Stripped to the Heart

Chapter 21 - BANG BANG baby

My parents had agreed to meet Jack, but I insisted on coming. They were hesitant but said yes eventually when I agreed to wear a bullet-proof vest. Apparently we all did, "We have to be prepared for the worst, dear" they had told me. I just nodded and mentally shot my mother before it relflected and hit me in the temple. Why am I so stupid sometimes?

We were standing outside of the Ferris Wheel, it was dead silent except for the creaking of cogs and steel. The smell of welded steel was pungent and I was crisping under the sun's hot rays. "Glad you could make it" we all said sarcastically when he arrived. "Oh, come on that is not the way to greet your darling son and brother" he said it and before I knew what was happening there were guns, pointing at our chests.

"Wow, real smart Jack. You caught us, now who will you shoot and kill first?" my father asked it with a smirk and instantly Jack pulled the trigger when the barrel was facing my dad. "No, dad!" I yelled when Dad let out a scream that pierced the clouds in half, he fell to the ground, clutching his chest and facing away from us. I instantly kneeled down to help him before whispering "Good work, I never knew you could scream" before lapsing into tears.

*Bang* the noised scared the birds away for miles and I watched as my mother collapsed, following my father's performance. "Wow, what unfinished lives. How..sad! It must hurt, watching your parents die, but they weren't mine so it doesn't hurt. Also, did you miss me?" I had seen my dad tense up as he heard his 'son' talk but when he jumped up and punched Jack. It made him fall down and grab his stomach.

We reached the courthouse and the session started immediately, Jack was brought out and the Jury was coming to a decision. They called up for a family member to make their statement. "Would Miss Anna Felicity Dock stand to make her statement?" I stood up and walked over to the table, where I would lay down my statement.

"I'm Anna Dock, Jack Dock's sister. Though I am not proud to be, for when I was 6 years old he was 10 and displayed innapropriate behaviour towards me including sexual, physical and psycological." That was it, now I just had to hand my SD card over and he would be behind bars. "Thank You."

"I hereby find Jack Finn Dock guilty of the following charges

Soliciting to Murder, Posession of firearm with intent to endanger life, Attempting to choke, making threats to kill, cruelty to persons under 16, offences in relations to drug trafficing, criminal damage, carrying loaded firearm in public, carrying firearm without certificate, escaping from lawful custodies without force, indecent assault on a woman, sexual assault, child sex offence, abuse of trust: sexual activity with a child, possession of offensive weapon, putting people in fear of violence, rape, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, rape of child under 13 and attempted murder.

He will be behind bars for 27 years before he is allowed to apply for parole, his maximum charge is 40 years. Thank you all for testimoning and attending court. He has been refused bail and is allowed to have family visitors only, no media coverage will be permitted once he is behind bars. You may all leave court, the session has finished." The jury stood up and I just stayed seated, letting it sink in that I won't have to put up with Jack for at least 27 years. I also highly doubt that my parents will allow him to live here or be allowed parole even then.

Unless of course they want to see him, I mean if he is 21 that means if he serves his full sentence that he will be 61 when I see him next. I don't plan on visiting him, no way in hell. But if he is out on parole I'll see him when he is 48. "Wow!" I let the one word slip and I just started laughing, I laughed until I was crying and my emotions were everywhere.

Would I miss him? The sweet little boy who ruined my life? NO! I wouldn't miss him, I hate him. You can't make me like him. What if he improves? NO! He would never improve he will always be the same brother! my thoughts were spinning around my head and the dots appeared again, my vision became blurry and then just black. The black engulfed me and I was glad, until I heard someone whispering my name and I felt something soft behind my head. "Anna?" it ws my mother and it slowly grew louder until I opened my eyes, then it stopped.

"Mom?" I asked, wondering why she was shouting if we were in court "Sorry dear, we had to carry you home from court. He's behind bars for 40 years!" she practically squealed the last part and I winced before realising another two shapes in the room, "Joy to the world, Joy is here!" I was singing off tune but I didn't care, my bestie was back. "Who's the other one?" I asked before realising "Oh... hey Leo, how are you?" I was nervous because I wasn't sure about my feelings yet. Luckily my Mum saved me and told us that we should come downstairs and enjoy the freedom with them. I happily obliged before dragging Joy and Leo with me.

My dad was laughing as he sipped on his beer, "wasn't that fun, Anna? Finally your brother is safely behind bars for a maximum of 15 years!" he was overjoyed and I was joining in on the celebration, openly laughing when another stupid photo came up on the slideshow we were watching. It was showing the evolution of the 'loose nut' that I called my brother.

The slideshow finished and everyone went home, my parents had stayed for a hour longer than everyone else and tucked me into bed. Reminding me that Jack was behind bars and I could finally sleep at night without fearing him. Ever since he was 10 he had been troubled and would come into my room before attempting to seduce me, I was only 6 and had no idea what he was doing. I was traumatised but never forgot it.

The only person left with me was Joy, who suddenly piped up when she and I were tucked in bed and my parents left the room. Where they walked downstairs and left, locking the door after them. "We need to talk." she said it with a serious tone and a serious face, I sighed and sat up. Anticipating the conversation that was about to take place.