AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 5
The sun's descent cast a soft glow over the water's edge, where Harry sat lost in thought. It was a rare moment of tranquility, a sharp contrast to the chaos that had become his norm. He glanced at the serene lake, its surface mirroring the fiery hues of the setting sun. In this fleeting peace, Harry's mind wandered to memories long buried beneath layers of pain and betrayal.
Harry closed his eyes, allowing the warmth to wash over him. Visions of his youth flickered in his mind's eye. The park near his childhood home came to life once again, with the echo of laughter and the gentle touch of his mother's hand pushing him higher on the swings. Those carefree days seemed like a different lifetime, one where happiness wasn't a fleeting ghost but a constant companion. He could taste the sandwich she’d packed him. Feel the mulch sticking in his shoes. He’d give anything to be back at that park. Back with his mother.
A pang of sorrow tightened his chest as he tried to picture her face, that kind yet slightly crooked smile and wide doll-like eyes. But time had eroded the details, leaving behind a haunting void. It scared him, this loss of connection to the only pure love he'd known. And it scared him more that he couldn't recall another moment since when he had felt truly carefree or happy.The stark realization settled heavily upon him; life had been a relentless tide of surviving, not living. Had he cut happiness out, banishing it from his life, or had it been a train he missed? Something that left him behind?
The quietude around him was a canvas for his thoughts, and into it flashed the harrowing image of his mother's death. The memory surged with a raw intensity, the sound of her pleading, the metallic smell of death, all underscored by his own helplessness. He hadn't been there to protect her, to save her from the demons she'd invited into their lives. Guilt gnawed at him.
Harry took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs. He vowed then, amidst the quiet, to find happiness again. It was not too late; life was still a path untraveled, and he was the cartographer of his own journey. His resolve hardened; no more time would be wasted.
The sudden roar of a motorcycle in the distance shattered his solitude. That familiar sound heralded the return of trouble, the return of a man whose presence meant conflict. Oddly, Harry felt a tinge of gratitude for the interruption. The quiet, the introspection—it was suffocating, a stark reminder of the emptiness within. The prospect of confrontation, the adrenaline of conflict, was a welcome distraction from the internal battles.
CHAPTER 6
The room was nondescript, the kind of place that could be anywhere and nowhere all at once—a fitting setting for Rose as she gave her testimony. When she heard she’d be in court, she envisioned a high ceiling with rich wood paneling and a staunch looking judge high on a bench. This was not that.
It felt more like an oversized conference room. They were all around a table, a few stacks of files spread around and a stenographer in the corner of the room. She clacked away as everyone spoke, documenting it all. That was part of the problem. Rose was going on record. She’d become the face of this takedown. The lynchpin that when pulled would send things toppling over.
“Please state your full name for the record.” The lawyer was tall, obvious even though he was sitting. His face was stern but Rose appreciated he was trying to make it as easy as possible for her. She stated her full name and tipped her chin up as if trying to will some pride behind her words.
“And do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
“I do.” She glanced at the rest of the people around the table and wondered what each of their jobs was. What would they think of what she had to say? Would they believe her?
“Can you tell us in your own words what happened during your time with the organization known as 'The Helping Hand'?”
Her voice was steady, a testament to the resolve that had been forged in the crucible of her experiences. “The Helping Hand' was anything but. It masqueraded as a charity, but it was a front for drug trafficking and worse. They... they used us. Women like me, and our children.”
“Can you elaborate on that? How were the children used?”
Taking a deep breath she tried not to conjure up an image of Nathaniel. “The children were leverage. If any of the mothers stepped out of line, didn't do as we were told... our children would be taken away. Some... were never seen again. I believe they were adopted out to families illegally. It would break the women. Make them crazy.”
“You mentioned threats. Were they also threats of violence?”
“Yes. If we tried to leave or disobey, we understood we would be punished. Often violently.”
“Did you ever consider asking for help? Telling someone what was going on behind closed doors?”
“We believed it wouldn’t change anything. They had people everywhere... police, politicians. It felt like there was no one we could turn to. We were trapped. The punishment for even trying would be having my son ripped away from me. I couldn’t take the risk.”
“So what did you do instead?”
“Complied mostly. I tried to shield my son from all of it. And I think most of the time he didn’t realize how bad it really was. I tried to keep it normal and fun. It was hard, but I did what I could.”
“You’ve given a long written statement including dates, times, locations, and the names of other victims. We’ve entered that into evidence. Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
“It was a living nightmare. But you know what, most of my life had been. This was certainly the worst but nothing had come easy for me. And I think that’s what makes this so bad. These people preyed on us. Kicked us, quite literally, while we were down. But I’m not on the ground anymore and I never will be again.”
The lawyer looked slightly uneasy. “Are you concerned about the risks in speaking out like this?”
“I know they might come after me, but I can't be silent. Not if there's a chance to stop them.”
“Thank you for your bravery today. Your testimony is invaluable. We will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”
A faint, resolute smile crossed her face. “Thank you. That's all I want. Safety for Nathaniel. He deserves a better life.”
Another voice in the room announced the next step. “We'll adjourn for now. Thank you.”
