Trepidation || j. g ||

| t h e e n d o f a l l t h i n g s |

-

RENEE AND MICHAEL Whitman sat speechless in front of their clients, Jake and Athena Abbey. The four individuals looked tired and completely oblivious to the fact. Anxiety courses through them. Their minds were racing. Today was the day. Today was the day when their fates would be sealed indefinitely.

Athena admired Jake's look; his hair slicked back like it normally is but his body was clothed in a sleek and crisp looking suit. Renee went on and on about how the two should be especially dressed up today. It made them look good to the judge and jury, apparently.

"It's been a long...long journey." Michael spoke up, his body jolting up as he cleared his throat. He placed his hands on the table in front of him, trying to find the right words to say.

The Whitman's knew deep down what the jury was going to say. They knew from the jump. The story was too big, too publicized- Renee and Michael were just too damn stubborn to give up on the Abbey's.

"Whatever happens in there...don't forget how far we've come. We fought like hell in that courtroom. Don't ever forget it."

Jake looked up at Michael, nodding subtly as he tried not to be so glum.

"Thank you. Thank you both for everything."

Renee sat up instantly, shaking her head in reassurance.

"You don't have to thank us. This is our job. We fight for our clients with everything we have-"

"-you didn't have to, though. So, thank you. Truly." Athena spoke up, giving a trying smile as the Whitman's eyes softened.

"Let's get out there."

-

It was like a circus in the Las Vegas Courtroom that afternoon. Everyone showed face. It seemed like the whole world was awaiting the fate of the Abbey's-it was truly a sight to behold. The courtroom pews were filled left to right with people, the air holding a still but energetic buzz. The Minnesota Police Department along with familiar faces like Nancy Delaney and Allie York sat with unsettled emotions and shaking hands.

Jake and Athena Abbey sat side by side with Renee and Micheal sitting on either side of the couple. For the first time all trial, Athena welcomed Jake's shaking touch. His hand gripped hers as he gave her a hopeful look. He had so much disdain in his eyes-so much regret. Athena tried not to meddle into it. It's not like she had time to meddle anymore, anyway.

The court buzzed as it awaited for the seal of approval from Judge Bender and the jury. One long year. A whole entire year of memories, flashbacks, and torture from the prosecutors Ford and D'Acosta. Athena couldn't stand it. She could feel herself slowly slipping each day of court and each day locked away in her cell. Jake knew this day would come, though his mind would often try to push it as far down as possible. They were okay. They were happy.

The courtroom shifted as Judge Bender and the Jury began filing back into the room after a long five hours of discussion and decision making. Jake and Athena sat upright quickly as they exchanged worried glances with their defense attorney's. Athena felt it in her bones. This wasn't going to be good.

The air was hot, the light shining in from the tall glass windows sickening in a sense. It was opposite of the feeling the individuals held in the room. Detective Poltz and Baizen sat upright in the front row behind the prosecutors, the fate of the Abbey's a long awaited victory for the two and their police department. Nancy and Allie knew how this was going to end, as they both began to tear up. It was as if everyone knew what was to happen, but chose not to give up so easily.

Judge Bender sighed heavily, shuffling papers calmly as he fixed the tiny microphone planted in front of him to speak.

"This has been a very awful situation and an equally awful year, I'm assuming for both parties involved. Today, we see the long awaited answer to the deliberate cases brought on by both the defense and prosecution in the trial of Athena and Jake Abbey versus The People."

Judge Bender now looked toward the jury and spoke calmly,

"May the chosen member of the jury please read the concluded verdict to the court at this time."

Athena gasped lowly, her hand immediately grabbing Jake's as she looked down. She didn't want this to be real. She didn't want to hear all the wrong she's done. She didn't want to hear what these people thought about her. She couldn't take it.

An older woman rose from her position at the jury, holding a piece of paper carefully as she waited for the stirring to calm. With a nod from Judge Bender, the member of the jury began.

"We the jury on count one, in the charge of murder in the second degree and manslaughter in the first degree, find defendants Jacob and Athena Abbey guilty on all accounts. On the charge of aiding and abetting, we the jury find the defendant Athena Abbey guilty. On the charge of first degree murder, we the jury find Jacob Abbey guilty on all charges."

The courtroom filled with instances of sobs and the consistent sound of people releasing their deep held breathes. Athena began to sob, her facade quickly falling as she was comforted by Jake who tried to keep a clear expression-but his eyes told a different story. The Whitman's tried to keep their disappointment at bay, looking at one another with glum expressions as Renee patted Athena's back with Jake. It would be a moment encapsulated in the history books for sure. There they sat, the infamous Jake and Athena Abbey.

One last time, the two were so close. Close without the instances of shackles and handcuffs, without the wretched orange jumpsuits and cold metal of a cell. It would be the last time they felt the warmth of one another, the last time they would fully recall how the it felt to hold one another. The last time for everything. It seems as though all things have an end, be it good or bad.

Isn't that why they met? It was pure fate.