The Deal With A Devil

Chapter 2: All Alone?

     I couldn't believe my ears. My mother who loved me, took care of me, supported me, laughed with me, cried with me, everything with and for me, was gone. In that moment, I remember three things going through my mind. Firstly, hate for my father filled my heart. Secondly, I no longer had any parents to take care of Eva and I. And thirdly, it was up to me to protect Eva and get her through the next years of her life until we were grown adults. Our lives depended on me now, and I had to be ready for that responsibility to rest upon my shoulders.
     As these thoughts clouded my mind, I stared blankly at the television. It was only when Eva came up to me and nuzzled into my chest that I knew, she was now dependent on me; and that despite this being a difficult task, I would do the best that I could, for her sake. "Mason, what are we gonna do?" Eva choked out between cries. "I don't know little sis, but I know that everything will be okay" I said as I faked a smile. She nodded and went back to crying into me. Jeremy stood up and sat down on the couch next to me, "I'll try to help you out any way I can, just let me know what I can do and I'm on it." "Thanks Jer," I said with a thankful grin.
     We were still unable to return home due to the Forensics teams still looking for evidence and cleaning up the murder scene. I was not very excited to return home any time soon. Just the thought of only Eva and I seemed so very strange and uncomprehendable. I would barely be able to stand being in the kitchen, or to even look at a kitchen knife...
     Tomorrow was the day I promised myself my dad would be sent to jail where he belongs. I was not allowing Eva to join me because I'm sure they'd have to show any and all evidence they were able to locate. I figured it might be too much for her to handle, so I asked Jeremy if he could watch her while I was at the Courthouse. He agreed, and so, I thought over some points I'd bring up the following day in court. I was determined to get my mom the justice she deserved, no matter what, my dad was being punished for his crimes.
     Jeremy made me a ham and cheese sandwich that night for dinner. I decided I needed to eat so I had enough nutrients so I could press on in that courtroom. I also decided to call it an early night since I had been lacking on sleep. Lights were out at 9:00 pm. A police officer was driving me to the courthouse at 10:00 am sharp the next day.
     "Psssst Mason, wake up," Eva whispered as she climbed atop my chest, waking me easily. "Eva, it's 4:53 am, what's wrong? Bad dream?" I whispered back, trying not to disturb Jeremy. "It's mommy," Eva continued, "she's here." "Eva, you had a dream-" "No," she said, cutting me off. "She was right next to you, she said hi and that she loves us. Look, she's right there," she said as she pointed right beside me. I turned my head and there was no one there. "She's here now?" I questioned. "Yes, right beside you," she said as she once again pointed beside me. I felt a cold touch rub on my arm for a moment as I felt a cold breeze gently blow into the side of my head. "She just said everything will be okay tomorrow and to not worry," Eva said with a smile. Was she really seeing my mother's spirit? That's when she fell back asleep within only a second or two.
     Jeremy's alarm set off at 7:30 am. I rushed off of the couch and ran upstairs to take a shower. I then used some hair gel to slick it back and borrowed one of Jeremy's suits. I was ready at 9:30 am. "How you feelin'?" Jeremy asked with a smile. "A little nervous but generally alright," I said back as I looked into the mirror. I then quickly plucked a single mustache hair as I thought to myself "Great, the puberty train is pulling into the station," as I rolled my eyes.
     Just then, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find a police officer on the doorstep to take me to the courthouse. Jeremy wished me luck as Eva ran into my arms. I then left with the officer. I had to admit, riding in the back of a police car was kind of cool, especially since I wasn't in hand cuffs and there was a German Shepherd in the back.
     We pulled up in front of the courthouse at 10:23 am. When I got out of the car, I was met by multiple local news networks and flooded with questions. I stepped back as the officer led me into the courtroom. We walked down a long corridor lined with police officers in bulletproof vests.
     Finally, we arrived in front of two large wooden doors that seemed to tower dozens of feet high. Two security guards opened the doors wide and as I entered the courtroom, I was met by my family, neighbors, and some close family friends. In front of them, sat two tables set several feet apart from one another. At one of the tables I saw a lawyer and beside him, sat my fath- Henry Jacobson. After what he had done, I refuse to refer to him as my father. He looked at me with an angry glare, and I gave him one back. The officer led me to the other table where my lawyer was waiting for me. My family set me up with the lawyer to back up my story with all the evidence found at the crime scene.
     "Order, order, order in the court!" the judge yelled as he banged his wooden mallet onto his desk, overlooking the entire room. "Mr. Henry Jacobson, please tell the jury what you would like to plead as we begin," the judge stated. He stood up and shouted "Not Guilty!"