Dreamer

Friday, March 16th, 2029

ANDY

“I call for the trial of State V. Baker to reconvene,” the judge says.

“The defense is ready, your honor,” I say.

“The prosecution is much the same, your honor,” Jake calls.

The judge nods his head. “Alright, witness, would you please indulge us in your findings?” the judge asks.

“Of course,” Jen says.

“This should finally prove once and for all just what a hack you are,” Jake says.

“We’ll see,” I say.

“The results of the tests were positive. They matched Micah’s handwriting down to the “T” if you don’t mind the accidental wordplay,” Jen says.

“I don’t mind it at all,” I smile. Somewhere in the gallery I can hear Gavin slap his hand to his face.

“That’s impossible! Your test is flawed!” Jake calls.

Jen shakes her head. “Nope, this test was overseen by my boss and I can have him testify that the test went without a hitch,” Jen says.

“Why you…”

“Why I, what? Prosecutor Carroway?” Jen asks.

Ouch, I felt that sting from here.

“Why do you side with him? He’s in jail now!” Jake roars.

The courtroom is silent for a moment.

“Mr. Carroway, what is your problem?” the judge asks.

“E-Excuse me?” Jen asks.

Jake looks like he’s just seen a ghost. “I-I’m sorry, your honor. I don’t know what came over me,” he says.

“Well, alright then, don’t let it happen again. Otherwise, I’ll find you in contempt of court. Now, I find it is time we bring out Detective Harde to clear up what all of this me-” Just as he is about to finish the lights cut off and we’re standing in complete darkness. I hear a bunch of panicked sounds coming from the gallery. Just then, a voice cuts in through what seems to be a megaphone. I can’t quite figure out how far away the speaker is.

“Now, now! No need to be all upset, there is no cause for alarm!” A terrible voice casts out and then cackles.

“Who is out there? Reveal yourself!” Jake calls out into the darkness.

“My, my! Is that Prosecutor Carroway’s voice I hear? I’m so very disappointed that you couldn’t use the gun to get the boy sent to prison already,”

“The gun?” I call out.

“Ooooh! Andrew Cress, Attorney at Law! How I’ve yearned for hearing your voice in person again. It’s been much too long. Yes! This failure of a lawyer was supposed to get that miserable boy locked up, as part of our agreement. I even let him borrow my gun for the job.”

“Why the hell are you here now?!” Jake calls back.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Prosecutor. You should have had this case zipped up and filed away by now. That’s the purpose of that forged gun. You’ve taken too long, and now it is time I take matters into my own hands. You can consider our agreement now null and void,” the voice calls out.

“The gun was forged?!” I ask.

“That would mean…Prosecutor Carroway, did you not say yourself that the other evidence was submitted by yourself?”

Jake is silent.

“The fallen angel realizes he’s finally falling, huh? This is magnificent! It’s like a living, breathing soap opera!” The voice yells jubilantly.

“What do you want now?” I call out to the voice.

“Well, I’ve already pretty much got it, so to speak,” the voice says.

“Would you care to explain what that would be?” the judge asks.

“Well, since Prosecutor Carroway couldn’t lock this boy up I’ve taken it upon myself to take him if you don’t mind, of course. Feel free to take the good detective, he’s lost his use,” the voice calls.

“What?!” I yell.

“Yes, you and your filthy laws almost corrupted the poor boy into believing he’s innocent! Well, I’ll make sure that blunder doesn’t happen again,” the voice echoes out.

“B-Bailiff! Go and check on the defendant, pronto!” There is no response. “Bailiff?”

The lights cut back on and the first thing everybody sees is the Bailiff on the floor. His head has been separated from his body completely and his blood pours onto the ground around him. His entrails are strewn about on the floor and there is a long cut across his chest and stomach.

The gallery erupts in chaos and people begin to stampede out like wild animals.

He was right here. That must’ve been Micah. He was right in this room and we couldn’t do anything about it.

“Well, I see this as enough evidence to be convinced of Mr. Baker’s innocence, And you, Mr. Carroway, forging evidence in a court of-”

Jake bolts out of the room, I don’t see where he runs to, but he looks absolutely horrible.

“I’m going to get him,” Jen says.

“No, no way in hell,” I say.

“We’re not arguing about this, go get the others and get in the car and get John. With them I wouldn’t fit in the car anyway…five seats total, six people,” Jen says.

“O-Okay, I’ll put it in good faith that you’ll find out what the hell happened to him. You still have your phone on you, right?”

“Yeah, same number.”

“Okay, I’ll call you if we need help, okay?”

“Got it.”

I don’t wait another moment, I’m running out of the courtroom. I catch up with the rest of the group in the lobby.

“Okay, did anybody see where that guy went?” I ask.

“I don’t even know who nabbed him,” Iris says.

“That’s Micah,” Gavin says.

“You sure, Gavin?”

“Wholly.”

We leave the hallway and we’re in the main lounge. “Well, we need to go report to Jay. He can help us out,” Lindsey says.

“What are we going to do about Jake?” Gavin asks.

“At the moment, he’s proven to be a hindrance to us, so we’re not going to worry about him. Jen volunteered to open that barrel full of monkeys,” I say. Gavin nods, and we continue running out of the courthouse. “C’mon, I parked the car in the parking garage across the street, we need to find John and fast,” I say. John, please be safe, we still need you.