Page 2 of That Time I Accidentally Became A Serial Killer

“You survived him,” I add. “You said his name. That puts you ahead of ninety percent of this room. Including me on most Mondays.”

A faint laugh escapes. Cracked. But it’s hers.

There she is.

I lean in. “I’m with you. Every terrifying, infuriating step. Win or lose—we walk out together.”

She meets my eyes. The hope there is fragile, but burning.

And that’s enough.

This is what I was made for—not just the law books or takedowns. But this.

Being the anchor when someone’s world is collapsing.

Holding steady while they face their worst moment.

Standing between victim and monster.

Reminding him that hell hath no fury like a woman in court-approved heels.

Today is the day I drag him into the light and hammer in the final nail.

If the jury has any doubt left, it’ll be gone by lunch.

We step into the well. I take my place at the prosecution’s table, smoothing my skirt and lining up my notes—not for reassurance, but because order quiets the noise.

Across the aisle, Travis Gannon slouches like he’s posing for a mugshot-themed dating app. One arm draped over the chair, that smug grin already crawling across his face.

Like he knows how this ends.

His attorney murmurs something. He chuckles—slow, lazy, like he’s waiting for brunch.

I catch the jury watching. Good. Let them see it.

The cocky detachment. The arrogance.

Like this is a DMV line and not a courtroom where he’s facing twenty-five years for first-degree rape.

He makes me sick.

“All rise,” the bailiff calls, and the room shifts in a synchronized murmur.

Judge Carter enters, robes billowing, exuding the calm, unshakable authority that makes both sides tremble.

Once seated, he fixes his gaze on me. “Miss Hartwell. You may proceed.”

Okay, Poppy. Lipstick on, claws out.

I rise with steady hands and a calm smile.

The defendant thinks this will go his way.

He’s dead wrong.

I’ve danced this dance before. I always lead.

With a syrupy tone that could sell sweet tea in a hurricane, I announce, “I’d like to call Travis Gannon to the stand.”

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