She Hates, But She Also Loves

68 (Alternate ending)

"You know revenge. You've probably read what it is, but you have to go through the thirst of it to know what it actually is." Eloise said, looking up at the ceiling if the cell. Faith watched her sadly. Officer Elder stood behind her. "When the border between love and hate disappears, the thirst for revenge forms."
"Why not revenge itself?" Faith asked softly.
"Because revenge never satisfies you." Cedar's voice came from two cell to the left. "Either that or you don't get it." He continued.
"Does it satisfy you not to get it?"
"No, but there's a fascination in knowing that you will be avenged on the day of judgement by the only power that can judge." It was Officer Elder, surprisingly, who answered Faith's question.
"I was the one, however, who blasted the areas near the gang house to attract them... I thought you should know." Cedar said.
"I understand why you didn't come with me, yet you still helped me, despite the danger of doing so upon them knowing of you. Thanks. And I'm God thankful I was unable to kill him myself, if I then would've been searching for peace forever like you." Eloise said.
"There's still a storm inside, though, isn't there?" Faith asked.
"Yes, there is."

It was the day of the final hearing. There would be no trials after this one except for the decision's announcement. They were all so ready for this to be over. They could once again return to their normal lives, with huge differences in their mental states from before. A solemn silence hung in the air, all of them aching for something. Once again, they were brought out of their cells to be taken to the courtroom, but Eloise took to holding Faith's hand the entire way, as this was the first time she accompanied her.

Before entering the courtroom, Faith hugged both Cedar and Eloise, before going and taking a seat in the audience, besides Diana.

That day, their crimes were properly enlisted.
Eloise's were;
Hacking the government system,
Drug dealing,
Fraud,
Inflicting physical harm,
And a lot of this being done underage.

Cedar's were the same, except for the part of inflicting harm.

Burner's were;
Inflicting harm on minors,
Using authority for personal gain,
Making false accusations in court,
Hiding and tampering with evidence.

The judge declared that the jury needed some time to decide their sentences and they were put to wait once again. Finally, it was time for their sentences.

"With all evidence and statements taken in clear view, Miss Eloise makes 11 years in jail, Mr Cedar makes 8 years in jail, and Mr Burner makes 23 years in jail and permanent expulsion from the police department."
Their breaths which had been caught in their throats was now let out. No one had received a death sentence.
"However, with Miss Eloise's young age during the first government hack proves her to be of high value in the world of technology. We have a proposal for you, Miss Eloise."
Eloise looked up.
"Will you please come aside?"

They took Eloise to a nearby room. They sat her down.
"Instead of spending 11 years in prison, after completing your schooling, you can serve 11 years as the government's official hacker and leader of the IT department, managing the country's official database and conducting work against or in favor with other countries for the government."
"Which includes...?"
"You get to work with computers for the government."
Eloise thought it over. She had had no problem with the sentence, as she believed she deserved it, but she couldn't let this opportunity go. This was her dream job. To work with computers at such a high level, at such risk? It was bloody brilliant.
"What happens when I want to take a break?"
"You will be given two weeks vacation each year, and a payment of 45000 dollars will be transferred into your account every month."
Eloise was flabbergasted. This was not a sentence, it was heaven itself. She realized that her jaw was hanging, and quickly shut it.

"I accept..."