Brooke grabbed her trembling knees under the tight seats at court, this trial was a never ending nightmare for her. Her crippling PTSD from that unfaithful night still haunted her and the media attention was driving her insane. All the headlines labelled her as a "victim" and whilst it may be true, she did not identify as a victim. This attempted murder had made her a survivor and the overwhelming guilt that ingulfed her was reminding her of this.

"Attention! Brooke Shmoulders, please swear oath on the bible for your testimony", announced the judge abruptly. Hesitantly, she approached the stand to swear oath but her mind was spinning with anxiety. If justice wasn't served, how could she live with herself?

Holding her breath, Brooke stared into the blank, bloodshot eyes of her ex boyfriend and allowed rage to consume her. This was her chance to testify against that beast.

Blinking back tears, Brooke closed her eyes for a moment before testifying then glared into his soulless eyes again and began.

"I can confirm that the accused is my ex partner and he tried to murder me. After his gambling addiction spiraled out of control, he became angry and I couldn't control him", said Brooke to address the court.
"Then the a-abuse started and I was scared. He said he would hurt me and i got beat up a few times before he bought a gun. It was enough to scare any woman into staying. But on that Thursday night it got worse. I woke up at like 3 am and he was there watching me", she spluttered out.

"Was it just a nightmare?" asked his attorney in an agitated tone.

"No, I rememeber seeing a gun. I tried to leave the room but he threatened to kill me so i screamed. He chucked me in the corner and put the gun by my cheek."

Silence pierced the courtroom as her ex boyfriend bit his lip, he was clearly unsettled by this. 
"She's lying defendant, I keep my guns for self defence", he said.

Brooke took a deep breath in and looked sheepishly at his attorney who had her head down towards her feet like a lost puppy. Her blood was boiling yet no words could come out, it was like she had been stabbed. This is what true betrayal felt like....
Taking a moment to compose herself, she squeezed her palm before standing to speak.

" He was the danger, i should have used it in self defence against him.", she angrily proclaimed. Like thunder, the room was rattled but before anyone could intervene she continued speaking.

"Clearly his intentions were to hurt me. But I have taken lessons of my own now and I am not just a victim", she spluttered as she stared at the cold-blooded monster.

"Now they will call me a survivor!", she shouted as she briskly reached into her jacket pocket for a mini gun and fired shots at her ex, grinning manically.

Although she'd be punished, karma was served. Now the media had a good story...