Eighteen

I'm put in a windowless room, much like the rooms they use during police interrogations, but it feels a little bit warmer with cream colored walls, and a pretty comfortable, soft material couch.

It takes what I think is about two hours, since there is no clock in the room, or anything else really; even the couch doesn't have legs, like they're really afraid I'm going to try anything here, before the jury announces they have made a decision, and everyone is called back.

It takes a little while for everyone to return to the court room, the time span causing a few people to wander off the property, therefore a few people needed to make some calls and what not. When everyone arrives, I can feel the tension settling over the room, as thick as butter.

Keeping my eyes on the table in front of me, my fingers fiddling nervously in my lap underneath, I see the foreperson of the jury rise from the corner of my eye, and lift my gaze to study him.

He is a middle-aged man with light blonde hair and with dark eyes and slightly bushy eyebrows, casting shadows under his eyes and making his appearance even darker.

Clearing his throat, he takes out a sheet of paper with trembling hands, then clears his throat again. Why is he so nervous? It's making me extremely on edge for this verdict that might literally be what depicts my future.

"Your honor, the jury and I would like to announce that new evidence has just been brought forward; the awaited test results of Dan Reynolds." He holds up the sheet of paper, which I now realize as they fall apart slightly, is more than one piece.

"What test results? What's going on?" Dan cries out, standing up angrily from his chair. Wow, he might just blow this whole thing for himself if he is provoked any further.

Judge Henry raises a brow and looks at Dan curiously.

"What did you think all those tests were that you underwent in the hospital? You weren't sent for any surgery, Mr. Reynolds, and you didn't need that much patching up for any injuries, yet you underwent two different blood tests, a swap test, and two piss samples. What did you think that was all for?"

Dan sputters a little. "Well, I thought it was just standard hospital crap, what else was I supposed to think?"

The judge shakes his head. "Mr. Reynolds, these results are from your drug and alcohol test, to see if you were under the influence, like the defendant has claimed. If you are, then it reveals he has told the truth, and therefore also makes your reasoning for showing up at his door a little bit more suspicious."

I blink my eyes in disbelief. Is he allowed to say that? Being the judge, I can he can say anything, there is no one to overrule or object him.

Dan sits down, looking slightly dazed. The foremen clears his throat again and straightens the papers, walking over and hands them to the judge.

We all wait in suspense as he reads them over, his eyes glancing over the paper every now and then, but looking at no one in particular.

"These test results are positive," he pauses and puts the papers down, leaning over his desk towards Dan. "With the amount of alcohol in your system when you were admitted to the hospital, there is wonder how you weren't admitted for alcohol poisoning. The amount is alarming, and with this evidence foremen," he stops and turns to the sweat covered man.

It's clear he hates being the center of attention.

"Have you and the jury come to a decision, or will we have to settle on a new court date for this trial?" he asks.

"We have a verdict, your honor. We find the defendant, Aiden Thomas, not guilty on the charges of attempted murder and unprovoked violence, and find him innocent in the claim of self-defense." He clears his throat again, and I swear to god I'm going to rip my own throat out if he does it one more time.

"With that said, we the people, would like to counter-charge Dan Reynolds, for the crime of familial negligence, and negligence abuse, towards his wife Sarah Reynolds, and his Daughter, Avery Reynolds."

"This is ridiculous! This evidence is all fake, that little shit messed with my records, he beat my daughter himself and is trying to frame me!"

Dan goes into a rage fit, standing up so fast he knocks his chair over and almost tips the table, causing his lawyers coffee mug and contents to spill all over the files and papers.

"Shut up, Dan! It's over," Avery's mother calls from the back of the room, making an appearance for the first time. I for sure thought it would come down to having her stand trial, and I knew she was dreading it the entire time, counting her seconds until her name was called.

I can see the resound confidence and relief in her eyes and body. She is free and she knows it. Now, she is going to do anything to keep it.

For once, I imagine, Dan is the one left cowering.

"You had your chance to make a difference, to change. When we moved here, you could have started over as a new man, and let your past mistakes stay where they belong; but you didn't. You continued to be the despicable monster you are, and that's all you're ever going to be."

With every word, she takes a threatening step forward, until only the wooden divider separates them, low enough that she can still lean over into Dan's face menacingly. I look around and the posted guards and judge, but no one is making a move to do anything.

They want to let this play out, and are probably thinking the same thing I am – this woman deserves this moment.

"You are finally getting what you deserve, and so am I. Avery and I will leave here, and never look back. We will never see you again, you will never get to call yourself a father, to my daughter, or anyone else's. After today, I will make sure no woman ever has to suffer under the hands of you, ever again."

She spits in his face – literally – but still, no one makes a move. They know she has said what needs to be said, and it's over. Avery's mother walks away, grabbing her daughter's hand and strolling out the doors together.

Avery looks back briefly, her eyes connecting with mine, before they disappear behind the door. She is taking her, and leaving forever.

I can't let her do that. I can't let Avery leave, without at least getting her to believe that I did what I did for her.

I need her forgiveness, or I'll never be able to live with myself.

Hell, what am I saying? I need Avery.

I'll never be able to live without Avery.

"Your honor, am I released?" I ask, not bothering to hide the impatience in my voice, my eyes darting back and forth between him and the door.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "There are a few forms to be filled out before your release, and you will have to return to the police station to fill them out and at least collect your confiscated belongings..." he trails off, his eyes following mine to the door. "But, I will allow a few minutes."

I don't wait to hear any further permission, and rush towards the doors. I fling them open and anxiously scan the lobby, the sea of people slowly thinning out as people mill about, talking in hushed circles about the trial and what they thought.

I try and seek out Avery and her mother, but it's no use, there's still too many people. I run around to a few groups, some of them congratulating me, others shying away a little. I try and push through the chatter to ask if they've seen Avery or her mother at the very least, but they all shake their head and say no.

Which means they probably aren't here anymore. I race towards the outer door, tossing mild apologies to people I stumble into along the way, my mind too busy with other matters to even see where I'm going.

I jump down the stairs two, three at a time and keep going until I reach the parking lot. I instantly spot out Avery and her mother, walking in different paces to their car. Avery's mother is trying to rush them, but Avery is dragging her feet, causing her mother to impatiently tug on her hand like a child.

"Wait, Avery," I call out and skid down the small hill of grass separating the parking lot from the large plot of land that sits in front of the court house, with nothing more than a sign with the name on it, way on the other end of the plot near the road.

"I can't let you leave, not without at least telling you why I did it," I manage to say, slightly out of breath.

Avery looks to her mother, motioning for her to get in the car without her, then turns back to me. "What did you do?"

"Well, I told Sean about your past, the mistake you were trying to hide before you moved here. I only told him because I needed him to know everything before he testified in the trial, I wanted him to really help not only my case, but help you too, and I'm just really–"

"Aiden, shut up."

"I–What?"

She smiles up at me, confusing me even further. An hour ago, she was upset with me.

"I can't say that I'm not hurt by what you did, but I can say I understand. This trial meant everything, to me and my mother. None of it would have been possible, if it weren't for you."

"Because I got arrested for beating your father up?" I ask, raising a brow. What is she getting at?

"It didn't happen in the best way, but it happened for a reason. This was meant to be, and you made it possible, by standing up to Dan and risking your own freedom, for mine. That was what really convinced my mother to take the step and testify, though thank god it didn't come to that, she was a wreck the entire trial."

I take a second to digest what she's saying, my mind still reeling from everything that just happened inside, the victory we both just won, and the thought of losing Avery forever.

"So, does this mean, you forgive me?" I ask timidly.

She nods her head and laughs, tugging me into a hug. I melt under her touch, having gone what felt like ages without it, though it was only a few days. It's made me realize just how attached I've become to her, and it doesn't scare me one bit.

"Of course, I was never really mad at you. I just needed to figure my head out, and winning this trial, being able to finally put the past behind me, it has helped clear my mind in more ways than one."

"Like what?" I can't help but sound hopeful, though I'm not sure what for.

She pulls back and grasps my hand. "How about I tell you over dinner later tonight, your place?" Her eyes dart over my shoulder as she speaks.

I follow her eyes and see Griffin standing a few feet away, observing us and waiting patiently, obviously for my return to the police station, so he can stop babysitting me.

"I guess that means you're staying for the time being?"

Avery shrugs. "There is a lot my mother and I need to sort out, and I'm sure there are a lot of feelings she is going through right now. I'll text you later when I can head over, and maybe we can talk about that, too."

She reaches up on her toes and covers my lips with hers in a soft, craving kiss. It doesn't feel like a good-bye kiss, which calms my racing heart and buzzing anxiety finally, but there is longing in it.

It's over before I can think about it any longer, and she is climbing into the passenger seat of the car without a look back. I stand there and watch as the car pulls away and until it leaves the parking lot.

"Are you finally ready to end this?" Griffin asks behind me, his voice exhausted. I nod, shoving my hands in my pockets and turning to follow him towards his police cruiser.

For once, I get to sit in the front seat, and my wrists aren't restrained in any way. It's a weird feeling, but a good weird at least.

I can finally sit back and let out a relaxing breath, knowing it's over. I did what I set out to do, and nothing back fired. It was a close call, but everything worked out in the end.

***

AVERY

The entire ride back to the house was silent. I expected my mother to break down into tears, or cry for joy, at least show any sort of emotion. But she wore a blank face the whole way, staring out the window until we pulled into the driveway.

Now, I'm sitting in my room, waiting to hear her start rushing around her room as she packs her things, but there has been silence for the past hour.

I want to go in there and ask her how she is, but I know that's a stupid question. I can tell even she doesn't know how to feel right now. Relieved? Scared? Doubtful?

I have the same questions she probably does.

Did we really win? Is this really over, for good? What will happen when Dan gets out? He was only sentenced to 10 years. That is a long time, but that isn't forever. He will eventually get out, and then what? Is he going to hunt us down, and get revenge?

But unlike her, I have already come to the realization that I don't want to live in fear of the past forever. Yes, the day will come when he is free, but that time is not now. I want to make up for the last 2 years I lived in fear and regret, never going out and doing new things, making friends and sharing memories.

I finally have the freedom to do that, and I'm no longer going to waste another day letting it all go by.

I also never imagined I would find someone I want to experience new things with, and live every day to the fullest for. Aiden was willing to give up his own freedom, to ensure I had mine. Now, we both have ours, and we can do anything we want together.

To honor the sacrifices, he made and almost had to make, I want to make a list of everything I've wanted to do, and make sure he does them all with me. I've let my fear and restraint keep my feelings back, but I no longer have to do that.

I have the chance to show him just how much he means to me, and how much I have come to love him. I've said it, but he has been the real one to show it.

Now, it's my turn.

But first, I have to make sure that my relationship with my mother, and the one she never had the chance to have with herself, are okay. Gathering my thoughts, I walk across the thresh hold to her room, and timidly knock on the door.

"Mom, can we talk?"

The door opens, and she gives me a tight smile. "Sure, honey, come on in."

She opens the door and walks over to her bed. I expect to see her suitcase open and half her closet packed already, but everything is still intact, even Dan's side of the room hasn't been touched.

"I'm glad you're here, I want your help with something," she says, and walks over to the large wardrobe in the far corner. She throws it open and pulls a tub out from underneath. Dragging it to the far wall, where a long waist-high dresser sat, with all of Dan's belongings sitting on top, she clears the top of it with one sweep of her arm, dumping the contents into the tub.

"Mom, what are you doing?" I ask, cringing at the sound of smashing glass and clattering metal. She is still wearing the same blank expression, making something go off in the back of my head.

"I'm getting rid of everything that reminds me of him; all his stuff, all the stuff he gave me and anything else that has a memory attached to him. Can you get a few folded-up boxes from the basement?"

I walk closer to her. "Mom, please, can you stop for one second and listen to me?" I ask again, reaching out to touch her shoulder lightly.

She freezes under my touch, dropping the tub softly on the ground. I grasp her arm and walk her over to the bed, sitting us both down on the edge.

"Mom, I love you and I'm worried about you. This is something big and life-changing, but you aren't showing any emotion towards it, like you're a zombie. What's going on?"

Offering another tight smile, she takes a breath to speak, but something stops her. She clamps her mouth shut and her shoulders drop, just before her head does.

"Oh, Avery. I honestly don't know how to feel right now. I never thought this day would come, but at the same time, I can't believe it has, it doesn't feel real to me."

My heart breaks a little when she starts sobbing. I was hoping she would break, but I didn't really want to be the reason she does.

"This is real, mom, I can promise you that. He is going away and we won't ever have to see him. I know it's not forever, but we can get a restraining order against him, and if he ever violates it, it will just send him right back." I'm trying to think of everything I can to reassure my mother, she doesn't have to carry her fear anymore.

I know she thinks it's all she has known, so it is all she will ever know, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side because it's fake. Sometimes, it's watered and nurtured, and has grown to beauty over time, like our scars will if we give them a chance to heal.

"What are we going to do now?" she asks me, but doesn't look directly at me, instead her eyes wander towards the mess of a room we're sitting in; all of dans stuff either shoved in the bin or scattered around it. A reminder of the mess of a life he has left us with, even after he is already gone.

"We do the only thing we can do; we move forward. Mom, you and I both know that we can't start over, not yet. Neither of us has the strength or sense of direction to try and begin anew. We have to take it one day at a time."

She wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into her side. "When did you become the adult, and I become the lost teenager?" she jokes, but I can sense the truth in her tone.

I decide to stay silent, and not tell her that going through this experience has really made me mature in some ways most kids my age haven't yet. Aiden is the only other person I have met, who has gone through life changing experiences, and they have matured him beyond his age group.

Maybe that is one of the many reasons I felt drawn to him, and have such a strong connection, right from the beginning.

"Okay, well even with that said, I still want to get rid of this crap. Are you going to help me, or not?" she asks, giving me a teasing smile.

I gather the stuff on the ground, while she much more carefully picks up the remaining stuff on the dresser and a few other small things around the room. Then, she moves to the closet, and in one sweep of the right side of the closet, cleans all Dan's clothes and dumps them on the top of the bin, filling it.

"There, that should be the last of the bedroom," my mother says closing the lid harshly and pushing the bin across the room. "There is just the bathroom and a few things in the kitchen and living room I think."

This is going to be a long night, I should text Aiden and ask for a rain check on dinner. I know he is probably going to be disappointed, wanting to spend a night together, after thinking for the last 24-hours, that we might never have another night or day together again; at least not with a pane of glass between us.

Hey, sorry to ask this, but I need to take a rain check on dinner tonight? Had a breakthrough with my mom, and now I'm helping her with a Dan purge of the house, I think it's helping her cope. Xo

I wait for a few minutes for a response, expecting him to be waiting with his phone in his pocket or hand, but there is nothing. With a light shrug, I follow my mother downstairs to grab a few more boxes from the basement.

There is a knock on the door as we're coming back up the stairs.

"Avery, carry these upstairs for me? I'll answer the door," my mother says, her tone rather protective. I don't protest and grab the handful of boxes from her, rushing up the stairs. I pause at the top and crane an ear down, waiting to hear who it is.

"Oh, it's you," is all my mother says, her tone both shocked and confused. Who the hell is it? Say something!

"I'm sorry to bother you, I was told that there was a Dan purging party? I was wondering if you had room for one more?" My heart almost beats out of my chest as the sound of Aiden's voice, and I can't help the flutter of laughter that leaves my throat at his cheesy comment.

My mother must think the same thing, because the too laughs out loud.

"There is always room for someone who is willing to sacrifice as much as you were for this family, and I was hoping to get a chance to properly thank you for not only for giving us our freedom, but also for saving my daughter."

Huh? What is she talking about?

I need to stop this conversation before she says anything that possibly embarrasses me. I drop the boxes in her room and rush back down the stairs, making my presence known.

"Aiden, what are you doing here?"

He grins at me. "Well, since you sounded too busy to come over, I decided to come help out. Nothing I like more than a good memory purge," he says and winks. My mother ushers him into the house, insisting he stay for dinner and that we have a big feast in celebration of our victory.

By feast, I know she is thinking a home-cooked lasagna, salad and as many other veggies as she can think of to shove down my throat. She always loves making her lasagna for dinner whenever we're celebrating or going out somewhere, but she hasn't had the opportunity to do it in a long time.

We've been invited out in the past, but after Dan went into his downward spiral of alcohol and abuse, he never let my mother out of the house except to go to work, when that was eventually allowed. There was never anything to celebrate, even when birthdays came around.

They were just a reminder than another year has come and gone, and we're still living in the same cycle of hell.

But now, we really have something to celebrate. I can already see the happiness glow returning to my mother's skin as she rushes around the kitchen, gathering ingredients and appliances I never even knew we still owned.

"Thank you, for a lot of things," I say, turning towards Aiden.

He just smiles and reaches for my hand, gently tugging me into his chest. Wrapping his arms around me, I crumble under his touch. I want nothing more than to hide away in my room with him, tangled in each other, and never come out.

I feel like I've been fighting this battle for so long, I'm overwhelmed with the relief and exhaustion, knowing that I don't have to keep up the façade anymore. I don't have to come home with gut-wrenching fear, thinking of what will be waiting for me once I stepped off the bus.

No more curfew, or heart pounding anxiety if I go a minute over it. I can go out and be a normal teenager, go on dates, have a girl's sleepover night.

"What are you thinking about?" Aiden asks, making me realize I have a stupid grin on my face.

I shrug and scoot over to lean my head against his shoulder, loving how normal and freeing the moment feels. "Just all the awesome things I'm going to do."

Aiden wraps an arm around me and I feel him kiss the top of my head, letting his lips linger in my hair.

"I'll be with you every step of the way, the good times and bad. I promise to take each day, and use it to give you all the happiness and love you deserve, but never got."

Tears prick at the corner of my eyes, and I have to hide my face in his shoulder so he doesn't see my heated cheeks. For years, all I have ever wanted was for my father to realize how much he is hurting me, his only daughter, and for him to love me and cherish me the way he did before it all went to hell.

I don't need a father to give me that love and affection. Aiden has already proven to me in the small amount of time we've known each other, how worthy I am of being cherished, and how much someone can truly love wholeheartedly.

Yes, there is a chance he can take a turn, like Dan did. But something has always told me that Aiden is too pure of heart to ever hurt anyone like Dan did. If he was able to hurt his own family, sober or not, there is no telling how many other people he has threatened too, or actually has, also beaten.

Aiden has the nasty tendency to black out, and commit the same acts that Dan has, but I've pushed him to breaking points, said nasty things to him, and lured him close only to push him away the next day.

I have never felt unsafe in his presence. If anything, I have never felt more comfort and safety in his arms, than ever before. Not even my mother has been able to provide those feelings like Aiden does.

I feel like I can do anything when I am with him, conquer any fear, and I have already proven I can. We defeated Dan, together, but I know I never would have been able to take that stand, say what needed to be said, and put the scars and wounds I have tried so hard for so long to hide, on full display for half the town to see; if it wasn't for Aiden.

He went above and beyond to show me how much he cares about me, which gave me the strength and final push I needed, to put an end to my own suffering. He ignited the flame that helped m set the battlefield on fire, and together we drenched it.

I have never been more excited for tomorrow to come.