“I remember the basement.”
The courtroom fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Judge Dawson leaned forward, her expression softening, yet her eyes were sharp with understanding. “Thank you, Isla,” she said gently. “Can you tell us more about the basement?”
Isla hesitated, glancing at Moose. The big dog nudged her leg reassuringly, his presence giving her strength. She took a deep breath. “It was dark,” she began, her voice small but gaining confidence. “There was a little window, but it was always locked. I was scared all the time. He said I was bad, that no one wanted me. But Moose… he stayed with me. He never left.”
