While Life Goes on

Chapter 1

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This is a new story idea that I came up with today. Do you like it? Do you hate it? I know I'm excited to write it! FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK! What are you ideas for the story? Anything you think is going to happen? I know it seems like it should be the ending of a story, but I decided to mix it up and do something kinda weird. Oh, and just a forewarning, in a couple weeks I'm going to start my last year or high school! All my classes are college courses and I'm in 19 hours, if any of you are in college, I bet you feel my pain. Just wanted to say that so you know that my updates might be infrequent or short.

Anyways, answer those questions above and I'll love you forever!

xx

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Blink.

That’s how fast your life can be over.

The average person blinks about twenty thousand times per day.

That’s twenty thousand chances to die.

“Today, Tuesday February 26 of 2010, we will beginning our final day of testimony in the case of The People versus Mr. Tyson Wheeler and Mr. Samuel Gilmore. I’ll remind those in our jury and gallery that the People are represented by Mr. Harvey Powers and the defendants by Ms. Simone Lesson.”

Judge Sampson Daniels. He was fairly young for his profession in my opinion. He was about forty, but had the youthfulness of a twenty year old. I would have given a million wishes to never have to meet him, or any of the other people in this room for that matter.

“Ladies and Gentleman of the jury I would like to remind you that in the court of law everyone is innocent until proven guilty. After our final testimony, you will hear the closing arguments, and then you will be released for deliberation.”

This was going to be a long day of testimony. Harvey and I had already gone over the questions he intends to ask me when I take the stand. I don’t remember when the last time I slept was. Every time I lay my head down, even just for a short rest, that horrid night comes racing back with a vengeance. Eventually I’m able to cry myself to sleep, only to wake up the next morning and see the mark of weakness forever stamped on my face. If I had been stronger, maybe we wouldn’t be here now.

“The people call Bentley Ryan to the stand.” Harvey’s voice was so strong and confident. It was the voice that made this possible. Without his encouragement to remind me why I was doing this, the sorrow alone would probably have me in an asylum by now.

This was it. I had made it a point to blend in with all the news journalist and alumni in the gallery, but that was over. I stood, in my somber black pinstripe skirt and matching jacket, and made my way to the front. The walk to the stand seemed to take forever. I found myself counting the clicks of my heels on the marble floor.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

A cough in the gallery interrupted my counting. I took my seat on the left side of the judge, and an officer walked up to administer the oath.

“Please place your left hand on the bible, raise your right hand and repeat after me—“