The air in the small, dimly lit room was tense as Kenneth and I returned to our seats. The council members, seated in an imposing semicircle before us, wore expressions of grim authority. The guard’s taunts echoed in my mind, a reminder of how precarious our situation had become.
The head of the council, a stern-faced elder named Travis, cleared his throat. "We have reviewed the evidence presented against you, and while it is deeply troubling, we believe in the right to defend yourselves. Therefore, we grant you one week to present your case before a final judgment is made."
I felt a flicker of hope ignited within me. A week! That was something. Kenneth squeezed my hand, his eyes reflecting the same mix of cautious optimism and lingering fear.
"Use this time wisely," Travis continued. "
