NaNoWriMo 2014

Chapter Four

Inside the courthouse was just as large as it had appeared from the outside; the hallways were each as wide as four highway lanes with ceiling that was easily thirty feet above our heads As we walked crowds of people jostled their way to and from the center of the building towards which we were constantly making our way towards. As we got closer, I gasped in surprise; the center of the courthouse was taken up by a circular glass structure that contained dozens of elevators! As I looked more closely I saw that most of the docks had no cars in them but even as I observed this one of them went up, one down, and a new one came down from above to offload more people.

"This is the elevator transfer for the top floor, Ralim" Amanda told me, "There are others spread around the building but they do not go through all floors as these do."

This interested me greatly and I was all for just watching the elevators come and go all evening but Amanda pushed me on, saying, "Come on, come on, Ralim! We have only six minutes until court opens!"

I followed Amanda as she began to move towards the elevators threading my way between the crowds. We arrived at an elevator about to head down. Amanda stuck her hand between the doors to prevent them closing and helped me inside before following herself.

"Court thirty-four." she told the elevator in a clear, loud voice. The elevator began it's descent through hundreds of floors stopping here and there to let people on or off. Court thirty-four must have been below ground because after awhile the daylight stopped shining through the walls and the elevator was lit with fusion bulbs. By the time we arrived at the bottom the elevator was completely empty except for the two of us.

"Court thirty-four," The elevator informed us as it slid to a smooth stop, "have a nice day."

Amanda and I stepped out of the elevator and watched as the elevator rose up again on it's ascent to the top of the tower. Then we turned and walked along a smaller branch hall that ended at a set of doors that must open into court thirty-four. Amanda stopped and told me again, "No matter what happens, everything will be okay."

She presses her hand and then mine against the door to verify our access, the doors opened and swung inwards on well-oiled hinges. Inside the courthouse were fifty rows of solid crystal benches facing the judge's podium and witness stand; both of polished granite, between the observer's benches and the podium sat a pair of tables and two chairs per table, on either side of the judge's stand, made of poured magma.

I looked around at all the people sitting here, all the observers sitting on their benches, the Bailiff shuffling some papers around his desk, the court reporter setting up her vBoard to record the session, my father the accused sitting at one of the tables, the Kobald chief of police seated at the other table, both had their own lawyers seated beside to speak for them.

"We will not be needed for awhile if at all," Amanda said quietly, so that only I could hear, "we might as well find a seat and make ourselves comfortable."

We found a spot had been reserved for us at the front row behind the chief, when we had sat down my father turned to scan the crowd and seeing in me his face twisted into a terrible grimace. I shuddered, the look on his face as glared at me was one of pure hatred.

At last the bailiff spoke up, "Now presenting his honor, Judge Lerwhite." The whole court stood as a middle aged man made his way slowly up the steps to the podium, as the Judge sat everyone else did also.

"My good people and citizens of Kobald, we are gathered here today to witness the trial of shopkeeper Garsam, hereby convicted of the murder and abuse of his wife, the beating of his son, illegal slave trafficking, smuggling drugs trough his shop, the purchase and sale of stolen military technology for personal gain, the purchase and sale of stolen property from major retailers warehouses, and for attempting to resist arrest." The judge read out loud from a sheet of paper in front of him.

I got another look at my father, he was glaring at the judge with a look of pure loathing, the same expression that was on his face the day he beat me except a hundred times more intense.

"Does anyone in the court other than the accused have anything they wish to say on the subject of the supposed crimes committed?" Judge Lerwhite asked the assembled. When no one answered he continued, "Very well then, if there are no objections I would like to get this under way." He then reached forward and taking the gavel in his right hand the banged it loudly on the podium and said in a loud, clear voice, "This court is now in session!"