THE CULPRIT'S VERDICT
PROLOGUE

The place was dark yet filled with noise from the rumbling drum and whispering of spectators around. An innocent, young girl was staring closely at the creature slowly arising from the deep, wide hole. The people around cheered vigorously as it showed itself fully.

"Baba, what is that thing?" the kid being carried by her father from the arm asked. She stared at her dad as he opened his mouth to answer, however, her ears were clogged with noise and it hindered her from hearing the exact words he said. "Can we bring it at home, dad?" she shifted her eyes at the center to see the creature as it flexed its muscles to go up. "Baba, Moma, is it looking at me?"

Her parents became disturbed and adamant upon hearing their daughter's word. They turned to see it for themselves and got alarmed upon verifying that the creature was indeed looking in their direction.

The father swiftly excused his family from the crowd and hid his daughter from behind.

"Where are we going?" the kid asked.

The father placed her in one corner and let her sat on the monoblock." Just stay here, okay? Don't leave, we'll just stand where we can see you." "But why?"

"Because you've gained much weight, your father's energy got drained," the mother joked. "He'll just gather some more energy, okay? Stay here and don't leave," she said and kissed her daughter's forehead. The kid nodded and so her parents returned and stood somewhere where they could keep an eye on their daughter.

The whirr became louder and louder as the creature approached and crawled in between the oblate's feet. It snaked around the lady's still body. The kid was curious about what's happening yet she chose to stay where she was, following her parents' order.

Meanwhile, while everyone's eyes seemed to be entertained by what they were seeing, a group of teenage girls approached the young kid's direction. They pleaded her to go with them outside and so she agreed. They brought her to a quiet and dark corridor where they revealed their true colors.

"What are we doing here?" the kid asked.

The teenager who appeared to be the leader of the group approached closer and carefully touched the lower hem of the young girl's black dress. "Who chose this dress for you? It's beautiful!"

"Is it?" the kid's eyes sparkled in gladness. "My Moma gave me this."

"You know what, the dress is beautiful, but it'll look amazing if I'm the one wearing it. Mind lending it to me?"

"No. This is mine," the kid pouted.

"You know what? It doesn't fit you! Don't waste its beauty on you," one of the spoiled girls barked from behind.

"Yeah, right. Dresses like that should be worn by Eliana, it'll serve its beauty right.

Eliana smirked and rolled her eyes at the innocent, teary-eyed kid she was bullying.

"That dress's beauty will only be stained by your ugly and awful attitude, so don't even think about it," a boy, probably 7-10 years old showed up from the shadows.

The young girl looked up to him with hope.

"Excuse me, and who do you think you are?" Eliana stepped closer to the boy and mocked him. One of her friends whispered something to her and it made Eliana change the tone of her voice.

"Oh-" she uttered, raising her palms. "If you want to be this girl's savior, then, I'll leave her to you," she said and excited backward, not permitting pride to leave her face.

"You okay?" the boy asked without any emotion.

"Yeah, thank you," she responded and flashed a smile.

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The boy eyed the kid and before long, turned his back without responding.

"Wait- May I know your name?"

"Maxine!" the mother called. "Hon, I found her. She's safe. Okay, we'll see you at the lobby later," she said over the phone. As soon as she ended the call, she ran to her daughter's side and kept her in a tight embrace. "We've been looking for you, where have you been?"

"Sorry, Moma. I left without asking permission," the innocent kid said.

"It's okay, baby, just don't do it again, okay?"

She nodded and looked for the boy who saved her, but he had seen no trace of him.

"Lorrie, I know this is insane. I care for Mabelle, but there's still a part of me that is missing, and for goddamn hell it's you."

"Gerald, this is wrong."

"I know! I know, but how can it be wrong when it's what makes it feel right?"

"You're already married and you have a daughter. The Serdents will not permit this."

Silence engulfed the dark, narrow hallway as Gerald got suddenly lost in his thoughts, realizing the consequence his actions would bring.

"Lorrie..." the only word that came out of his word. His eyes were pleading for her to stop scrutinizing his heart and conscience.

"You must try, Gerald. You must. This forbidden love will lead to our end and of our loved ones'. Forget about me, and surrender your heart fully to my cousin," she said while fighting the urge to break into tears. "I can't fool her anymore," she pleaded, though her heart was highly against the words coming out of her mouth. If only she was brave enough to take the risk, to gamble in the name of love.

He looked her in the eyes, "It was you whom I first loved. It is you that I love, I doubt if I'll ever erase you in mind heart," he said, his voice was barely heard.

"I know," she whispered as she closed her eyes to allow the tears escaped from its cage.

"I, too, know not if I'll ever forget you," she confessed. Unable to contain her emotion anymore, she wrapped her arms around her lover's neck and planted a soft, overwhelming kiss. "I love you, Gerald." "Baba? Aunt- What are you doing?" A small voice from behind asked innocently.

"N-no-thing, my dear. Your aunt Lorrie just got some dirt on her eyes and I tried to blow it away," her Baba explained. "Where's your Moma?"

"She walked away," the little girl answered, pointing at the direction her Moma took.

Lorrie and Gerald's eyes met, they had realized the trouble they'd just created, Mabelle had heard and seen them.

"Stay here with your aunt, I'll follow your mom. Behave and stay close to your aunt, okay?"

"Yes, Baba "

He kissed his daughter's forehead before leaving.

The kid looked innocently at her aunt, "Aunt, are you crying?"

"No, my dear," she wept her tears and threw her a timid yet assuring smile.