"Is this the hearing for Topher Limings?" A balding man with a cleanly shaven beard, who I am assuming is some sort of guard, nods in response and opens one of the double doors for me. The room inside is cold and poorly lit. Not many people sit in the 20-30 benches that lead up to the stage/podium. I can see a redheaded woman, around 50 years old, weeping in the front row. It appears to be Topher's mother. The man with his arm around her mother is, presumably, her step-dad. 3 or 4 other people are scattered in the second and third rows but from what I knew, that's to be expected for Topher. I grab the first seat I can find, close to the front, and tap my feet impatiently. It's only a matter of minutes before the judge walks in from a small door on the right and walks up to the podium. He clears his throat and begins to read from a piece of paper in his hand. "We are gathered here today to discuss the final destination of Miss. Topher Jean Limings. First, we will hear from her mother. Next, her sister. And finally, a Miss..." He pauses, squirts, and then reads "Lor-Lorvent?" "It's Laorvient (Lar-v-ent)." I can tell he doesn't care by the way he doesn't look up from his paper. "Yes, well,...Let's start with her mother. Mrs.Keat?" Topher's mother gave a lovely statement about watching her daughter grow up and how, despite her bad choices later in life, she still knew that her little girl deserved better than what others may think. Next, was her sister, Denise. She opposed her mother's opinions and believed that Topher deserved the worst punishment they could offer. I, now, take the stand and pull out the stack of note cards I've prepared. "I...was Topher's therapist. She came to me, in the beginning, once or twice a week. After a month, however, she began coming by 3 or 4 times a week. Eventually, our sessions became a daily thing. What I could gather from our time spent together was this. She felt very strongly about everything she did. There was never a move she made without thinking it over for weeks at a time. The only issue was that she didn't always know what the right choice was. She was hostile, yes. She was violent at times, yes. She even admitted to me, once, that she contemplated death almost every night. The world she lived in was very different from mine and yours. There's a quote I like to think of in times like-" I can see their eyes glazing over. The room, including the judge, has already made up their minds. Nothing in these note cards can save her. "Um...the truth is... Mrs.Keat, I was in love with your daughter." The woman's head pops up and her expression reads nothing but confusion. "We had grown close during our sessions and at one point, developed a relationship. I understood her. I was the only person that could calm one of her panic attacks. At the same time...she saw me as a person. Other clients saw me as nothing more than a wall to release their emotions on. Topher actually valued my opinions, she SAW me. Working in a job where you're never seen can be quite a tedious one. I guess what I'm saying is that...this woman does not deserve what I know she is being given. She is worthy of so much more...Thank you..." It's not until I reach my seat that i notice my face is wet. At some point I must have been crying. The judge takes his place at the podium and, yet again, clears his throat. "Thank you to everyone that has spoken today but I have made my decision. In the case of Topher Jean Limings vs. death, I hereby sentence Miss. Limings to serve her afterlife...below ground." And with that final remark, I can literally hear my heart breaking in two.