Hiraeth {Book 3 in The Emerald of Annihilation trilogy}

(38). Pleas

Lily sat on the bench in the courthouse. Hushed whispers washed over her. Yet, she refused to pay them any heed. Her wounds had been healing nicely and the only evidence she had been in the field was the small scar on her cheek, her split lip, and the slight limp in her steps. 

Lily's eyes lifted as the doors opened and two police officers escorted Dylan inside. The girl let her eyes wander over his features. His eyes had dark bags beneath them and his gaze drooped. His steps were sluggish and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. His stressed glance met hers and he managed an attempt at a reassuring smile. 

As Dylan took his seat in the accused chair, he began to think over his life. Parts like the fire that resulted in his father's death, his capture and brainwashed with Viper Serum, and his murderous experience in Detriot. The young man wished he could still forget. Wished he still had amnesia. Call him selfish, but Dylan wanted anything other than living with a guilty conscience.

But then he thought of his mother, his friends, Lily and her amazing family. They had all been with him through his tough times. Dylann glanced to the man seated next to him. 

Duke Livingston. Mark's father. Best friends of Lily's mom, Alexis. Funny how their children had grown to be just as close as they were. Dylan was thankful to Duke who, after being filled in on what had happened, agreed to defend him in court. Duke's growing stubble and slightly greying hair did little to shadow the same determination and righteous light in his eyes that he shared with his son. 

Dylan sighed softly. Voices around him sounded like static. Time seemed to be near non-existent, though it flew like that. Dylan's head raised as the judge's thick voice pierced his thoughts. 

"Would the defence care to make a closing statement?" 

Dylan's blood ran cold. Had that much time flew by? He glanced to Duke. The older man's forehead was beaded thinly with sweat. His mesmerizing grey eyes burned with frustration. "Yes, your honour, thank you." He uttered, standing and walking around to the front of the room. He steps not faltering once. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Duke stands to face the audience. His expression grim. Dylan's hands tremble and he fumbles with them. What was he waiting for? The lawyer stands silent. His eyes seem to be distant as he scans the crowd robotics.  

"Mr. Lingston we're waiting." The judge speaks. "We're waiting." Duke blinks, seemingly coming out of the trance he was in. "Sorry, your honour." He turns his attention forward. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, forgive me if I seem distracted. I've been preoccupied of late with....questions of morality. Of right and wrong. Good and evil."

Duke takes a breath. "Sometimes the delineation between the two is a sharp line. Sometimes it's a blur. And often it's like pornography. You just know when you see it." 

There are a couple hushed whispers and slight chuckles across the room. Duke continues. "10 people are dead. I don't mean to make light of that but, these questions...these....questions, are vital ones. Because they tether us to each other. To humanity. Not everyone feels this way. Not everyone sees the sharp line. Only the blur." 

the court listens silently. Trying to understand where this was going. Duke Livingston takes a moment to breathe before continuing. "10 people are.....10 people are dead... And my client," He motions his hand to the young man. "Dylan Tanner....took their lives." He turns back to the court. "This not in dispute. It is a matter of record, Of fact." 

Lily's eyebrows furrow. She leans forward as her friend's father proceeds. "And facts have no moral judgement. They merely state what is. Not what we think of them. Not what we feel. They just are. What was in my client's heart when he took each life, whether he is a good man or....something different entirely, is irrelevant. These questions of good and evil, as important as they are, have no place in a court of law. Only the facts matter."