Young Writers Society

Verona sat on the edge of the couch, staring at the countdown on the smartwall. She didn’t want to miss a single second of the trial.

It had been a week since the funeral, and she and Analia had moved back to their dorm. Classes had started again, and soon her time had been consumed with homework and studying. Verona couldn’t believe how everything had gone back to normal so fast. Life just…continued. It didn’t seem right. And although she had been keeping busy, her thoughts turned to Murrin’s trial at every spare moment. Technically, it wasn’t a criminal trial, just a hearing. But a murderer deserves a trial, if only to prove his guilt.

At last, it had come. Verona and her family were not allowed to attend, for fear of biasing the proceedings, but they were allowed to watch. It was streamed directly to their homes, just for them.

“Are you sure you won’t watch it?” Verona called to Analia, who was in the kitchen cooking something. Whatever it was, it smelled good.

Analia moved into view, looking hesitant. “Yeah, I’m sure. Just – tell me the verdict, okay?”

“Okay.” Verona said.

A moment later she asked “What do you think he’ll get?” She was trying to act casual, but Analia saw right through her.

“Verona, don’t you think you’re a little – obsessed? I mean, you’ve asked me that question at least five times in the past few days.”

“He killed our mother! Don’t you want to see him brought to justice? According to Nirvana’s laws, he would be executed.”

“You don’t know that,” Analia said, “It was an accident. These things happen. We can’t know what She would judge.”

“Well, this is Kyran, not Nirvana’s Hall. We make our own judgements based on what we know of Hers. And I say he should have been more careful,” Verona said, slamming a pillow across the couch.

“So he deserves to be locked up forever? See, this is why I’m not sure about any of this anymore. I don’t want to hold a grudge, I want to get on with my life! I understand, I’m angry too, but I just want to move on. I don’t want it taking over my life, don’t you see?” Verona could feel Analia’s pain, but there was no anger in it.

Verona snorted derisively, knowing she was out of control but not caring, furious at Analia’s lack of anger. “You never get angry – well, you never stay angry. Maybe you can’t hold a grudge, but I can, and I think prison’s too good for him.”

Verona could see how her anger shocked her twin. She stared stubbornly at the screen, feeling a sort of vicious pleasure. Analia had always been the forgiver, but it was about time she learned that some things can’t be forgiven.

The silence was broken by a friendly voice announcing that their broadcast was ready. Analia left the room without a word, and Verona turned her attention back to the smartwall, eager to see how the hearing would play out.

As the hearing unfolded onscreen, Verona grew more and more angry. Murrin’s lawyers were good. Too good. According to them, it was the hovercar that had caused the crash. Apparently its coolant system had been faulty. Murrin had failed to notice the indicator light, and the car had crashed in a busy lane. A total of four fatalities, including Verona’s mother. Murrin hadn’t got a scratch, a fact that made her blood boil every time she thought about it.

But Verona refused to accept their explanation. It couldn’t be something that stupid. It just couldn’t. They’ve got to be hiding something. He can’t be innocent. Nirvana wouldn’t be that unfair. If he completely wriggled out of trouble, Verona wouldn’t be able to bear it.

At last, the verdict came. Murrin had to pay a heavy fine, and his driver’s license would be revoked for a year. Verona couldn’t bear to look at his smug face on the wall. She fled to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her and ignoring the jolt of surprise that came from Analia.

Once in private, she only held herself in check long enough to cut off her emotions from Analia. Her twin already thought she was obsessed – she couldn’t let her see her like this. Then she broke, burying her face in her pillow and sobbing silently. Hot, angry tears dripped down her face. Her glasses dug into her skin where they rested on the pillow. She yanked them off and threw them across the room and flung herself back on the bed.

Her anger faded into self-pity, and soon she was crying not just because of the verdict, but because of the sheer unfairness of it all. Mom didn’t deserve to die, and we don’t deserve this pain.

Verona knew life was terribly unfair to some people, but she had never expected to be one of them. More than ever, she understood the mission of the Absolutes. They couldn’t stop things like this, but they could stop the injustices caused by people. If they wrote the laws, they would make sure Murrin was punished.

She sat up straight, a sob catching in her throat. The government wasn’t going to make Murrin pay. But she could.

She sat there for a long time, thinking intently. Her sobs had faded, her tears dried. Once, Analia sent a probing thought, /Are you okay?/, but Verona didn’t respond. She made a final decision, and sent a message on her comwatch.

Hey, Murrin, it’s me, Verona. You know, Pami’s daughter. I…need to talk to you. About Pami. Can I come to your place sometime tomorrow? If you don’t want me to, I’ll understand, but I’d be very grateful.

He replied within only a few minutes.

No, I’d like to talk to you too. It’s been weighing on my mind for a while. How about tomorrow evening at six?

Verona was supposed to be in Honors Chemistry then, but this was more important.

That works. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.