. One can only hope.

*****
I was in my room looking for something when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Molly," they said.

"Braydon? What's going on?"

"Hunter and I are headed over to the Knights. It's not good."

I dropped the phone and ran out of my bedroom and out of my door. I ran over to Raven's house. I heard screams. I ran inside and I couldn't believe what I saw, Mr. Knight had a bloody eye and lip as he stood there with clinch fists as Robbie was trying to shield Raven. Both of them were bloody and beaten.

"You! You did this!"

"I offered my forgiveness!"

"My boy is going to rot in jail and they chose you over us," he growled.

He lunged for me, I shielded myself only for someone to protect me. I opened my eyes and saw Raven standing in between me and his father and his father on the floor.

"Don't ever fucking touch her or I'll fucking kill you," he shouted.

His dad looked at him and I stared at Raven. He protected me. He did what anyone that loves you would do. He protected me even though he was badly hurt.

"Get out, both of you," his mom screamed.

"Gladly," he huffed. He went over to Robbie and I helped him. Braydon and Hunter walked in and saw what we saw. They took over and helped Robbie while I helped Raven. As we walked out the door, I turned and looked at their parents, I guess all families have secrets that no one sees outside of a house.

We brought them to my house and were met by my mom, "Good lord," she said.

"Mom, can you get dad?"

"Of course. Take them upstairs," she said as we went upstairs to the bathroom. We got them situated and dad came in with first aid kit. He cleaned up Robbie first. He hissed as dad cleaned his wounds and stitched him up.

"Where did he learn that?" Raven asked.

"He was a medic in the service when he served," I said.

Once Robbie was taken care of, dad helped Raven. He hissed through his teeth as dad dabbed peroxide on his cuts.

"Mind telling me what happened," dad asked him.

"After the sentencing, there was an argument. Dad was furious because Robbie and I showed up with Molly instead of supporting Randy. He felt, we were choosing sides."

"Then what happened?"

"We fought, then Robbie tried to break it up. He hit Robbie then I hit him. Then it got bad. Molly showed up and he was going to go after her, but I stopped him. I could let him hurt her. My brother has done enough," he said, looking at my dad.

"Yeah, he did. But he wasn't the only one," he said, placing a bandage over his eye. He took a seat and looked at Raven. "We all hurt my daughter in some form and she never deserved it. All she wanted was for someone to care about her and she couldn't get that from anyone until you came along. Her mother told me what you did for her. Said you would sit and talk to her over a hot cocoa."

"Her cocoa is pretty delicious."

"It's Swiss miss."

"Still, it was good."

"The point is, you offered her kindness when she needed it. Why?"

Raven looked at him and simply said, "Because I fell in love with her."

"Well, I guess you and your brother are going to need a place to stay, aren't you?"

"Mr. King, Robbie and I can manage."

My dad stood up, "Look, you protected my daughter and you care about her. The least we can do is give you shelter," he said in a gruff voice.

"O-okay," Raven stuttered.

"Then it's settled. Marilyn will show you both of the rooms you will be staying in," he said as he left the bathroom.

Raven came out of the bathroom and I looked at him, "Did my dad just do what I think he did?"

Raven looked at me, "Hi roomie."

I looked at him stunned as he shrugged sheepishly. Guess this will take some use too.