When You're Broken On The Ground

Chapter 24

Trigger Warnings: talk of murder, deflating lungs, relapsing, mentioned bullying, mention of abusive parents, talk of compulsive lying.

Word Count: 1125

His evidence is good. Too good. Maps point out that when Dee and Remus arrived home, they could have been coming from the murder site. Mr. Linel points out that they could have had all the things on hand, the shoe strings and the knife in the back of the car. Then he pointed out that they must have deflated the lungs through the cut they made with the stomach, therefore not needing anymore tools 

Next is Logan.

He stands up and points out that they had pictures dated up to 9 o'clock that were obviously taken at the woods they claimed to be at, and according to the reports from that night, it was a clear sky so they could have been star gazing for an hour and then packed up and gone home. And just as Mr. Linel said they could have had the items in the back of their car, anyone could have had the items used to kill him. It could have been anyone who had something against Jacin Smith and had thought it over could have done it.

Right before Mr. Linel could call for questioning, Emile's phone rings. He takes it out, checking the screen, eyes wide as he answers it. "What happened? I'm off rig-"

Patton can't hear the person on the other side, but he can tell that they're scared.

Emile pales and starts talking quickly, "Make sure someone's watching him at all times and keep all sharp objects away from him, I'll be over as soon as I can." He hangs up and kisses Remy on the check before leaving the row of seats.

"Mr. Picani, where are you going?!" Judge Bidson calls after him. 

Emile pauses and turns to face the judge. "My patient just relapsed, I have to go."

"Very well you may go."

"I wasn't asking," he tosses over his shoulder as he leaves. Patton shivers, low key scared. Emile is terrifying when he gets in his protective mode, no one keeps him from helping his patients. 

Mr. Linel coughs and calls up Dee to the stand. 

Patton bites his lip, worrying about his brother. Under oath he'll have to say a lot of things they both don't want to dig up.

He lays his hand on a book of law as the judge says, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"Yes." 

The judge nods to Mr. Linel. "You may begin your questioning."

"Can you state your full name to the court?"

"Devin Ethan Líar."

"Age?"

"Twenty seven year sold."

"And your name, that's not your real name, is it?"

"It is my current legal name."

"Can you please state your full born name?"

Dee sighs. "My born name was Janus Devin Hart, I had it changed legally when I was ten after too much bullying. It was changed to Devin Ethan Hart, and after my parents' arrest I changed it legally to Devin Ethan Líar."

So Dee really did it. He can feel tears building in his eyes, Thomas pulling him gently to his side, giving him comfort he needs.

"And why did you change it after your parents' arrest?"

"They abused me and my brother for years, you really think I want to be reminded of that every single time I see my last name? I changed it to separate myself from them."

"Your brother, he changed his name too. Why didn't you two change it to the same name?"

Dee shrugs and Patton buries himself into Thomas' side, wishing this would all go away. "We agreed to change our last name to something we wanted, and we wanted different names."

"Right. Now your medical records, they say you have a lying disorder. What exactly does that mean?"

Patton can hear Virgil's breathing hitching and Roman whispering things to him, and he tries to calm his own breathing. "It means," Dee says in his ever poised and collected way, "that without my medication I tend to compulsively lie. I have no control over it without my medication, a no turns to a yes and I can't do a thing to stop. It's something about the way my brain is wired."

"And the medication?"

"It helps my brain mimic the way someone without this disorder would act, my words are my own and if I lie I mean to lie."

"And how often are you supposed to take this medication?"

"That's private information," Dee says.

"Humor me."

Logan stands up. "Objection, question is irreverent to the case."

"Objection agreed, Mr. Linel behave," the judge orders.

"Apologies Your Honor. Now Mr. Líar, what were you and your boyfriend doing at 9 o'clock on the night of Mr. Smith's murder?"

"I was in the woods with my boyfriend, stargazing."

"Why?"

"It was the one year anniversary of Thomas' accident," Thomas tenses next to Patton, "I thought trekking through the woods and stargazing would be a good way to use up the anxious energy brought up with the day."

"Ah yes, the accident." Patton's breathing quickens and he can feel Thomas getting even more tense. "Remind me, what accident was that?"

Dee takes a deep breath but before he can speak Logan interrupts. "Due to PTSD brought up with those memories in such an uncomfortable atmosphere, may I suggest we watch a video where we explain what happened?"

Patton can see the judge taking in the no doubt terrified state of his family. "Agreed. Anyone who needs to leave before we view it may leave now."

Thomas moves and Patton does the same, getting up and walking out of the door. Before the door closes, he can see that Dee has joined Remus and Logan, while everyone else is gathered outside the door. 

They sit or lean against the wall, Roman and Virgil off to the side as Roman coaxes Virgil down from the verge of a panic attack. Patton sits in between Thomas and Remy, the later checking his phone while former takes deep breathes.

"Emile hasn't replied yet but I think he won't make it back," Remy whispers to the too quiet room.

"I hope he got there in time," Thomas whispers back.

Patton nods but doesn't speak, too busy pushing back the memories.

"Patton?" Remy asks.

"Hmm?"

"You need a hug?"

He looks up, startled. Remy usually doesn't do physical affection. "Please?"

Remy nods. "C'mere." Patton shuffles over and hugs him tightly.

Sorry about not updating last week, I've been having issues with writer's block. I am creating a writing schedule so hopefully I will be back next week with an update.