Hide (Sequel to RUN)

Chapter 2

"The witness is dismissed," Devon waved Macy off before stalking back to his seat next to Aaron. Macy also stalked as she left the stand, confidence that she'd given a good beating exuding off her.

She winked at me as she passed, making me grin.

My gaze gravitated towards Aaron once she passed, something it was prone to doing. He must've felt my staring, because he turned and caught me. A smile tugged at his lips as he gave me an upward nod.

'Enjoying yourself?' he mouthed behind Devon's back. 'Like my home movies?' I didn't mouth anything back. That just would've given him pleasure. I continued my glare instead, wishing it would level him.

We were some of the last ones to leave the court room after the jury had taken to their chambers. Part of the reason was that everyone had flowed out and blocked the aisle. The other was that Lansing wanted to talk to the prosecutor.

Devon's tall tale had been shot down quickly after my testimony. In addition to Macy's undeniable, time-stamped evidence, all the other forensic people had gotten up there and reiterated what Devon's mind hadn't been able to comprehend the first time around. It was basically a slam dunk case. Aaron hadn't expected me to escape, so there was an overwhelming amount of evidence.

That combined with Aaron's confession about the hit on Malcolm, I wouldn't be seeing Mr. Lakuan in a very long time.

Speak of the devil... I thought, glancing over at Aaron for the second time that day. Devon and him were in an intense argument. Well, at least Devon was. Aaron was just staring at him like he was scum on the bottom of his prison-issued shoes.

"Shut up, would you?" Aaron interrupted him loudly, making the remaining people in the court room turn their heads in curiosity.

"It's done. Over. There's nothing either of us can do about it now!" Aaron stood, allowing the guards to handcuff him.

"It's like you want to get sent to jail, Lakuan!" Devon proclaimed as the guards led Aaron behind the judges stand.

"See you around, Lekia," Aaron called out, winking at me before disappearing behind a closed door. I shuddered in my seat, mentally kicking myself for not getting out of the room sooner.

Devon gathered his things quickly and stood, still a little flustered. As he walked down the aisle, I was seized by the sudden urge to grab his arm. And who am I to resist sudden urges?

"Devon?" I asked, my fingers tightening around his elbow.

"I am not supposed to be talking with you, Ms. Born."

"That's never stopped you before," I snapped, referencing the witness stand.

"The witness stand is different." He tried to pull away, but I wrapped my fingers tighter and yanked on his elbow, bringing him to my level.

"Listen to me," I whispered fiercely. "Aaron Lakuan put me through a near-literal Hell, and I escaped through God's grace and Aaron's lack of control. If there is any shred of decency in you, you will answer my question." Devon's Adam's apple bobbed nervously as he nodded.

"Did he prod you to make that accusation about me?" When he didn't answer immediately, I jerked his arm again, "Answer me!"

"Yes, Ms. Born. Mr. Lakuan told me that there was no evidence that he had hypnotized you or that he himself had raped you. Just your word. I think his exact words were: see how she reacts."

I released him as quickly as if he'd just sent an electrical current through me. This was all just a game to Aaron. Whether it would have benefitted his case or not, he was just trying to get a rise out of me. He had tried to trigger a melt down on the witness stand just so he could watch it.

Better yet, did anyone get a video of it? His words from the interrogation rang through my head. I clutched it, my nails biting into my scalp.

Get out of my head!

"Ms. Born?" Devon asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?" I shrugged him off, and took my hands off my head.

"That's a dumb question to ask a rape victim, Devon," I told him, standing shakily and pushing past him into the aisle. I had to get out of the court room. In escaping it, I might be able to escape the memories.

I burst out of the doors and into the crowded hallway, my head spinning. Ducking my head down, I started down the hall. Maybe I should invest in a hoodie in an air duct and some tennis shoes. I thought, walking up the stairs and stepping onto the second floor landing.

"Lekia?" someone asked as I pushed past them. Dang it. I stepped up my pace, not looking towards the voice. I had to get to my exit plan.

Someone grabbed me by the arm and spun me around. I think they were a bit surprised a split second later when my fist connected with their face.

"Aw (wow, this guy really needs his mouth washed)!"

"I should give you another one just for dropping a bomb like that!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms protectively around my stomach. At least I knew he wasn't a threat now. The man was holding his nose ruefully.

"Oh. Hey, M and M," I snorted, suddenly recognizing him through his bleeding nose.

"I really wish you wouldn't call me that," his nasally voice replied. "You got any tissues on you?"

"Just tilt your head up, you big baby," I told him, taking a step away from him.

"You could at least attempt to help me since you are the reason my nose is bleeding," his words stopped me in my tracks.

"You shouldn't have grabbed me like that!"

"How else was I supposed to get your attention?"

"You weren't," I snapped. His face fell once the words left my mouth.

"It's nothing against you," I murmured, suddenly feeling bad. "I just need to get out of here."

"I can understand that," his voice was softer now.

"You can't possibly know."

"No. But I can guess it hurts like nothing else would."

"Ain't that the truth." I backed up to the wall and slid down once I hit it. Maki came over and sat next to me, still holding his nose.

"You can tell me, you know," he prompted. I shook my head. What was in my head needed to stay there and decompose.

"Your nose should be done bleeding by now," I muttered, hugging my knees to my chest.

"Would you look at that." I glanced over at the deep resonance of his voice. I had been right. His nose was no longer bleeding.

"I'm sorry," I told him, and I meant it. "For punching you."

"It's okay. I mean, I just wanted to be the one who you can confide in. It doesn't seem like..." His voice seemed to fade out. All I could hear were those words again.

I just wanted to be the one...