Justin looked absolutely petrified. Poor kid Brian thought, it's going to be difficult for him to have to sit through these proceedings. He winked at Justin before entering the room and said, "Everything's going to be just fine Sunshine". Justin visibly relaxed, and seemed to appreciate those words of encouragement from him. The room was large, and totally devoid of character. The affect was cold, and the steel bars outside the windows served as a reminder that this was a prison for condemned, worthless human beings. But Justin didn't belong here. He wasn't worthless, and Brian was hell bent on ensuring that the kid would get his long overdue freedom today. The guard directed Justin to sit alone at a table facing the members of the parole board. Brian took his assigned seat behind him. The chairman of the parole board commenced by reviewing Justin's case aloud. He read the circumstances of his arrest, and Justin's subsequent sentence of conviction. While this was going on, Justin's witnesses were quietly ushered into the room, and took their seats behind the blond. The chairman ended his review, and engaged Justin. "I understand you have witnesses who will give testimonials on your behalf?" "Yes sir" Justin answered. "Then let's begin." The witnesses in turn, each proceeded to a podium situated between the panel of the parole board and Justin's table. The testimony procured from all four of Justin's character witnesses went well. However, the parole board members did not seem very impressed. Justin's stomach was in knots. He started to feel beads of perspiration gather on his forehead. He hoped the queasy feeling he had in his stomach was not an indication of things to come. Just then the chairman of the board intruded his thoughts by addressing Brian. "Mr. Kinney, we have been informed that you have vital testimony to provide concerning your counseling sessions with Mr. Taylor." Brian responded, "Yes sir, Mr. Taylor is allowing me to impart valuable information pertaining to his case." "Very well then Mr. Kinney, let's get on with this." Brian walked to the podium. He was uncharacteristically nervous, and his hands were trembling. Justin's future was dependent upon his ability to convince the parole board of his innocence. It all boiled down to making the parole board understand that this particular act was the culmination of years of physical and sexual abuse. Brian took a deep breath, and began his report of Justin's progress under his care. Avoiding eye contact with Justin, Brian related in detail the abuse he had suffered at the hands of his own stepfather. He was very professional, and spoke in a concise, objective manner. Justin was in awe of Brian's ability to effectively relay his plight. At last, Brian had to recount the story of the day Justin stabbed his stepfather. When he was finished, several parole board members were left with their mouths agape. Brian took the opportunity to put forth a personal appeal to the parole board to take into consideration the circumstances of Justin's offense. He also offered himself as another character reference for Justin, specifically citing his model behavior, and the wonderful project that he had agreed to undertake to improve the morale and decorum of the prison. Justin was still sitting upright despite feeling like he was going to faint. He was grateful that Brian had prepared him for this. It was hard to hear his own confession of the rape. But Justin knew that disclosing this information to the board was Brian's calculated attempt to influence them to do the right thing. Justin hoped that all this torture, (because that's what he considered it) was not in vain. Brian was dismissed from the podium. The chairman whispered with the men on either side of him. He ordered, "Please leave the room gentlemen so we can further discuss the testimony we've just heard, and render a decision." Brian and Justin followed a guard out into the hallway. They remained silent while they waited for news of Justin's fate. After approximately fifteen tense minutes, they were called back into the room. The chairman cleared his throat. "Mr. Taylor, please rise. The board has carefully considered all of the testimony presented here today to make our decision. In view of the unique circumstances involving your criminal offense, we feel that your actions were precipitated by a severe emotional trauma, as well as years of physical and sexual abuse inflicted upon you. While we do not condone what you did, we could understand what drove you to do it. Therefore, we are hereby granting you an early release from your term of imprisonment. However, your release is dependent upon you adhering to the following conditions. The first is that you will not return to your home, but rather be declared an emancipated minor, and secure your own place of residence. The second is that you either enroll in a college program, or obtain gainful employment. The last, and most important condition is that you follow through with weekly therapy sessions." Looking towards Brian he questioned, "Mr. Kinney, we trust that you can provide Mr. Taylor with some suitable referrals?" "Yes sir." "Mr. Taylor, do you agree to the terms of your release?" Justin could barely be heard when he answered in a low hoarse voice, "Yes, sir." "Very well then. We have some parting words of wisdom for you. First, we'd like to apologize for any injustice or hardship you've endured in the past. You're a bright young man, and we hope you can embrace all that you've learned while at Riker's, and apply it to a successful life outside these walls. I'm also speaking for my colleagues when I say that we have all been privy to a firsthand look at your artwork, and are highly impressed with your creative attributes. With that said, congratulations Mr. Taylor, the world can now anticipate your gifts." Justin looked stunned, and hadn't fully absorbed the impact of what the board had just bequeathed. Brian walked over to the dazed boy, and broke out into a broad smile as he gripped him by the shoulders. "We did it. You're free Justin."