“Pathetic,” he spat. “You’re not even worth killing. Lying there like the worthless piece of shit you are.”
He turned away from her, walking toward the door, mutteringunder his breath.
Sadie pushed herself up on shaky legs, her body trembling as she braced herself against the wall for support.
She saw the knife on the counter.
Her hand reached for it, her fingers closing around the handle. Alan was still walking away, still muttering. Sadie moved, crossing the distance between them, and drove the blade into his back.
Alan gasped, his body going rigid. Sadie pulled the knife free and stabbed him again. And again. And again. Blood poured from the wounds, soaking through his shirt. Alan staggered forward, his hands reaching back uselessly, trying to stop her.
“You... you bitch,” he choked out, his voice weak.
And then he collapsed onto the floor. Sadie stood there, the knife still in her hand, her chest heaving. She stared at Alan’s body, the blood pooling beneath him, at the way he wasn’t moving anymore.
Her hand clenched around the knife as she reached for her phone. The screen lit up her blood-stained face. We saw her widened eyes filled with terror, her tears streaming down her cheeks, her mouth open as she took a shuddering breath of anguish. Her trembling fingers fumbled with the device, her whole body quaking as she stared at the glowing screen.
The screen went black.
The silence in the chambers was deafening.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
I’d won.
The case was over.
Simon would be acquitted of Alan’s murder.
Judge Markham cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
“We’ll reconvene at nine o’clock sharp. I suggest you all use the evening to prepare yourselves.” His tone was measured, professional, giving nothing away. Judge Markham’s expression softened slightly as he looked at Sadie. “You may go now.All of you. We’ll continue this matter in the morning.”
He gestured toward the door, a clear dismissal. The bailiff moved to open it, waiting for us to file out.
I moved on shaky legs and gestured for Sadie to precede me. As we moved toward the exit, Judge Markham spoke once more, his voice quiet but carrying weight.
“Get some rest. Tomorrow will be... significant.”
That was all he said. No promises. No certainties. Just the acknowledgment that everything was about to change.
I walked out into the hallway, my mind spinning.
Simon was waiting at the defense table, his parents behind him. His eyes locked on mine the moment I stepped out, and I saw the desperation there.
Tell me what happened. Tell me it’s going to be okay.
I walked toward him, my hands still shaking. The bailiff commanded us to stand as Judge Markham took his place behind the bench. He didn’t sit, nor did he give the courtroom permission to sit. He took a deep breath and looked out over the courtroom.
“Court is adjourned until 9 AM tomorrow morning.” He slammed the gavel down on the sounding block. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the courtroom.
“What happened?” Simon asked, his voice low and cautious.
“We need to talk,” I said quietly. “Not here. Let’s go.”
Simon nodded, his face pale.
