Introverted Hearts // Josh Dun

chapter thirty two :: leery line-ups

lil a/n: I understand that rape cases take months, sometimes even YEARS to complete, but for the sake of the plot, I'm shortening the time of the case. however, I DO recognize that the time length in this story is unrealistic. but for plot reasons, I am shortening it. thank you for understanding.

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"A line-up?" CJ asked. "Like, actually see him?"

"I had my guys pick him up." Leena nodded.

CJ was silent, thinking about what it would be like to see his face again.

"If both of you can pick him from a line-up, I'll build a convincing case for you," Zach said. "And I don't like losing, so you know I'll put my all into it."

CJ looked over to Josh for reassurance, then he nodded at her.

"Can Josh come with me?" CJ asked Leena.

"Of course," Leena nodded. "Jenna has to stay behind though. She'll go in after you."

CJ, Josh, Leena, and Zach all stood in front of a window. The room behind the window was completely dark.

"When the light comes on, take a good look and just tell us if you recognize any of them, okay?" Leena explained.

"Mhm." CJ nodded. Josh's hand rested on the bottom of her back, his other hand holding hers.

"Ready?" Leena asked.

"Yeah." CJ mentally prepared herself for seeing him.

Leena knocked on the window, and a few seconds later, the room was lit up.

CJ scanned the line, and Alex's dark brown hair immediately stuck out to her. Her eyes locked on him. She tried to say his number, but her words caught in her throat.

"CJ?" Leena called.

"Hm?" CJ whimpered, her breathing becoming irregular as her eyes could not seem to break away from his empty gaze.

"Do you see him?" Leena asked quietly.

Josh squeezed CJ's hand, hoping that she would say something.

"Mhm." CJ nodded as tears began to well up in her eyes. She still could not take her eyes off of him.

"I need you to tell me what number, okay?" Leena pushed.

"I-I-" CJ's breath hitched her throat as she tried to say which number. Josh was growing increasingly worried.

"He can't hurt you now." Leena assured her.

"It's um.." CJ mustered up every ounce of courage that she had to say the number. "It's n-number four." 

"You did great, CJ." Leena said before knocking on the window once again.

CJ immediately collapsed into Josh's arms, sobbing up against his shirt.

"Is there a bathroom or something that we can use?" Josh asked Leena.