Chapter 9

Harverville is in chaos because of the murder of two famous residences. Many believed that the videos about them were authentic, but their families are working tirelessly to maintain their good image. Especially the family of Judge Rodney Muller.

His daughters are willing to pay anyone just to keep Muller's honorable persona intact. They've been paying social media influencers to create documentaries about the so-called proof of their greatness. But the people who believe in the victims are relentless in defending them.

"Good afternoon, Harverville. We are here to witness a public debate. The topic? Are Salazar Simmons and Judge Rodney Muller evils? Did they really commit those crimes being connected to their names? Let's hear the opinions of ten of our respected citizens."

People gathered at the city hall for the first-ever public debate. A non-government organization decided that it's high time that people listen to each other's opinions. They set up chairs for the audience and up the stage.

As the participants take their seats, people began murmuring to each other. Some are anticipating the inevitable chaos. Others just came to watch how the debate will turn into a circus. Then some already picked side.

"Let's begin with those who don't believe."

"Salazar Simmons is a hero. He brought countless awards, recognition, honor to this city. And this is how we will repay him?"

"Not to mention the young boys and girls that Salazar Simmons and his family helped. Those who finished their studies and got a good life because of the Simmons."

"Judge Rodney Muller put hundreds if not a thousand of criminals behind bars. He served loyally to the people, to justice! And how did we repay him? He was brutally murdered, and now we are destroying his name with these libelous accusations?"

"Judge Muller put rapists, killers, thieves, and corrupt officials behind bars! We should be building a memorial for him!"

"These men are honorable, great men! Those women are just pathetic, attention seeker who wants to be famous!"

The sympathizers of the murdered men are done giving their opening speech. The reaction of the audience was mixed. But the majority was unconvinced.

"Oh, so you're saying that the testimony of more than two hundred victims were all made up. Just pure imagination? You're telling that more than two hundred people just happened to conspire against the great Salazar Simmons? 1 or 2 victims, maybe. But two hundred? More than two hundred? Even a fifth-grader would understand that."

"And why did those women came out and destroy their peaceful life if what they said wasn't true? Few people could do that but not hundreds of people? How did that happen? Can anyone explain that? Did someone pay them? Paid more than two hundred people? Why?"

"Judge Muller put criminals behind bars? More like he put chosen criminals behind bars. Council Larry Milton was a corrupt politician. There was a mountain of evidence against him, but Muller passed a not guilty verdict! Yohan Mendez raped a fourteen-year-old girl. There's a psychological evaluation conducted that proved the victim went was raped! But Muller passed a not guilty verdict!"

"Muller raped or sexually harassed his secretary right up to the month of his wife's death! Imagine the shame he brought to the name of the woman who gave him four beautiful daughters!"

"They are not heroes! They are not honorable! Not because Simmons brought home awards or because Muller put some criminals behind bars; they could be called heroes. One good doesn't undo countless bad. They destroyed so many lives. Nobody deserved to the butchered, but I can be quoted on this. They had it coming."

The first round of the debate made quite a stir. Even the audience started arguing. As the debate continued, more and more people are turning from sympathizers to detractors.

The truth behind the debate was that the family of Simmons and Muller initiated it. Their plan was to gain more sympathizers to the credibility of those victims. But their strategy was backfiring big time.

-----------------

The protest that happened became bloodier than anyone had expected. Someone open fired in front of the police station. And an innocent child's life was put in danger.

Haverville Memorial Hospital was in a panic when a child was rushed in the other day. She was shot right in the chest. And now, the kid is in the ICU fighting for her life.

Her parents would stay with her all the time. They wanted to make sure that she will be taken care of. Her father and mother both have pained expressions. Seeing their little girl suffering is like dying over and over again.

"Marvin, hey. How's my favorite goddaughter?" Fred asked Marvin Sullivan.

"She's not good, man."

"For what it's worth, man. We got the guy that open-fired. He's behind bars."

"Good, if something happens to my daughter, I don't know, man."

"Calm down, Marvin. Calm down. Sheila's going to be fine."

Fred spoke too soon. Sheila's heart rate began racing too fast. It raised the alarm to the doctors. They all rushed to the ICU while Marvin and his wife stayed out, silently praying and crying.

After five minutes, Sheila became stable again. Marvin's wife won't stop crying. Her little daughter's life is hanging in the balance, and they can't do anything about it. Her knees started to wobble as she's started to lose consciousness.

Marvin watched his wife wheelchaired to the emergency room. He felt so helpless seeing two of the most important people in his life suffer the consequence of his job. Then he remembered his wife's plea when he got shot in the line of duty.

His wife pleaded for him to find a new job. To resign, but he didn't listen because being a law enforcer was his passion. Now, his daughter is in the ICU, with her life hanging in the balance. And he could do anything about it.

Marvin stared at his daughter with tears in his eyes. Her sweet face resting like nothing mattered anymore. Like she was already at peace.