Between her somber expression and her dark dress, Chloe looked like she was headed to a funeral. During the car ride, she sat in the middle seat, pressed as close to Alex as she could be. For the duration of the ride she said nothing; she simply stared ahead of her.

At the courthouse she began to fidget and refused to be separated from Alex for even a moment. It was difficult to get her into the courtroom. Jay’s eyes burned into her from where he was sitting with an attorney across the wide mouth of the court.

There was a quiet murmuring that penetrated the air. It stopped abruptly when the judge seated himself; he was ready to begin the trial. Chloe was not.

With uncertainty, she glanced over at Alex, and recieved a reassuring nod. She didn’t need to be afraid.

The judge introduced the case to the jury and Chloe’s lawyer stood and began presenting. As for Chloe?

She crossed her fingers, tuned out the world, and pretended she was anywhere but right there.