Title: Victimized Criminal

Summary: When your family is falling apart, how far would you go to mend it?

A/N: Hey everybody! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I have never tried to do any sort of drama before, so this is a first for me. I tried my best, and feel free to comment and post some feedback. I don't mind criticism at all, in fact I welcome it. It's the only way to improve! So, thanks again, and I hope you like it!

"No matter how hard you try, once the glass the broken, all you see are the cracks."

It was close to midnight. Everyone was fast asleep in their rooms. The house was pitch black and the air was so still, it was almost stifling. I bit my lip. Something kept me awake that night. My heart was beating against my chest like a drum – it was almost as if I had this sense of dread. The feeling was very odd, and very wrong.

The only thing I could remember was the sound of glasses shattering on the parquet flooring. I immediately sprung up from my bed to an upright position, my heartbeat escalating as it pounded harder and harder on my ribcage. Moments later, a blood-curling scream confirmed my worst fears. I could nearly feel my heart coming to a stop.

Rushing downstairs, my arms flailed about as I desperately picked up my speed. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see.

I gasped.

I staggered backwards, my hands gripping onto the denim fabric of my jeans in exasperation. It was then I felt my heart come to a complete stop…

"Silence!" The Judge's booming voice brought me back to reality. His hammer pounded on the wooden table, "court session in order!"

I turned to face my mother. I could barely recognize the person beside me anymore. Her limbs were just skin and bones. Her cheeks, which were once rosy, were now pale and almost non-existent. Sunken in and hollow, it was now more like skin clinging onto the very frame of her bony face.

The worst were her eyes. All its colour had been drained from her, her soul lost in the very depths of her heart, hidden from view. It was as if she had decided not to feel anymore.

Tears stung my eyes. These few months have torn my family into pieces, as if it wasn't already broken. My once so-called family has turned into a dysfunctional havoc. It wasn't even fit to be called a home anymore. Ever since that night, nothing has been right. Maybe it was never meant to be.

Taking in a deep breath, I looked at my sister, who was sitting behind those cold, metal bars which separated us from her. Jean was not a very normal child; she had a disability which deprived her of her ability to speak. She also had very serious mood swings that every now and then would turn her into a violent beast, especially when she couldn't talk to vent her anger. No matter how hard my parents tried, they never understood her the way I did. I was her only friend.

My father never loved Jean. Maybe it was because of her handicap, or maybe because he always felt like she was never part of the family. He never said a word, but I could tell he distanced himself from her. There was this look of disgust whenever he laid eyes on her. He always found ways to avoid her. Even Jean could feel the hatred.

Even so, it shocked everybody when they heard how Jean had a very violent outburst with my father. An outburst that nearly rendered him a handicap himself. My father was now in a coma, and we knew it was impossible to keep him going for long, given our financial state. We knew if he didn't wake up soon, he would be gone.

I still remembered how the wine bottle in her bloody hands looked as she collapsed to the floor, her eyes widening in disbelief…

I clenched my fists as the Judge got ready to read the verdict. My mind was in a daze. I needed to think of a way to stop all of this. I could not just sit back and watch our family fall apart.

The Judge adjusted his spectacles and cleared his throat. I held my breath.

"I, hereby sentence Jean—"

"Wait!" I cried. My knees were trembling as the people in the courtroom turned to face me. I could feel my hands shaking with fear, but I steadied myself as the whole crowd fell silent.

"I…I did it," I whispered. Gasps of horror erupted from the people.

"I couldn't stand him. I…I couldn't let him hurt my sister again. No, I love her too much…" I fell silently into my chair, my hands covering my tear-stained face. The murmuring of the crowd grew louder and louder.

I did it. My sister was saved.

"Take her into custody," the Judge motioned towards the guards. Our eyes met. Somehow, I could tell he didn't quite believe my words.

"This case has been adjourned to a later date. All rise!" He shouted, although he couldn't be heard above the noise. My hands behind my back in a handcuff, I followed the officers out of the hall.

Taking one last look back, I saw my mother. Tears streaming down her face, her hand reached out to me, trying to grab mine. Her mouth opened to say something, but before she could say a word, the door slammed shut on me.

But, it didn't matter now.

Because I did it.

My sister was saved.