Chapter 7
1221 Words
ELARA
“Are you okay El?” Vanessa whispered and I nodded. If I spoke, I might cry and I didn't want to do it in front of them. My parents.
I couldn't breathe properly, the courtroom felt too cold, yet, suffocating. I shifted uncomfortably, Vanessa noticed and held me. My hands trembled and my eyes were fixed on the polished wooden floor because looking up meant seeing them.
It's been years away from them, yet fear still lived in me like something breathing. The nightmares felt like child’s play to what I was experiencing.
“You're shaking,” Vanessa whispered softly beside me.
I quickly clenched my fingers tightly, “I’m fine.”
It was a terrible lie and I knew it. I wasn't fine the moment my parents walked into the courtroom earlier, my body reacted before my brain did, My chest tightened and my stomach twisted. Suddenly, I was 18 again, curled on the bathroom floor while my father banged on the door.
“Ungrateful child!” Bang “Open this door before I break it down!” Another bang.
“You need water,” Vanessa said, and I jolted.
I shook my head vehemently.
“Hey,” Tariq whispered and sat at my left side, “I’m sorry I'm late.”
I smiled sadly at him. I appreciated him being here, I really did but my emotions were so high I couldn't react properly. He understood and patted my back.
“Hi,” he greeted Vanessa. She nodded.
I looked around the court room, looking for a certain person. Of course he wasn't going to come. I looked at Vanessa and she shrugged, she knew too.
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The hearing started shortly after. The judge, an older woman with sharp eyes, adjusted her glasses.
She cleared her throat and began, “This court will now hear the matter regarding temporary guardianship of minor Maya Moore.”
My throat tightened and I shifted uncomfortably. Tariq held my hands.
One of the lawyers stood first.My parents ' lawyer. I looked at him and wondered if he knew the kind of people he chose to work with, of course he did.
“Your honor, my clients believe the defendant unlawfully took the child away and has continuously denied parental access.”
Denied parental access? I almost laughed. My parents never even remembered Maya's birthday.
The lawyer continued speaking smoothly.
“The defendant, who happens to be financially unstable and recently unemployed, is unfit to properly take care of the minor.”
My jaw tightened, of course they brought that up. I felt smaller instantly, poorer and weak. My legs shook out of anxiety, Vanessa quietly touched them under the table, steadying me.
Our lawyer stood up afterwards.
“Your honor, the plaintiff conveniently ignores the documented history of abuse within that household.”
The courtroom went quiet slightly. Abuse. The familiar word echoed painfully in my chest.
My lawyer continued, “We are requesting time to submit additional medical and witness evidence regarding the treatment Miss Moore and the child received under the plaintiffs’ care.”
My father suddenly snorted loudly and eyes turned to him.
The judge's eyes lifted sharply, “One more interruption and I’ll have you removed from my courtroom.”
Silence followed immediately, then the judge sighed slightly.
“Given the seriousness of these accusations, this court will schedule another hearing pending further evidence,” The judge said and looked around silently before continuing. “However, the child will remain temporarily under Miss Moore’s care until the next hearing,” the judge added finally.
Relief hit me so hard my eyes almost burned. Maya was still with me, for now. For now was enough.
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Maya beat me three times in cards before I finally accused her of cheating. She smirked.
“I’m just smarter than you,” she said proudly from the floor. I chuckled and packed up the cards.
“You know that's arrogance huh? Who taught you that?” I asked while arranging the cards.
“You.”
I made a face at her and she laughed loudly. I smiled widely, this was what I wanted and the reason why I'd keep fighting.
Maya deserved laughter, safety, and warmth, not fear from the people who are supposed to cherish her.
A knock suddenly interrupted my thoughts.
“That's probably Vanessa, go keep the cards,” I said and she went to the room while I walked to the door.
I opened the door slowly with a smile, but the next second, my blood turned cold.
My parents. The smile fell from my face immediately.
“W-what a-re…” I stuttered and my father pushed the door open.
“You thought you could hide from us,” he snarled.
Fear slammed into me so hard, and I couldn't move, my father pushed me and I staggered.
“Where is she?” My mother asked while her eyes swept around the apartment with disgust.
Maya! They are here to take Maya forcibly.
“Hide Maya, hide,” I suddenly screamed, surprised that my voice could get high.
For a few seconds there was silence and then, my parents burst out laughing.
“Can you hear that? She said she should hide, like hiding has ever done anything good for them,” my father taunted while my mother continued laughing.
“You shouldn't be here,” I whispered. My father walked closer to me and I stepped back.
“Or what?” He snapped and I flinched instantly. That tiny movement made him smile, like he was happy he still had control over me.
And suddenly, I was a kid again, kneeling in the kitchen while he stood over me.
“Look at me when I'm talking to you!”
The slap, the ringing in my ears, my mother watching silently with offering any help. My breathing became uneven.
“Pathetic girl,” my mother hissed. “Running around pretending to be independent.”
My eyes blurred. “Please leave,” I whispered.
“Who do you think will believe you in court?” my father barked. “You’re jobless. Useless. A child stealing little w***e—”
“Stop!” Maya suddenly screamed. I told her to hide!
My father turned sharply at her and something inside me snapped instantly.
“Don't look at her!” I yelled. Maya ran back inside.
The slap came so fast I barely saw it, pain exploded across my face but I was grateful they didn't go after Maya.
My father kicked me then, a kick at first and another one and another one till I was sure I had lost count.
I lay on the floor, almost motionless while he kept yelling. The memories kept coming back. I was experiencing them again, I thought I had escaped that life but here I was, experiencing them again. The tears came then, hot tears that welled up like they couldn't wait to leave my eyes.
The voices started fading, distant and foggy like I was sinking underwater but then I heard his voice, cold and dangerous. At first I thought I was imagining it until I heard it again.
“Lay another finger at her and it'd be the last thing you’d do on earth!” The voice ordered sternly.
Sebastian.
- Writer
