Seth watched carefully as the prosecution questioned his witness. He had studied the case for months now and knew every witness by name; Cecil Brooke, the daughter of the deceased. She claimed to have seen her step father shoot her mother to death. In spite of all the evidence, none could be used against his clients but he knew very well that his client is well guilty; however; his job as a defense lawyer is to see that he is released of all charges. “Your Witness” He heard the Judge announce “Thank you your Honour” Seth stepped forward full of confidence like no other. “Miss Cecil, you claimed to have seen your step Father shoot your Mother” “Yes I did” she answered. He took a moment to assess her which made Cecil nervous. “Do you love your Mother?” He asked “Yes I do” she whimpers. He chuckled at her answer. “Did you kill your Mother” Seth blurted out walking towards the docket “No I did not” Cecil snapped. “Okay, fair enough” he said. “Isn’t it true that you and your Mother had fallen out” he asked “Isn’t it true that your Mother threatened to take you out of her will due to your reckless drinking and drugs usage” Seth shouted made Cecil jump to her feet. “That’s not true” She Shouted. “My mother loved me and would never do that to me” she shouted in tears “Objection! The Defense is only making things up your Honour” the prosecution shouted from his seat. “Your Honour, here are the official Will statements stating the changes the deceased made to her will shortly before she died”. Seth defended by giving the statement to the Judge. “So, Miss Cecil, I will ask you one more time, Did you kill your Mother?” He shouted, this time, standing head straight to her with the look of intimidation. “No I did not” Cecil shouted back.
“Wasn’t the Print found on the gun the same as yours? You were the only one at home when your mother was shot; is it not right to say that you killed her” he continued to shout at her. Cecil standing up in anger. “No, I did not kill my mother” she said shivering all over, “I saw him shoot her; I watched him leave her to die; she was already dead when I went to her; I was confused, I don’t even remember picking up the gun, He killed my mother.”Cecil said pointing at her step father. “Then, tell the court why you were hiding while you said your mother was shot.” He asked, “Tell the Court why no one could account for your whereabouts on the day of the murder? “ Miss Cecil, tell the court why my client, your step father, who took care of you, paid your tuition fees, clothed you and took you in even when your own mother threw you out would kill his own wife, your mother” Seth demanded from her but Cecil was quiet covered in tears and confused. .................... After several minutes the Jury had been in deliberation, they finally were ushered back into the court room. “Have you reached the verdict” the Judge asked “Yes, your Honour” the foreman answered holding the slip of paper in his hands “May the defendant stand” the Judge ordered. “How do you find the defendant” The judge asked “We the jury find the defendant, Mr Jack Edwards not guilty” He read. There was uproar as the verdict was read; the defendant jumped at the news, shaking his lawyer. While, Mr Peterson, Seth’s boss walked over to them. “That’s my boy, I never doubted your skills” he said shaking his hands. Seth took his hands out of respect as he of all people knew his client killed his wife but there was nothing he could do, he was his lawyer and indebted to his boss, as they say it, ‘he has and would always be indebted to him and do all he says’. Almost every major case that involved any of ‘the Saviour's’ was referred to him. The Saviours is the cult he belonged to, in fact, his father did belong to before he died, so also his grandfather and his great grandfather. Every child is commissioned into the cult at the early age of three, when they are all sworn in and expected to do accordingly. Mr Peterson, his boss happens to be one of the elders and he had raised him as his own ever since Seth’s father died of cancer ten years ago. He had helped him gain his scholarship into one of best Universities, gave him monthly allowance, paid for his law school and even gave him a job in one of the prestigious law firms. He had everything to be grateful for. He knew he could not question any of his assignments and all duties must be followed accordingly. The Saviour controlled eventually everything; the press, law firms, oil, economy, education, financials, everything you can think of, even to the smallest industries. Although, he was grateful for his life, things he owned, considering he’s just 28 years and has achieved so much. Seth watched as Peterson spoke to Mr Edwards, He knew they were all glad about the outcome and they expected nothing short of it. He excused himself and left for the day. ..................................... “Honey, could you please attend to the baby” Angela spoke over from the Kitchen. “Okay dear” Seth said as he went to pick up their Son, Josh from the crib. “But you know I have to be out of the house by 8:00” he said over to her “Honey...” Angela said coming into the sitting room. “It’s Friday night; you promised to spend the night with us at home” Angela said looking at Seth “I’m sorry dear, I have an appointment with a Client” He lied “An appointment? You always find an excuse, you are always away from home all day, why couldn’t you do all your appointments then” she said angrily.
“I’m sorry honey, you know I have to work” he said handing Josh over to her. “I will be home soon” he said, taking his jacket and car keys. Angela knew better than to argue with him, he always had work to do. Even though he worked very hard and did provide for the family, she was tired of being second best to him. His devotion to his work was effortless. He even had meetings to go to at odd hours. Angela loved her husband and would work hard at their marriage but she knew she had to confront him with her suspicions even though it hurt her thinking about them. As Seth drove into the venue of their meeting, he felt waves of fear wash over him. He had always questioned his position in the society. In as much as he was not comfortable with all that went on in there, there was nothing he could do. He feared Angela might be on to him one of these days as his excuses were becoming lame but he knew she wouldn’t understand. After almost an hour, all he heard were rules over and over again especially the Madison’s family who were the main news of the day, the whole family had suddenly left town. Their reasons were unknown, but the elders concluded that he had failed to carry out a special assignment which was supposed to influence a legislation and so, out of fear, they had decided to flee rather than to face the punishment. A mandate was given to search for them and terminate the whole family as a consequence of defying the Saviour and also as a lesson to other members. There was silence as these announcements were made and each member feared for his life, of course, that was the whole idea, to make submissive.
............................................. It had been nearly a month since the Edward’s murder case, and Seth had been given another major case involving a father accused of molesting his son. Even the thought of the case disgusted him. As he read the file over and over again, he felt so much hatred towards his client, another member of his cult and he knew what was to come; He would have to stand in court and question a thirteen year old boy about his father molesting him. ‘How can he live with himself? Another day in Court, He watched as the boy took his sit; he couldn’t even look into his eyes has he was scared of what he would find or rather, what would speak to him. He was lost in his thought and didn’t even hear the Judge telling him to question the Witness... “I’m sorry your honor” he apologized standing up as he fumbled through his files. Seth knew he was nervous but he was Seth, he never lost a case, he had to control himself and pull himself together. “Mr Evans, are you ready to question your witness?” Seth heard the judge ask again. “I’m sorry your honour” he said going over to docket. “Hmm, Andy” he started. “Can I call you Andy?” he asked smiling at him “Yes” Andrew said nervously. “You claim that your father comes into your room almost every night to molest you” he asked. Andrew nodded quietly. “I’m sorry Andy, I would like a Yes or no please” Seth said “Yes” he answered “ “What were you doing during these times” he asked. “Sleeping” he answered “According to your father’s statement to the police, he said and I quote, “My son has been bedwetting even to this age, most times in the night, I go over to his room to wake him up. I was merely trying to teach him the routine of waking up in the middle of the night to use the toilet. I never for once touched my Son inappropriately...” “Isn’t that true Andy?” Seth asked “Yes but.....” he was trying to say “It’s a simple yes or no answer Andy” Seth said in a soothing voice and yet commanding tone. “Isn’t it true that you mistook your father coming in to wake you up in the middle of night to use the bathroom as him coming in to molest you” he asked again “I know what I know” Andrew cried out. “I know what happens every night, I am not a baby, I know how touches me. Most times, I cry and tell him to stop but he never listens, he even hits me so that I keep quiet and threatens me. He tells me they would take me away if I ever tell anyone...., I know what he did to me and it’s not fair, he’s supposed to be my daddy” he shouted crying loud. Seth looked at him compassionately and couldn’t bear to ask him more questions. He hated himself for what he was doing to the boy so he just walked back to his seat. “The defense rests” he said sitting down. “Court adjourned” the Judge said leaving. As they all stood up to leave the Court room, his client came up to him.... “You could have done better” he said angrily, “you almost got him at his weak point, why did you stop” he raged. Seth stared hard at him, so much so that he wanted to hit him but had to control himself. He just ignored him and walked out. ............................... Seth was so angry at himself, he was never weakened in court before, he always had everything under control, nothing could get in the way but these days, he had to question himself and his loyalty to his cult. Out of anger, he began to smash things around in the kitchen, using his fist against the wall. He was angry at himself; he was becoming something he hated so much. He was a father who would defend his son, Josh, with his life and would never let any hurt come to him, yet his actions made him feel like a shame to fatherhood The noise woke Angela up, she realized Seth wasn’t in bed, so she ran downstairs... “Seth” She called out “Are you alright?” she called out again seeing him sitting against the wall “I’m sorry I woke you up” he said quietly. “What’s wrong honey” Angela asked seeing how red his eyes were. “Please, tell me” she begged sitting on the floor with him “Honey...” he said looking at her and then, looking down out of shame. “Please Seth, don’t hide anything from me, please” she said holding his hands. “Angela, there are so many things you don’t know” he said looking at her. “Sweetheart, I want to know everything” she said. Seth was silent for a while pondering whether to tell Angela or not. He feared she might walk out on him knowing everything. Eventually, he decided to come clean, He needed her to know everything. He was tired of the nightmares, the silent voices, the hurt he sees everyday in the court room; He needed to tell someone.