http://shawnaharrison.blogspot.com/2010/03/group-hug.html

Rhett
We've fast forwarded to UL2 !

So, this is only about the second or third time time I’ve written in Rhett’s POV. The first time is in RGGS and then a few sections earlier in UL2.

At this point in the serial the gang is all in Florida to testify against Caine, but Caine isn’t going down without a fight. Caine’s neice/lawyer Jennifer breaks down their case by throwing Sawyer in jail for leaving the state while on probation and paints  Julianna as sexual promiscuous and a sexual sadists from Brad’s videos. Thus brining into question Caine's treatment of Julianna as potentially consensual. When Jennifer shows Julianna’s dad the pictures of her and Brad he blows up at her and practically disowns his daughter.  Just when it can’t get worse, Jennifer runs Juliana’s DNA and discovers she stole evidence from a crime scene. She did this for Sawyer, when he was in the hospital for meth. Despite the best  intent her lawyer (and former United Light member) Raleigh has to escort her to jail.  

Meanwhile, Rhett has been causing his own trouble.

I paced as quietly as I could back and forth in front of the door. It was going on an hour and I knew I had to do make a choice eventually.

Wasn’t this supposed to be the ethical thing to do ? How the hell was I supposed to know.

Screw ethics.

I was being stupid so, I gave up and knocked on the door. After a few minutes the door opened and I was face to face with Tessa . It was the first time I had ever actually seen her this close. She seemed surprised to see me and tired at the same time-- then I remembered it was still pretty early.

Tessa is Julianna’s dad’s girlfriend

“Hi,  ma’am,” I greeted her, “ Is um, your, well-- is Mr.Reese here-- I mean, I know he is here I just wanted to know if I could maybe talk to him ?”

Oh, geez I did the whole “oh, shucks” routine to make him seem intimidated and…sweet ?

She looked at me quizzically.

“It’s not really a good time,” she told me.

“I know but, please,” I begged

She  held one finger to my face and closed the door and after a few seconds came back motioning me inside.

As I walked inside I saw Mr. Reese sitting on the couch, glaring at me with each step I took. I’d been yelled at by firsties all semester but, this was the most intimidated I’d felt my whole life.  I thought Mr. Reese  was a  jerk and an asshole to be so mean to his daughter but, I wasn’t thinking about that. I stopped a walking a few feet in front of him.

Firsties are seniors at the Coast Guard Academy. Also, Rhett’s hatred for Julianna’s dad is a continuing theme after this. Which is interesting because it’s not like Rhett wasn’t pulled into the same trap Julianna’s father was.

“Hello, sir,” I started, I knew I was staring at the ground  “I know you don’t really like me but I—“

“It’s not that I don’t like you , Mr.Clark. It is Clark isn’t it ?”

I nodded my head

“Are you going to sit down?”

I quickly sat down in the seat farthest from him and finally looked up looking him in the eye. I looked around for a backup plan in case this didn’t work.  He is looking for car keys

So, actually now that I think about it, Rhett hasn’t had many male authority figures in his life and so he could be actually intimidated.

“What can I do for you ?” he asked

“I heard about what happened to Juliana and all this morning. I sort of heard through the grapevine that someone can set bail and I think you should do it. I mean she is your daughter. I  know she made a mistake--I may have heard that argument through my door too-- but Juliana told me you guys have to look out for each other.”

He sat silently. I wonder if he had even understood me.I didn’t know what I was going to say next but I was going to try.  The only thing  breaking the awkward silence was a phone ringing in the other room.

“Mr. Clark you seem like a fine young man, I believe that,” He said softly “ And one day you will get married and perhaps have a daughter. And when that happens you and I may be able to talk.”

 “I—“

“As a parent you put a lot of time and energy in your children and you have expectations and when they are broken the consequences may be harsh but, they are exactly what must be done. I have given my daughter everything her entire life and even now, she lives with me under my benefits and I will treat her as I please. I do not need someone telling me what I should do and how to manage my family.  I think Juliana needs to stay where she is.”

“So, you have your new family and you throw your old one to the side,” I said gripping the table beside me, “ I  do respect you, sir I really do but, can I say something no one is going to tell you ? You were cruel. You were there when she wanted you and you can’t be there when she needs you ?”

That part got a little monologue-y

---Juliana--

keep in mind that julianna is mute  at this point

I gently untied the intricately  braided pigtails I had done a few hours ago  and watched the light waves in my hair fall down my shoulders before leaning back and attempting a French braid. My feet were tucked underneath the length of my skirt and I sat curled up on the corner of the bench in the empty holding cell.

All of my things had been taken away from me before I came inside the police station. When they first told me I had to stay in the holding cell all I did was cry for hours. I could not go to jail, I knew I wouldn’t do as well as maybe Sawyer. As soon as I thought about it the tears started again. I would never see my family again.

I stayed facing the wall but, I  occasionally stole glances at the young police officer who was guarding me but, had grown indifferent.  I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes and tried to sleep but, it wasn’t going anywhere.

“Hey,now miss,”

I looked up to see the officer approaching me, I turned my head to face him.

  “You can stop all that crying now,”

This is another Veritas line, when Jean tells Alan not to cry.

I looked up to see the officer who had brought me in, he had a odd smile on his face. He unlocked the holding cell and I stayed where I was. What was going on now ? Was it time for me to go to the jail.

“You are free to go,” he said

Every worry I had seemed to fly away as I stood up and the officer gave me the box with my stuff in it.

My dad had forgiven me after all. He was the only one who could afford to bail me out. I knew I would make up for everything I had done. I followed the officer up the stairs and I turned a corner to see Rhett pacing in front of the police station desk. What was he doing here ? I looked around for my dad.

“You comin’ ?” he asked Why yes, I dropped a g

Oh, right. Everyone  is upset with Rhett because he isn’t going to testify to what he saw Caine do to Julianna  and isn’t helping their case. We don’t know why though….well, I do…and it’s super flimsy.

I was still upset with him and I thought he was terrible but, I was just glad to get out. I quickly followed him out of the station and into the street. I saw my dad’s rental car sitting outside.

“Your daddy told me I could come and get you,” he explained

I took out my notebook from the box.

You talked to my dad ?

 “He’s still bein’ kind of a jerk,”

More g droppin’!

When we got into the car, I leaned across the seat to kiss him on the cheek.

Thank You, so much.

Rhett started the car and headed back to the highway.

“I gotta tell you somethin’,” he said keeping his eyes on the road,” I bet you wonderin’ why I ain’t gonna testify ?”

I should have toned back the dialect. I do it in OHG

I had forgotten about that up until this point. I had a feeling he was going to tell me so, I wasn’t going to ask him why.

IDK  why she says that, she knows why she is upset with him. She mentions it about 4 sentences up

“The thing is,” he said, “That tape that Raleigh has. The one he is usin’ as his key piece of evidence. . . It’s fake,”

I shook my head no, if I had been feeling brave I would have shown him the bruises that were left.

Just as a refresher, the tape is of Caine being physically and verbally abusive towards Juliana

“Yes, it is,” he said “ I remember that  day vividly, I ain’t never gonna forget it.”

No, I remember too, it is real.

Oh, god here comes the dialect….

“You see when Caine was  . . . beating you and all  . . .  you ain't scream, you ain't make one sound. You ain’t begged for your life or nothin’ like that.  If somebody asked me if that video has been altered, which Jennifer almost did—I’d have to say yes. That’s the ethical thing to do. I don’t want it to ruin the case even if it was a small chance so, I thought it was better if I just didn’t say anything.”

This is SO flimsy, I know. But on another note, I have no problem torturing my characters in this one.

I had not been expecting this. So Rhett was pushing me away so were wouldn’t have to talk about this. I wrote him another note

Such a boy love interest thing to do.

It’s okay, I’m dropping charges.

I was starting to feel tired after being unable to sleep in the cell. I fought to keep my eyes open.

“It’s a long ride. You ain’t got to keep my company,” he said

I closed my eyes for a while until I felt the car jerk to a sharp halt.

I saw we were in front of an unfamiliar apartment complex in the middle of the city.

“This is Raleigh’s place,” he said, “He wants to see you.”

Oh, don’t forget, Raleigh and Rhett has a physical altercation once Raleigh found out Rhett wasn’t testifying. Rhett punched him in the face.

We knocked on the door of Raleigh's apartment to see Raleigh sitting at his laptop dressed in his suit.

“I am so sorry you got arrested,” Raleigh said, “Next time I will—“

“I don’t think theres gonna be a next time ,” Rhett interrupted, ”Juliana told me she is dropping her charges against Caine.”

Raleigh looked at me for conformation and I nodded my head.

“Look, I only got Jennifer to drop your charges for a while. Maybe if I tell her you dropped charges she’ll get them to let Sawyer out too.”

Jennifer dropped the charges. Did that mean dad hadn’t bailed me out after all ?

Wait, can you drop charges in a criminal case ?

“If you’re sure about this ?,” Raleigh asked

I nodded my head

“I’ll go talk to her now,” he said

Raleigh took his briefcase and headed out the door leaving us alone in his living room.

“You can’t do that,”

 I turned to see Rosa coming from the kitchen behind us.

Oh and if you forgot Rosa was engaged to Raleigh’s brother Logan. Logan was tortured and killed by Caine for starting a resistance in the commune. I’ve created a world, haven’t I ?

“I know you both know what Caine has done. And Logan deserves to see some justice--any kind, don’t you agree ?,”

“It’s a losing game,” Rhett told her ,”I don’t want Raleigh to know this but . . . that tape was a fake it had been altered--his only piece of evidence. Couldn’t it ruin his whole case ?,”

Rosa stood in silence in front of him.

“So, he gets away with this, he gets away with everything,” she finally said, “Justice under law ?,”

I was more than ready to leave and go back home—well, to New Hampshire anyway and figure out what to do with myself --but  something felt wrong. I could sense Rhett felt the same way.

Oops, typo…they live in Conneticut.

“Hey—Rosa what if we got more evidence for Raleigh,” Rhett said, “and then Juliana kept the charges,”

“What do you mean ?” she asked

“Listen I get it, what Caine did to Logan was fucked up. If Juliana and I can go and find more evidence we could help Raleigh win,”

“He wouldn’t let you. His career is at stake and he is going kind of by the book,”

Okay, I’m realizing at this point Rhett (writerly speaking) needs a back and forth and that’s why he is talking to Rosa about this.

“That’s why we won’t tell him,” he said,” Think about it .Juliana and I know more about Caine than anyone else. I was his shadow for the last 3 months and he told Juliana almost everything about United Light. If someone could find something about him it’s us” 

“Where would you go ?,” she asked thinking it over.

“Back to the commune,” he said

UNITED LIGHT 2 : BACK TO THE COMMUNE

“Can I tell Elisa ? She should know,” Rosa said,

“Tell her once we have left,” he said “You guys can help Raleigh stall Jennifer for a bit,”

She nodded and seemed to agree but, her position changed.

“Raleigh is going to be upset but, at this point I don’t really care,” she said

-2-

It was strange how quickly my perceptions could change about someone. I wasn’t  sure if I fully forgave Rhett but he was being honest. He was trying to help.  We had left the apartment and almost immediately headed for the commune in Louisiana. There was no planning or preparations there was no time. Rosa insisted we take a 100$ cash from her. We were only 20 minutes outside of Miami at this point.

Something wasn’t right. When you spend so much time listening and observing you notice things you may not have originally noticed. Things take more significance.

The insurance (Rhett can’t legally drive the Dad’s rental car)

The key  (The key isn’t on a ring…I think)

The toy rabbit in the backseat. (Tessa has a daughter, Haley and they wouldn’t have left her toy in the car if they weren’t planning on getting back in it soon.)

I took out a piece of paper.

My dad did not give you the car. He has not forgiven me.  I have no idea why this is written so formally.

Rhett took the note, glanced at it and put it on the floor keeping his eye on the road.

“I ain’t turnin’ around,” he said,”Your Dad’s  petty fight with you pales compared to this. Your dad is stubborn,”

I knew it, I knew my father  would prefer  I go to jail than deal with what is real. I wrote another note

You stole it ?

“He left the keys sitting there, I needed a backup plan. Your dad refused to bail you out even when Raleigh called and told him you were free to go. I had to do something,”

This isn’t right

“At this point,” he said,”I think the only thing right is the opposite of left.”

I am so sorry I ever wrote that cheesy, cheesy line.

***

Elisa

Oh, Elisa is in here. Um, okay…

“Rosa, it does not work like this !” I tried not to scream or be cross with Rosa. She seemed like my only friend these days. “Our court date is next week !”

I collapsed on to my couch feeling a headache coming on.

“Well, okay Jennifer stalled by putting Sawyer in jail but, what if Raleigh needed Sawyer’s testimony or something, would that buy us some time ?”

SO.MANY. CHARACTERS

“We could try and get every UL member out there it would only get us a couple of days. But if we stall to much the judge could call us on stalling and force us to appear early.”

So, i must have been watching a lot of L&O. If this doesn;t make sense what they want to do is parade a bunch of witnesses in front of the judge so they can stall until their "key witnesses" get back.

“Elisa, they are already gone—we have to do something,” Rosa said

I used to think the law believed in some exceptions but, having to visit Sawyer in jail taught me something completely different.

“We can’t break the law but, we can bend it. All we need is a doctor’s note.”

“What do you mean ?”

“If one of the lawyer’s has a medical condition—it could buy us a few weeks even,”

“How do we fake a medical condition?”

“Alcohol poisoning—come on we have to get sick,”

I was dead serious and heading for the door knowing I was going to have to drag Rosa behind me.

I think this is based on something that actually happened or Something…

***

Juliana

The ridiculousness and hopelessness of the situation was settling in as we approached the state line. We were never going to make it to Louisiana before nightfall, we were probably never going to make it on to the commune and what would we even be looking for ? Would we have enough time ? I was only thankful dad wasn’t worrying about me. He thought I was in jail and if that thought made him content that would have to be fine for now.

 I had this on my mind and wanted to tell Rhett but, he seemed to know already. I had been through the impossible before so, I was not sure why I doubted it now.

The road was getting dark and the car swerved a bit off the road.  It had been almost 6 hours, I put my hand on his arm.

It was either meant as a ‘we  have to stop’ or’ you have to get through this’. He pulled off the highway and into an exit.

“Maybe we should rest  ?,” he said

I nodded my head in agreement as he pulled into a rest area. It was dark and the lights from the highway were invisible. We were both sitting in the pitch black. I was useless in this position, he could not see anything I had to write to him.

This was the second time I had slept in a car with him. Although, I preferred this situation though;we weren’t running away from the commune but, to the commune but to it.

More cheese, I know. If you have forgotten the first time is right after the chapter where she cuts Rhett’s face and they are heading to find help.

***

Elisa

“Have you all lost your fucking minds ?”Raleigh seethed to us, “How could you let this happen, this is so irresponsible,”

I wasn’t sure who that was directed at me or Rosa

“I’m not letting you guys kill yourself,” Sawyer said placing 2 glasses , each quarter filled with beer in front of me and Raleigh.

Sawyer had been released from jail a few hours after Juliana and Rhett had left. I was almost thankful for Miami’s crime problem. He had come right to the Diner to get things back running back to his perfect standards. Sawyer did not see much to my plan like Rosa.

“I’ve read in case studies by Judge Martin that he has let lawyers off if they openly admit to being hungover as long as they are honest," I explained again "Binge drinking is an epidemic which makes it a disease and the recovery could take—“

Okay, this may be true somewhere…

“You guys aren’t doing that here,” Sawyer said walking back to his office.

“I told you it was stupid,” Rosa said

“Listen I’ve been to a state college and law school I have had enough hangovers to know I don’t want  to go through it again,” Raleigh half-smiled “ My court date is in 4 days and if those kids aren’t back by then I’m blaming you two.”

I wanted to feel guilty but, I felt what Rosa did was the right thing, as a matter of fact it was something I would have done.

I excused myself from the table and knocking on Sawyer’s door I went into his office.

“Hey,” he said from behind his computer.

“Hey ? Is that all you have to say to me ? You were in jail for a week. No poetry ?,”  I smiled

His typing has slowed down and he looked up at me.

“Elisa, I know I’m anal retentive, a perfectionist,  but I never thought I was the jealous t—“

Oh, Sawyer is jealous of the time Elisa is spending with Raleigh. This plot goes nowhere.

“Sawyer, I just wanted to remind you that I am with you because I love you," I told him " You helped me when I was going through a hard time with my parents death. You gave me a job, helped me pass  that damn math class. At this point—I’m not sure anyone could replace that.”

***

Juliana

-3-

I woke up to the sound of the engine purring along, my eyes went to the gas indicator and I saw the gas was full and there was a large cup of coffee in the cup holder. I felt something tickling the back of my neck and I  quickly gathered my hair up and adjusted my seat so I was sitting up again.

“I guess all that wakin’ up early at school got to me,” Rhett said,”I could only get a few hours of sleep and then I had to go. We almost there,”

How do you think we will get on the commune ?

He shrugged his shoulders and kept driving.

I could not believe how long I slept it was almost getting dark again. When Rhett said almost there I assumed he was talking about almost to Louisiana but, we were in the woods that I recognized as leading to the commune. As we drove closer I expected to see lights or barricades  but there was nothing.

We finally approached the gates and it looked empty the only sign anything had changed was the police tape on the entrance. Rhett drove right through the tape and we were in all to familiar territory.

“I was thinkn’ we could start in Caine’s house,” he said

I nodded my head in agreement.

The commune was completely abandoned--it had a haunting appearance. The houses were still in place, some of the doors were open but, it was so empty and no lights were on. Rhett pulled up to Caine’s house and I followed him to the back of the house.

“The front door might still have security on it,” he said,” This back door never did,”

I nodded my head in agreement and we went in the backyard and crossing the still furnished patio we came to the backdoor. It wasn’t locked and we made our way inside the house.

Guys, this feels like I wrote a plot. They are going somewhere to do something.

Let’s start with his office

He nodded his head and we headed for his office. We were both walking slowly and quietly—we wanted to hear if there was someone else was in the house. Inside Caine’s office the first thing I noticed was his computer was missing.

“Damnit,” Rhett cursed.

We searched the office drawers and cabinets but, they were all empty—everything had been taken. I walked out of the office and Rhett followed behind me. I considered where else we could look next.

Let’s go to Caine’s bedroom

I knew I was assuming Caine even had a bedroom in this house but, I was sure he did.

“I was never sure where Caine slept but, I imagine his room is the biggest one in the place.”

We passed by smaller guest bedrooms until I saw a room with double doors at the end of the hall. Without thinking about it I opened the doors and the room looked very normal. The room was decorated in a deep hue of blue and furnished with dark wood furniture but, it had a very unlived in feel. The wall facing us had been turned into a bookshelf  covered in books from floor to ceiling. I turned and looked on the dresser to see it was covered with framed pictures of United Light families, I quickly scanned the pictures and didn't see any of me or my parents.

“I’m pretty sure, he only slept in here,” Rhett said.

I walked close to the bed--I couldn’t believe this was where Caine rested his head every night—going to sleep being okay with the lies and corruption he caused.

I heard a noise and saw Rhett was already going through drawers. Remembering why we were her, I went to the dresser and started going throught the dresser, there were a few folded shirts in the first drawer, socks in the second and when I opened the third I came face to face with images of myself in an open photo album. I started flipping through the album and saw more pictures of me from when I was a child to ones Caine must have taken from Brad.

So, Caine was spying on her the whole time.

I knew Caine had chosen me for his creepy fixation. He brought on this fight.

“You found somethin’ ?” Rhett asked.

I quickly shut the door.

I shook my head.

It really was nothing.

“This place is empty—I think we need to check the basement,”

-4-

I agreed and followed him down the stairs of the basement. When the door shut behind me, we were immediately immersed in darkness. As we carefully made our way down the stairs I could hear Rhett feeling against the wall. The room was suddenly bathed in artificial light. Once at the bottom of the stairs  I looked at the wall directly in front of me.

It was the wall I was leaning against in the tape. I felt drawn to it and  walked over to it; suddenly the images on the video became real again, they became memories. I felt tears coming,-- they were tears for the girl who had been here, how she had to be abused so badly, so degraded. How she thought that treatment was going to be the rest of her life—bonded to Simon Caine. How all she wanted was to die.

I was also tearing up for myself because I had let him win, I was still letting him win by not getting over it.

Did that have to happen ? I should have fought back.

“Hey—you okay ? ,” I heard Rhett ask.

I remembered the sounds, the smell, I remembered where I was standing where Caine was standing . . . . where Rhett had been standing--right beside Caine.

I reached for my notepad and flipped for a clean page but, I had used them all. I took the pen and wrote on the wall instead.

You Watched

You said Nothing

The minute I wrote it I wanted to erase it. Yes—I was upset but, I couldn’t expect an answer from him.

I heard him coming towards me and he pulleed me hard into an embrace. It was the first time he had ever initiated any real contact with me. He held me tight his head droping close to my shoulder.

“I’m really sorry,” he said,” You gotta know I ain't never goin’ to forgive myself for that. I should have said somethin’ I should have done somethin’. I’m sorry.”

Can Julianna ever really forgive him though ? Should she  ?

I heard what he was saying but, the tape was still on my mind. I remembered how it ended and how I had walked so close to the camera that I could see the blood on my leg. I was looking directly at the only spot where the camera could have been.

The door to the room where the TL’s had stayed. I reached out of Rhetts embrace and headed for the door, opening it I went to one of the desks and finding an empty cigarette pack I wrote on the back

A TL who lived here with you made that tape. If we find him we find the original and Raleigh can use that as evidence.

I turned to see Rhett had followed me, I handed him the note.

“We are such idiots,” he said, “We never thought of finding the original owner of the tape.”

He sat down on one of the beds—the one that had been his.

“Let me think . . . it couldn’t have been Henry that guy can barely work a bottle opener ,”

He kept glancing from bed to bed

“Shit,” he said,”I know who it is, it was Ricky. He was always buying expensive shit he didn't need.”

Let’s find him

“It ain’t that easy,” Rhett said, “ Ricky was a runaway--he was living on the streets. I never knew where he was from.”

I tried not to get frustrated with Rhett. Couldn’t he do something right ? I thought over what to do next when I heard some loud breathing. I turned to see Rhett  was now lying on the bed-- asleep.

I watched him sleep for a while and then I exited the room, headed up the basements steps and up to the second floor.

Well, atleast it isn’t chessy…except he fell asleep really fast.