[Spirit]: 726.Judgement Day

 Me and my father were sitting there arguing over nothingness. We droned on and on until I said something that triggered his explosion. The next thing I know I am on the floor and he’s on top of me choking me. I gasp for air but with each tug of his arm he makes his grip tighter. I try to say stop but my words are muffled by his hands around my throat. Nancy stands there and does nothing. She just holds my brother for dear life, fearing for his instead of mine. I finally find the words I want to use and say them. "End it." I chose these words because I knew that my father would either choke the life out of me or let go. My guess was correct. His angry face went from anger to a shock look of horror and he releases me. I gasp for air choking on every breath.  When I finally catch my Barings I look up. Nancy is still standing holding my brother in her arms. My father stands over me with a look of horror on his face. He stands straight up, washes it off, and heads out the door. I get up slowly, wobbly and grab the phone. I dash to my room with it and call the first person to come to mind....Rachel. She answers and tears stream down my eyes as I try to speak. "Rachel.....pleaaase.....come get me.....meet me at the library, and bring your phone. Please......(cough) I need your help." I hang up and slowly take the phone out in the living room.  Nancy is sitting on the couch with my brother as I return the phone. I muffle to her where I am going and grab my coat. I zip it all the way up to hide my neck and with wobbly legs, walk out the door.  I slowly make my way to the library. By the time I get there Rachel is pacing back and forth frantically. When she sees me she stops. I must have looked like I came from a dump. Because the look on her face said what the hell happened to you???? I slowly begin to explain me and my father’s argument and show her my neck. Her jaw drops and she takes out her phone and takes pictures. "Janice, we have to do something about this. This cannot go on. Your father is going to kill you one day if you let this keep going." I beg her not to say anything to anybody but she wouldn't listen. "No. We are going to my house and then I am calling the police. This has to end." I nod my head slowly and accompany her to her moped. As we get on a thought goes through my mind, my god what have I done? My father will kill me for sure if I don't win. I begin to cry and Rachel hugs me and says everything will be ok.  When we get to her house she calls the police and explains everything to them while her mother tends my neck. I wince every time she applies pressure. I listen to Rachel drone on the phone about what had happened. "Janice does this hurt?" I wince as Rachel's mother applies pressure to my neck again. I nod my head and Rachel hangs up the phone. I turn to look at her with a question look. She dashes upstairs to her room and returns with the letter I had written her about two months ago. Again another worried look crosses my face. "The police say that she can stay here tonight and that they will be sending someone over to examine her neck. They also said that they were going to send an officer to her house and pick up her father. Janice, this is going to court."  I stare back at her in horror. No way was I going to win this case. My father had told me that no one would ever believe a child over an adult, less me. I try to speak. "Please Rachel. Don't. If I lose mmmmy father will kill me. He-" A knock at the door interrupts me. Rachel goes to the door and answers it. The police had arrived.  The officer comes in and looks at my neck. He takes pictures with a small digital camera and asks me if I can speak. Rachel's mom speaks for me. "She can barely talk. She says it hurts everywhere. What ever that man did to her, its got her terrified and in a lot of pain." The officer nods his head and looks at Rachel. "You said she had written a note to you in the past. May I see it?" Rachel hands him the note and he looks it over. "So you knew this was going to happen?" I shake my head no. "It was just a gu-guess. I didn't think my father woulddd do it but I guess I was wwwroongg." I bow my head in shame. Tears begin to form around the edges of my eyes.  That night while I was sleeping Rachel was up busily typing away at her computer. "Vanden. It’s me, Rachel. There’s been a problem." "Rachel...what is it? What’s happened? Is Janice ok?" "Well her dad choked her and nearly killed her." "OMG!! Rachel where is she, is she ok? Please tell me she's alright." "Vanden, she's fine. She's in my bed asleep. So calm down. She's going to court in two days. She's terrified. Vanden I think you should be here if you can make it. I think that it would help her if she could see you and talk to you." "I'm on my way Rachel. I'll leave tonight. Just do me a favor." "Yes what is it?" "Watch over her. Keep her safe until I get there."

 THE TRIAL   I was nervous. I had never gone to court. The prints on my neck were gone. No evidence of my father having choked me. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. I took a deep breath, grabbed onto Rachel's arm, and walked through the court room doors.  The room was big, and there were tons of windows. Bright sunlight poured through them. I grimaced. My eyes started to burn. I looked at where I would be sitting and saw that the spot was shaded. A small smile crept along my face. Rachel knew me well. I wiped the smile off fast when I saw my father staring straight at me. His angry eyes glared at me and I stopped dead in my tracks. I didn't want to be here. I dropped my head and began to walk backwards when Rachel tugged on my arm and whispered it would be ok. I nodded and began to walk forward again. I looked to my left and saw Jake, Cory, Nick, and Amanda sitting there. Along with their parents behind them, my mother, my grandparents, and my sisters, and a few people I didn't recognize. I looked to my right and saw Nancy, Her parents, my brother, and all my fathers’ friends sitting there looking at me. I dropped my head again. I glanced up again when I heard a door creak and realized that Rachel was trying to get me to sit down in my seat. I took a seat and avoided looking at my father as Rachel sat down right behind me. I looked up at my father’s side and saw his lawyer. I looked to my left and saw an empty chair right next to mine. I was terrified.  The judge walked in and began. "Shall we begin? Good. As I understand this is a case on Janice Ann Rice." I raised my head at the mention of my name. "And of Mark Stanley Barker." I steal a glance at my father. He was still glaring at me. His eyes promising me that he would punish me big time for this when we got home. I gulped. The judge pounded his gavel and I looked up. He stared right at me. "Well let’s hear what you have to say." Before I could speak Rachel piped in. "Your honor, I have some pictures of Janice's throat and a letter from her from a few months ago. They are all sitting next to her when and if you need them." I took a glance sideways and saw that Rachel was right. "Alright miss, thank you but I am sure Janice is very aware of those items and will let me see them when the time is right. Now if there are no further interruptions....Janice why don't you begin" And so I began my story. "Me and my father were arguing over nothingness. I guess I had said the wrong thing because the next thing I knew I was on my back gasping for air and his hands around my neck." I took a big gulp and glanced at my father. He glared back at me. "Go on Janice." The judge said. "I tried to get him off of me but with each struggle and each attempt at breathing he would squeeze harder." "Objection your honor. She is lying, my cli-" "Overruled. You will let her finish and then you may say what you wish. Go ahead Janice." I looked back at Rachel and she nodded her head, crossed her arms and glared back at my father. I turned around and began again. "I had looked over at Nancy hoping that she would come and help me. But she was just standing there looking at me with John, my brother, in her arms. I was trying to form words to get my father to stop and my mind was racing to find something to say. I at first tried to say stop but it wouldn't come out. So I settled for two words. End it. It had the effect I thought it would have. My father had stopped, stood up, and left." "Did Nancy assist you afterwards?" "No, your honor." "Continue. What did you do next?" "Well, I got up slowly and tried to catch my breath. It was so hard to breathe but I had made a promise to someone that I would hang on to every ounce of life I had in me. I-" "Who is this someone you are referring to?" "My boyfriend. Vanden. He lives in New Plymouth, New Zealand your honor." "I see. Why did you promise him that?" "Because he had lost a very dear friend of his and had asked me to promise him that I would hang on to every ounce of life I had left so that we could meet at least once. And I never break my promises." "So what did you do after you got the strength to walk again?" "Well, I called Rachel" I pointed to her, " And asked her to come and get me and to bring her cell phone." "Why did you want her to bring her cell phone?" "Well I wanted her to take pictures of my neck. I didn't know why at first. I mean I really didn't want to go to court. I-" "Why didn't you want to go to court?" "Because I was afraid." "Afraid of what?" I hesitated. "Janice, you have to tell me the truth. Why were you afraid?" "Well, I was afraid that if I lost. That I would be punished for taking him to court." "I see. Well don't always count your chickens so soon. Anyway go on, what did you do next?" I looked around the room nervously at everyone. I cleared my throat and continued on with my story. "Well, I walked out the door and slowly made my way to the library where Rachel and I usually meet. When I got there she was pacing back and forth with a worried look. When she saw me she ran towards me and demanded I tell her what happened." "Why do you think she demanded?" "Because she was concerned for my safety. She's a good friend and she's been there for me when I have needed her in the past." "What do you mean you needed her in the past?" "Well." I look over at my father nervously and see that he is wringing a piece of paper under his table. I gulp as the judge clears his throat to speak. "Janice while you are in my court your father can do you no harm. So you need not worry about him. So please continue with what you were saying." I clear my throat, look up at the judge, and speak. "Me and my father have argued and fought a lot. This isn't the first time he’s choked me. There were other times....many other times." "And why didn't you press charges or go to youth and child services?" "Because. My father said that if there aren’t any marks left for more than 24 hours, then it’s not considered abuse." I look over at my father and he smiles smugly. "Plus, your honor. I was scared of what he would do, like I am now." "Objection your honor. She is playing the sweet and innocent thing. She’s friggin 16 years old. I think we all know that she’s just like her father. She’s-" "That is enough! No more interruptions while this young lady is speaking. You will have your turn in due time. Now if there are no more interruptions, please continue." "I uh was finished your honor. I was waiting for you to ask me another question." As I wait for the judge to ask me another question Rachel gets up and leaves. I look to Jake and he just shrugs his shoulders. I turn back to the judge, now terrified because Rachel’s gone and I don't know what to do. The judge clears his throat and asks me another question. "Do not be afraid. In here you are safe from any and all harm. Now after you got to the library and saw Rachel, what did you do next?" "I told her what had happened and showed her my neck. She took pictures of it then said that she is tired of all this and that she is taking me to court to get some help and to get me away from my father. I begged her not to but she wouldn't listen. So, I got on her moped with her and she drove me to her house where her mom helped me with my neck while Rachel called the police." "Tell me why again you didn't want to go to court?" "Because I was scared of what would happen with the outcome your honor." "I see. Please continue." "If you would like while I finish here are the pictures she took." I look through the pile and locate the pictures Rachel took. "And the pictures the officer took. You’re welcome to look at them along with a letter I had written to Rachel awhile back." I hand the pictures to the cop and hear the door in the back of the room open. A few minutes later I feel Rachel's hand on my shoulder. I look up at her and she smiles down at me. "Where did you go?" I ask her. "I just had to run a small errand. But I am here now. So go on." While I was talking with Rachel and wondering where she went, Vanden (Who I don't know is there) takes a seat at the very back of the court room, leans back, and crosses his arms. I turn around and face the judge to continue on with my story.  "While Rachel talked to the officer, her mother continued to examine my neck. Pressing on it in certain places and asking me if it hurt. When Rachel had gotten off the phone she told us that an officer was on his way then she ran up to her room and grabbed the letter I had written her a few months ago." "And why did you write this letter?" "Because your honor, I wanted someone to know that I had died most likely by my father’s hands than in an accident. My father did say at one time or another that he had murdered someone. Then he told me that he could kill me just as easily without any remorse, sadness, or regret. So I got even more scared of him and felt that someone should know that I died most likely by his hands before it happened and before he had time to cover it up." "I see. Well with this information, your father could end up going to prison for a very long time for threatening you like that and with all that he has done to you. This is evidence. Mrs. Rice." "Yes your honor. I know." I lower my head, feeling ashamed. "Continue. What did you do next." I look up at the judge and continue on with the rest of what happened. "Well your honor, after a few more minutes of finding out what all hurts the door bell rang and Rachel went to go answer it. The police officer had arrived with a digital camera. He took pictures of my neck and asked me tons of questions. Then he told me that they had sent an officer over to my place to arrest my father for child abuse. I have to tell you your honor, I was mortified when he told me that." "I see. Continue." "Well, there’s not much left to say except that I stayed over with Rachel for these past few days and enjoyed the company and the freedom of being away from my father." "I see. Now, tell me, why did you move in with your father in the first place if he was this mean and horrible to you?" "Oh, your honor. My father wasn't always like this. I remember back when I first moved in how nice and kind he was. I loved him and respected him dearly. But after awhile, he began to change. I didn't believe it at first but soon enough I had to. He went from the loving father that I loved to this evil monster. I moved in with my father for three reasons mainly. One was so I could be with him. Two was so I could make friends and turn a new leaf. You know start over. I mean, my life in Kansas was horrible. Oh, how I dreaded it so. And three is so that it would relieve pressure on my mother. She was raising three kids on her own your honor. I didn't want my two sisters to grow up like I did. They already have to grow up without seeing their father. I didn't want them to grow up without really seeing their mother." "What do you mean Janice?" "When I was an only child I rarely got to see my mother. She was working two jobs to support me. I was always with my grandmother. I didn't want the same thing for my sisters. So I moved away so that way they got a chance at a life I didn't have." "How very noble of you Janice. So you moved from Kansas to Iowa to start over, to be with your father, and to help your mother. Correct?" "Yes, your honor, that’s correct." "I see. Well are you happy here?" "In a way I am. And in another, I'm not." "What do you mean?" "What I mean is, I am happy because I have friends and a great school. I have people like Rachel, Jake, Vanden, Paul, Nick, Cory, and Amanda who love me and care for me. Besides, I never would have met Vanden or Paul if I hadn't moved to Iowa. But. The reason I’m not happy is because of my father. But I don't want him to stay in prison for ever. I want my brother to also have a chance to be raised with both parents. Unlike me. I just want what’s best for my siblings and my friends. I could really care less about what happens to me. But I do care about what happens to them." "I see. Well I know you want what’s best for your brother. And you don't want to go back to Kansas? Is that correct?" "Yes your honor, that’s correct." "So we will have to figure out what to do with you the day after tomorrow. I am closing this case and it will be re-opened the day after tomorrow to here Mr. Barker's response. Case dismissed. Oh, and Janice." "Yes, your honor?" "You will be staying with Rachel until this whole thing is over. You call us if there are any more problems." The judge smiles at me and I smile back. "Thank you your honor. I will be sure to do that." I glance over at my father and see that he is still glaring at me. I turn my head back and get up. Rachel and Jake assist me both on either side. Cory and Nick stand behind me and I hear Nick say to my father, "If you EVER come near her again like you did, I will rip your freaking throat out." I stifle a smile and lean my head on Rachel's shoulder. She grabs one of my arms as Jake grabs the other. They help walk me up the aisle as Amanda gives me a huge hug and says to me, "You know I'm here for you if you need me. Don't you EVER forget it or else." I smile up at her and hug her back. Then allow Rachel and Jake to drag me wherever they wish.  They begin to turn so I turn with them and they let go of my arms and push me into someone. I begin to apologize when I catch his scent. I stop dead in my tracks and smell again. There’s no mistaking it as tears well in my eyes. I look up into Vanden's face and see him looking back down at me. Smiling. "I am so glad you are safe." He says to me. " I hug him as he hugs me back and reply, "I only held on because of you." For once in along time, I felt safe, being there in my lovers arms, and surrounded by my friends. I knew everything would be ok. I lifted my head up and kissed Vanden. Then while still in his arms and surrounded by my friends, I walked out of the court room ready to face the second trial.