The hamster wheel rolled to a stop. Argyle and Dana walked to the exit and stepped off the bus. Argyle said, "Thanks for the ride, Gena." He blew her a kiss with his hand. Gena seemed to like this kind of affection. She pretended to catch the kiss and put it in her pocket.
"See you Argyle." Gena shut the door and the hamster wheel drove off. Dana watched as the hamster wheel rolled away. What a fascinating machine. Someday she would learn more about it.
Argyle looked at Dana as she watched the bus. He said, "It is not the fastest mode of transportation but it sure beats walking."
Dana bumped into Argyle with her shoulder and said with a half-smile, "I think Gena likes you."
"I know she does," Argyle turned away from the bus, "But I she is out of my range. I have a limit. Ten years older than me and ten years younger than me. If she doesn't fall in that area it aint gonna happen, she needs to move along. You know?"
Dana turned and looked around the jungle but to her disappointment all she could see were trees. Frustrated she asked, "I don't see any stone buildings. Where is the Courthouse?"
Argyle snapped back, "Relax troublemaker, the bus just took us to the downtown stop. The courthouse is that way. It's not too bad. It only a few blocks." Argyle started to walk. Dana followed him as Argyle pointed out a few interesting trees. "Over there is the old apartment building I used to live at. You ever been downtown before?"
Dana nodded but soon tuned him out. Argyle was a good friend, but Dana was distracted by all the sights to see. The downtown part of the jungle was a busy place. Oranges and banana flowing up and down the river. Suddenly Dana had an epiphany. What if the river was actually a road? What if the fruit and vegetables in the river were actually cars? She focused on these thoughts and for a brief second, she could see it, but only in her head. Cars, trucks, vans, all driving down the river… not a river. A road. This is what normal people see?
Argyle stopped walking and clapped his hands in front of Dana snapping her back to life, "You zoned out again Dana?"
"No," Dana looked up at him and asked, "Argyle, I figured it out!"
"What is that?"
"What do you call a river without water?"
Argyle rolled his eyes, "Not this again. You already asked me this one. You could at least throw something new at me."
"No, not this time." Dana continued, "This time I have the answer."
Argyle shrugged at her and said, "Okay then, you tell me. What do you call a river without water?"
"A road."
Argyle looked at her confused. "That doesn't make any sense." He thought about it as they walked. After a moment they reached the next intersection. Argyle nodded his head and said, "Is it because of traffic flow? Flow of water, flow of traffic? There has to be a connection, right?"
Dana answered, "Yes, I think so. That is why you are a hamster."
"What?" Argyle was taken back by this comment, "Why am I a hamster?"
"Because hamsters are smart." Dana confirmed.
Argyle thought about it for a second then said, "I don't think they are. Hamsters are hairy and small. People keep them as pets because they are cute. But that is it. I can't think of any other way to describe them." They continued to walk for a moment then Argyle asked again, "Why am I a hamster?"
"Hamsters can do complicated mazes and solve puzzles. I have figured it out Argyle. There is a rhyme and reason for what I see. Even things that don't make sense to me actually make a lot of sense when I think about it. I think I understand now."
Argyle still looked puzzled, "Yeah, sure. You lost me at hamster. But don't worry about it. Courthouse is up ahead."
Forgetting the conversation Dana looked up. Up ahead Dana saw a massive stone structure that points straight up to the heavens. "There it is!" Dana started jumping up and down with excitement. "We made it! We found the courthouse!"
Argyle tried to calm her down, "Okay chill little friend. Keep it together."
Dana looked with marvel at the courthouse. Oddly enough this was the only structure in the jungle that was not a stone, cave, or tree. They walked up the steps to the front door and stopped. Argyle walked over to the door then turned back to Dana. he bent over to look in Dana's eyes and said, "This is as far as I can go with you."
Dana was shocked, "Why? We made it all this way."
Argyle looked over his shoulder, "Look there, they have security here. A whole team of security and police officers. Not fake campus security, REAL police officers. They make you empty your pockets, they take your stuff, and search you with metal detectors."
Dana was confused, "Do you have something illegal on you?"
"Sometimes." Argyle patted himself on the pocket with his hand, then looked back to Dana and smiled, "I don't really feel like going to jail today. So this is as far as I can go with you little friend."
Dana looked at his pocket then back to his face, "College life?"
"Yes, College life." Argyle said with a smile.
After hearing all his speeches about college life, Dana understood. She said, "So, you graduated high school, got a taste of freedom, and started making bad choices, am I right?"
"Ouch, you got me there. Look at how smart you are. Using my own words against me. You'll be alright, Dana."
Dana started to tear up as she gave Argyle another hug. She whispered, "Thank you."
Argyle pulled away and said, "Okay no need to get all emotional on me. People are going to think we are dating or something." Argyle stood up and opened the door for Dana. "Good luck little friend." Argyle stuck his hand for a fist bump. Dana returned the favor and she walked in the door. Argyle released the door and walked away.
Inside the courthouse Dana noticed the cold air. This place was freezing. The inside was massive. Large stone walls leading in every direction. Who knows where Dana was going to find the Judge? There were vines along the left and right of the path Dana was standing on. They were obviously there to lead her to a dog standing near a huge arch and several machines. This dog was a Labrador. He was holding a rubber dog toy in his hand. Dana looked at the security dog then back to Argyle. Argyle had already started walking away. For a fraction of a second Dana thought about leaving.
"Are you getting cold feet now?" Dana was shocked to see Jeremy was still on her shoulder.
"Where have you been?!" Dana whispered to him.
"I jumped in your pocket before you got in the Hamster wheel." Jeremy smiled with confidence, "I didn't want to waste my magic searching for you again."
Dana put her finger over her mouth, "Shh, you can't be seen here. Argyle said they pat you down and take your stuff."
"Not a problem," Jeremy waved his wand and said, "Invisco!" With a little flash of magic powder Jeremy became partially invisible.
Dana looked at him and said, "I can still see you!"
Jeremy said, "You can. But no one else can. You're welcome." Jeremy sat down and made himself comfortable. "This is the courthouse, right? Finally, we can get this business taken care of."
Dana shushed Jeremy as she looked back to the Labrador guard. He was the only obstacle in the way for now.
The Labrador locked eyes with Dana. Dana walked up to the large machine and looked at the dog. There was a long pause then the Labrador said, "Are you here alone?" His voice almost echoed the empty halls of the courthouse. Dana nodded but didn't say anything. The Labrador looked around expecting to see an adult accompanying her. But he saw no one. Finally, he looked at Dana again and asked, "Are you here on a field trip?"
Jeremy pulled her hair and whispered, "Tell him you are here to see the Judge."
Dana finally found her voice. She said, "I am here to see the Judge."
"Most people are. This is the courthouse. Have you ever been here before?"
"No. But I am not leaving until I see the Judge."
"What is your name?"
"Dana."
The Labrador walked over to the corner and picked up a dog toy. He pressed a few buttons, and the toy began making noise. After a few seconds he spoke into it, "We have a child here at the front gate named Dana that wants to see Judge Lawrence." He looked back to see if Dana was still there. She was. Dana had no intention of leaving until she saw the Judge. Eventually the Labrador said, "Okay. Yes. She is standing right here. Okay. You got it." Then he put down the dog toy. It squeaked as he put it down. The Labrador looked at Dana and said, "Looks like it is your lucky day. We will have someone come down to get you. You want to walk through the metal detector?"
"No thank you."
The Labrador took down a small section of vine so Dana could walk around the machine. As he did this he said, "No worries, the metal detector is for adults anyways. You can follow me, please. I have a room ready for you."
Dana walked around the arch. She squinted her eyes at the Labrador. His personality switched from tough to friendly way too fast. Something was up with him. The Labrador led her a bit down the hallway to a waiting room with toys and a small table. He opened the door and let Dana walk inside. Then he said, "Someone will be with you soon." Dana looked at the toys, this was a little kid waiting room. Is that what he thinks I am? But she was so tired from the day's activities to argue about it. She simply didn't have the energy to disagree with anything. Instead, she sat down and looked at the Labrador. He was waited at the entrance. Dana's experience in the jungle taught her never to trust a dog. This Labrador was no different. Dana stared at him expecting him to turn evil at any moment.
Jeremy whispered, "I think we walked into a trap here." Dana did not say anything. Jeremy noticed her dark stare at the Labrador and said, "This is a trap. He is calling in more dogs. We need to leave now."
Dana continued to stare at the Labrador and whispered, "There is no place to go. No places to hide. I am tired." Dana's voice grew louder as she spoke, "We made it to the courthouse. We are here. The Judge is here. He will come see us, or we will go see him. No one is going to stop us. That is all. There is no acceptation, no barriers in our way. This is happening now, and we will not take NO for an answer." Dana finished her speech at near full volume.
The Labrador who was listening to her speech asked, "Who are you talking to?"
"Myself!" Dana shouted at the Labrador with conviction. "Does that make me crazy?! Do you think I am crazy?!" The Labrador just stood there in shock. This was clearly not what he had expected from a little girl. Dana stood up. She could feel her legs were sore from all the walking she had done but that did not slow her down. She walked over to the Labrador and said, "I want to see the Judge, now."
The Labrador stood his ground. He was not about to be bossed around by anyone. He crossed his arms and said, "Just sit down and wait. Someone is coming to get out. They will be here soon enough."
"Who is?" Dana said while looking around.
"You ask a lot of questions for a little girl. How about you sit down and wait. Okay?"
"I am not going to sit down and wait for anything. I am tired, I am ready to talk to the Judge, AND I am ready to go home." Dana looked out the door trying to see if she could squeeze past the Labrador. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw him. Mr. Doberman was walking right toward them. Dana started to panic, she looked at the Labrador. He was looking at Mr. Doberman. This was her only chance to escape. She tried to squeeze between the door frame and the Labrador, but he reached down and blocked her.
Mr. Doberman walked over and glared at Dana, "Don't let her go!" he shouted. Mr. Doberman grabbed Dana by the shirt. He said, "You aren't going anywhere. In the last two days you have embarrassed me and the department enough with your shenanigans." He started to drag her out of the building. His paw was course. His nails were sharp. Dana resisted as much as she could.
Dana struggled against his pull, "I am here to see the Judge! You said I have to see the judge then I can go home!"
"No, your case has been rescheduled to next week. You can come back then." Mr. Doberman said as he pulled her across the room. Dana was struggling again him while he was dragging her. They were making a huge scene. Everyone in the courthouse was watching the commotion. Dana's shoes squeaked as she was drug across the floor. Mr. Doberman turned back to see Dana struggling and said, "Stop, or I will put you in handcuffs. Is that what you want?!"
Jeremy covered his eyes and said, "We failed. They are taking you away! Do something! Anything!"
Dana could only think of one thing. This was her last straw. As Mr. Doberman dragged her to the entrance of the courthouse Dana grabbed his paw and bite him as hard as she could. Mr. Doberman let out a whimper, then a full-blown scream. As soon as he let go of her shirt, Dana ran away from him at full speed.
"You little brat!" Mr. Doberman shouted. Dana did not listen to him. She dodged the Labrador and ran deeper into the building. Several on lookers laughed at the situation. Other were disturbed. No one tried to stop her as Dana ran. She ran from corridor to corridor until she found a flight of stairs. Up the stairs she ran. She could hear Mr. Doberman and others chasing after her. She had to be faster though. It was her only chance.
At the top of the stairs she turned down another corridor finding herself at a dead end. Out of breath and out of space to run, Dana fell to her knees and accepted her fate. She started to weep right there on the courthouse floor.
"Don't give up now." Jeremy said as he waved his wand. A trail of magic pointed to the door on the left. Jeremy exclaimed, "Look an exit!"
Dana climbed to her feet and checked the doorknob. It was unlocked. She opened the door and stepped inside. Dana tucked inside and shut the door behind her. Everything was pitch black. She could not see anything, but she heard dogs running by looking for her. One of them said, "This is a dead end?" They ran by again and then there was silence.
Dana turned around to see the room she had ducked into. But it was too dark. She felt around for a light switch and within a few seconds she found one. With a flip of the switch the room lit up. Not much of a room. It was three feet by four feet. Barren walls with no windows. A few brooms and mops hung on the wall and up high there was a few shelves with bottles on them. Dana looked at Jeremy, "This is an exit?!"
Jeremy shrugged at Dana, "It is not an exit to the building, but it was an exit from out there."
"Great plan," Dana whispered to him, "Now we are trapped in here."
Jeremy protested, "Hey, ten seconds ago, you were ready to give up. I think someone in here deserves a thank you."
Dana walked around the room and looked at all the possible angles. Nothing was going to help in here. She looked at Jeremy and whispered, "Thank you Jeremy. At least they weren't caught."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Dana and Jeremy both froze. Dana did not move for the longest time. Then she reached over and shut the light off. The room was pitch black again. The knock came again. Whoever was outside was not giving up. Dana waited but finally accepted they were busted. She turned the doorknob and opened the door slowly half expecting Mr. Doberman to grab her again. Dana's eyes quickly adjusted to the light. She saw a familiar Golden Retriever standing in outside the door. Dana's face still covered with tears smiled for the first time in a long time. She said, "Marina?"
"Hi Dana." Marina held her arms open as Dana jump into them. Now tears of joy poured down Dana face. Marina held her close and said, "Sorry I didn't come get you today." Dana did not say anything. Marina stroked her hair for a minute then said, "I hear you have been busy. You escaped your foster parents, walked all the way across town, and you bite my partner."
Dana finally stood up and said, "Sorry."
"It's okay, he deserved it." Marina said as she wiped the tear off Dana's face. "However, your court case was pushed back. They rescheduled everything and the Judge is going to see you next week. Coming here today doesn't change anything, sweety."
Dana protested, "you said we would go to the courthouse tomorrow. You said we would see the Judge together."
"Ouch, I did say all that didn't I." Marina stood up and looked Dana in the eyes, then she looked down the hallway and said, "Well, we are all here aren't we." She took Dana by the hand and said, "Let's see if I can keep my word." Marina and Dana walked by the hallway where Mr. Doberman and three other dogs were waiting. Dana could feel their eyes glaring at her without even looking. They followed Marina and Dana as they walked from room to room.
Eventually Marina walked over to the wall and pushed a button that lit up. Dana watched with curiosity. After a moment the wall opened up reviling another small room. Marina and Dana stepped into the room. The other three dogs and Mr. Doberman also tried to get in the room. However, Marina stopped them by saying, "Sorry boys, girls only." The doors slowly slid shut and while Marina pushed the number 3 on the right-side panel.
The room started to move and shake ever so slightly. Dana thought she was going to lose her balance, but she held onto Marina tightly. Dana had a ton of questions, but she held her tongue not knowing how this was going to turn out. When the doors opened again Marina once again led Dana to another hallway. Then another. Finally, they came to a door Marina knelt in front of Dana and said, "I am going to need you to stay right here. I will talk to the Judge and be right back, okay?"
Dana agreed, "Okay, I will wait." Marina opened the door and went inside. She could hear Marina talking to someone, but she could not hear their conversation. Dana noticed Marina was different than other adults. She had a certain balance to her. A level of confidence and understanding. Marina did not dismiss everything Dana said as children's nonsense. Whatever it was, Dana knew she need to thank her when this was all over with.
Out of the corner of her eye Dana saw Mr. Doberman. He had followed them and was now standing at the end of the hallway just around the corner. Watching her. Dana was not intimidated by him anymore. She glared at him as he glared back.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity the door opened and Marina came out. Again, she knelt in front of Dana and said, "Good news, the Judge will see you. However, I want you to be honest with him. He does like it when people lie to him, okay?" Dana nodded. Marina opened the door wide so Dana could enter.
Stepping inside the room Dana saw a huge rock dressed in a black robe. The top of the rock had a smiley face drawn in chalk with a wig on its head. Interesting. Once in the room, Marina shut the door behind them. As soon as the door was shut the Rock spoke, "Welcome Dana."
At this point, nothing surprised Dana anymore. A talking rock sure why not. She said, "Hi. Are you the Judge?"
The Judge said, "I am. I have heard you have been very busy today. All to come and see me." Dana nodded as the Judge continued, "The reason we have called you here is to testify in a court case. The State versus Brian Kirik. A court case where you are credited as the only witness." The Judge looked over some case files on his desk and said, "Back in Baltimore a psychologist evaluated you and found that you are a competent witness. Despite some mental strain. Are you prepared to tell me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, Dana?"
Dana agreed, "I will."
The Judge's smile slowly started to fade away, "Very well then, do you remember the night of April 23rd?"
Dana shook her head and said, "No."
"Okay sweety," the Judge looked at Marina and back to Dana, "Do you remember the last night you were in your house?"
Dana nodded and said, "Yes."
"What happened that night? Anything unusual?" The Judge asked.
"Mom and dad send me to bed early. But I wasn't tired. So, I got up and listened to music." Dana looked at the Judge expecting him to say something, but he let her finish, "I played my music quietly so I wouldn't get in trouble. But I had to keep turning it up because of how loud they were talking downstairs. A lot of talking."
The Judge asked, "Talking like you and I are now, or shouting?"
Dana started to feel that pain in her head. But she replied, "Shouting. I didn't do anything until I heard the sounds."
"What kind of sounds?"
Dana put her hand on her forehead to make the pain go away, "Loud banging sounds."
"How many loud banging sounds did you hear, Dana?"
"Three. Very loud, louder than my music. Louder than a door slamming shut." Dana tried to be as descriptive as she could.
"Okay, three loud bangs. What happened then?"
"I turned off my music and listened. But I heard nothing. So, I got out of bed and opened the door to my room. Still nothing." Dana leaned to the side as she talked, "I looked out the door and down the stairs. The front door was open. I thought it was strange because dad was always telling me to shut the door."
The judge smiled again and said, "Of course, you don't want bugs in your house do you Dana?"
Dana shook her head, "No."
"What else did you see downstairs? Did you see your parents?"
A tear started to well up in Dana's eye, "Yeah, mom and dad were on the floor."
"Both of them? What happened next Dana?"
"Someone came in the front door," Dana wiped the tear from her eye, "He was holding a gas can started pouring it all over the floor."
"Did he see you?"
Dana shook her head, "Yes, after he tossed the gas can on the floor he looked up and saw me."
The Judge's face turned very serious, "This is very important, Dana. Did you recognize him?"
Dana nodded.
"Who was it, Dana?"
Dana wiped another tear from her eye and said, "It was Uncle Brian. He looked at me for the longest time. Then he said one word. He said, Sorry, and left."
"He just left. What happened next, Dana?"
Dana put her hands up and said, "Fire. Lots of fire. It was really hot, and I couldn't breathe."
"So, what did you do, Dana?"
"I went back to my room and hid under the bed."
The Judge nodded at her, "Probably the safest thing you could have done in that situation. Staying down low where the air was still breathable. You did a good job Dana. And today you did another good job by telling us about it. This information will be very helpful in your uncle's court case."
Suddenly the door busted open, Dana turned to see a duck in a business suit entering the room. He looked at the Judge and said, "Your Honor, sorry I am late. I was not informed of this meeting until the very last second."
The Judge's smile quickly turned to a frown as he spoke directly to the duck, "Mr. Andrews I can conduct an interrogation without your assistance. The Law does not state that any lawyers need to bare witness to a testimony. Especially a child as young as this one."
Mr. Andrews buttoned his jacket to appear as professional as possible. He said, "I thought we agreed to have her testimony thrown out of court. We all read the Psychologist evaluation, didn't we? Her mind is a mess!" He pulled out a paper and started reading from it. "The Subject suffers from frequent memory loss, wild fantasies, and out-of-body experiences! There is no way she can be classified as a credible witness. Especially without cross examination."
The Judge stood up, which Dana thought was odd. He was already very tall before standing up. Now that he was standing, he was an even bigger rock. The Judge stared down at the duck and said, "Mr. Andrews, she only gained dissociation from that event. Before your that night, she was still a perfectly normal 10-year-old. Therefore, her testimony stands."
Mr. Andrew shook his head, "This is ridiculous."
The Judge ignored him and turned a smile back on his face. Once again, he looked at Dana, "Marina will take you home now, Dana. Thank you for your assist today."
Dana was so happy to hear that. "Home, like to my house? Not some foster home?"
The Judge looked a little confused but answered her, "Umm no sweety, I meant home to your foster family."
"No," Dana shook her head, "Mr. Doberman said I could go home after seeing you. I didn't lie."
The Judge looked sad, but he had to tell her the truth, "Dana, you don't have a home anymore. There is nothing to go back to. The Firefighter pulled you from the building but there is nothing left anymore. Remember?"
Dana opened her mouth, but no words escaped. How could she. The Judge was right. She knew he was right. But she had been lying to herself for so long. Living on a hope that everything would be right again someday. The flood gates opened in her mind. All the thoughts and emotions she had been holding back where on the table now. Dana turned to look at Marina. Even Marina had a few tears in her eyes. But Dana wasn't done. Rage filled her as she turned back to the Judge and yell, "I did everything they told me. I did everything!" The Judge tried to speak but Dana was yelling over him, "I want my parents! I want to go home!" Marina picked up Dana and carried her out of the room. But Dana was not done yet. She screamed over Marina's shoulder, "I hate you! I hate you all!"
Marina carried the sobbing Dana down the hallway and passed Mr. Doberman. Dana saw him for a second and let him have it too. "You lied to me! You're a liar!" Mr. Doberman did not respond. Dana unleashed a flurry of terrible words. She had nothing nice to say and she had nothing to lose anymore. Marina didn't say a word. She carried Dana down the stairs and out the front steps of the courthouse.
By this time Dana had run completely out of steam. She had no words left for anyone. Marina put her in the Marshmallow. Dana didn't argue with her. Marina got in the driver side and drove away from the courthouse. Marina didn't say anything either. Where were they going? It didn't matter anymore. Dana was complete done. She looked over to her shoulder where Jeremy usually was. He was gone. Of course, he was gone. He was a figment of Dana's imagination. Dana knew it. He was never real to begin with. Within 5 to 10 minutes of riding Dana started to notice her eyes getting heavy. Why fight it? Why resist? She closed her eye and quickly fell asleep.