Guardians and Guides

Chris

I woke up before the alarm, staring at the ceiling with my heart thumping like a slow drum in my chest. Shayla was still asleep beside me, her lashes fluttering slightly, as though she was already caught in a restless dream. I couldn't blame her—today would mean reliving some of her worst memories. We had the mock trial against Terrance, and every detail of his abuse would be dragged to the surface.

By the time we arrived at the law firm, the tension between us was thick enough to taste. Shayla's attorney, Bianca, led us into a large, sterile conference room. The overhead lights buzzed, and the faint smell of stale coffee clung to the air. A set of folders lay neatly on the table, each one containing questions, evidence, and scenarios designed to prep Shayla for court. I saw Shayla's grip tighten on the back of a chair as Bianca began.