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14. Before The Trial
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“So what next?” Grayson asks, once we are secured in our car. Grayson takes hold of the steering wheel, but does not start the car, as if waiting for me to speak. I pull out my cell phone from my coat pocket and check the digital map. “We pay a visit to the call centre.”
Grayson groans dramatically but the detective part of him tells him that’s the right thing to do. Before Grayson can start the engine, I stop him, “Now, care to tell me how the second investigation went?” Grayson smiles, something he never showed before as he says, “Patience.”
I sigh in frustration, but there was nothing I can do. Pissing Grayson off wouldn’t be a good idea either. It seems like the investigation bears good news, since Grayson is always in a good mood when I talk about it.
Let him rejoice in his victory. I’l
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Oak Tree 15. The Trial
1stSeptember 2027The court room shuffled to stand up when the judge, McCarthy entered the room. Once seated, I turned to look at Kate sitting beside me. Her condition has worsened from the last time I had seen her. Skin pale and cheeks hollow, she could pass for a Halloween ghost. Kate blinked several times, as if she was fighting to stay awake. I took her hand and pressed it firmly. Kate picked up her bowed head to look at me. I smiled at her, despite almost losing my breath at the look in her eyes. She is indeed a Halloween ghost. Turning away, I scan the room to find any familiar faces. The back rows are so packed with people that I barely notice Ben, Joseph, Charlie and Grayson. Before I can send a gesture of gratitude towards them, the clerk intones,“People of the state of New York against Katelin Akirdnach. Appearance, please, counsel.”“Blak
Oak Tree 16. Dr. Powell
Heely’s eyes grow wide. That’s it. She has done it. She just blew off her cards. Heely had no idea this was coming, now that she got to know, she just lost her temper and blew up in the middle of the case. Well, good enough for me.Madeline leaves the box, and Heely calls her next witness in a rather sulky face. The witness is none other than the forensics scientist. Now I have no idea what Heely is up to. If she knows about the second investigation and what they found, why would she call them? The second investigation only proves that someone else was in the room other than Kate and Jos.“Dr. Powell, did you investigate the crime scene in the 16thof July?”“Yes I did.”“Will you relate to us what your findings were?”Powell clears
Oak Tree 17. Kate's Testimony
I turn to look at Kate, she doesn’t look up, and I fear she has dosed off and didn’t hear a word that was said. I nudge her with my elbow, just then, she picks her head up and slowly but surely, stands up to give her final testimony.So she did hear everything.“My name…my name is Katelin. Katelin Akirdnach. And I am an airhostess.”Kates words are almost a whisper, but loud enough to be heard. She closes her eyes and continues, as if in some kind of pain. “Joselyn Airam was my best friend. In fact, we three were, and always will be. And the fact that every body think that I, the very best friend of the victim killed her, is just unbearable. A friend for ten years. I know that whatever I say doesn’t sound very convincing, because there are so many cases like this, where a friend kills another friend for reaso
Oak Tree 18. FLASHBACK 3 [A Sick Drama]
11thMarch 2016 The bell rang just when Mr Hamilton had been giving his speech on states of matter, which we have been learning since kinder garten. Nobody had actually been listening to him, so when the bell sounded, everyone just rushed out without even noticing that Mr Hamilton was calling their names. Why would anyone listen? It was break time after all, and besides, Mr Hamilton was one of those teachers in every school students love to ignore. The three of us decided to go too, since we were hungry and we wanted lunch. “What’s todays menu?” asked I, to which Kate laughed and said, “Jees Rose! you make it sound like we are in a real restaurant and there PLENTY for us to choose! Look, it’s just the same as yesterday.” Since I had nothing to say, I just kept my mouth shut, instead, it was Jos who spoke, “Sam
Oak Tree 19. I Did It For You Guys
“What was all that about? Care to explain?” I asked, staring at Jos straight in the eyes as she tried to look away. We had been resting in an empty classroom after the big blow we received from Jos and Kate had been saying just how marvellous Jos looked when she is angry. But I couldn’t have any of the fun. Not after what I had heard.Motel story? Whats that supposed to mean?“What else Rosee? Its just that Lara isn’t the person we knew her to be for all these years, and thanks to Jos, that cover blew out and now we know the truth!”“I wasn’t asking you?” I hissed back at Kate, making her flinch and back away. Jos finally looked at me, completely aware that I was angry and shouldnt be angered more. “Rose, calm down.”“YOU TELL ME THE TRUTH AND I’LL DECIDE TO CALM DOWN!&
Oak Tree 20. Black Coffee
7thSeptember 2027,It was a fit. The doctor had said. Katelin had a seizure. Since it was her first, it had affected her a bit more, but nothing more than a little paralysation and difficulty in walking. But within a weeks rest, Kate is just fine. The doc said it was because of the new weather Kate had witnessed in the prison, which didn’t sit well with her. Kate barely ate, disgusted with the jails food and where it might be made, so she starved herself, not knowing what it was doing to her. Now that she is back on her feet and out and about, all is well with her, as if she had never been to prison a while ago.“Where will we go now?” she asks, as we leave the bakery with arms full of baked cake and bread. Kate is in a good mood, thankfully, so we decided to take a walk outside, like old times, but neithe
Oak Tree 21. It Still Hurts, You Know
"Mr Potter?" I ask, now standing up. We stare at each other for a while before breaking into small laughter. "Oh my goodness, how long has it been?" Mr Potter asks, shaking my extended hand. "Ten years, I guess." Says Kate, now standing up too. "Katelyn Akirdnach?" He asks before Kate offers her hand. "It's good to see you again sir." Mr Potter laughs in delight again before shaking her hand. After the hearty reunion, Mr Potter sighs, saying. "Goodness! Look at you two! All grown up! I have been away from country for five years now on business. Just returned a week ago. The last time I saw you guys was during High school graduation. And now you are both what? Working?" Mr Potter beamed at both of us, waiting for answers. "Yes, I'm a lawyer at Trust and co. Kate's an airhostess." Kate looked at her feet as I said the words, knowing all too well that she wasn't an airhostess anymore, but I wasn't planning on mentioning that right n
Oak Tree 22. Ben
“Can I come in?” “Can I say no?” I laugh lightly, unsure of what to reply. Ben steps aside, making place for me to walk in. Ben is a really nice guy. Among the three friends, if I were to choose one as the best gentleman, it would be Ben. Like I said, Ben and I aren’t that close, never were. But Ben knows how to make you feel at home. I have never actually had much in common with Joseph, so I really can’t speak for him. As for Charlie, well…you already know. “I’m sorry I called in so late, I had planned this visit thirty minutes ago myself.” I say, leaving my over coat on a rack and following Ben to the massive kitchen. “Don’t be. I don’t mind if any of my friends from the circle shows up. I get really lonely here. Would you like something to drink? Beer?” Ben asked with a smile, walking forward to open the refrigerator. I shake my head as I sit down on one of the counter stools. “Thanks but no. I can’t drink now. Water will be good.”
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Oak Tree 51. Once And For All
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Oak Tree 50. To Each A Secret
12th September 2027, Three days ago:I stayed rooted to my spot, unable to bring myself to move a muscle as the whole news sunk in. Lara had murdered Joslyn, and not just that, but she had also been to my house, left this creepy note and the clothes here, in the room Kate stayed in.Slowly but surely, I sunk to the bed behind me, dropping the clothes and staring at my hands while the silence around me thickened, and yet everything around me felt too loud. The distant honking of cars, the sound of leaking water from a tap, and my own breathing. Everything sounded just…too much.The words from the note circled in my head, giving me a nauseous feeling and the urge to throw up.Miss me? What kind of note is that? And why to me? The silence grew thicker, and so did my breathing, which was turning haggard. I didn’t know why, but I felt the hairs behind my neck stand on edge, goos
Oak Tree 49. It's Over Now
"Are you sure she's okay to move doctor? Isn't there still something else?" "No Katelyn, Rose is perfectly okay to walk now. We have managed to stop the bleeding and save it from getting infected, and the blood clotting has already begun. She will feel slight itching while moving, but other than that, she is fine." This is the nth time the doctor has to explain this to a stubborn Kate, who isn't letting me out of the hospital emergency. She questions the doc about each and every single thing that every time a doctor turns to answer her, I internally wince at the look of impatience behind their fake tight lipped smile. And I can't blame them. Kate is getting quite annoying now. "Kate," I call out, my voice stern as she finally looks down at me on the bed. "I'm fine, okay? Now let's leave." "But-" "Kate." "Fine, let’s go." Kate finally admits defeat, walking over to me with a sigh while the doctor she had been literally murdering
Oak Tree 48. FLASBACK 8 [Doom's Day]
It seemed like time itself had no idea what on earth was going on, or why it didn't know whether to speed up or slow down. Everything seemed to be in a standstill, and yet in a roller coaster at the same time. I wanted to find her, but every single thought or idea seemed to freeze in my head at the same time I knew I was getting late. My whole nervous system was going into a panic mode. The only calm thing was the beating of my heart. How are you so calm at a moment like this? Our friend is kidnapped and missing and we don't have a clue as to where she could be. What's there to be calm now? And as if my heart already knew the answer, my eyes scanned the hallway once again, my sight turning blurry as another wave of tears flowed out. I was dead tired. My muscles hurt, and my bones felt weary. Exhaustion was getting the best of me and the health issue part of my brain was forcing me to retreat, to go back home and call the cops. But the
Oak Tree 47. Obsession, Or Love?
"Hello Rose.It'sme Lara.Let'scatch up on our good ole times hmm?" Lara. Lara has called. Finally. I glanced at Kate, whose face read confusion. Without replying, I begin to pull the phone from my ear in an attempt to place the call on loud speaker, but just then, Lara's voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course you wouldn't. I scoff, putting the phone back in my ears. "That is true. Because you are not me and I'm not you, Lara Ahdieur." The mention of Lara's name had Kate widening her eyes. Then she looks away, having that look in her face when she is trying to put two and two together. Soon she looks up at me again, this time alarm written all over her face. Lara laughs on the other end, while I keep a straight face although my teeth are hurting from how hard I'm gritting them. "Same old Rose, with her sassy yet cool atti
