Page 3 of Angel Unchained

The judged smacked his antiquated gavel on his desk. “You do not speak unless asked a direct question.”

Anger boiled inside me at Preston and his entire family’s smirks. Even Mr. Simmons was sitting on their side and I wondered how much they had paid him to side with them against me. “What about the kid he almost mowed down? I hel—”

“That is enough,” the judge shouted, spit spraying out of his mouth. “I’m ready to make my decision.”

“No, you can’t.” I stood, ignoring my lawyer tugging at my arm. “What kind of judge are you? I haven’t even taken the stand yet.”

“I’ve heard and seen plenty.” The judge scowled at me, but gave Preston a nod. “These are upright citizens and you put your student in mortal danger.”

“That’s not my fault. He was the one driv—”

“I think you will learn your lesson on Xerlon.”

“No! Y-You can’t.” There were horror stories about that prison on a far off planet. My knees wobbled. This time, my lawyer yanked me down hard.

“Stop before they send you somewhere worse,” my lawyer hissed.

The judged smacked his stupid hammer down on the desk. “You will pay out your debt by time served.”

And just like that—my world and all that I knew—ended.