Summer Dawson's heart seemed to freeze in her chest as her gaze fixated on the lifeless body sprawled before her, staining the floor crimson.
Unmoving, she watched as blood seeped from the young boy's collarbone, painting a macabre picture on the ground.
Her own body, once full of energy, turned to stone. An icy numbness gripped her. She fell to her knees, a choked sob escaping her lips. It felt as if her chest were filled with needles, each one pricking at her soul.
Summer's scream pierced the air, a lament of unimaginable pain. Her surroundings faded into insignificance as she mourned the loss of her child, the sound of her anguish echoing for miles, carrying the weight of her shattered heart.
---
**One day ago**
"This is going to be the best week ever." Summer declared, grinning.
She was over the moon that her boss let her take a little break from work. Summer was always at the office putting in her best so it was great when her boss told her to take a week off.
She had plans to indulge in Netflix marathons, experiment with exotic cuisines, and delve into the art of customizing shoes, an obsession fueled by countless online tutorials.
Arriving home, her building's door strangely ajar, Summer hesitated. Her son Damien wasn't usually home at this hour. The possibility of an intruder crossed her mind, and she swiftly dialed the emergency number.
Tension coiled in her stomach as she stepped inside, her ears catching the sound of a woman's sobs. Her heart raced with alarm. Could a burglar be tormenting an innocent girl in her home? Her mind raced with terrible scenarios.
"It's going to be okay, babe. The little bastard is going to pay."
That was her son's voice.
Relief washed over her as she realized there was no intruder, but confusion gripped her.
Unannounced, she entered the living room.
Before her stood Josie, Damien's girlfriend, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling as she buried her face in Damien's shoulder.
"What on earth is happening here?" Summer demanded, hands resting on her hips.
Damien and Josie pulled away and turned to face her. Josie raised her hand and wiped the tears from her face.
"Mom, you're back."
"Yes, and you better tell me what's going on."
Damien nodded. He explained everything in detail about Josie's earlier encounter and Summer listened, jaws tense.
Josie had narrowly escaped a horrifying encounter with Bruno Hamilton, the mayor's son, a matter too grave to be taken lightly.
"What do you want, Josie?" Summer asked, her voice filled with support. "No matter your decision, we'll stand by you."
With clenched fists and determination in her eyes, Josie spoke, "I'm tired of Bruno's harassment, ma'am. I've rejected him countless times, but he continues. I've told him I have a boyfriend and even if I don't, does that give him any right to harass me?"
"It doesn't." Summer affirmed, her anger matching Josie's.
"If Damien hadn't intervened, he would've... he would've…" Josie's voice quivered. "I want to file a complaint and make sure he rots in prison."
Embracing Josie, Summer reassured her. "We'll make sure he faces justice, sweetheart."
Summer exchanged a resolute glance with Damien, their determination unwavering.
---
"Ma'am, are you certain about filing a complaint against Bruno Hamilton?" The police officer asked, cautiously.
"For the last time, yes." Josie said, her voice raised.
Summer had taken Josie and Damien to the nearest police station so Josie could file her complaint against Bruno Hamilton.
The officer seemed disinterested, prompting Damien to speak up, "Isn't it your duty to protect citizens and prosecute criminals?"
The officer's indifference persisted, infuriating Summer. She stepped forward.
"If you won't allow us to file a complaint, we'll go elsewhere, and I promise, justice will be served." Summer declared.
"Do you think you'll get anywhere with this complaint?" The officer scoffed. "No one will believe you, it's a useless battle."
"So, we should let him go free?" Summer's sarcasm dripped with disdain. "And see if he'll just magically stop harming her?"
She glared at the officer in disgust.
"Bruno is a criminal who belongs in jail. If you won't help us, we'll find someone who will."
"I can't believe how low the police force has become." Damien sneered at the police officer.
Summer and Damien eventually took Josie to a different police station, where officers attempted to deter them from filing a complaint. The town's police force disappointed Summer, fueling her determination to seek justice beyond the town's borders.
Thankfully, a neighboring police station took Josie's complaint seriously. The chief of police, Dylan Spark, took the matter seriously.
Dylan smiled at Josie. "It will be a tough couple of days, or weeks, but you should know that we are here for you and will support you."
Josie felt more at ease at the man's words.
"You don't need to be scared at all, Bruno Hamilton will be jailed for doing something so disgusting."
Phew!
Summer was glad that the man wasn't scared of the name 'Hamilton' or cowering away like everyone else in this town.
"Indeed, people like Bruno shouldn't be allowed to stay in society and should be locked up in jail." Damien agreed.
Dylan assigned another police officer to Josie and the cop filed the complaint. The cop took them to a private office and asked Josie detailed questions about the incident and gathered information about the witness and the perpetrator.
The lady was very helpful and she didn't pressure Josie in any form or manner. After they had gotten all the questions out of the way and done, they were asked to leave.
"We will call you soon to ask more questions and discuss the case." The officer told Josie.
Summer was happy about how things had turned out, although they had begun the day in a very daunting and stressful position.
---
After a grueling day, Summer brought Josie to her apartment. Josie was an orphan living alone and needed all the support she could get at this time. Summer and Damien were determined to provide it.
"Thank you for this." Summer whispered as she spoke to her brother, Tristan Dawson, a renowned lawyer who had agreed to handle Josie's case.
With his expertise, he would ensure that Bruno Hamilton faced the consequences of his actions.
"It's no problem, I've got to get some sleep now." Tristan said. "I'll call you later, sis.
"Sure, bye. Take care."
Justice was finally within reach, Summer thought as she hung up. Bruno Hamilton's privileged status would not shield him from the consequences of his deeds.
***
Dylan's eyes widened as he scanned the neatly typed complaint on his desk, signed by none other than Josie Niles.
Her words painted a vivid picture of Bruno Hamilton's alleged actions, and a chill ran down his spine as he considered the potential fallout should this information leak to the media.
With trembling fingers, Dylan reached for his phone, his thumb hovering over the keypad as he dialed the emergency number.
The seconds dragged on like hours as he waited for someone to pick up on the other end. Finally, the call connected, and he brought the phone to his ear, his voice shaky but determined.
"I need to report a complaint made againt the young master."