Burning Flames ¦ Evan Buckley

Chapter 46 - Verdict

Just a note. We don't have the best idea of how the American court system works. So just bear that in mind. We are both British writers.

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As the sight of Toby loomed over El, she could feel heart in her throat. She wanted to throw up. She never really took the time to actually think about what happened, what could have happened. Seeing him there, a smirk on his face and his posh looking lawyer at his side, El could feel the anxiety steaming through her veins.

It eased however when she felt the hand of Buck on her shoulder, his small gesture meaning so much to him. With her hand, she laid it over his, turning her attention back towards the front, not wanting to face Toby any longer.

10 minutes went by, the sound of footsteps and shuffling alongside murmurs filled the air before the Judge and Jury came out. The judge took his position before banging the hammer. "All rise." He spoke. Everyone did as he said, silence now washing over the courtroom. "You may be seated. So todays case is against Mr Clarkson, who is being charged with 10 acts of rape, 1 act of sexual assault and battery. Mr Clarkson you are pleading not guilty and being defended by Mr Blake. Miss Johnson you are representing the state in prosecution alongside your clients. Miss Johnson you may begin"

"Thank you, your honour" Daphne said, standing up to go and make her opening statement to the jury. "Today, we are here to ensure that an abuser does not get to walk free again. How many of you have daughters? Sisters? Women in your life that you want to protect? Well, today, we will hopefully get closer to ensuring their safety by making sure Mr. Clarkson never sees the light of day again." Daphne began. "I would like to start by calling Miss Eleanor Rhodes to the stand".

El gulped before making her way up to the stand. With a small, unnoticeable shake in her step, she walked over to the stand, feeling the eyes burning into her. She sat herself down and composed herself before giving a nod to Daphne to show she was ready.

"Miss Rhodes, can you please begin by explaining how you met the defendant?" She asked, giving El a small nod - hating that she had to ask these things to her friend.

"Toby and I met on Tinder, a few days before our date" El confirmed.

"And would you mind recounting, briefly, how that date ended?" Daphne asked apologetically.

"It started out as a good date. Few drinks, laughs, getting to know one another. When the date was supposed to end, Toby got into the Uber with me and ushered it away once we arrived at my apartment. He came upstairs with me and I asked him to leave. However, this merely angered Toby. He kissed me forcefully. I attempted to shove him away however that's when we fell to the floor. I continued to fight back but he then slammed my whole body and head down onto the hardwood floor. I was disoriented from the impact and also the rohypnol he had spiked me with. It ended with me only having one option and that was to stab him" El spoke, not going into heavy detail at this moment.

Daphne paced the courtroom floor as her friend spoke, finding it quite hard to listen to any story in which her friend was hurt. "I understand this is a hard question, Mis Rhodes, but I need you to be as honest as you can. Nobody is here to judge you. In what ways did the defendant touch you inappropriately?" She asked.

El gulped, taking a breath "Toby forcefully kissed me on more than one occasion. He also ripped my tights open, which I believe you have here today. He began to expose himself but before he could penetrate, that's when I stabbed him. I was left with no choice" El confirmed, keeping her composure.

Daphne nodded "And how did this whole ordeal make you feel?" She asked.

"One word. Violated." El spoke.