Trapped. {Part 14} [Phan/Neribedtime]

A/N I know it's not quite correct with the court system... forgive me?

[Dan’s POV]

Me, Alex, Carrie and Phil sit together in the court, holding hands. Alex still can’t remember what happened. We’ve all been trying to help him remember, but it seems that his last memory is about a week before he left for the hotel with Carrie. It’s so hard to help him think, when it hurts so much remembering that time.

Normally I try to put it to the back of my mind, but not today. Today is when PJ and Chris get sentenced. I don’t like the court. It’s too formal. It’s scary. I want to see these people punished for what they did, but at the same time they’re my old best friends. And I love them still. Even PJ, who haunts all my nightmares. I still want him safe.

The usher walks in and signals for everyone to stand up, as first the judge walks in and then... PJ and Chris in the defendants box. The other guys were prosecuted yesterday, all receiving prison sentences. And now it’s just those 2 left. PJ looks different, deranged, stressed, sad. He’s been subject to medical examinations, because his behaviour was so out of character. We find out his results today. His eyes meet with mine, and he blinks slowly once, quickly twice and slowly once again. I recognise that signal, it’s him apologising. That’s how we used to communicate, with our eyes, when we were too shy to talk. I give him a weak smile; if he’s got a mental condition then I want to support him. If he’s sane... then I don’t know.

Chris, on the other hand, looks stern. He stares straight ahead. His eyes show no sorrow, no remorse, no pity. He doesn’t look at the 4 of us old friends, and he seems to make a point of being as far from PJ as possible. Evidently he hasn’t forgiven him for the whole unrequited love thing. It makes me sad that neither can be with the one they love. Because Alex and Carrie will never break up, and PJ will probably never stop loving Carrie. It’s sad.

The judge clears his throat.