Outrunning Karma | MxM

Caleb sat at the defence table, his hands clenched tightly on his knees. His knuckles were white from the pressure, but he tried to keep a calm facade. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glow, making his green hair seem almost phosphorescent. He adjusted his tie, a little too tight for his liking, and glanced at the lawyer, Mr Sanders. The older man was flipping through his notes, his gray hair and dark-rimmed glasses lending him a scholarly air. This was the final day of the trial, it had been a long hard battle but it was coming to an end soon, all that was left was Jason's testimony then their closing statements.

"Stay focused" Mr Sanders whispered sternly. "This is the last day. We're almost there"

Caleb nodded, swallowing hard. He caught a glimpse of Jason in the gallery, Jason gave him a small, reassuring smile, and Caleb felt a bit of the tension ease. Yet the pressure was still tightening his chest.

Across the courtroom, the opposing lawyer Mrs Silver stood at the prosecutor's table, her gaze icy and unrelenting. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her presence filled the room with an air of menace. She was known for her aggressive approach, and today would be no different to the ones before.

Jason walked down the courtroom and took the stand looking around the courtroom calmly. The courtroom was tense as Mrs Silver, the harsh prosecutor, approached him with her usual sharp gaze. Caleb watched from the defense table, his vibrant green hair hanging low over his eyes, his nerves barely contained. Jason gave him a subtle nod, a gesture meant to reassure him, but it did little to ease the anxiety in the room. Everything rested on what Jason said here, one fuck up and Caleb could end up behind bars forever.

"Mr Carrier" Mrs Silver began, her voice as cold as ice, and her posture similarly frosty "isn't it true that you were the one who picked up Caleb Walters on the night he killed his father?"

Jason leaned forward, his calm demeanour unwavering. "Yes, I got his call, and I went to help"

Mrs Silver crossed her arms "And what exactly did he tell you on that call?"

"He said he needed help, and needed me to get there right away" Jason replied, his tone even "He was scared. He said his dad was dead and he was sorry, then hung up"

Mrs Silver's eyebrows arched "Did he explain why his father was dead? Did he mention that he'd killed him?"

Jason took a moment to think, his eyes narrowing slightly "Yes he did, however I didn't ask for details at the time. I just knew he needed me"

Mrs Silver's voice grew sharper "So you had no reservations about helping someone who had just killed a man? You didn't think to even contact the authorities or question his actions?" Her tone was laced with malice as she spoke. Attempting to discredit Jason as a witness.

Jason's calm facade remained intact despite the pressure she was putting on him "Caleb's dad was abusive. I knew that. When he called me, I knew he wouldn't have done what he did without a good reason. I trusted him, and I knew he needed to get his brother to safety"

Mrs Silvers lips tightened "And you've been with him ever since, correct? Isn't it possible that you're simply protecting him because of your... personal relationship?" She clearly expected this remark to make the courtroom go aghast but it didn't seem to have the impact she'd been looking for.

Jason met her gaze without flinching "I care about Caleb, yes. But this isn't about our relationship. It's about what happened that night. I knew he wouldn't hurt anyone unless he had no other choice. He was protecting his little brother. That's all that mattered in that moment" Caleb spotted Mr Sanders nodding thoroughly, Jason had done well.