Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
Judge: "What happened when you were living there? And from the start when you first arrived."
Tim: "When I first met the girls, they hesitated to talk when I asked them for their names. Emily was holding onto Coco's hand tightly and was sucking her thumb. Then I asked for a hug which again they hesitated, but they gave me a hug and I noticed some bruises but thought that they just fell." He pauses.
Tim: "Then I took them to bed that night and I saw only one bed. When I asked they said that they only have that bed. I tucked them in and Emily whispered something to Coco which I do not know. They asked me what I did for a job, I told them about how I was an officer then got a simple mall job to keep an income coming in. I didn't tell any of my friends as I was scared of what they were going to think. The next day, I received a text from Lucy apologising to me as she blamed herself for me leaving, I wanted to respond but I felt something off that didn't sit right with me. Later that day I heard Ms McGrady shouting and I was confused, but I wanted to know how the girls got treated when I wasn't there. I snuck out early that morning and brought a few cameras to put up and hid them around the house and outside, making sure that they weren't in sight. But I also put them up as being a cop you always want to protect your own. Later I heard shouting again and turned the camera's on, I saw how scared the girls were and they had tears in their eyes. I saw Ashley go for Emily but saw how Coco stepped in front of her sister and was getting hit, that's when I figured out why the girls were shy and hesitated."
Tim: "I asked the girls about it at the park, Emily pleaded to me for them to save them and I asked Coco for more information. She opened up about how Ms McGrady would hurts them. She only allows them to eat vegetables but that is a small meal. She doesn't care for them at all, either not there or shouting and hitting them. I saw their little bodies covered in bruises and I was sad that this was happening to them. That night I asked Ms McGrady about hitting the girls and I said that I would call the cops, she said I wouldn't dare to. When I went to call the cops Ms McGrady told me that if I did then ..." Tears grew in Tim's eyes.
Judge: "Mr Bradford, please take your time, okay?" Tim nods, he turns to look at Lucy and gives a soft smile.
Tim (upset): "Ms McGrady told me that if I called the cops then she would hurt my dear friend at the time ... Lucy." Lucy's heart drops even though he told her but he was doing it to protect his girls and her, tears formed in Lucy's eyes. Angela saw and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Tim: "There was nothing I could do, so I surrendered and told her not to take it out on the girls. She asked if I was offering, and I said that if it means that the girls weren't going to get hurt then I am." Tim took a deep breathe.
Tim: "That's when she lashed out at me then started hitting me, then she raped me. Over the next few weeks, I know the girls were getting abused a little, but I was getting the brunt of it nearly black and blue. I made sure that although I was hurt that I was making the girls happy. It was constant and was getting worst. One night, Coco saw all of it happening and then in the morning told me she saw it happening. I told them that I couldn't have her hit you anymore. Beside I can't do anything, she has threatened to hurt one of my friends that I really like. So, I'm protecting you two and her. The girls asked me about my friend and we spoke about her for a little bit." Tim exhales before continuing, Lucy was on the verge of crying hear the full story of her boyfriend's experience and Angela was trying to comfort her.
Tim: "Then I went to have a serious talk. Telling the girls that it was getting worse. I told the girls that if I get really hurt and cannot move, I need you to call 9-1-1. When the person on the phone answers, tell them that your dad is hurt by you mum. Telling them where you live and then ask the person for Officer Lucy Chen. I told them that I trusted Lucy, then that she would bring our friend Angela and Nyla. They agreed to help me out like that."
Tim: "That night, it was worse than I thought. She pinned me against the wall, hitting me harder and harder each time. I was in so much pain but didn't want to show it, then she started raping me and it was rough. When she was doing it, she ..." Tim was panicking as he still gets nightmares over it.
Judge: "Councillor, could you please assist Mr Bradford and help him calm down." Wesley tried to calm Tim down but it didn't work at all.
Tim (whispers to Wesley): "I ... I-I need ... help." Wesley nods and looked at the judge.
Wesley: "Your honour, I am unable to calm him down. He needs the one person that can calm him down. Is it okay for that person to come and help him."
Judge: "Of course they can." Wesley turns around and looks at Lucy.
Wesley: "Lucy, he needs you." Lucy got up and rushed to Tim's side.
Lucy: "Hey Tim, babe it's okay. You're doing so well, I need you to breathe okay." Lucy moved and sat on his lap, putting his head on her chest. After 10 minutes, Tim calmed down and looked at Lucy and hugged her. He pulls away from her and looked up at the judge.
Tim: "Sorry your honour for that, would it be possible for Ms Chen to stay here with me?"
Judge: "Yes, that's completely fine." Tim nodded and looked at Lucy who was holding his hand, he continued.
Tim: "She was strangling me, I nearly blacked out when she finished and she left. I call the girls into the room and told them to do what I told them to do earlier that day. They did and that's when help arrived, your honour."