Page 78 of Deep Down
Chapter 28
Craig
Craig hesitated, staring at his phone and pressed the dial button. Taking a deep breath, he chewed his lip, gaze bouncing around the living room as it rang in his ear.
“Hello?”
“I need you.” They weren’t the words Craig had planned on saying, but they were accurate all the same.
“Craig?”
Of course, he wouldn’t know who was ringing him, they’d never swapped numbers. Craig had it because Casey had given it to him the other day, saying he might need it one day. “Yeah, it’s me. Can you help me?”
“Of course, I can. Are you at home?”
“Yes, but I’m leaving for…the courthouse. Can you meet me there?”
“On my way.”
The phone went dead, and the relief coursing through Craig was indescribable. When he arrived at the courthouse twenty minutes later, Alex was already there—along with several friends. Alex strode towards him and enfolded Craig in his arms. Craig automatically closed his arms around Alex’s back and gripped his jacket, burrowing his face in Alex’s shoulder and neck.
Alex had not pushed anything on Craig since the confirmation of Alex’s intentions, but Craig felt more relaxed than ever in Alex’s arms. Today was the day he would have to face Darren in court, and he was apprehensive about it. Not because he feared Darren, but of the possibility that Craig would still have feelings for him. It was worrying him more than anything, mainly because he’d had no idea the abuse had been happening in the context it was. It was difficult to separate the two when he’d not seen Darren since the night of the incident.
Alex pulled back and cupped Craig’s jaw. “You’re not alone.”
Craig tried to smile. Alex nodded, threaded their fingers together and whirled towards their friends. Craig couldn’t believe they’d come.
“What are you guys doing here?” Craig’s gaze roamed the group in front of him.
“We support our friends when they need it. End of.” Sean’s sharp remark was met with nods and words of agreement.
“And I support you, but I’m here in an official capacity, too.” Logan nodded. “And, unfortunately, it’s time to go in.”
Craig inhaled shakily, gripped Alex’s hand and repeated the refrain, ”You’re not alone,” as the eight of them marched up the front steps of the building and into the courtroom together. Johnson was stood at a table to the middle of the room, rummaging through a bag. Another person, presumably another lawyer, was sat at the table behind Johnson. Max, Trent, Sean, Zak and Casey all filed in the seats in the public gallery.
Alex squeezed his hand, and Craig glanced over at him. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Craig nodded and encouraged his hand to pull away from Alex’s, although he didn’t want to. He inhaled again as he lost the physical connection to Alex but squared his shoulders and strode towards Johnson. Glancing back over his shoulder, he saw Alex sit on the aisle seat, gaze on Craig. Pulling strength from him, Craig continued.
“Hey.”
“Craig, hi. How are you doing?” Johnson placed a folder on the table and focused on Craig.
“Been better. But I’ll survive.”
“You will be fine. We have about ten minutes. Have a seat, and I’ll explain a few things to you before the judge enters.”
Working through final reminders and information, Craig managed to relax—not a huge amount, but some—until the judge entered the room. Following the usher’s directions on autopilot, Craig focused on his breathing as Amanda had shown him how to do when he was in a situation he was struggling with. Tensing further when the judge announced Darren would be entering, Craig resolutely kept his face forward. He knew where Darren would be because Johnson had explained that all defendants were sat in an enclosed area withinthe room they were all in. It had windows allowing people to see in and out, but anyone who was in there would not be able to get to the rest of the room without a fight.
Craig knew he had to look at Darren, to assuage his own fears if nothing else, but he couldn’t do it yet. Johnson rested a hand on Craig’s shoulder, squeezing gently and whispering reassurances.
Johnson stood after the judge had recited the charges against Darren—grievous bodily harm with intent—and stated a comprehensive list of the injuries Craig had sustained on multiple occurrences, which the hospital was aware of and continued listing the injuries and incidences when Craig had not attended the hospital or doctors at all, this information having been provided by Craig.
The other lawyer objected to this information being allowed because it was Craig’s word against Darren’s, but the judge overruled and allowed the evidence, as Johnson had said they would.
Johnson continued his statement, detailing the controlling and coercive behaviour Darren had exhibited and the repercussions of them, mainly Craig’s time with Amanda, but also the panic attacks and other relevant information. Craig couldn’t keep track of the vast amount of information being provided by both sides.
When Johnson sat, Craig chanced a glance over at Darren, thinking he would appear repentant after all the information had been listed. Darren sat there, staring at Craig already, with anger showing on his face. Craig had seen this expression many times over the years and had learned to adapt to it. He felt his body wilting until Amanda’s voice reminded him, he was strong, that Darren would not hurt him again, that Darren was in the wrong, not Craig. With the extra encouragement, Craig sat straight and stared at Darren, hoping to convey his strength before turning his head back to Johnson.
