Blue Moon #3 (Story of Us Series - Into the Blue) - Sydney Jamesson Page 0,132

by that, Mr. Stone?”

Ayden glances over to me, in need of encouragement. I smile and nod mutely, knowing how hard this is for him; secrets he has kept for over twenty-two years are about to be shared with the world—it’s a big ask.

He returns my smile and reaches into his pocket. Unbeknown to anyone but me, he takes out the lock of hair I gave him when our love affair began, to give him strength and the confidence he needs to see this through.

I’m standing right beside you…

He inhales and recounts the events relating to Elise—what they did to her, how they tore her from his arms, the beatings he received. He doesn’t embellish, he doesn’t fashion sentences to pull at the heartstrings—he sticks only to the facts.

Women in the courtroom are beginning to sniff, Sylvia included. Sofia has her head buried in Jake’s chest and I’m bravely looking on, breaking away from his eyes only to catch my tears before they fall.

The events that took place at Bright Hill were shocking and disturbing—no one could deny that. Now, urged to continue by the judge, Ayden narrates the circumstances of Elise’s death seven months ago. He explains what she had told him: how they had followed her to her new residential care home and how they continued to rape her. When asked how old she was when all this started, Ayden cracks. He closes his eyes, trying to black out the truth from his memory.

He clears his throat. “She … she was eight years old.”

There is a collective gasp.

The disgust being felt by the people assembled here is palpable; it’s as if Ayden has created a swirling tempest that could quite easily cause a frenzy. Voices continue to escalate; journalists flee from the courtroom…

“If I might add something…?”

The judge gives his approval with a nod.

Silence is restored.

“It is my understanding that when someone has suffered at the hands of people like the accused, they try to move on as best they can, living with the scars. Elise had physical scars, I believe, but she suffered more from emotional scarring. No one should be forced to endure what she did. And certainly not a child.”

He swallows and controls his breathing, feigning calmness. “When I was older and financially able, I looked for her, but she’d married and changed her name. Eventually, when our paths did cross, we became friends. Even so, it was impossible to break through. She didn’t trust anyone, and that was because of them.” He points a finger in the direction of the accused.

He takes a moment to consider his words. “When I had no one, there was Elise. She was the little girl I read to, the little girl whose battles I fought and who’s love I took for granted. She was my sister in every way but name. Like most people, I have regrets, but of them all, there has been one that has haunted me for over two decades—not being able to protect her when she needed me the most. Of course, I realise now that a ten-year-old boy was no match for those two. I didn’t stand a chance against them. But I do now.”

He faces the accused, now bowing their heads in shame. “That’s why I’m here, because she was my family and I loved her.”

I’m so moved by his heartfelt confession that I have to choke back tears.

He prepares to step from the stand, but not before the lawyer for the defence calls him back.

“Please remain where you are. I have a couple of questions, Mr. Stone.”

He steps from behind his desk, clearly dead set on marring Ayden’s testimony. “Can you explain to the court why you didn’t offer your services before now? This case has been ongoing for some time. It strikes me as odd that you should leave it until today to come forward.”

Ayden gives a wry smile. “Yes. I can see that it might look that way. The truth is, I didn’t want the publicity. I thought it best to let sleeping dogs lie. I assumed there would be enough damning evidence to prove the case and imprison those two. When I found out there was a small chance that they might get off with a slap on the wrists and a fine, I decided it was my civic duty to come forward.”

“That’s very good of you, Mr. Stone.” He takes a dramatic pause. “Civic duty, eh?” He turns to the jury, slows down the proceedings by pacing and