Saving Pierson

Courtdate

Pierson

My heart pounds so hard that I can hear it. It sounds like a drum.

My hands get sweaty and I begin to tremble.

"Ready?" River walks over.

"I'm so nervous." I start to cry.

"Hey," he kneels dawn next to me "I really don't like this mother fucker. We're getting him proven guilty." he laughs. "I'm a pro at this. You'll be thanking me over and over!" he says in his cocky tone, but I only cry harder. "Pierson..." he pulls me into his chest. "I'm sorry. But hey, I'm gonna be right next to you. Me and Coop!" he turns to the black german shepherd that barks, agreeing. It cracks a laugh out of me. "See." he smiles. "We got this."

I hug him. "I trust you."

"Okay, well, it's time." he stands up, putting his hand out for me to take. We walk into the courtroom and as soon as I see his face and his eyes pierced on me, memories flash back, causing me to scream and cry. "Pier..." River doesn't know what to do "hey hey..." he hugs me. "Come on, it's okay. You don't even have to look at him, yeah? You can keep your back turned." he leads me to our seats.

"Okay." I sob.

I turn the chair around as I stare at the ground.

Cooper whines and places his paw and head on my leg.

Everything becomes muffled.

I'm unaware of things being told and what's going on. I just keep my forehead rested on Cooper, letting out tears.

River stands up. "You see the proof, just lock him up already."

"Thompson, please sit down." the judge says sternly.

Please do this, River.

Please.

"Yeah yeah." River sits down.

"Addax. there is many accounts of assault, domestic violence, and rape. Here are the pictures as well as her hospital documents from when you've pushed her down the stairs blamed it as an accidental fall." the judge speaks. "An-"

"I didn't do this."

"The blueprint and dna all match up to you." the judge argues.

"It's from play fighting!"

I flinch at hearing him raising his voice again.

Cooper whines and River leans down. "He's gonna get his ass whooped."

I chuckle as tears run down my cheeks.

"GUILTY!" the judge slams his little thing on the base.

Everyone claps and I burst out crying tears of happiness.

Guilty.

Guilty.

**

"You okay? You've been quiet since we've left." River walks over.

"I feel sick." I wipe my tears and he kneels down next to me. "Like, PTSD."

He takes my hands, causing my head to turn to look at him. "You've been through hell. What he's done to you is now being served for fifteen years. You don't have to worry about anything anymore, I got it from here. I let him know, after court when you went off, that I'm the fucking beast around here and I won't hesitate to show him that." he chuckles and looks up when he notices I didn't laugh with him. "But really, you're safe."

"It's still in my head." I look down.

"Pier, you're fucking strong. You've been strong for as long as I've known you and I know that if you couldn't do it then you wouldn't be here. You carry so much. You're beautiful, strong, loving, and caring. Let that stupid fucktard go. He can't control you anymore." he stands up, causing me to flinch on accident. "Pier."

I cry and look up at him. "Will you still be here for me since this is all over?"

He laughs and hugs me. "Of course. I'm not that much of a dick, plus, we were childhood best fucking friends that found their way back to each other."

"I'm so glad." I cry tears of happiness as I rub his back.

"Hey guys- oh-"

We pull apart and see Cash and Sophia.

"Sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt-"

"You're good." River replies.

"Wanna go to the bowling alley? Cheer up the mood?" Cash asks and River turns to him with a look of 'seriously?'.

I clear my throat. "I think I'll sit this one out."

"Oh right! Sorry. What about a movie upstairs? Megan is Missing?" Cash looks around and my eyes widen.

"Is that the one all over tik tok?" I ask.

"Yup. Wanna try it out?" Sophia smirks. "I love horror."

"You wanna?" River gently and slowly rubs my back.

"Sure." I smile.

Cash motions his hand upstairs and we follow him.

Sophia runs off and comes in with a bunch of blankets and pillows. Cash turns off the lights and theres only two small two seater loveseats so Cash and Sophia are obviously together.

River and I sit in our seat, sharing a blanket.

"Ready?" Cash rubs his hands together mischievously.

"Yeah!" we all exclaim.

The movie begins and it's pretty chill in the start.

Thirty minutes in, it starts to get iffy, but I'm so exhausted.

I yawn and cuddle up in the blanket.

Then time goes on.

I gulp.

Pictures show up and my anxiety raises off the roof.

Footage is then shown, causing my bottom lip to quiver as tears fill my eyes.

"That's so fucked up..." Sophia gasps.

River notices me and slowly grabs me, pulling me into his arms.

Her screams.

The noises.

The torture.

Tears escape my eyes and I hold onto River's arm, tears streaming down my face.

"Aw, love." River runs his fingers through my hair, kissing my temple.

"This is real footage... actually sickening." Sophia holds onto Cash.

Rivers touch causes me to instantly fall asleep in exhaustion.

I was up all night last night crying and stressing.

It was a long day and this sleep is exactly what I need.