Ch 21 Angel

A small, blonde blue eyed boy chased a moth happily across a sloppy Cajun lakefront. A smaller little girl, with the same hair followed him also chasing the moth. She was wearing a pair of dirty, torn overalls and the boy was wearing a simple but worn out t-shirt. They were around 6 and 7 years old. The little boy caught the moth in his hands and caged it in.

“Lemme see it Jeremiah!” Said the little girl. Jeremiah clenched his fist and then opened it revealed the crushed moth. 

“You crushed it!” She yelled at him and he threw into the lake. 

“Jeremiah!” She pushed him, he started to run and she followed him chasing each other around the basin of the lake. They laughed and giggled as they chased each other playing around they were suddenly catatonic at the drugged voice of a hoarse woman. 

“You kids get in here now!” She stood at the doorway of a beaten up, rusty RV parked right in front of the basin of the lake. She wore a soiled pink robe that couldn’t go down to her ankles, her hair looked beaten and damaged, her voice was threatening and unfriendly.

“Aw momma! But we were just-“ 

“Get in here now! Both of you!” She said as they quickly followed her command. And as they entered the threshold of the RV she grabbed the girls hair and pulled it back. 

“Where the Hell are you’re shoes girl?!” 

“Let her go!” Jeremiah tried to loosen her grip on her hair. 

“Get in there both of you!” She pushed them into the RV and closed the door behind her. The place was cluttered, repellant, and coated with a layer of must. To the left there was a single mattress that lay on the floor. 

“That’s the last pair of shoes you lose! You hear, Chelsea?” 

“Yes momma” responds the little girl. 

“And if I catch either of you outside while I’m taking my nap I’ll put a beatin in both you now don’t forget it” She said as Jeremiah glared at her. 

Jeremiah waited for her to prepare her daily ritual. She would always, right before taking her nap, grab the lasso his dad uses for tying up the plastic bottles , and she would make a noose around her arm and then he would look away as she yelled at them not to look at her. After that she lay on the mattress, and wouldn’t even budge until daddy came home later I the night. 

“Chelsea where did you leave your shoes?” asked Jeremiah. Chelsea shrugged. 

“I’ll go get ‘em. Stay here.” He said as he left the RV. 

Jeremiah returns to the RV with Chelsea’s slippers, he notices Chelsea rummaging through her mother’s things, a suitcase full of inexpensive clothing and jewelry and a box of make-up. 

“Jeremiah, look what I found!” She pulls out the make-up box while Jeremiah notices his mother laying on her back on the mattress.

“Chelsea! You can’t leave momma lying on her back!” He said as he grabbed the nearby sweat stained pillows and propped them behind her back as he turned her to the side.  

Chelsea ignores him and opens up the make-up box. “Jeremiah, look!” She says she pulls out brushes, blushes, mascara, lipsticks and eye shadows. 

Jeremiah sits next to her and inspects the make-up. Chelsea opens up one of the lipsticks and starts to paint on her hands. 

“That’s for your lips Chelsea, I seen momma put it on before, here like this” He takes it from her and puts it on himself. They giggle and laugh as he smears it all over his face. They start to open all the blushes, the powders and the mascaras and start to paint each other’s face, mixing colors and shades, brushing each other’s face with the cheap make-up. 

Their lipstick filled smiles were turned round as the RV door swung open and in trudged a drunken bear of a man with a tank and jeans. His arms were muscular and thick, his hair was receding and his face was concealed with several bruises and bandages. He walked in without noticing them at first. He opened the mini-fridge and grabbed a beer, he opened it and chugged it down. Then he looked at the children. He did a double take as he noticed Jeremiah. His drunk and sloppy manner was suddenly erased.

“Maggie!” he yelled with a tyrant voice that shook Jeremiah and Chelsea. He grabbed Jeremiah tiny arm and swung it around to the mattress on the floor where Maggie was taking her nap. 

“Maggie!” He noticed the syringe by the bed and was enflamed.

“Wake up you stupid bitch!” He attacked her by wringing her neck, Maggie would not respond until she ran out of breath, and her reflexes responded aggressive as she gasped for air. She awoke screaming. Her yells were earsplitting as Chelsea covered her ears.

“Look! Huh, Look at this!” He yanked Jeremiah into view, his sloppy make-up was already smeared from his tears.

“What the Hell is this?! I come home from winning all of my fights and I find my son wearing this shit!” He pulled and Maggie’s hair as she continued to spasm and yell. He released her and she buried her face in the pillows yelling hysterically.  He got up and kicked her, his foot driving into her hip. Jeremiah and Chelsea were both wailing. He grabbed Jeremiah’s little body and held him under his arm as he carried him outside. 

Jeremiah was carried outside into the cold and dark Missouri lakefront. The tears in his eyes mixed in with the mascara and blinded him. His father’s heavy and grunted footsteps were frightening and powerful. At last he reached the basin of the lake and placed Jeremiah over his knee and proceeded to forcefully wash Jeremiah’s face with icy lake water. 

The freezing water pierced his child face as his father’s sausage-like finger rubbed on his face like sand paper. 

“You gon’ learn boy! Huh, you don’t put this shit on! You hear?!” He slaps him over the sounds of his crying.

Jeremiah and Chelsea shared a single torn and soiled blanket that nearly covered both of them. They both sat huddled outside the RV, listening to the incessant rocking of the RV, back and forth in an upbeat fashion. They heard wily noises coming from inside, troubling screams from their momma. They were used to it though it seemed. Chelsea’s head rested on Jeremiah’s shoulder, her stomach cringed and shriveled.

“Jeremiah, I’m hungry” She wailed. 

“I know, me too. But don’t worry, papa won most of his fights today and I heard he’s takin’ us to the market  tomorrow.” He said.

“Really?” She said excitedly. 

“Yep, we gon’ buy lots and lots and lots o’ food!” he held her tight as the wind reinforced itself and blew harder.

Jeremiah stared at the ripe apples stacked beautifully against the peaches, his eyes gravitated to the lemons then the oranges, he stretched out his hand just to get one soft touch in but then quickly withdrew when he saw the patron of the stand.

He looked around for his mother and his sister, nowhere to be found. They were probably lost in the market place, although he knew where his mother was, she would always spend her time in the clothing and make-up stands. He desperately scanned the crowds for Chelsea. He started to quicken his pace through the market place. He finally spotted her at the corner of a trinket stand that sold cheap jewelry and old antique tea sets. She spotted him nd came running to him.

“Jeremiah look what I found!” She said.

“Chelsea don’t go on wonderin’ round like that- what is it?”  Chelsea opened her hand and revealed a dusty pendant in the shape of an angel. Jeremiah was captured by it. it was a silver plated angel with long hair and a large halo. He looked at it carefully. 

“You can have it Jeremiah” She said. 

“where’d you get it?” 

“I found it” She smile and handed it to him. Jeremiah looked back to the jewelry shop and turned around with his sister and quickly walked away. He clasped the pendant in his hand and carefully placed in his pocket making sure there were no holes in them. 

They searched for their mother in all the boutique shops around and failed t find her. Jeremiah held Chelsea’s hand in his and strung her along. They again ended up by the fruit stand. Both of them were clearly starved as they eyed the apples again.  They stood there staring, and salivating their lips until the patron of the store, a slightly pale and chunky woman, noticed them. 

“Would you two like some apples?” She said in a kiddy voice. They both nodded their heads. The woman took two apples from the top of her stack and gave it to them. They both started to grind their teeth into them. The woman seemed pleased until she noticed Jeremiah’s bruised arm. 

“What happened there son? Your arm?” The woman asked. Jeremiah froze, not knowing whether to tell the nice lady who had given them apples what had happened. The lady looked at them quizzically. 

Their mother appeared behind them like clockwork. She had an arm full of plastic shopping bags, her hair was slightly teased and in a bun. 

“Jeremiah, Chelsea let’s go!” She said as she eyed the woman. The children followed her command and quickly walked in front of their mother as the lady followed them with her eyes. 

Jeremiah and Chelsea wandered the bushes near the RV. The warm summer evening was comforting and simple. They walked around bored while they heard the same sounds coming from the RV. 

“Jeremiah lets play hide and seek!”

“No, it’s too dark” Jeremiah looked towards the swampy Bayou behind the RV. They were told to stay away from the marshes and the main road that connected with the lake.  Chelsea’s curiosity tethered her near the landscape of tall weeds and trees that wrapped around the terrain.  Chelsea ran towards it giggling.

“Chelsea! No!” Jeremiah ran towards her but not before she disappeared in the cover of the weeds. A flurry of sharp weeds and roots enveloped him as he tried to run through them following the distinct giggle of his little sister.

“Chelsea come back!” he ran straight listening to the sound of her laughter. The moisture of the ground was seeping into his socks; he was soon running past large trees covered with moss. The ground beneath him slowly became more buoyant and moist. He had gotten tired by the time his socks were soaking wet and filled with dirt. He no longer heard the giggling of his sister. 

“Chelsea!” he yelled as he regained his breath. He peered his head above the weeds to search for her with no luck. He wandered left and right pulling his feet out from the ground as the marshes began to creep. “Chelsea!” he kept yelling. He began to quicken his pace as he grew worried that the ground might have swallowed her up.

“Chelsea!” his voice contained a frail whimper. he continued his search barefoot, withstanding the small pricks and pangs of the mysterious ground.  His pacing contains fragile sobbing and his words were muttered. He stopped again, his throat was now consumed with heartbreak. 

“Chelsea!!!” he screamed at the top of his lungs with tears rolling down his cheeks. 

“Jeremiah?” He heard her soft voice coming from a few paces away, the heaviness in his chest disappeared and his tears ceased as he threw aside some weeds and came upon an opening where Chelsea stood in her dirty white overalls. 

“Why did you ran!?” He yelled at her as he came up and held her close showing that he was worried. Before she could respond he noticed she was staring at something ahead. A piercing multitude of flashing lights was visible over the tall weeds and was in the direction of the RV. 

They walked towards it, like clockwork. 

Jeremiah and Chelsea walked through the bushes surrounding the RV and were assaulted with a flashing of lights and thundering screams from their parents as they saw a minimum of four police cars in front of the RV and several police men surrounding it, a few of which were holding down their father half naked and writhing as the officers hand cuffed him. They heard a racket coming from inside the RV as they saw a hand cuffed Maggie kicking and screaming as some officers dragged her out of the RV. She cursed and spat in the officers face. One officers noticed the children coming out of the bushes and shined a flashlight in their faces. 

“Gillman, get over here!” the man said. The other faceless policeman stood in front of them.

“Call child services, let’s get these kids outta here” it said.  

Jeremiah and Chelsea were submerged into confusion, they didn’t quite understand what was happening or why it was happening. Jeremiah at least, new it was a bad thing, a very bad thing. They stood frozen until one of the officers grabbed Chelsea. Jeremiah stepped into action as he attacked the police officer. 

“Let her go!” he said as Chelsea began to cry. Jeremiah was also restrained but not without a fight. He kicked and writhed to be free but failed as he saw them take them away into a different police car, his cries being drowned out as he was shoved into another. 

Jeremiah stands in front of the Freeman household wearing bright new clothes, his shirt was the whitest white he’d seen. He held a small briefcase in his hand waiting for Dorothy, a large white woman who had taken care of him before the Freeman’s adopted him. She was a social worker, she cleaned him up and cut his nice blond hair and flipped it to the side. Jeremiah stood somberly and defiant, his face gave the impression of boredom and disgust. They stood in front of a large two story house with a joyous white picket fence decorated with ivy. 

A man and a woman came out of the house to greet them as Dorothy closed the trunk of the car carrying another briefcase. Jeremiah didn’t see them until they open the fence. He glared at them tentatively. 

“Ah, Mr. an Mrs. Freeman, it’s a pleasure” said Dorothy as she extended her hand.

“Likewise” said Mr. Freeman as he looked at Jeremiah. 

“Hello Jeremiah. How are you?” Said Mrs. Freeman as she knelt down to his level. Jeremiah was unamused. He’d seen them before many times at Dorothy’s house. They’d taken an interest in him because of his striking blond hair that resembled Mr. Freeman’s. He loathed them. 

“Good” said Jeremiah. 

“Alright Jeremiah, you wanna come inside?” asked Mr. Freeman. Jeremiah nodded. 

The inside of the house was even more lavish and pompous than the outside. There were fixtures and ornaments and glass figurines that decorated every orifice of the living room. There was a glass cabinet full of china, a long and elegant mirror on the wall above the satin sofa, a pristine white carpet, and elegantly placed family photos framed alongside. 

Jeremiah placed one foot in the room before he was stopped.

“Jeremiah. We don’t set foot in that room, okay.” Said Mrs. Freeman. Jeremiah took a few steps back and walked back towards the entrance where the base of the stairs sat. 

“Well Jeremiah, It’s best if I leave you here with your new parents” Said Dorothy as she knelt down to hug him. “They’ll love you lots, okay, you be good you hear?” She said as he nodded. 

“Goodbye Ms. Dorothy” they said as they closed the door behind her. Jeremiah’s heart was racing, he felt a sudden sadness as he saw Dorothy leave. 

“Alright Jeremiah, you wanna go take a look at your room?” Said Mr. Freeman. Jeremiah nodded.

After galloping up the stairs, the hallway to the left contained several framed artworks of people with large white feather wings he looked at them closely and recognized their distinct zeal. He touched the rim of his pocket and seeped his hand inside. He stood staring at the picture of a beautiful angel watching over two children; a boy and a girl. The angel was above them guarding over them. Jeremiah was so entranced that they noticed. 

“You like angels?” said Mr. Freeman. Jeremiah nodded his head enthusiastically as he pulled out the pendant from his pocket and showed it to him. 

“That’s beautiful Jeremiah” He said. Jeremiah suddenly felt a gaping coldness in his chest at seeing the pendant that his little sister gave him. He looked back at the picture, his eyes swelling with water, as he put the pendant back in the pocket. 

“She’s pretty” Said Jeremiah as he pointed to the angel.

“Did you know Jeremiah that angels are not girls?” He said. Jeremiah looked at him in disbelief as he regarded the picture again and clearly saw a female angel. 

“They just paint them like that. Well, you’ll learn for yourself once you start school at Sacred Trinity”  he said as he pulled Jeremiah away from the picture.

The heat of the season kept Jeremiah inside the house all summer. By August he was mostly familiar with his new house for the exception of the two living rooms he was forbidden to go into. But there was another he had not yet entered. Jeremiah wondered sloppily around the house, his new parents out of the house and left him alone, he would often stare at the pictures of the angels in the hallway and would imagine himself having angel wings and fly around the house. He ran up and down the stairs playing and glancing at the pictures to keep afloat. He would have so much fun he thought he was with Chelsea. And all of a sudden he stopped. He missed her terribly, he’d often find himself sobbing at night wanting to see her again and whenever he would grab his angel pendant. His pace slowed and seemed sluggish as if some ominous force came in and sucked all the happiness from him. He walked toward his room noticing his parent’s room door wide open. He’d never been in there before, he immediately got curious and rushed to go inside. The room was adequately decorated, a maroon and white color combination that encompassed the entire room, Jeremiah immediately noticed the large  cross above the bed. 

He kept poking around touching the lace around the bed and grasping several decorations on the bedside table. he found his way to the bureau with a large modern mirror. Jeremiah looked out the door to check if anyone was coming and he started opening the drawers. he found clean socks in one, unfolded boxer briefs in one and several bras in another. The last drawer he opened contained a large metallic box; he quickly opened and was overjoyed to find what was inside. 

Jeremiah plastered the make-up he found in the box on his face, he found detail brushes and large powder brushes he used to outline his face, he used every color of blush and every shade of lipstick to cover his tiny mouth. He was imagining Chelsea doing it, he was imagining her fascinating squeal as she would mess up on the lip stick and he would end up with large red lips. Jeremiah kept on powdering, he was lost, taken back into the trash ridden and vomit infested trailer and imagined Chelsea stacking the cheap make-up on his face, the two of them having fun and laughing. 

Like a thundering crash, Jeremiah was shaken and surprised as Mr. and Mrs. Freeman stood at the bedroom door. 

“Jeremiah, what are you doing?!” said Mr. Freeman. Jeremiah was shaken and scared, his voice was muted. Mr. Freeman was infuriated he quickly came down on Jeremiah swiftly and struck the make-up box away from him. 

“Huh? What the Hell are you doing?! Tell me! This is not for little boys you hear!” he said as Mrs. Freeman tried to calm him down.

“No! He has to learn! Ok. This is for girls!” Jeremiah started to cry desperately as Mr. Freeman grabbed him by his hair and dragged him out of the bedroom as Jeremiah gave deafening screeches.

He dragged him into the bathroom, kicking and screaming he picked Jeremiah up and tossed him into the bathtub and grabbed the back of his head with one hand and turned on the shower with the other. Jeremiah’s screams were drowned out as the uncomfortably hot water poured down on his face and head. Mr. Freeman rubbed his hand on his face to wash off the make-up, his hands creating another illusion, this one was frightening and terrible he envisioned his brute father and the vast lake in front of him. Mr. Freeman continued to rub off the make-up vigorously, he was enraged, and the cries of the boy were muted to him. His uncontrollable anger was borderline disgust; he didn’t stop until Jeremiah was free of make-up and afterwards proceeded to soak Jeremiah with the shower keeping him down with one hand and completely soaking him with his clothes on.

“Shhhhh, Jeremiah let it wash it away, let it cleanse you, okay” he said calmly as Jeremiah struggled to breathe. Finally, Jeremiah gave up struggling and lied down on the tub as Mr. Freeman kept cleansing him.

Ch 20 Twilight Martyrdom

Kessler was heading the DEA. He hid in a cable television van along with other swat team covert troopers, all wearing helmets and vests. Kessler was in the passenger’s seat, watching attentively as Chico’s car neared in the driveway.

“Alright that’s our guy” He spoke through a walkie-talkie.  Two other vans crept around the corner as Chico parked his car in his circle driveway and made his way into the house. 

“Game on”.

Teddy knocked on Ronnie’s dorm, his eyes coveting the door knob, sensing he could fall backwards. His eyes gravitated; it wasn’t until Ronnie spoke to him that he snapped out of his trance.

“Teddy, you okay?” Said. Ronnie. Teddy looked up rapidly and dazed. 

“Huh? Oh yeah, yeah. I should be asking you that.” He said as he walked into Ronnie’s miniscule dorm room. 

“I’m fine, really. I’m still getting used to walking again, feeling a bit loose.” Said Ronnie as he picked up some of his clothes off a chair so Teddy could sit.

“Yeah well, I just came by to let you know about that reverend James, they found Megan’s body in the landfill…” Said Teddy. Ronnie plummeted in his bed, shocked. 

“He killed her… and he tried to kill me too” He felt a freezing chill crawling up the side of his skull that was wrecked. 

“Well, there’s that and there was something else I wanted to ask…” 

“What is it?” Said Ronnie. Teddy sat down in the chair, he sighed, wanting to search for the correct words. He couldn’t clearly approach the topic. 

“That day that they brought you in for questioning, Kessler told me you told them that you had killed them, that you killed all of them” Said Teddy. An enigmatic silence took place as Ronnie stared at Teddy waiting for him to finish his question.

“Why did you say that, Ronnie? Why would you say that you killed Will? Huh? Can you explain to me why you said that? Why you would even think that you killed our best friend? Well?” he said. 

Ronnie pouted. He bit his lower lip trying to contain his emotions, his impulsion to begin yelling at him. How could he possibly comprehend? He couldn’t.

“I had my reasons Teddy. It’s complicated okay… Can’t you see there’s a hole on the side of my head?!” Ronnie yelled at him. Clasping his hands and burying his face in them. He breathed heavily.

“Alright, I’m just wondering, you know, if you were ever interested in catching the real Lady killer or if you were just after the married cop-“

“Fuck you Teddy!!! How dare you?! How are you say that?! I was the one who actually did something about Will’s death! I was the one who went out and looked for answers, I didn’t just brush him off my memory like all of you did. And I found out a lot about his killer, we got close! We got real close” Ronnie pounded his fist against his boudoir, his heavy breathing turned to exasperated whimpers. 

“We even found out that the killer had a tattoo  of a music note on his pelvis, that’s how close we got” He said again, this time the tears would encompass his round cheeks. Teddy shook his head, got up and headed towards the door.

“I’m sorry Ronnie, you were close… but not enough.” Teddy walked out of the dorm room leaving madly quivering under his breath. As soon as Teddy closed the door behind him Ronnie angrily wiped his boudoir clean and knocked off everything and tumbled everything near him. He grasped the side of his head that was smashed, and tremble as he did so. His breathing was exaggerated and intense he glared at nothing as he sunk onto the floor.

Albert cradled himself into a fetal position. He was shivering but his eyes were closed, he was fast sleep. His ankle remained chained to the pipes. There in the darkness he heard clamoring footsteps.

 He awoke and awaited for the door to open, for the light to graze him again. 

The door opened and Albert’s cradled body was illuminated and then darkened by Chico’s shadow. His glistening black loafers were all that Albert would fix his eyes on. Chico walked over to him and crouched over him.

“Poor baby” He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Albert’s face. 

“I’ll get you out of here real soon; you just gotta show me you can behave…” He strokes his hair with his fingers.

“I wish I could stay baby but I have other stuff to do, when I get back I’ll get you out of here, I promise” He caressed his face, slowly wiping away the tears that would collect on the floor. Albert motioned slowly with his eyes and slowly opened his mouth, giving him a signal that he was about to say something. 

“What is it?” Chico moved in closer to hear him, he nearly pressed his ear to his lips. And he waited a while before he said it.

“Go fuck yourself” Said Albert in a hoarse and beaten voice.  At that same instant gunshots were heard upstairs, and large crashing sounds. Chico, frightened, quickly moved toward the door and then came back to Albert.

“You, you son of bitch! You called the fucking cops didn’t you?!” Chico pulled a handgun and aimed it violently at Albert. Albert buried his face into the ground and shielded his head with his arms.

“Huh?! Did you?!” He said as he started to violently kick him. Chico grabbed his arms and uncovered his face and smashed the butt of his gun against his temple. 

“You sunuvabitch!” He said as he repeatedly punched him in the face.

Kessler enters the ceased house. There was broken glass all over the marron carpet. DEA agents were scattered all over the house, two bald men were being handcuffed, the northern walls filled with bullet holes. Outside in the pool area several agents held down the massive Iago down as they struggled to cuff him. Kessler shuffled into the hallways with his gun extended outwards, he kicked down the door of every room looking violently for something. As he made his way down the hall he saw officers coming out of the master bedroom. He quickly rushed into it finding officers already at the stand, the room was otherwise empty.

“What did we find here?” He asked. 

“24 kilos of the good stuff” said one of the officers and pointed to the stack of brown packages in the middle of the room. Kessler didn’t look astonished and quickly scanned the room then quickly ran back down the hallway and then back to the living room.

“Are all the rooms checked?!” He shouted out loud for everyone. The DEA agents looked at each other wondering what his problem was. Another officer was taking in Iago out through the front and he looked at Kessler with a distorted expression. Kessler walks through the kitchen and opens a door that leads to the garage. It was absolutely vacant except for a few cars. There, on the other side was a small door opening. Kessler was struck with lightning as he bolted to it and found that it led downstairs. Kessler slowed his pace as he walked down a long a narrow flight of stairs. At the very end of the stairs he could see the shining glimmer of a door knob. He quickly turned it.

The faint sunlight shone on Chico’s face as he held the gun directly to Albert’s mangled face. Kessler quickly raised his gun.

“Don’t move or I’ll fuckin kill him!” Chico said. Kessler remained steady.

“It’s over, you’re whole operation is over. you don’t know what you’re doing here-“

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Chico bellowed insanely. He jerked around Albert’s head, keeping a tight headlock. 

“Listen, you’re not going to shoot him, he’s your only leverage against me. Chico, you’re not getting out of this… as soon as a gunshot is heard my men will come down here like a rampant storm, there’s no out for you-“

“Shut up I said! I will fucking shoot him!”

“No you won’t. I just told you why” Said Kessler. Chico’ breathing overtakes the room, he looks at Albert’s collapsing body then at Kessler.

“Fine… then I’ll kill you” Chico immediately points the gun at Kessler and simultaneously loosens his grip on Albert. At which time Albert musters all his strength to bash the back of his head against Chico’s nose, sending him aback. 

Kessler swoops down and severs him from his gun and knocks him down onto the ground with all force he pins him down and constrains him. Chico squirms and tries to break free but Kessler overpowers him holding the gun to his head and yelling at him to stay on the ground.

Kessler gives Albert a reassuring look. Albert’s eyes roll to the back of his head as he lies down on his back with a guilty smile. 

Jane waits in a squad car along with Melvin, she nervously bites into nails as she watches from the street as several men are taken into other police cars. Iago was among them, she turns her head away to hide herself. Melvin was anxious as well, he held Jane’s hand tightly.

“He’ll be fine” He assured her. Jane nodded and looked back at the house. Her lips started to quiver; she whimpered and let out a deafening screech as they saw Albert come out of the house supported by Kessler. They both shot out of the car, Jane sprinted towards them. 

“Al!” She yelled as her red pony-tail flopped behind her. As she got closer she saw the damage done to his face and she paused right before and then, with a powerful but gentle force, she embraced him with tears rolling down her face.

“hey sis, ouch, be careful”  he said. Jane gave him a slight kiss on the cheek, and Kessler let him stand on his own. She jeered and smiled, the tears started to dry. Albert looked behind Jane and saw Melvin patiently waiting, Jane let go of him and signaled towards Melvin. 

“Melvin… I-“ Albert was silenced by Melvin lips pressed gently on his own. 

“I got your message” Said Melvin as they both smiled.

“I don’t mean intrude on this happy reunion but I’m gonna need Albert’s statement” Said Kessler. Albert looked Kessler and nodded. 

Chico’s wrist were bound together by handcuffs, his clean shaven face was ridden with sweat his eyes were like clear pools illuminated by the night’s sky, and his tears like rivers through swamps that emptied into the delta bay that were the corners of his mouth. Kessler made it through the threshold of the interrogation room holding a large sketchpad. 

“What did you say his name was again?” Said Kessler towering over him. 

“I didn’t know his real name, we went by B.J.” Said Chico nervously. 

“I see… and this is the most accurate possible description of him?” Kessler shows him the sketch. 

“Yeah, it is. So how much, how many years will they take off if I help you guys?”

“You help us identify all of your customers and I can guarantee they’ll take 10 years off your sentence” Said Kessler assuredly with a smile. Chico looked pleased, his water flow ceased.

“According to Albert there was a customer that you were particularly afraid of, was this him?”

“I wasn’t afraid of him okay!” He shouted. Kessler took that as a yes.

“What was he buying?” Asked Kessler. Chico looked away, unable to answer at first. 

“He… he bought specialty items…” 

“Like?” 

“You know, the cherry meth.” Said Chico.

“GHB? A date rape drug?” Kessler’s face lit up. Chico sighed and pouted.

“Yeah..” 

Kessler quickly exited the interrogation room and pulled out his cellphone and dialed Ronnie, he then changed his mind and closed his flip phone. He looked at the sketch again, staring at it, wondering who he was, in his mind, in his right mind; he was looking at the Lady Killer. 

A pale hand knocked on Teddy’s front door. He opened it to find, the tall and warm-looking Jeremiah standing there with a friendly smile, his glasses contrasting the light of his television set. 

“Jeremiah?! What’s up?” He said with a gesture that said come right in.

“I was just in the neighborhood, and I realized I haven’t seen you in a while, one could say you’re even trying heavily to avoid me” He said as he entered Teddy’s shabby but comfortable dorm room, it was bigger than the rest. Jeremiah was wearing his regular suit, he placed his satchel down on the floor and examined Teddy’s dorm.

“Avoiding you? No, of course not, why would, why would you think that?” He said as he scurried to clean up his space and turn on the lights.

“Sure, go ahead deny it” 

“No, I’m not! It’s just that I’ve been promoted in the factory, its been a brutal time trying to keep up with school and more work time” He shows Jeremiah his work I.D and badge.

“Here, you see, this is technically a master key, I’m shift manager now”

“Shift Manager? Well that truly is impressive Teddy- I’m in terrible need of a haircut” He said as he looked himself in a mirror, his transition lenses turned clear. Teddy wanted to correct him and tell him that his hair was the perfect length and all he wanted to do with it was an unspeakable array of sexual misconduct. Teddy kept to himself his anxiety remaining dormant. 

“Hey, you were mentioned in Ronnie’s court trial, in Megan’s tape, did you know something about the trial, because Megan, in her tape recording said she had confided in you that information that was presented, and she said you would be the one giving out the tapes, but instead it was Bradley Haynes-“

“I’ve no interest to talk about that particular subject, Teddy, in short I find it perpetually repugnant, however I will satisfy your curiosity; I was merely busy that day” He wandered about the room looking at how poorly decorated the dorm was, he went around touching several ornaments and pictures. Teddy noticed something different in his speech. 

“Hmm, that’s odd” Said Jeremiah as he picked up a small painting of an ecclesiastical angel. 

“Teddy, did you know there’s no such thing as a female angel?” Said Jeremiah. 

“What are you talking about? Sure there are.” 

“It’s a common misconception. There is no recollection in any bible, Catholic or Christian, that contains even the slightest hint of a female angel, seraph, or cherubim. Think about it. All the famous Angel names Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer, Uriel, Raphael were all of male persuasion, there are no female angels. And do you know why Teddy? It’s because when God created Heaven,  he created all of the angels that will ever be in existence throughout time, and since the female didn’t exist until the creation of Eve, all of the Angels were male. And so you’re probably wondering why no one has highlighted this fact. The reason is to hide the sexist nature of it all… It wasn’t until the early renaissance when painters decided to paint female angels and such paintings were adopted by the church over the years and soon enough images of female angels were commonplace and pleasing no one would ever have any qualms with it whatsoever. But in fact, there are no female angels, actually there are no females with any sort of power in Heaven. That Teddy is the truth; an angel, a perfect being, that knows no hunger, no pain, no strife, absolute perfection is not and cannot be female”

Jeremiah was just inches away from Teddy, he stood so close that he could feel his palpable heart thundering ripples from his chest all the way down to his knees. So much even so that he missed Jeremiah’s passionate speech. Jeremiah grew even closer, his lips were nice and thin. Teddy caught a glimpse of them and he gave in. He rushed him, their lips crashed together like a runaway intersection. The immediate satisfaction rectified Teddy of all emotions, Jeremiah’s soft and tender lips wrapped around his and he let himself go, into that bitter state of internment as Jeremiah held him tightly against his chest. 

Teddy’s chest was burning somehow he didn’t want things to go rashly. He stopped Jeremiah.

“Wait, wait, wait” He said as he caught his breath.

“I thought you were… uh, aren’t you with Gemma? What’s… what’s going on?” Said Teddy and immediately regretted it. 

“ You’re asking if I’m gay or something along those lines. Are you serious Teddy? I’m sorry Teddy, but I’m not tied down to your labeling, there is no sexuality that can possibly begin to describe my feelings- just shut up” He said as he pursued Teddy’s lips again this time he submitted entirely to him.

With quickened haste, Jeremiah undressed himself keeping his lips locked with Teddy. He noticed Jeremiah’s immensely muscular upper body, his toned stomach and his compact but forceful biceps, and most of all his rugged back, which he caressed with unending passion. Jeremiah picked up Teddy as he kissed his neck and carried him over to the bed and tossed him down continued to cover his neck with his lips, and pause briefly to take Teddy’s shirt off, they went at it again this time Jeremiah came down to his chest and kept going down further onto his stomach. Teddy brain was in ecstasy. He felt like crying out loud and yelling “God yes!” but remembering that he had neighbors he clamored and groaned. 

It was then when Jeremiah loosened his belt buckle and slipped off his pants along with his briefs. Teddy saw his thick and toned pelvis, and on the right side was the crystal clear tattoo of an 8^th note wrapped around his pelvis. 

Teddy’s ecstasy trip was derailed. His heart changed pace, his beatings were no longer of passionate love making and changed to tune out of a horror movie. Jeremiah forcefully turned around so that Teddy was face-down. 

Teddy tried to calm down, he immediately tried to delude the fear that he had stirred up. It’s just a coincidence. He thought in his head. It’s impossible.  He thought again. He tried and tried but he just couldn’t bear the thought, he felt Jeremiah’s intense heat from behind. Teddy immediately resisted.

“What’s wrong Teddy? You afraid?” Said Jeremiah menacingly. 

“Yeah, I, I don’t wanna do this Jere-“

Jeremiah pinned him down with a tangible aggression. Teddy began to struggle and squirm but his efforts were useless, Jeremiah was immensely stronger than he. 

“Hey Teddy, you wanna know a secret?” Jeremiah whispered into Teddy’s ear as he struggled more. Teddy’s nerves were set on fire, he felt an incandescent flame lit up inside him granting him infinite strength, still miniscule compared to Jeremiah’s force. Teddy opened his mouth to cry out for help when suddenly, in a flash, Jeremiah grasped his mouth and the back of his head with both hands and snapped his neck.

A quivering crunch was heard as his neck rotated; the side of Teddy’s face was parallel to the bed. 

Jeremiah neared in to whisper in his ear again. 

“I’m an angel”

Ch 19 Glory Manifesto

Ronnie stood to hear his verdict. His heart trembling as he leaned forward holding onto the defense table to prevent him from falling forward. His beautiful black curly hair was all gone. And in its place was large gauze covering his head. Lazar told him it would inspire pity among the jury. Although he was against it he hated when his hair got in his wounds and would bother him. He thought he looked like a drugged up, beaten vagabond in a pastel suit. He looked back at his parents. His mom’s hands were clasped together and praying with her head tilted forward. His father stood firmly, unwavering. He saw Teddy with his hands over his mouth unable to stand straight, and Jane looking feverish and frantic along with Gemma holding her arm. And down in the corner, as if trying to hide from him was Kessler. That bastard, standing there, looking worried. He still hated him. 

Lazar grasped Ronnie’s arm tightly. He could feel that he too was uncertain of the outcome. 

A single man in the jury stood to give the verdict. 

“We the people of the jury, find the defendant, Ronald Abernathy… not guilty”

2 Days Before

Reverend James unhinged his grasp on Megan’s neck. His eyes shaken with horror, he jumped back and reviewed her loose figure on the wooden floor. Her white neck was stamped red with his hands. The Reverend suddenly felt himself heavy, as if gravity had been augmented, he plummeted to the ground shaking. He removed his glasses cupped his face and breathed heavily. He stood back up again, regaining his composure and started to pace around his office holding a pensive posture. He paced around her body, lightly kicking it to see if she would regain consciousness or out of some miracle she came back to life, although he wished she wouldn’t, fearing he would have to go through it all over again.

He looked out his office window, then back at Megan’s body. There was no way he could move Megan’s body out of his house without someone noticing. He couldn’t possibly bury her in the back yard without someone seeing. He was struck with an Idea and moved out of the office and then came back with a scarf, sunglasses, a pillow and a sun hat from his wife’s closet. He quickly stuffed the pillow under her blouse and wrapped the scarf around her neck and lifted her on his arms down into the stairs.

He walked out onto the driveway with her body in his arms, he kept her head tilted and quickened his pace toward her car. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you to the Hospital real quick!” He said out loud to anyone who could be listening as he opened the door to her car and stuffed her into the back seat.

He got into the driver’s seat and just as he was about to turn the ignition he noticed the car was a stick shift. 

“Dammit!” He yelled as he slammed his hands on the steering wheel. He calmed down and maneuvered the stick shift. He knew the basics of driving a stick, he’d seen it all the time on those racing movies. He looked below and saw a third petal not remembering what that was used for. 

“Dammit” He said again and looked back at Megan. He was thinking about dumping her body at the Sierra Vista Landfill, he was sure no one would find her there. He would first have to cover her up in large trash bags, and for that he would need to drive to the Liquor store a few kilometers away, then to the landfill which would be 5 miles from there, and then he thought of how he would get rid of the car, and quickly decided he would sell it to the impound that was on the main highway which was another 2 miles away. He pressed his forehead against the steering wheel, he muttered under his breath, as if praying that he could successfully make the round trip without the car overheating. He regained himself and turned the ignition.

Day Before Trial

Ronnie sat up in his declinable hospital bed. Everyone was gathered around him. All of the people whom he considered his friends: Jane, Gemma, Teddy, and Melvin. And in the corner, subtly taking notes was Lazar. There was an eerie tension in the room. Ronnie seemed to be at the center, and Teddy and Gemma kept making awful glances at one another. Ronnie was quickly recounting his last couple of weeks.

“They just took you in? Just like that?” Asked Gemma skeptically. Ronnie glared at her. 

“They were really nice people, but they were also easily convinced that I was a killer. I don’t wanna get them involved, they don’t speak English and they’re hardly a threat-“

“So does that mean you don’t want to end up in jail?” Asked Lazar as he quickly finished writing down Ronnie’s statement. Everyone glared at him. 

“What about Megan? Didn’t you say she was going to testify against the reverend?” Said Jane.

“I don’t whether she is actually going to testify or not, what did assure me was that she had compelling evidence that would prove Ronnie’s innocence.” Said Lazar. Everyone in the seemed at ease, a giant weight lifted from them.

“But we can’t rely on her. She is after all part of your rival club, it wouldn’t be too outrageous if she has a change of heart” said Lazar

“I knew Megan before this club feud, and she was never a hateful, homophobic wretch like the rest of them” Said Melvin. Ronnie finally acknowledged his presence and noticed there was something odd about him. 

“Hey where’s Albert?” Asked Ronnie. The room dropped silent, and their heads avoided Ronnie’s gaze. The uncomfortable silence was broken by Jane.

“He’s um, still in rehab. He’s very sorry that he had to miss your trial but don’t worry he’ll be back and up healthier than ever” she assured him. Ronnie put a grin on his face for what seemed like an eternity. 

Jane stunningly treaded down the campus quad carrying a heavy book bag and wearing large sunglasses to cover the bags under her eyes. After the meeting with Ronnie all she could think about Albert. She wasn’t particularly feeling well. She felt the need to overdose on the Tylenol and the migraine medicine, and felt an overwhelming pain in the depths of her stomach, her body was definitely off. As she walked, her phone started buzzing. She looked at the number and it was the same unknown caller as before. She stopped and hesitated, then slowly she pressed talk and held the phone to her ear.

“Hello?” She said. There was no answer.

“Hello?” She said again this time desperate for an answer. Suddenly she heard the slow and rhythmic breathing of a person. Her eyes widened.

“Albert?! Albert is that you?!” The breathing stopped. And the call was ended. She quickly thought of redialing when all of a sudden a familiar face appeared in front of her.

“Hey… Jane” Iago stood in front of her with a sinister smile. She was startled and dropped her phone.

“Oh let me get that” He said.

“No!” She quickly grabbed the phone and proceeded to back away from him rapidly.

“Get away from me!” 

“Jane what’s wrong?” He said. Her head started rotating, her breathing grew abnormal, and her heart was beating thunderously. She slowly collapsed towards the floor as Iago managed to catch her mid-fall. 

“Jane! Jane, wake up!” 

Jane’s eyes slowly solidified onto a drab and damp infirmary. She collected her head and lifted it from the paper covered bed. She was in the school infirmary. She sat up as a nurse walked in wearing a solid pink scrub with a cat name tag. 

“Hey you’re awake” Said the nurse.

“Yeah, what, uh, what happened” She said as she felt her stomach curl up into a ball. 

“I’m not sure, your blood pressure seems fine, temperature, heart rate. It could have been a slight heart attack, but that’s not likely either… hmm, do you feel nauseous? Maybe light headed?” the nurse asked.

“Well now that you mention it yeah, I do feel a bit nauseous” 

“Well it might not correct but if I were you I’d take a pregnancy test” The words struck Jane’s heart like lightning. No… Hell no. It was impossible. She immediately thought about the probabilities, she doubted herself.

“No, that’s… no. That can’t be” Jane violently shook her head.  She got up from the bed and retrieved her stuff from the counter.

“Are you sure you don’t want one just in case?” asked the nurse. Jane paused, and solemnly said 

“No”.

Albert awoke on a concrete floor. His bruised face burned and ached as he tried to open his eyes, he felt his entire orifice swollen. He tried to move and felt something heavy on his ankle. He moved his bare foot to find a chain connected to his ankle. 

“No, no, no, no” He yanked on the chain and didn’t manage to budge the pipe that was tied around it. He lifted his pants that were around his knees to his waist. He lay on the floor, gritting his teeth and slowly sobbing onto the cold hardness of the floor. Chico suddenly burst through the door in the distance; the light entered the room and illuminated the boiler that was right next to Albert.

“Rise and shine sweetheart. I brought you a blanket, and some chow-“ 

“Why am I chained to a pipe?!” Screamed Albert. Chico was wearing a fitted suit and tie, he dropped the blanket on him and placed the bowl of what looked like oatmeal right next to him.

“You crossed the line Albert. I had to lock you up in the basement. You see, at the moment you were making this call I was certain you were calling the police, and I was about to have over a very particular dangerous customer over, if the police had shown up here while he was here… things wouldn’t have looked good in my favor. You see, you weren’t just putting my life in danger… this customer would’ve killed you too” Said Chico as he leaned in closer to Albert to kiss him on the forehead.

 Albert paused to think what such person it could be. It was certainly someone who made Chico nervous and afraid; it was certainly this person who inspired such great fear into Chico that the thought of awakening his rage made him tear up his face.

“Who were you calling?” Asked Chico. Albert laid down his head as to ignore him. 

“Let’s see.” Chico pulls out his phone and scrolls through it. Albert shuffles on the ground praying that the number wasn’t there. 

“Ah here it is, let’s see who you were calling. And if you make a noise this basement is where you’ll stay for long, long time!” Chico dialed the number and pressed the phone to his ear. 

“Hello? “ Albert could hear Jane’s voice from Chico’s cellphone. He wanted to cry out for help, to yell at her, to bring the police. But Chico held up a finger at his mouth to signal to remain quiet.

“Hello? Albert? Albert is that you?!” Chico quickly closed the phone and ended the call. 

“That’s right, you mentioned once that you had a sister. I’m so glad that you called her and not the cops… although I’m kind of wondering why you didn’t? Are you that stupid?” He chuckled and slightly kicked him in the face. He walked out of the room opening the door and illuminating Albert on the floor curling up into fetal position.

Day of the Trial

The bald Ronnie sat in the defense table looking as if he’d been in a terrible workplace accident and he was suing for damages. Either that or he had cancer, and he was suing a pharmaceutical company.

Beverly was on the stand testifying. She wore a cheetah tank top with low cut booty short and her hair was flared to the sides. Lazar was in front of her wearing a very gray European styled suit. He was questioning her about her recent testimony. Her, Olivia, Regina, and Shawn all testified the same thing. That they were heading out of Shawn dormitory for a quick meeting when they saw Ronnie running out of the campus looking flustered and guilty.

“And what did you say he looked like again?” Lazar asked Beverly.

“He, um, you looked like he’d done something, like if he was hiding something, very sneaky-“

“Interesting, according to Shawn Roach’s testimony, the defendant looked constipated and frightened. 

And according to Olivia Freeman’s testimony the defendant looked ‘unnaturally thuggish’”. 

Beverly remained silent as she looked back at Reverend James who was sitting right behind Carmichael in prosecution. 

“So Mrs. Summers, is there anything else you noticed about Mr. Abernathy that day? What was he wearing? Was he holding anything?” Ronnie could tell that he was going into full attack mode. He waited for the dumbest blonde to take to the stand so he could make a meal out of her in front of the jury. 

“Um, um” She hesitated before saying anything, looking back at the reverend for signals but Lazar quickly placed himself in front of the Reverend’s view.

“Um, I don’t remember what he was wearing, and I don’t think he was holding anything” She said. 

Lazar paced around in front of the jury, then to the defense table and retracted a bunch of photos from a folder. He walked over to the jury and showed them the pictures. The jury looked away. 

“These are the pictures of Enrique Machado, how he was found that morning with his rib cage pried open and left his organs sliding down the bed like slip n’ slide-“ 

“Objection your honor; relevancy?!” Remarked Carmichael. The judge, a large man of color, adhered. 

“get to the point Mr. Lazar” said the judge.

“Certainly, what my point is that if Beverly’s claim were true, Mr. Abernathy would be a genius. In the forensic reports, there were no finger prints, no semen, no bodily secretion of any kind not a single strand of the suspect’s DNA. In order for Mr. Abernathy to pull that off he would have to have an IQ of over 120, however Mr. Abernathy’s test scores and cognitive reasoning tests far below that. Furthermore the assertion that Mr. Abernathy was holding nothing is pertinent to the findings of the Crime Scene. The victim was lacerated with a large and blunt object… but no such object was ever found at the scene. That means according to your testimony Mr. Abernathy must’ve stashed the object. But where? You said you saw him come out directly from Enrique’s dormitory- the entire building was strip searched for anything that might’ve contained the slightest clue… In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen of the jury we have here two stories, two facets, two pathways, and two Ronald Abernathy. One who was out with a policeman staking a killer, and the other a masterful psychotic mass murderer…” Lazar retreaded to the defense table. 

“No further questions” Said Carmichael. Lazar sat down. 

“Where’s Megan?” Asked Ronnie. 

“I told you we don’t need her, I knew she couldn’t follow through. Don’t worry I’m prepared for the next witness.” 

“Prosecution calls Bradly Haynes to the stand” Said Carmichael. 

A shaken Bradley emerges from the back door and sits inside the cubicle. A man approaches him with a bible. Bradley puts his hand on the book and drones out an inaudible muttering. Carmichael then lifts herself from her seat wearing a skin peach body suit, the color of which blended with the walls of the courtroom. 

“Mr. Bradley Haynes where were you the morning of November 12?” Asked Carmichael.

“Before I answer any questions I have two tape recordings that I want heard” He said and everyone began to murmur in hushed tones. He looked at Jane and her at him. 

2 Days Before the Trial

Megan shuffles through the halls of the south side dormitories. She quickens her pace as she sees Bradley coming down the hallway. She kept her hands on her satchel as to protect something she was carrying. She approached him. 

“Hey, Bradley, what’re you doing here?” She asked him. He looked torn and confused. 

“Nothing I was just.. nothing” 

“It’s Jane isn’t it?”

“How did you-“

“Olivia told me everything… Hey you haven’t seen Jeremiah around have you?”

“No why?” 

Megan looked disappointed, she hesitated before saying anything and then she just blurt out.

“You wanna grab some coffee?” She said.

“Coffee?” 

“Yeah, you look like you need someone to talk to. And so do I.” 

“Yeah sure” 

The two sat in the same coffee shop that she spoke to Jeremiah in. Bradley looked uncomfortable with an irritable frown on his face. Megan kept her bag tightly close to her as she sipped on her coffee.

“So, this thing with Jane… what’s up? I mean two months ago you were technically shoving her out of our room and now you’re waiting outside her dorm room-“

“She’s a devil, Megan, her and her faggot brother. She has me around her finger… her slightly timid hands pushed up against mine. She seemed so nice Megan-“

“It seems like there’s a schism between you two… And I think I know what it is.” She said. Bradley held his head up and paid close attention. 

“It really is simple Bradley. This is a classic Romeo and Juliet scenario, Bradley, except Romeo and Juliet were able to overlook their family’s feud and despite that they died loving each other. And neither are you willing to overlook her acceptance of her gay brother and she’s not willing to overlook your scolding homophobia” She said. Bradley glared at her, then sunk his head into his elbows and hung his head. 

“If you want her, Bradley, you have to show her that you’re willing to compromise. That is if you love her.” 

“Well then how do I do that then?”

“Well… for starters you can do the right thing at Ronnie’s trial”

“What are you talking about Megan? The reverend was clear-“

“James is a lying filthy pig, Bradley! Ronnie didn’t kill Enrique, he didn’t kill his best friend, he’s innocent and James is falsely incriminating him!”

“Megan this is not the place to discuss this!” he said in a hushed tone. She placed her hand on top of his.

“Please, just listen to me. If you want Jane to see that there’s some good in you, you will hear me out” Megan pulls out a large yellow envelope and hands it to Bradley. He opens the envelope and pulls out the photos of the Reverend and Regina naked in his office while engaged in intercourse.

“No way…What? Why are you showing me this?” He said.

“To prove to you that he’s a liar! And because you’re my back up.” She said.

“Your back up? For what?”

“Well originally I was counting on Jeremiah but since I found you, you have to do it.”

“Do what?”

“If I don’t show up at the trial I want you to present this evidence to the jury” Megan pulls out two cassette tapes. 

“Why won’t you be at the trial?”

“Because… I’m going to confront him-“

Why Megan?! Why do you want to do this to the rev?!” He said. Megan’s eyes flashed with bright tears of anger. 

“Because… that bastard deserves this, he… was everything to me, and then just like that, like a filthy rag he tossed me aside like I was garbage! Do you have any idea how that feels?!” Megan tried to keep her voice hushed. Bradley quickly got up from his seat. 

“you’re delusional Megan. A butt-hurt reject.” He began to walk away when she firmly caught his hand. 

“Take them! Please just take them. Please if you won’t do it for me then do it for Jane” Megan grabbed the yellow envelope and the two cassette tapes and placed them in his hand. Bradley glared at her with intensity. He released himself from her grip but kept the items in his hand and walked out of the coffee shop. 

Day of Trial

Bradley was uncomfortably seated in the witness stand as the first cassette tape was being played. His heart thundered as he searched for Jane’s face in the crowd and once he’d find her he’d stare at her with gaze that seemed to plunge him into outer space. He was under terrible pressure, his eyes and face red of hitting and touching his face. And his eyes spurted tears as everyone in the court room heard Megan’s voice through the tape.

“This is Megan Summers recording on Sunday, December 2^nd 2001. I’m currently in my room and im on my way to see the reverend of my parish, Reverend James Sorenson. If Jeremiah took my plea then this recording should be heard in front of a jury… reverend James is a liar” Everyone in the courtroom started to converse in hushed tones. The reverend’s face turned bright red, his breathing started to accelerate. 

“This is outrageous!” he burst. 

“Reverend, please be seated!” Stated the judge. Megan’ recording continued. 

“I have proof that this man is a liar and cannot be trusted, Jeremiah, take out the photos” Bradley whipped out the yellow envelope and handed them to and standby officer who then gave it to the judge. The judge looked at them with a raised eyebrow. The reverend was clenching his fists and gritting his teeth with immensity. The judge then allowed Carmichael and Lazar to come up and see the photos. Then the jury was given the chance to lay eyes upon the naked bodies of the reverend and Regina.

“Reverend James Sorenson is a liar and a fraud. I have another tape recording of a call that he made to Shawn Roach that proves that he had sent Shawn to follow Ronnie and bashed his head in. Furthermore I have instructed Jeremiah to present this evidence on my behalf if I do not arrive here today. I am currently headed to Reverend James’s home on 112 Jeffereson Court, Maple County. I have placed G.P.S tracking chips on my bracelet and in the trunk of my car, both of which can be located by Satellite tracking using my Locator outlet which I have left in my room-“ The tape cuts off. The reverend is stricken with terrible shaking and sweat that runs down his forehead. The entire room is deadly silent as Bradley hands the officer the next tape.

“Yeah, I’ll be there don’t worry” It was The reverend’s voice that was being heard throughout the courtroom. A large pause was heard as shuffling paper sounds were heard.

“Dammit! That son of a bitch Ronald is alive and he knows… a lot more than he should. I can’t tell you how I know! He must know the police is looking for him and he’s trying to get out of it by blackmailing me that bastard!”

“Wait, wait hold on, hold on rev I hit that kid hard. How the heck is he blackmailing you?” This was Shawn Roach’s voice that was being heard. At this moment Ronnie turned round glazed with rage searching for Shawn but Lazar held him firm. “No don’t stop” he told him. He held his hand tightly and would not let go. Ronnie calmed down but continued to glare at the reverend.

“Well apparently you didn’t hit him hard enough! Listen, it’s not unlikely that he has an accomplice. These pictures are recent, there’s someone else, someone else took these pictures… and it looks like they were taken from the neighbors” The recording cut off and ended there. The room was staunch silent, reverend James muttered under his breath. “That wasn’t me”. Carmichael walked over to the table with death glare set on him. “It’s not me, theres a mistake” He uttered again under his breath. His words were shaking and his breathing exaggerated. 

Lazar let go of Ronnie’s hand. “It’s over” He said to him.

 The entire courtroom was filled with whispers and convulsions. And officer walked up to the judge and spoke something inaudible into his ear. Then the judge slammed his mallet. “Order, order.” He sighed. “We’ve just confirmed that Megan Summers has been missing since last Sunday” Two officers walked over to the persecution table and handcuffed the reverend. He kept muttering under his breath “It wasn’t me, it’s a mistake, She’s the liar not me” 

Shaken and torn out of reality. He seemed to be transported out of the courtroom and into an asylum as he kept repeating those phrases as he was read his Miranda rights and was taken out of the court room. He saw Beverly breaking down in tears as he was escorted out. He saw Olivia and Regina and Shawn look at him with an unfamiliar despair as if he was no longer part of them, as if he was now below them. He stretched his neck backwards to take a glance at Bradley, who was still sitting in the stand, and gave him a look that would shake the core of his being, of lightning struck, of a deafening blow to his stomach. He felt it in his entrails, the feeling of imminent betrayal. Like a child being cast away from the playground, he hung his head and continued to repeat the phrases. The reverend shed silent tears from the corner of his glasses as the doors of the courtroom were shut behind him.