3 The Verdict Sentence

Unfortunately, Trevor never got an answer to that question.

He has never been out of prison since then. The people who visited him did not help either. Be it Anne, his friends, or even the lawyer.

"Can you stop asking about someone who has nothing to do with the case? This is about you and Miranda Johnson. Why are you so curious about her boyfriend?" His lawyer was fed up after being asked the same question.

"Because HE IS the real culprit! He is the one who should be here. Not me!" Trevor screamed a little because his patience had almost run out. "As my lawyer, you should listen to my defense. I told you, I am innocent. I never did the accusion. So you better find the evidence to prove it!"

The man ignored him again.

Do you know? Lately, Trevor was doubting everyone around him. The way he kept being cornered like this with the fabricated evidence, the police were clearly taking sides, and with his indifferent lawyer. To him, everyone seemed to be working together to bring him down.

"Rather than that, we should focus on your case, Mr. Scott. As you know, Miranda Johnson has submitted other evidence regarding the incident. We should focus on that--"

"How to focus when the direction is wrong from the beginning? Everything is fabricated. That woman is sick!" Trevor shouted in frustration.

The lawyer sighed again. He did not want to listen to his client. Is this a joke?!

"Let's just admit it was your mistake. Just hold on in jail for about six months and pay about a $2000 fine, then you can get your freedom back. It is the best for you."

"That's not that easy! Do you think it's fun to live there? Can't you see these bruises on my face? The people in there are psychos! You don't know how they keep targeting me. They could have ended up killing me! How can I stay with them longer? Especially, for a crime I didn't do?!" Trevor's tone had never been higher before. "And it's not just about the length of punishment. It's about my reputation. Do you know? Right now, I am so close to losing my job because of all this shit. My fiancé, family, and friends disregard me. What do I deserve to be treated like this?"

"Then is it my fault? Why did you take it out on me," the middle-aged lawyer was equally impatient and annoyed. "You keep telling me to look for evidence that doesn't even exist. Meanwhile, on the other hand, the complainant was strengthen her report with irrefutable evidence. No lawyer will be able to assist you if you keep behaving like this!"

"That's fine. You don't need to assist me then. Because you are not helpful either. You are just an useless oldman! I suggest you to go home and find another stupid client who will only listen to your ridiculous suggestions."

Trevor decided to leave the room early. He felt there was no point in being there anymore. He should find a better lawyer instead.

***

Bugh!

Trevor fell backward. His stomach ached after being kicked. Meanwhile, instead of sympathizing, the people around him yelled happily.

"How dare you say no to my command? Have you forgotten your position here, 1231? You are just the lackey here!"

This bald man with his muscular body was called Van. He was said to be the leader in this cell. Everyone here was scared of him.

At the beginning of his arrival, they immediately pestered him. They used some caste system there. As a newcomer, Trevor was at the lowest. Every day they would order him around, insult him, and even beat him.

At first, Trevor didn't want to follow the stupid role. Hell, why would he keep getting messed up by all of this? How could things get worse for him?

But in the end, he had no other choice. He had to obey if he didn't want to be further tortured. He had to get out here alive anyway.

"I am sorry, Van. I didn't mean to offend you. I-I'll wash your clothes as you asked," he said as he struggled to get up with his aching body.

***

"We, the Jury, find the defendant Trevor Scott guilty of the abuse and sexual assault he committed against Miranda Johnson. We believe his actions are unforgivable. He caused deep trauma to the victim, created teror for several people included, and regret the fact that he doesn't look sorry at all by not admitting his wrong doing. So with this, we the Jury, sentence him to spend one year in prison and pay a fine of $1,000."

An immediate uproar ensued when the judge read out the verdict sentence. Almost everyone looked satisfied with what they heard. Yes, almost, minus the defendant himself.

Trevor didn't say anything. His gaze immediately returned to Miranda Johnson. As usual, the girl kept her head down. She didn't dare to look at him at all.

Meanwhile, the real culprit stayed by her side. The shameless man put his hand on her shoulder, then glanced back at Trevor. He gave his mocking smile again to the said defendant.

'What's with this bastard? Why did he come this far to interfere with my life when I didn't even know him personally? Was it because he was just too offended by punches I had given him or... is there other reasons?'

Again, no one can answer him

***

"I can't take it anymore, Trevor. I don't think I can go on with this."

Trevor was a little nervous when he heard that from Anne. Shortly after the woman met him following the trial.

"Anne, please listen to me. Trust me this is not true. I am innocent--"

"You kept saying that but the reality shows the different thing. You are proven guilty. You did try to harass that woman and even beat her like crazy. What else can you deny?"

"But--"

"I am sick of it. To be honest, I am also starting to get disgusted at the thought of you doing all that to a fellow woman. How cruel of you! I also can't imagine spending the rest of my life with a jerk like you," Anne cut her off. "Anyway, this is my decision. I choose to walk away from this relationship."

"But, Anne! Anne, wait! Listen to me, Anne!"

Trevor tried to stop her from leaving, but the warden held him in place. Anne was determined to leave without even looking back.

***

"It's your karma," Van said mockingly as the other prisoners were serving him. "Only a crazy woman would date an abuser like you? You are nothing now. You have lost your job, would spend a year here, then might have no future after getting released. If I were her, I will also run away from trash like you."

Trevor can't stand the mockery. How ironic to hear that from a crazy recidivist like him! He should look into a mirror.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you offended?" Van laughed again at him.

'Don't look for another trouble, Trevor. You just need to ignore it!'

There was such thought in his head, but he could barely hear it. He was truly fed up with this injustice. He's frustrated. He didn't understand why all of this had happened to him.

And now, why should he do this? Why did he have to be with these bastards and obey them as a lackey? Why did he have to massage the feet of murderers, thieves, and drug dealers like them?

He didn't deserve all of this!

"Hey, lower your eyes. You're starting to piss me off!" Van snorted at him. "Are you looking for a fight?"

'Back off, Trevor. Don't look for any more trouble!'

He heard it again but was ignored. His eyes kept staring at the bastard who always looked down on him all along. He can't take it anymore.

"It seems he wants to challenge you, Van. I think this guy is going insane after getting sentenced," said another prisoner.

"Yea, Van. Tell him! Teach him a lesson," the other provoked him too.

"It seems you want to die!"

Those were Van's last words before kicking him in the chest. After that, the big man beat him repeatedly with cheers from the other prisoners.

Trevor was actually trying to fight back. He even tried to hit back. However, of course, it was not a fair battle. That bastard was way stronger than him.

It didn't take long until Trevor was no longer aware of his surroundings. He got so many punches, slams, kicks, and even hits by some hard objects. The other prisoners also ganged up on him after that.

***

[CLICK!]

[SYSTEM: BE KIND TO GET RICH]

[LOADING… 0%]

[100%]

[PLAYER HAS BEEN FOUND]

[PLAYER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED]

[NAME: TREVOR SCOTT]

[VIRTUAL ASSISTANT: AI T]

[AGE: 24 YEARS OLD]

[OCCUPATION: NONE]

[ENERGY: 0,001%]

[BALANCE: $0]

[LEVEL: JO]

[SPECIAL SKILL: NONE]

[ACCESS: OFF]

[Click]

[SLEEP MODE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.]

***