Battles in the shadows

INNER BATTLES...

"Mrs. Setshwantsho, I will not waste precious time. Justice needs to be done. Did you see Mr. Moloi pull the trigger on his wife?"

"He killed her! I saw the gun."

"You are not answering the question Mrs. Setshwantsho, did you or did you not see him pull the trigger?" He said firmly.

"No I didn't."

"So what are we still doing here convicting this innocent man? He did not kill his wife. No one saw him do it. In the court of law we need proof. Hard core evidence. We do not base judgments on hear say or assumptions. Your honour, none of these witnesses actually saw my client pull the trigger and for all we know. "

"What about his lover, licensed liar!" Mrs. Setshwantsho shouted.

"Contain your witness Mr. Karabelo." The judge ordered.

"What about her? Did you see him shoot her?"

"I need the bathroom. Liars like you make the world a dark place."

"Thank you madam."

The court took a short break. There was still no sign of Laura. Her parents grew more and more worried. They sat in the court waiting for the break to be over. Laura's testimony could take the case to another level. As it is, Moloi was nailed; the testimony of Mr. Rapoo and Mrs. Setshwantsho was enough already to send him to jail. It was clear to all that Moloi was guilty. He is charged with two counts of murder and if the judge finds him guilty, he might receive either a death sentence or a life imprisonment. About five minutes before the break was over, Laura walked inside the court room wearing a black knee- length skirt and a black sleeveless top. She walked in looking very distant and sad. Brandon was the first to notice her. He stood up and walked up to her. He held her hands and looked inside her eyes.

"The shadows will go away at last. I will be free Brandon, from one of the monsters in the shadows." Tears dropped from her eyes. Brandon just hugged her and told her it will all be over soon. Her parents stood up and watched them sensing that something was wrong.

Laura was sworn in and Mr. Karabelo started his questioning.

"What can you remember from that morning?"

"Mother and I were about to leave. She was fed up. He had brought in a harlot the night before. As she put our bags inside the car, we heard a gunshot." Laura stopped talking and tears started running down her face. Remembering the grief and betrayal on her mother's face brought intense pain inside her heart.

"Please continue Miss. Rakwela." His honour urged her.

Get in Laura!

"I dream about that day almost every day."

Laura get inside the car!

"We got in the car only for father to pull mother out forcefully. Next thing I heard was another gunshot. I got out of the car. Mother was in tears; she smiled and closed her eyes. I will not have peace in my life until that man gets what he deserves."

"What did you remember after that?"

"I was in the hospital. I had to see a psychotherapist, for a very long time."

The questioning stopped and Rampape came forward.

"Hello Laura. How are you feeling today?"

"Angry."

"For three years you were seeing a psychotherapist. Right?"

"Yes."

"Your honour, the Doctor in charge of her wanted to take her to a mental asylum. How can we trust her judgment in the court of law? She is a mental case."