The Court Case: Conclusion

The Court Case: Conclusion

When I woke with ten minutes to spare of our recess, I felt much better and a little more energised than before.  I was still in Optimus’s hands and they were deliciously warm.  I didn’t want to come out of my safe place and face my father again, but hiding from him wouldn’t make it go away.  I sat up and Optimus raised the hand that I was on.  His noble face was full of concern and his eyebrows were up in that worried way of his. 

‘Sky, are you alright?’  I nodded and stifled a yawn with the back of my hand.  ‘Can you go back to the court?  I can arrange for Agent Fowler to tell Judge Daniels that you will not be attending.’  At that I shook my head and got shakily to my feet.  ‘Easy little one, you need to let your body rest.’ 

‘I will Optimus, I promise you.  But I need to do this.  If I don’t, I’ll only have to do it at a later date, and I’m not sure I can do it again.  I feel okay, just a bit wobbly on my feet.’  Optimus nodded at that and rose to his feet.  As he was rising, I noticed a very Ratchet looking like ambulance parked a few feet away.  As if knowing I had noticed him, Ratchet transformed and held his hand out.  Over the past eighteen months, Ratchet and I had bonded too and I found that he had an incredibly caring Spark.  I thought privately that his stern manner was just a defence mechanism, one just needed to get to know him. 

‘If you feel wobbly on your feet, I will hold you whilst Optimus transforms.’  I could tell from Ratchet’s no-nonsense tone of voice that he was very serious.  Optimus smiled down at me and Ratchet and gently placed me into Ratchet’s waiting palm. 

‘Thank you old friend.’  Optimus then transformed into his alternate mode before materialising his holoform next to the passenger door.  Ratchet knelt and placed me into Optimus’s waiting arms before transforming himself. 

‘I will remain on standby outside the court in case you need me in the event of a medical emergency.’  He reversed a little before driving out of the industrial estate.  Optimus just smiled at his chief medical officer before carefully placing me in the passenger seat.  He walked around and got in on the driver’s side.  I raised an eyebrow at him as he put the truck in gear and eased out of the estate. 

‘I may as well go through the façade of driving.  I have to say, it is a rather unusual sensation to drive one’s self.’  I didn't reply but laughed gently.  My left hand subconsciously went to scratch the back of my right where the drip had been.  There was already a faint bruise appearing in place of the cannula. Optimus glanced down at it and sighed before rubbing his thumb over it, almost as if he could rub it off completely. 

‘It’s okay.’  I whispered.  ‘I’m an easy bruiser.’  Optimus merely nodded his head, keeping his eyes on the empty road.  I sighed internally, knowing the reason behind his reluctance to speak about it.  He hated anything that bruised me, beneficial or otherwise.  The rest of the brief journey went on in silence, Optimus content to just hold my hand as he drove.   He pulled into the reserved space, but before getting out, climbed out of the driver’s seat and disappeared into the sleeper.  He emerged with a folded wheelchair and I put my head in my hands.  Knowing his protective nature, I knew there was no point trying to convince him to let me walk.  He grinned knowingly at me, knowing exactly what I was thinking.  He brought the wheelchair around to the passenger side, opened the door and held his arms out expectantly.  I shuffled toward him and he lifted me once more bridal style and placed me in the wheelchair.  It was surprisingly comfortable and roomy.  Leaning back into it, I made myself comfortable as Optimus wheeled me.  I could feel his knees gently banging into the back of the chair and I twisted around to look at him. 

‘Can you seriously not make your holoform any smaller?’  Optimus shook his head, almost sadly.

‘Unfortunately, no I cannot.  Believe me Sky, if I could I would.  I am beginning to understand why humans and organics in general are so small.’  He had the cutest frown on his face and I twisted around to face the right way again so he wouldn’t see me trying not to laugh.  We went straight to the courtroom and Optimus parked me behind the same desk that we had sat at previously.  All evidence of what had occurred only an hour before had been removed, the glass cleaned off of the floor and the upturned chairs and tables had been righted.  I tried unsuccessfully not to pay attention to the jury as twelve pairs of eyes focused on me.  What were they thinking?  Did they have to be impartial?  Did they care at all?  The questions raced through my mind and I wanted answers to none of them.  Optimus noticed my mild distress and reached for my hand.  I took his, feeling safety in his touch.  Judge Daniels walked in then and everybody stood, the only exception being me.  Judge Daniels looked directly at me and smiled warmly at me.  I quickly composed my face before anyone could see the surprise on it.  Lucy and Agent Fowler were next to Optimus, both looking a bit tired.  Lucy got up and went to the stand.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen of the court.  We were all witness to Mr Reynolds’ attempted assault on Mr Prime.  Those who witnessed the attempt, please raise your hand.’  Everybody in the court raised their hands.  Only just managing to hide her smug smile, Lucy continued.  ‘Because of this attempt, Mr Reynolds has not been allowed to re-join the court proceedings, for his own safety and the safety of others.’ 

‘Lock him up and throw away the key!’  I turned to see a member of the jury speaking.  She was an older lady with wispy grey hair and a small wrinkled face.  She then looked directly at me.  ‘He’ll get what’s coming to him dear!  Mark my words!’  One of the security guards looked at her sharply before Judge Daniels spoke.

‘Mrs Jones!  As a senior member of the jury I am shocked at your outburst.  I WILL have silence in this court.’  Mrs Jones said nothing but settled back into her seat, looking very sheepish indeed.  Lucy smiled wryly and continued to speak.

‘Thank you for your input Mrs Jones.  My final statement is this:  Mr Reynolds is guilty of assault and abuse of his daughter, Miss Prime, formerly Miss Reynolds.  Mr Reynolds should be sentenced accordingly, not only for Sky’s protection but the protection of the general public.  Whilst in prison, Mr Reynolds should undergo anger management therapy and attend AA meetings to deal with his alcoholism.  Mr Morris, I invite you to take the stand.’  Lucy sat and adjusted her collar, looking thoroughly disinterested as dad’s lawyer took to the stand.  I had to admire Lucy’s spirit and spunk.  I wasn’t sure where Agent Fowler had found her, but she was fighting my corner brilliantly.  Mr Morris looked very nervous as he began to speak. 

‘Ladies and Gentlemen of the court.  You have heard Miss Robson’s version of the story.  How Mr Reynolds beat and abused his daughter.  I say to you, Miss Prime was in control of this situation the whole time.  If this abuse has been going on for more than ten years as Miss Prime claims, why did she not alert the authorities sooner?  Why did she not remove herself from her father’s care?  I have no doubts at all that Miss Prime is a highly intelligent young woman, and it is this intelligence that gave birth to the fabrication of this abuse.  Mr Reynolds was frustrated with Miss Prime because she was an ungrateful daughter, taking all she could get and giving nothing in return.  Mr Reynolds may have sanctioned his daughter using unorthodox methods, but he is not guilty of the charges that he faces, and as a result, should not be found guilty.  That is my statement your Honour.’ 

I tried to stop them, but I couldn’t help the tears rolling down my cheeks.  This man, who knew nothing of me or my father, standing here and telling these strangers that I was a lying and ungrateful daughter.  I raised my hand.

‘Judge Daniels, may I please address the court?’  Judge Daniels looked surprised but nodded.  Mr Morris objected immediately. 

‘Your Honour!  The time for witnesses has passed!’    

‘Silence Mr Morris!  Please be seated and allow Miss Prime to take the stand.’  Morris sat down and looked very sullen.  As I put my hands on the metal rim of the wheels on the chair, a blue spark jumped from my hand and disappeared as quickly as it had come.  I looked up at Optimus in alarm, seeking his reassurance.  He got up and wheeled me to the stand, staying by my side. 

‘Your Honour, I swore on the Bible with Miss Robson and Agent Fowler as my witnesses, do I need to swear on it again?’  Judge Daniels shook his head. 

‘No Miss Prime.  You do not need to swear again.  Please, say what you have come to say.’  I took a deep breath and began to speak.

‘You have all just heard Mr Morris’s ‘version’ of what happened between my father and I.  I want to implore you all just to listen.  I am not a liar and I have never lied about something of this magnitude.  Picture this.  It’s raining outside and I am trying to get dinner finished before dad gets home.  Home from where?  Not work because he doesn’t have a job.  Home from voluntary work?  Not a chance.  His favourite place in the world, where all his friends reside in bottles.  You got it, the pub.  For dinner that night, steak and roast potatoes.  He came in, in a fit of absolute rage and took one look at me, then at the dinner plates.  Apparently he didn’t want steak and roast potatoes for dinner.  He grabbed me around my waist and flung me into the kitchen counter so hard that the impact broke two of my ribs.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not a liar, nor am I an attention seeker.  I am just trying to move on with my life and protect someone else from my father.  I don’t want you to see me as some damsel in distress, because I am not.  But my father needs to face justice, not just for me, but also my mother who he also physically abused.’  Optimus wheeled me back to our table and a hushed silence fell over the room.  Judge Daniels cleared his throat and then addressed the jury.

‘Members of the jury, do you find the defendant, Mr Clarence Reynolds, guilty or not guilty?’ 

Mrs Jones stood up.

‘Guilty.’