Detective May closed the case folder, the same calculating look on his face that he always wore during interrogations. “Your testimony has been invaluable to this case, Mr. Angelo.” he said, shaking Mikey’s hand.
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“No problem, detective.” Mikey responded. “So long as everyone is able to see the unseen horrors that happened, the case for these girls should be rock-solid.”
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“Don’t be so confident.” Investigator Alvarez advised. “I’ve found that it’s easier to not have so much faith in humanity. I mean, look at this case. It only proves my point.” She escorts Mikey to the door, holding it open for him.
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Mikey gives a nod of thanks. “Well I choose to have faith in humankind. It’s why we do our jobs. Because no matter what we may think, we know deep down that human life is worth saving.” Mikey walked off, out the front doors of the police station.
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His last line gave Detective May and Investigator Alvarez a few thoughts as they went to a small holding cell where all the assassins were. Officer Aiden Fulton had insisted upon being in there with them to keep them fairly docile. His partner, Sergeant Brandon Lopez, was just outside the cell, keeping spirits up, telling jokes that had half of the girls, including Aiden, banging their heads against the wall, and the other half laughing their heads off.
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Brandon and Aiden stood at attention as soon as they noticed Detective May's presence. “What do you think, sir?” Aiden asked concernedly.
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Detective May looked at Aiden with uncertain eyes. “To be frank, I’m not sure, rookie. From a humanitarian standpoint, they would probably get off. But from a logical standpoint, they're each facing numerous counts of life in prison...as for you men, I wish you luck. Knowing Logan, he's most likely going to fire you two for doing a detective's job.”
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"That's not fair!" Alice complained. "They were just trying to help!"
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Detective May sighed, understanding Alice's frustration. "I know it may not seem fair, but the law doesn't always operate based on intentions alone. We'll do everything we can to advocate for you, but we also have to consider the consequences of your actions."
Detective May walked out of the room.
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"It's not fair..." Alice said again, "they can't just fire you. You two were the only officers who were nice to us."
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"Yeah, this police station should have more people like you two," Jessie chimed in.
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Aiden exchanged a look with Brandon, then turned back to the girls with a determined expression. "Thanks, girls. We won't let you down."
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"We know you won't," said Annalise.
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The next day, the girls were taken to court to be sentenced for their crimes. Upon entrance, they got a few looks shot at them. Most were of curiosity to see what would unfold, others were of sympathy for the girls’ predicament, and others still were that of anticipation.
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Aiden and Logan guided the girls to sit down, then went to take their posts by the entrance. A prosecutor entered the courtroom, as well as a lawyer for the girls. They both took their seats on their respective sides.
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“All rise for the honorable Judge Welsworth.” the bailiff ordered.
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“Honorable my ass” Jessie murmured under her breath.
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Everyone, including the girls stood until Welsworth was seated and motioned for everyone to sit down. “You may begin,” he said.
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“Your honor,” the assassins’ lawyer began, “My name is Isaac Brock Jacobs, and I’m representing the defendants Alice Fulton, Annalise Holloway, Penelope McCallister, Luna Brooks, and Jesse.”
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The judge nodded. “You may begin.”
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The case went on for a couple of hours, both sides bringing up good points. But eventually, both arguments had to come to a close and the judge had to make a final sentencing.
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Judge Welsworth let out a long sigh, all the burden of innocence and guilt on his shoulders. “In my right mind, I cannot allow a group of minors under the influence of a tyrant to be put in prison and waste their lives away because of the actions of another.” there was a moment of hesitant silence.
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Jessie’s eyes were practically popping out of her forehead, she looked so tense. Ryan was making a silent plea that his sister wouldn’t be taken from him when they had just reunited, and everyone else listened in heavy anticipation.
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“Still,” Welsworth continued, “I cannot allow their actions to go unpunished, either. So I have decided a verdict far worse than life in prison: Public High School.”
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Most of the courtroom erupted into loud cheers, while looks of extreme confusion passed between the ex-assassins.
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“Public High School?!” Jessie repeated in shock.
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“Dear God.” Ryan said with pure dread in both his tone and face.
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Aiden picked Alice up in his arms and hugged her tightly, uncontrollable tears of joy streaming down from his eyes.
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The courtroom emptied outside. Sergeant Brandon was immediately met with another officer.
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Brandon sighed. "I'm fired, ain't I?"
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The officer shook her head. "Actually I've come to tell you about your child."
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"Wait...the hell? I have a child?" Brandon asked in shock.
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"Yes, sir," the officer answered. "Her name is Jessie."
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Brandon's eyes widened in surprise. "Jessie? She's my daughter?"
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The officer nodded. "Yes, she is. I'm here to inform you that you've been granted custody of her since her mother passed away. I'm sorry for the loss."
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Brandon was confused. "If you don't mind me asking, what was the name of her mom? 'Cause I been in a few relationships and each one ended up in one of us breakin' up."
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"Her mother's name was Evelyn," the officer answered and walked away.
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Brandon's mind raced as he tried to process the information. Evelyn, his ex-girlfriend, was Jessie's mother. "So it's that bitch. Great."
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Despite their past, Brandon knew he had a responsibility to Jessie now, a responsibility he couldn't ignore. Brandon sighed as made his way over to where Jessie was standing.
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"Hey, Jessie," he said softly, kneeling down in front of her. "I know things are tough right now, but I want you to know that I'm here for ya. I'm your dad, and I'm goin' to do everythin' I can to make sure you're okay."
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Jessie looked up at him, in confusion. "Dad?" she muttered, the word feeling foreign.
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Brandon nodded, his heart swelling with love for his daughter. "Uh, yeh, I'm yo dad."
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Jessie shook her head disapprovingly. "Nah-ah bitch, you really think you could just be absent my whole damn life and suddenly decide to fuckin show up?"
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Brandon sighed. "Y-you have to understand, Jessie, It ain't my fault. Yo momma fuckin hated me. She shoved me outta the damn house and thah bitch never wanted to see me again!"
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"So? Brandon, had I not had the hood takin' care of me, my ahh woulda been livin' alone out on the damn streets!" Jessie hissed.
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Brandon felt the weight of Jessie's words like a punch to the gut. He knew he deserved every bit of her anger and resentment. His absence in her life had left a void that no amount of apologies could fill.
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"I know, Jessie," Brandon said, "I messed up, and I'm sorry."
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Jessie's eyes blazed with fury, her pent-up emotions pouring out in a torrent of words. "Oh, fuck you! You let me down, you let momma push you away, and because of dat I had to fuckin suffer! Do you have any damn idea what I went through because you were gone?"
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"Okay, listen...I know I can't change the past, Jessie," Brandon said, his voice filled with anguish.
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"I don't give a shit. Fuck you, Brandon," Jessie growled.
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Brandon sighed heavily, feeling the weight of his daughter's resentment bearing down on him. He knew that earning back Jessie's trust wouldn't be easy—it would require time, effort, and a genuine commitment to being there for her in every way possible.
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When Jessie finally seemed to calm down, Brandon reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Jessie, I know I can't change what happened in the past," he began, his voice soft and earnest. "But I'm here now, and I want to make things right between us. I want to be the father you need and deserve, and I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust."
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Jessie looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and hurt. "You expect me to just forgive you like that?"
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Brandon shook his head. "No, Jessie, I don't expect you to forgive me right away. I know I have a lot to make up for, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove to you that I'm serious about being there for you."
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"And so why the hell should I believe you?" Jessie sneered.
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Brandon took a deep breath. Now he knows why Aiden is always frustrated with him. Brandon met Jessie's challenging gaze with a mixture of regret and determination.
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"Because I'm not going to give up on you, Jessie," Brandon said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "I know I messed up, and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness right now. But I'm going to keep trying, because you're my daughter, and I love you."
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Jessie scoffed. "Love?" she repeated, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Where the hell was that love when you was nowhere to be found? When Momma was strugglin to raise me on her own?"
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Brandon tried to hold back his own frustration. Jessie clearly did not listen to him! "I told you, that bitch pushed me out! Why can't you just be fuckin happy that I'm willin' to take you in?"
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"I ain't just gonna move in with some man just 'cause he my dad!" Jessie hissed.
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Brandon clenched his fists, struggling to contain his frustration. He had hoped for a smoother reconciliation with Jessie, but it seemed that their relationship was even more strained than he had anticipated.
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"I understand, Jessie," Brandon said, his voice strained with emotion. "I know it won't be easy, and I'm not expecting you to accept me right away. But I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. And I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust and prove to you that I'm serious about being your dad."
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Jessie narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You keep saying that, but talk is cheap, bitch," she snarled, "What're ya actually gonna do?"
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Brandon took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He knew that he needed to show Jessie through his actions that he was committed to being there for her. "I'll start by being there for you, Jessie," he said, his voice steady. "I'll listen to you, support you, and be someone you can rely on. And I'll never give up on you, no matter what."
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Jessie studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, she let out a small sigh, her shoulders sagging with resignation. "A'ight," she said, her voice softening slightly. "But don't expect me to trust you right away. You've got a long way to go before you earn that."
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Brandon nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. He knew that he had a lot of work ahead of him, but he was determined to do whatever it took to rebuild his relationship with Jessie.
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"I won't expect anything from you, Jessie," Brandon said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll just focus on being there for you."
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Jessie nodded, her expression guarded but not entirely closed off. "Mmhm," she said quietly. "We'll see."
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With that, Brandon and Jessie lapsed into a tense silence, both lost in their own thoughts. But as they stood there together, father and daughter, Brandon felt a glimmer of hope. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right with Jessie, to be the father she deserved. And as long as he had that determination in his heart, he knew that anything was possible.
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Aiden gathered the newly set-free girls into his car, and drove with them away from the courthouse to get some celebratory ice cream. Though, in the distance, a man wearing a black suit with a striped tie watched them.
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He spoke into a comm. “Kraang, the ones who are the assassins have been relinquished from that which is the custody which is the custody of that which is called the U.S. legal system. Kraang’s time to strike is in a time which is a time that is very soon.”
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