When I got back home with Joel with me, I made a quick call to Kyle.

"Hi Kyle."

"Hey girl!"

"Hi...so how'd it go? I wish I could've been there with you to give him-"

I stopped myself.

"Nevermind. How'd it go?"

"It went great actually."

"What the fuck in a trunk, really?"

Kyle laughed.

"Yeah, Dad actually apologized to me after the meeting with Mrs. Collier."

"That's actually good to hear Kyle. Look I don't know how to tell you this."

"What's wrong Kath?"

"The Watcher has been caught, he's in jail now."

She sighed.

"I actually thought my aunt was a goner!"

"Well, guess what else?"

"What?"

"My dad was The Watcher all this time."

She gasped.

"No, not David, he's a cool dude!"

"It's true, he killed Ms. Tilly. Dad's gonna get prison time, I'm living with Mr. Campbell until he gets out. Kyle...Kyle?"

"I can't believe this."

"You know what else? Here's the answer to your psychopath or something questions, yes we are and I just found out."

"I...uh...I don't know what to say."

"Don't worry, I'm still your best friend, still got your back when you need it, you can still trust me."

"Wait...Mr. Campbell?"

"Yeah, he's a cop, he's the one that told me everything about Dad. He has my full trust."

I looked at Joel, he smiled, I smiled back.

"Why not live with me and my family?"

"I'd rather stick a well sharpened pencil up my ass then live in the same house as Vincent."

Kyle chuckled.

"Well how about if we hang out after school tomorrow?"

"Ok, love you."

"Love you."

"Bye."

I hung up.

"Who the hell is Vincent?" Joel asked.

"Kyle's father, you might have to involve child services on that asshole."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's a veteran who's too controlling on her, he's an insane old fuck. But what makes him good is that he does love her unconditionally like a parent should. He took me and Dad out to eat to thank me for saving her from rape."

"That was good of him."

"Why are you choosing to give Dad a minimum sentence?"

"Because he's a remarkable parent to you, his intentions of not telling you were understandable but still criminal, he never wanted to hurt you. You haven't ate dinner yet have you?"

I shook my head.

"Ok, how about if we go out for Vietnamese food?"

"I never tried it before, it sounds awesome."

"It is."

Me and Joel were eating a bowl of pho at the restaurant.

"So, you're a psychopath?"

"According to my guidance counselor, yeah I am. Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill anyone, or hurt you. I always thought I was a weird kid, barely no emotions, Dad said I only cried when I wanted food and to get changed. When I was smaller, other kids thought I was a robot. One time, there was an accident in California, Dad was driving and I was jamming to music on the radio, there was slow traffic because of a car accident. As we drove through slowly, I saw a semi truck, long pieces of wood were loose, some still on the semi and some on the car, what I saw was some Final Destination shit I'm not gonna say more of. I didn't react whatsoever to it."

"Hmm, it is obvious you get it from your father and it's very common that killers had awful childhoods but it's no excuse."

"I know, Dad told me that his dad always told him to fuck himself and nobody wants him while his mom just let it happen because she was too in love with him to realize. Dad raised me right, I guess he had a good parental figure in his life somehow, he knew his dad was shitty. I don't know why they never wanted to know me, their grandkid, because I look like him. Hawaiian from Grandpa's side."

"I always wanted to go to Hawaii."

"Me too."

We chuckled.

The trial began, Me, Joel, Kyle, and her family was there among many others. A cop followed by Dad walked in the courtroom. I even noticed cameras too. 

"All rise for Judge Milton."

An old man in a court robe walked in.

"We are here for the trial of David Allen Griffin, who's been charged with multiple counts of first degree murder. It's a relief that you, The Watcher has finally been caught. We don't need a big trial to reach a verdict, we know you're guilty as charged. Do you plead guilty?"

"Yes your honor," Dad said politely.

"Joel Campbell, you're the arresting officer."

"Yes sir, he turned himself in, I have no idea why he decided now."

"Let's have Mr. Griffin answer that."

"I just did, no reason your honor."

"It says you have a fourteen year old daughter who goes to the local high school?"

"Yes sir."

"Katherine Nicole Griffin," he read my name.

"Yes sir, that's her."

Dad turned to me, the judge did too.

"Miss. Griffin, would you care to come to the witness stand please?"

"Yes your honor."

I walked to the stand.

"Raise your right hand."

I did so.

"You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so God help you?"

"I do."

"Let's proceed. Is it true that you were 100% unaware of what he's been doing to those women?"

"Yes sir, had no idea. As far as I was concerned, he was a loving father and a cool guy."

He nodded.

"You found out the other day about him. How did you find out and how did you feel?"

"Mr. Campbell showed me evidence in Dad's room, I was an acquaintance to Mr. Campbell before I found out."

"The evidence?"

"Yes, a piano wire in a brown paper bag. I felt like I was gonna get sick and pass out. But me and Dad talked in the interrogation room, he promised never to kill again, he meant it, he promised me."

I started to choke up a little.

"He raised me on his own, Mom left when I was a baby. He taught me what was right and wrong."

"It's ironic isn't it Mr. Griffin? You killed quite a few people but became a parent to a child."

"She's my biological child, I love her."

"Her mother left you two?"

"Yes, we weren't married, just boyfriend and girlfriend who happened to have a baby. We were both excited that we were gonna be parents, but two months after Kath was born, she packed her stuff and left. Left a note saying that she never wanted to have a baby but kept to herself for my sake since I really wanted her. I raised her on my own, low income job, government help. I think I did good bringing her up."

"You did Dad."

We smiled at each other.

"Why did you keep your killer life from her for all these years?"

"Home life and that were two different things, I wanted her to live like a normal child, go to school, have friends, let her pick her own career, and be successful in life. But to find out that's she's like me psychologically, I felt like I screwed up as a father."

"You didn't screw up Dad, I'm the same girl."

Dad smirked.

"But still, whether or not he's a fit parent, he still needs to take responsibility for his actions. Miss. Griffin, you may step down and Mr. Griffin rise for sentencing."

Dad stood up. I walked to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Love you."

"Love you."

The judge continued.

"Since you're already plead guilty, I herby sentence you to ten years in the Chicago Detention Center, Katherine will stay with whoever she chooses in this room between Joel Campbell and the Reed family."

"Question your honor," I said.

"Yes Miss. Griffin?"

"What about visitation?"

"Hmm, well, visitations will be supervised by a guard and every week."

"Thank you sir."

"So who do you choose?"

"Joel Campbell."

Joel smiled.

"Everything is in order, so case closed," the judge slammed the gavel down.

https://youtu.be/-j0AyWbAbrc

The officer escorted Dad out of the courtroom. That moment, I started to feel like a five year old getting separated from their mother on the first day of kindergarten. But, visitations are gonna be great, weekly visitations, no matter what, Dad will always be there for me. Joel put his hand on my shoulder as I stood up.

"Let's go home."

Wrapping his arm around me, me and Joel walked out of the room.