Fake Love: Intoxicated

Bring The Pain On

Police vehicles drove to Central Police Station which is located in the northern part of Louisefranceslo around 10PM. The night was cold, quiet and lonely, that’s even colder in the square room which had a set of white tables and chairs. Purple haired writer was left alone in the locked room because no one was able to investigate her during the curfew. Gwen waited until dawn came. Police officers in blue uniforms arrived at 8 o’clock with a cup of Americano. They unlocked the door and gave her another cup of coffee. She accepted it as she was hungry to death but remained silent.

A few moments later, a six feet tall man in dark blue suits came with a big file in his hands. Gwen gave a man a quick once-over. Blonde haired guy sat on the chair opposite of her. His skin was beautiful and pale. Those solemn ocean blue eyes looking at her. He was her lawyer that Gwen hadn't met since she graduated from high school.

“Long time no see, Claude”

“Hey, Gwen.” Said the lawyer, “I never expect to see you here.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“I bought you breakfast. I knew that you hadn't eaten anything since last night.” Claude Claude indifferently replied, as he gave her sandwiches, “Eat up then we shall start.”

Gwen had her breakfast while Claude opened the files. He brought a copy of evidence which could convict her such as surveillance footage that said she left the house after the curfew and a copy of the last page in ‘Fake Love’. That evidence was enough to imprison Gwen for years.

“I know this shit will happen one day but dad’s hit was out of expectation.”

“He hit you?”

“Should I sue him? He might be aggressive guy but he never hit me until last night”

“May I?” Claude asked for permission to take a photo of scars on her mouth corner. “You can sue him. Your scars are enough for us to win the physical abuse case. If he confesses that he was guilty, the least penalty he gets will be paying for compensation.”

“Great! He will get what he gave to me.”

“But you have another big case of yours with the government.”

“Ah-ha” Gwen said as she finished the last bite at once, “But things that appear in Fake Love are not fake news, I exposed the truth of the government.”

“I is partly true. Leader is taking control of people, people unable to raise the question to the government and that’s how it works in dictatorship.” Explained the lawyer while passing her a bottle of milk, “As you mention in your story, there were many people suffering from this government as if it was a toxic relationship.” Claude emphasized on the quote of the last page with a red marker as he wanted her to follow him. “In the perspective of the government, they see only one sufferer, that’s you.” Said Claude as he pointed the marker at her, “A young petite purple haired girl who dares to think differently from others. Well… you did something more than exposed the half-truth.”

“What did I do?” Gwen asked as she stifled her maw.

“Don’t pretend to be a fool,” Claude complained as he knitted his brows, “You stirred people outrage.”

Ha!

Gwen spilled her devilish snigger as she was satisfied to hear an upcoming future from Claude. She was leaning her back with her leg crossed. Meanwhile, the lawyer was downhearted to conduct a case for an insurgent demagogue. He deeply sighed then waited until Gwen calmed herself down from overwhelming happiness.

Three days later, Gwen received a court summon. She dressed herself in white flared dress with black low-heeled shoes. It was the most formal dress of hers that she could find in the closet. She feigned herself a poker face therefore no one could read her expression along the way to the Supreme Court of Araolia which was located in the center of Louise Frances Lo.

Within three days, news about Fake Love’s case was broadcasting. People talked about it and Sully Albright was just a forgotten name. Today, there were a lot of media waiting in front of the Supreme Court to broadcast news of the first insurgent of Araolia.

Atmosphere in the Court was intense and uncomfortable even though the court wasn’t in session. Gwen hated crowded places like this even though people were in their own space: She sat in the front row as if she was a defendant. Next to her was a defense attorney – Claude. Her family presented as attendees.

“Do you know who is that guy?” Claude whispered in her ear. Gwen startled as she realized herself was spaced out. Claude pointed at a man with grey hair who wore dark grey suits. That man fixed his glasses as soon as he seated, trying to act cool. “That’s Hudson. He’s a district attorney.”

“Why do you tell me this?”

“Nothing, just wanna break the silence.” Gwen pinched on Claude’s arm. They were about to start a small fight but the judge arrived already. Jared was looking at his sister and her ex from the distance. He could tell they prepared themselves well. That’s why they were not nervous at all. Otherwise, it was him who was nervous.

“All rise. This court is now in session. The honorable Judge Moors presiding.”

A statement heard in a trial when the judge entered the courtroom. Everyone in the room stood up to respect the man who sat as Judge until he seated. Time passed by slowly during the trial, Gwen said nothing besides stating her name to the court and swore to speak only the truth. Gwen was listening and watching the evidence, which was able to convict her and jailed her, that appeared on the projector. She accepted that she was guilty as charged with expressionlessness.

“Jared Fosters to the stand.”

“Did you witness Gerald Foster abuse your sister, Gerald?” asked Claude

“That night, I just finished counseling with my patient. I went downstairs because I heard a screaming voice. I saw Gwen collapse on the floor. Mom and our housewife, Amanda, crying and begging Gerald Foster to not hit her again, your honor”

“Her scars are evidence.” Claude said as he showed a photo of scars on the projectors.

Judge and jury were on the same page. Trial of the first day in the courtroom ended up that Gerald Fosters found guilty as charged that he abused his daughter due to his anger. He must pay for compensation.

“Why would I want his money to repay my pain?” Gwen spoke out loud and stared at her father.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Say the magic word that you never say to anyone but your boss.” Gwen said with a stable voice even though she was too angry to calm down. Gerald kneeled down in front of hundreds of people in the courtroom. He bent his head down and cried. “Say it!”

“I’m sorry,”

The Media were broadcasting family drama so that everyone knew what’s going on in the court today. Gerald got a restraining order so that he won’t have a chance to get close to the family. The first day in the court was tough but the second day was tougher.

“What was your purpose in writing the story, Gwen Fosters?” asked Claude.

“To tell the truth to Araolian that this government care nothing except themselves.”

“No evidence, your honor!” Hudson argued.

“You can come and see with your eyes. The poor getting poorer and people suicide everydays. If the government give a shit-”

“Language! Miss Fosters” She was warned by the judge to mind the language in the courtroom.

“If they have any interest in people, no one will kill themselves because the government takes care of their problems, your honor.”

Claude was about to ask Gwen more questions. All of a sudden, Hudson raised his hand and the judge gave him chances instead. Claude sat on his seat, clenching his teeth with anger.

“What do you do for a living, Miss Fosters?” Hudson asked.

“I am a writer.”

“Tell me, what is the job of a writer?”

“Fuck you” Gwen scolded him once then got another warned from the judge. Hudson smirked. He gave her another chance to answer his question. “To create an inspiring work piece for the world.”

“So… politics is none of your business to care at all.” Hudson showed his devilish smile then turned to the jury. “End of questions, your honor.”

About two hours in the courtroom, the closing statement was explained by the judge. The jury made their decision based on the facts to come up with a verdict of guilty and not guilty of the defendant. It was only 30 minutes; the verdict came up that Gwen was found guilty. The judge jailed Gwen Foster for 10 years and 7 days, under arrest distrust the government, disharmonized Araolian with fake news and left the accommodation during the curfew.

Gwen smirked when everything happened as expected. She was handcuffed by the officers to leave the courtroom. She nodded to Claude to thank him for helping her. She mouthed to Jared to take care of mom instead of her. She couldn’t bear to see Mitchell cry at all.

The next destination of hers was a jail called ‘The Forest’ as it was a wild forest with a wide field. No internet connection, No phone signal. Who were jailed here will suffer from getting rid of the love of their life. It took about 4 hours from Louise Franceslo to the forest which was located out of Araolia. There were a few guards due to there being few prisoners.

Gwen will be jailed there for 10 years — that’s quite long for her. She left her phone to the guard then entered the gate between Araolia and The forest. It was a wide green field of nothing. All of a sudden, she was poked by a man who wore dirty clothes. He had pink hair then she realized that he was a guy who killed the soldier.

“Welcome to the forest.” Said the man.

“Thanks.”

“What arrest are you in?” He asked without nervousness, “A girl like you. Umm… Is it murder?”

“No,” She replied while walking the field with the pink haired murderer, “I exposed the government.”

“Badass! How?”

“My published novel.” She answered short as she was exhausted but she asked him back, too. “I remembered you already. You are Sully Albright. Why did you kill the soldier?”

“Just wanna show I'm tired of this dictatorship.”

“You look too smart to imprison yourself for that reason.” Gwen criticized him immediately when he gave her reason, “It’s quite make sense but isn’t there something more?”

“I killed him because he deserved it.” Sully replied as he incompletely uncovered himself, “About the dictatorship, people never know the truth that the military service is fucked up. It’s no different to the slave. You must serve the superior.”

“What kind of serve?”

“Besides taking their order. I cleaned the car for them. Do what they command -- like a dog.”

“Pathetic as fuck.”

“You know what? Your story will set people free from the dictatorship.”

Sully changed the topic because what she has done was more interesting than his. The forest was the only place where the past could be reintroduced and the future could be foretold. The pink haired guy told her about the future that there will be crowded people speaking for themselves and their freedom after they knew that she was jailed.

IT WILL HAPPEN.

“How can you be so sure about that? You’re a soldier.”

“My mom was a seer. She taught me to foretell the future. And I see what I told you.”

“Ha!” Gwen sniggered as she didn’t fully believe in his words.

“The brighter future may comes to Araolia, but we’ll die here -- in the forest.”

“Death and taxes are inevitable faith.” Gwen said as she laid herself down on the emptiness of green grass.“I know I will die so let’s die somewhere pretty. I know I’ll see the black typewriter in the corner of my memories.”

“You might be the most passionate writer that I have ever talked to.”

Two months after Gwen was jailed in the forest. Araolia was set on fire when people who took side on the writer started to gather themselves for protest rallies. ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?????. ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????. ??????? ??????????? ?????????? ???? ??? ??????????.

"??? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?????. ??? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ?????! ??'? ???? ??? ?? ?? ????? ???. ?'? ???? ??'?? ?? ?????? ???? ?????!!" ???? ???? ????? ???, ??'? ?????? ???? ?????. Claude, who was hired to lose the case, was also one of the protesters.

“What do you think you do, huh?” Jared held a strong arm of Claude, “You lose the case. Is this the best that you can do for my sister?!”

“I’m on her side. She lost the trial but this is not the end.” Claude insisted on being part of the protester. “She always has a plan. She wants to fight for our liberty this way.

Jared couldn’t say anything more. He also joined the protest. Gerald Fosters who was in the parliament saw the scenario. His heart was trembling and shaking as he got chills up his back. His eyes were in tears. It was out of expectation that many people in the country were on Gwen’s side. They were kept in silence for too long like what Gwen told him.

“What are you gonna do next, sir?” asked Gerald to the Prime Minister -- Gunter Fosters, father of his. Gunter was a 60-year-old man with grizzle hair. This year was the end of his prime minister status.

“If they wanna fight with soldiers,” Gunter replied expressionless, “Let them bleed.”

“Do you think it's the right way to solve the problem, sir.”

“Tell them to prepare the weapon.” Expression of Gunter was cold and aloof, like Gerald when he slapped Gwen's face. The result from that hit taught him that violence was nothing but fire that ignited the stone. Now the stone of hers is hitting on his face.

“I’m out.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I’m out. If you wanna kill people, go and kill them by yourself. Command those soldiers by yourself. I’m out.” Gerald solemnly replied to his father as he revoked his nobility in front of Gunter then left his father in the grand meeting room alone. “I won't be on your side anymore, dad.”

THE END