The Abnormality Of The Normality

'Are you ready?'

The Two weeks went by in a flash. Hayley helped me to take pictures of my bruising everyday. The night before (the 16th), Neither me nor Hayley slept. We just laid there staring up at the ceiling as time went on. Slowly.

I glance at the clock and sigh. 08:00. We have to get up and ready. Hayley lets me shower first. It's only a quick 5 minute one. I still struggle to look at my body even though the majority of the bruising had now vanished. Every scar is a link back to Jack.

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Two hours later and we are stood outside the courtroom. Jennifer runs up to us both. "Hey Alex, Hayley. Are you ready?" She asks me. I nod in response and follow her into the court room. Hayley gives me a quick hug and whispers in my ear, "You've got this. He's going to pay for what he did," before separating away from me and Jennifer. Jennifer had already explained that it wouldn't be wise for her to sit with us during the hearing. We make our way to the front and take a seat at the defendant's desk.

I look to the desk next to ours. There sat a very smug looking Jack. He is on his own, either his attorney is running late or he is representing himself. He still appears to believe he could win this. He has dressed up for court. A smart navy-blue suit, plain white shirt and a black tie. He has clearly spent a lot of money on his appearance. Hayley had let me borrow one of her black dresses. It came down to about mid-calf. It was simple. My hair matched my outfit, I had put it up into a bun. Simple yet elegant. He looks over to me and his smile disappears. It is replaced with hatred. He looks as though he is going to say something but the door behind the judge's bench opens. We all stand as the judge enters and the case begins.

The judge called upon Jack first. He stood and addressed the entire courtroom. "My name is Jack Baldwin. I am representing myself. I have done no wrong. Alexandria attacked got her lover, Miss Hayley Johnson to attack me. I was left with a broken nose and was on the verge of life. Weeks later Alex attacked me and so I thought back. Your Honor, Your Honor, people of the jury. I am an innocent man."

The audience behind us boo at his statement causing the judge to become slightly agitated. "Order... Order in the court" she claimed power over the room by hitting her hammer down. "And now I believe we have a Jennifer Briggs representing the opposition, Mrs Alexandria Baldwin."

Jennifer stands and walks up to the judge where everybody in the room can hear her clearly. "My client was hospitalized a month ago from being beaten within an inch of her life by this man." She looks straight at Jack before continuing. "Alexandria was tied up for days. Jack Baldwin drugged her with Temazepam to keep her quiet. She hit Jack in an attempt to escape. If it hadn't of been for Miss Hayley Johnson, Alexandria Baldwin would not be here today. Jack is a domestic abuser who needs to pay for his actions." With that the audience cheer causing the judge to bang the gavel yet again.

Jennifer continues. "Your Honor I would like to call Jack Baldwin to the stand." Once Jack is stood in the witness box and has made an oath, Jennifer pounces on the chance to reveal to the courtroom the monster who stood before us all.

Jennifer: Mr Baldwin, may I call you Jack?

Jack: Yes.

Jennifer: Jack, Your wife ended up in hospital because of you. Didn't she.

Jack: No. She had something wrong with her spleen.

Jennifer: Yes. She undertook an emergency splenectomy. This was caused by repeated beatings from yourself. Do you deny this?

Jack: I was teaching her a lesson.

Jennifer: And what lesson would that be?

Jack: She has been sleeping with Hayley Johnson.