Chapter Nine: My Trial:

I sat by Cassie’s bed as she slept. She looked so peaceful sleeping there. Hard to believe that hours ago she got shot six times. Looking at her now reminds me of Elizabeth all over again. During the last few years of her life, I sat by her bedside just like I’m doing with Cassie now. Elizabeth… I began to remember the trial that got her and me in trouble years ago. The council thought they could tear us apart. Boy, they were wrong!

*Nineteen Years Ago*

Elizabeth had just left my flat for the morning. I was still in a good mood at the time. I did my daily routine. After I had gotten dressed and had breakfast, I went out to check the mail. So far, it just looked like bills as usual. Then, I came across something that caught my eye. I had just gotten a brown and red lacy envelope in the mail along with my bills. I became confused. “Huh?” I thought. “This is from the council. What do they want with me?” I quickly rushed back into my flat with the envelope. Once I made it back to my kitchen, I dropped everything else on the counter. I took the envelope and opened it wide. I pulled out the letter and read the content inside. My face went stone cold. Here is what those lying hypocrites wanted:

Dr. Stonem:

You have violated the codes of the Modern Council. Your trial will be at six o’clock tonight. Being late equals a hefty fine to your charges.

Nigel Crocker

Header of the Modern Council

The letter puzzled me so. What codes were they talking about? Clearly, I had never been in trouble with the Council before. So, it’s easy to imagine my shock. What could I do? I hadn’t really lost my way yet. Sure, I didn’t believe in God anymore, but I still feared the Council in a sense. I had no choice, but to go. The day passed by slowly. I began to grasp what it was like for a crime in trouble with the mighty Council. I tried to keep my mind busy with my usual tasks. I had to tend to my patients after all. Illness doesn’t stop because you’re in trouble. I knew that too well. Lucky for me though. I didn’t have to think about what the Council wanted with me. I tried to keep myself busy the whole day. I even took up extra shifts to keep myself from worrying. All is good, until six o’clock came around.

I prepared myself for the worst. I closed up my practice, packed up my things, and made the long drive to city hall. The path to Council is a tricky way one to get there. At first glance, it was at city hall. But, there are many secret paths to get to the real Council building. Go down the last long hall on the right, down two flights of stairs, through another hall, go up a short flight of stairs, and you find yourself at a huge black wooden door. I pushed the door open wide. Lit candles greeted me inside. I felt as if I had stepped back into medieval times. Black as far as the eye could see. I suddenly felt cold. I wanted to get the Hell out of there as fast as I could.

“Dr. Stonem!” I heard a voice boom above my head. I looked up and saw the Council on their high perches. Even from up there, the looks in their eyes scared me.

“Step up the judgment box!” I assumed the head commanded me. I looked up ahead of me. A box like the ones in the courthouses stood before me. I hesitated at first. Then, I walked forward to the box. The lights from the candles lit up brightly. I looked above my head. Despite being in bright light, I still couldn’t see any of the council members’ faces. Shadows obscured their faces from me. I really felt scared now.

“Why am I here?” I asked them.

“Silence!!!” they all barked. The shouting alone quieted me down right away. They really meant business tonight.

“As for your question of why you are here,” the leader spoke up. “You are being charged with adultery count one!” I looked at them confused. I suddenly realized what this was really about.

“What?!?” I asked in shock. “Adultery? With who?”

“Elizabeth Campbell!” the leader barked. It all became clear to me now. I knew they would hate our relationship, but I just didn’t care. It all still confused me some.

“If I’m being charged with adultery, then why isn’t Elizabeth here with me?” I challenged.

“We cannot go after her,” the leader said. “She is in too high of a position for us to take out!” It became clear to me now. These bastards don’t really care about the people in England. They just care about the rich because they pay for their lives and own wealth. It’s the working man like me that suffers in the end. Elizabeth was right all along. The Council members are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites and liars.

“And why should I have to pay for our crime alone?” I asked. “Why should either of us have to pay for any crime at all? We are in love! She loves me and I love her!”

“Can’t you see?!?” they yelled at me. “That woman has corrupted you with her sexual immorality and now you are a lost soul. Now you must pay for your sins!”

“And why should I?!?” I barked back.

“You’re insubordination is enough reason for punishment!” the leader snapped. “You shall be banished to Scotland starting now! You are banned from practicing medicine in England ever again! If you show your face in this country, we will have you executed!” I rolled my eyes at them.

“Whatever!” I snapped.

“Take him away!” the leader yelled. Thus, I was banished to Scotland where I continued my affair with Elizabeth until she died. After that, I took a job in medicine in Japan.

*Today*

I lightly brushed some of Cassie’s hair out of her face. I gently kissed her on the forehead.

“You can rest easy, my Lizzie,” I said. “I won’t let those monsters hurt you. I will be right here for you! I promise!”