One week later:

Samantha POV:
(re-cap on past week)

The past week has been pretty hectic. The boys and I have had constant meetings with management as they try to re-plan their tour. On top of all that we have had to meet a bunch of times with a lawyer in preparation for the court date. With all of the activity and long days I’ve been so run down and tired, and I don’t know how the boys do this all the time. I haven’t had too much time to spend alone with Harry, but he’s been sleeping in my room with me just so we can have those moments together.

---

(Present)

I sit in the courtroom, nervously awaiting the trial to begin. I’ve only barely been holding myself together today. My nerves were so bad this morning that I puked up my breakfast all over the bathroom floor, and Harry had to clean it up.

Now I’m just sitting here with my lawyer, as people file into the courtroom. There are cameras from major news stations everywhere and tons of paparazzi due to the fact that this case is so popular.

Harry and the guys have to sit in a separate section of the courtroom, with the other witnesses. I just wish that Harry could be with me, to help calm my nerves. I don’t want to see Matthew or Reid, especially not in front of so many people.

Finally the judge comes in, and we all stand. She reads some boring legal stuff, and then they bring Reid in. His eyes immediately lock on mine, and he gives an evil grin that causes me to start shaking uncontrollably.

Reid is sworn in, and then the judge reads to us what Reid is accused of, and what his sentence would be were he to be found guilty. Time seems to have slowed down, as the audience and I listen to about half an hour of confusing legal stuff. The boringness of the courtroom is actually calming my nerves.

Eventually it is my turn to be cross examined by the two lawyers. I go up on the stand, and keep my eyes on Harry for reassurance as I answer each question. My lawyer has me explain to the courtroom about my family past, and everything that happened leading up to when I was put into the orphanage.

I answer questions about what Reid was like when he was younger. My lawyer asks me about the night when Reid and Matthew tried to get me from the Orphanage. The night Reid changed. I answer everything truthfully, and manage not to cry. Before I know it I am allowed to sit down. Reid’s lawyer doesn’t even ask me questions.

Next the Matron of the orphanage is up on the stand, telling us about the night that Reid tried to get me back. My lawyer asks her a few questions, but once again, Reid’s lawyer stays silent. Her testimony lasts only a few minutes before she is thanked for her time and allowed to step down. She gives me a small sad smile as she returns to her seat. I can't bring myself to return it.

They have one of Reid’s high school friends on the stand, confirming my testimony about how he was popular and well loved before my parents had died.

Also, the policemen who raided Reid’s apartment when they tracked him down inform us that Reid has been jailed multiple times before for various offenses, and that they found a multitude of illegal drugs and dangerous, unlicensed weapons in his apartment.

After this, Reid and his lawyer have a little conference while the rest of us get a short break. Harry brings me a glass of water, and gives me a firm hug, reminding me that it will be over soon, before the judge bangs her gavel on the desk, and he has to return to his seat.

After the much too short break, Reid’s lawyer announces to the court that Reid will be pleading guilty to all charges. Then, they have Reid sit, and they bring out the man who I dreaded the most. Matthew. My blood runs cold as he looks at me with cool, unforgiving eyes.

I have to go up on the stand once again, and I give my account of what happened on the night of the concert. I can hardly get through the end of the story, and a few tears fall despite my efforts to hold them in. I answer a few questions before Matthew is cross examined.

My lawyer asks him question after question, getting him to describe to us how he and Reid had been stalking me ever since I was put into the orphanage. They were waiting for my nineteenth birthday, when they knew I would be put out onto the streets. Their plan worked flawlessly. They gave the concert ticket to one of the younger girls at the orphanage, easily convincing her to give it to me as a goodbye present. This news is hard for me to take in, and tears relentlessly flow down my cheeks. Matthew then explains how he got into the concert and found me, drugging and abusing me.

They have the little girl from the orphanage up on the stand, and she confirms Matthew’s story. They had promised her ice cream, stuffed animals and other gifts that we were deprived of at the orphanage in return for making sure I got the ticket. No one blames her for what she did. I would have done the same thing.

Next the boys are up on the stand, one by one, explaining how they found me. Zayn shows the picture of the scene that he had taken on his cell phone, and my lawyer compares it to the picture that had been found in the text that Matthew had sent to Reid after he had done his little task.

Next Jennie testifies. She is confident, and sounds very smart as she describes my medical condition after I was assaulted.

By the time Jennie is done, it is late in the afternoon. Court is adjourned, and we will meet back here at 11AM tomorrow to continue the trial. I am exhausted after our long day, and once we get home, I have a hurried dinner before Harry brings me into my room, and we fall asleep cuddled up together.

---

The next day we go back into the dreary courtroom, and at 11 o clock sharp the judge comes in, and we start up again.

The police and detectives take about two hours showing us more evidence, and other boring stuff. I don’t have to go on the stand today, so I allow myself to zone out. There is a re-cap of information that was shared yesterday, and then the jury meets to decide the fate of my brother.

Their decision only takes an hour, and my lawyer tells me that this means that it was most likely a unanimous vote against Reid.

When the jury representative comes out holding the little sheet of paper, my heart races in my chest. There’s no way Reid is innocent. The jury would know that, right? My palms are sweaty, and I can’t stop myself from worrying that the jury will have made the wrong decision.

I hold my breath as the man clears his throat, and slowly reads the words I needed to hear;

“Guilty as charged.” Reid would be spending life in prison for the possession of drugs, unlicensed weapons, and assist in sexual assault. A great weight is lifted from my chest as Reid is escorted away, his head hanging low, never to be seen again by my eyes.

Next the jury meets again to decide on the fate of Matthew. This time, their meeting is even shorter, and before I know it, the man is up there on the stand, once again saying the words that I needed to hear;

“Guilty as charged.” Tears of joy slide down my cheeks. After these past few weeks of stress and pain, I would no longer have to see Reid or Matthew ever again. Both of them would be serving life sentences in prison.

The second the judge announces the end of the trial, I feel Harry’s arms secure themselves around my waist as he pulls me into a bear hug.

“We did it, Sam. We did it.”

Notes

I appologise if i got any of the details about court wrong... i don't really know how that stuff works, but hopefully it was realistic? i tried to be vague.

And also i'm sorry that there werent many details or dialogue, but if there was then the scene would have been way too long :)

Hope you liked it!

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Love you all!
~AmyLeigh

Calendar:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vziw-DmOabnmzRcnGUv7zMbzH4JZFzjOfoes_PTbkwo/edit