All Chapters of Counting Down to the Day I'm Not Needed: Chapter 11 - Chapter 12

Harold's POVAllen was asleep in the chair next to my bed, cradling Ginger in his arms.Dr. Mariano leaned against the wall with deep dark circles under her eyes. Ben was there too, holding a stack of papers."You're awake?" Ben remarked, smiling gently. "I've got some good news for you. The court has handed down its verdict. Shaun has been convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Miranda, convicted as an accomplice to attempted murder, has been sentenced to eight years.""Also, the court has stripped them both of their parental rights."I leaned back against my pillow and stared up at the ceiling.Twelve and eight years, respectively. That was enough. Not because the sentences were heavy, but because from this day on, I'd never have to look at that whiteboard again.The countdown had stopped forever at "0", and yet, I was still alive."Mr. Flack.""Yeah?""My insurance policy… The 750,000 dollars…""The court decided to award you that money.