Something Close To Perfect

SERIES FINALE

EPILOGUE.

Episode: Twenty Two

Part: Twenty One.

The moment I pleaded guilty, I looked at my mother as tears streamed down her face. I also observed Ms. Moyo stood up, and walked out of the courtroom, while murmurs echoed through the room.

Judge Subulwa: “Silence! Silence. In the courtroom.”

Bailiff: "Ladies and gentlemen present here today, may we all rise as his worship and the two lawyers return to the chamber to make a final verdict in the case of Miss Namatala versus the state of District 51."

Minutes later, the judge, prosecutor, and defense counsel returned.

Judge Subulwa: "Ladies and gentlemen of this courtroom, based on careful consideration of the matter involving Ms. Isla Namatala and the state of District 51, I, Judge Clive Aaron Subulwa, have arrived at the following conclusion."

1. With premeditated murder, I find Miss Namatala guilty.

2. With causing death because of negligence, I find Miss. Namatala guilty.

3. With questionable sanity and impaired judgment, I find Miss Namatala guilty.

4. With hearsay, I find Miss. Namatala guilty.

"I would also like to inform everyone present in this courtroom that, according to the autopsy report presented before this court, Jordan's cause of death was hypovolemic shock. This life-threatening condition results from losing over 15% of blood or fluid supply, leading to organ failure, including impaired heart function. This occurred due to an impact strike that the deceased received across his skull."

Murmurs erupted in the courtroom again.

Judge Subulwa: "Silence! Silence. In conclusion, by the power invested in me by our country’s constitution and the state of Marami, coupled with the analytical and trustworthy evidence present before this court, and according to Section 199 of the Penal Code, a person is guilty of a felony if they cause another's death. An unlawful omission is an omission amounting to culpable negligence in the discharge of a duty tending to life or health. This is true whether such an omission is accompanied by an intention to cause death or bodily harm. If the accused is found guilty, they should serve a sentence of 25-years to life.

On this day, 29th September 2015, I, Judge Clive Aaron Subulwa, find Miss Namatala guilty and negligent, responsible for the death of Mr. Jordan Moyo.

Therefore, I sentence Ms. Isla Namatala, aged 16, to eight years imprisonment for causing the death of Jordan Moyo. This courtroom has found her guilty of manslaughter and in addition, Miss Namatala will first undergo psychiatric evaluation at White Wing Asylum for the first ten to sixteen months of her sentence. Mr. Simata may respond within twelve months to this motion with substantial evidence to dismiss my verdict. If his response is not persuasive, I'll uphold this case and maintain my judgment. I extend condolences to the bereaved family. May God’s guidance during such a time bring comfort to you. Case dismissed.

"Please rise," instructed the bailiff.

Months later…

At the outset of my narration, I asserted that my life has been nothing short of extraordinary, and every account I share is a meticulous reconstruction of my memories. My initial six months at White Wing Asylum proved to be a challenging journey, yet the strides I made in my recovery were undeniably remarkable. Then, on a serene weekend afternoon amidst the tranquil ambience of the hospital garden, I found myself enraptured by the natural beauty of Marami. It was in this moment of reverie that I was startled by the resonant voice of Mr. Simata, my neighbour and Defence Counsel, brandishing an envelope.

"Mr. Simata, what an unexpected surprise," I remarked, my curiosity piqued by his sudden appearance. "To what do I owe this visit?" I inquired.

"Isla, there’s a matter of grave importance that I must discuss with you," he intoned gravely. "Please, join me for a moment," he implored, gesturing towards a nearby bench.

With a multitude of questions swirling in my mind, we settled onto the bench amidst the verdant foliage.

"Mr. Simata, what is the meaning of all this?" I asked, a hint of apprehension colouring my tone.

"In recent months, I've been plagued by an unsettling realization: there's more to your case than meets the eye," he divulged.

"I understand, but I'm still perplexed as to why you're here," I confessed.

"Isla, I have uncovered the identity of Jordan's killer," he declared solemnly, causing the world around me to momentarily falter. My heart sank, and a wave of nausea washed over me.

"Please, I implore you not to proceed. I am immensely grateful for your efforts, but I assure you, I will manage," I pleaded.

"I shall leave this envelope with you, and when you are ready to petition I’ll be your legal representation," he stated, leaving the envelope beside me before departing into the distance.

His revelation left me utterly speechless. My mind raced, grappling with a torrent of emotions. Yet, when I finally summoned the courage to open the envelope, the contents within shattered my world. Enclosed within the humble brown envelope lay a photograph, revealing the unthinkable: the face implicated in a crime I could scarcely fathom, let alone comprehend. It was the face of the person who murdered Jordan. I stared at the damning photograph, my heart sinking, realizing that the truth I thought I knew was merely a facade, and the depths of deception surrounding me were far darker than I ever imagined.

Clutching the photograph tightly in my hands, I struggled to comprehend the person captured in its frame. This was someone intimately familiar, someone I had trusted implicitly. Yet, as I gazed at the image, a disconcerting realization settled over me like a heavy shroud: everything I had believed about our relationship, about myself, was built upon a fragile facade. My hands trembled with a mix of dread and disbelief.

The picture wasn’t the only thing in the envelope, and so as I reached into the envelope once more, I discovered a note laying inside, detailing a chilling confession that shattered any remaining illusions This person, whose face I once looked upon with trust, had committed a heinous act—they had taken the life of Jordan and framed his death on me.

In their confession, they revealed that they had orchestrated everything under the misguided belief that they were safeguarding me, though their methods were unclear. This revelation sent shockwaves through my being, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed tapestry of my life. With each word read, the truth hovered ominously, poised to crumble before me, leaving me to confront a reality I had never dared to imagine.

- THE END.-

Fade to black, roll credits.

Chapter Six: Reality

Episode: Ninteen.

Part: Eighteen.

Judge Subulwa: "Order! Silence in court! Mrs. Hara, you may proceed."

Prosecutor: "Miss. Namatala, even though you initially denied it, you did have a motive to harm Jordan, right?"

Defence counsel: “Objection, Your Honour.”

Judge Subulwa: “Overruled. Miss Namatala, please answer the question,”

"No, not at all," I responded as tears rolled down my cheeks. "I never meant to hurt Jordan; it was an accident," I responded.

Prosecutor: "Miss. Namatala, have you ever sought psychiatric help at any point in your life?"

Defence Counsel: "Objection, Your Honour. The prosecutor is straying from the topic at this point and questioning my clients' sanity.”

Judge Subulwa: "Overruled. Mrs. Hara, please adhere to the context of the argument, and Miss Namatala, please respond to the prosecutor's question without hesitation."

"Yes, I have. Once I woke up from the coma this was long after my father's passing, I was placed in a rehab facility and underwent psychiatric evaluation."

Prosecutor: "Miss Namatala, you have stated, and I quote, 'I threw a stick at him. It hit his face and caused him to slip down the hill.' Your testimony to this courtroom rightfully confirms that on Friday, September 4th, 2015, you caused bodily harm to Jordan Moyo, which ultimately led to his death. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that's precisely what happened," I responded nervously.

Prosecutor: "Wonderful. While we're still on this, would you also confirm to this courtroom that the bloodstains found on your uniform belong to Jordan Moyo?"

Defence Counsel: “Objection, Your Honour.”

Judge Subulwa: "Overruled. Miss. Namatala, please respond so that the court can understand and not judge you unfairly."

"And yes, the bloodstains found on my uniform indeed belong to Jordan Moyo," I nervously responded.

Judge Subulwa: "Prosecutor, are you continuing your examination of the accused?"

Prosecutor: "Yes, Your Honour. Miss. Namatala, are you aware that fleeing the scene is considered a sign of guilt?"

"I went out seeking help, and I believe this was the moment Mrs. Chilinda must have seen me leaving the forest."

Prosecutor: "There are still some unresolved aspects in your testimony. You state you went to seek help; however, you never returned to assist your friend. Your actions imply to this courtroom that you were guilty of possible murder."

Chatter and murmurs filled the courtroom.

I then stammered, "I... I found someone, and they did their best to save him."

Once I made that statement, the courtroom fell into a cold silence.

Everyone was astonished, including Mr. Simata, my defence counsel.

Judge Subulwa exclaimed, "Silence! Silence in court!"

Defence counsel: “Objection, your Honour.”

"Mr. Simata, thank you for your assistance. I'll tell this courtroom everything that happened that day." I spoke.

“As soon as we entered the national forest reserve, Jordan sprinted with all his might. He raced up the hill, screaming at the top of his lungs.

“The forest is ours!”

At the summit, he stood, shouting, with his fist raised triumphantly in the air.
I stayed at the base of the hill, sporting a massive smile on his face.

“Alright, now you can come down,” I chuckled. Jordan immediately got down the hill screaming like a little girl and I laughed heartily, anticipating his reaction to me laughing. However, as a minute passed, and he didn’t emerge, I was concerned. I called out his name, circling the ant hill anxiously.

Prosecutor: “Miss. Namatala, can you recall how long it took to check on Jordan?”
“A minute.”

Prosecutor: "Miss. Namatala, please explain to the court in what condition you found Jordan once you reached the other side of the hill."

"He was lying on the ground, vigorously fidgeting in his own blood."
Prosecutor: “And what did you do next?”

"I... I tried to resuscitate him. Once I discovered blood on my hands, I smeared it onto my uniform. That why my uniform was stained with Jordan’s blood."