10,169 and the laptop has been discovered. sort of.

It was a bit before Joe answered. “I am on it, she is not in the shape to join in the chat, but has it open. It has thrown her, but mom says Tulip, or your folks, is putting out reminders that the charges can be reduced, and it seems to be helping. I know you hate it, but you need to get in some of the pub rooms here and do the same.”

Yuma nodded, then felt a bit foolish.”I am doing so now. I figured there would be some here and if not then those here might know others that need to hear it. As well as it is a way to explain a bit of legal system. Something that might help our image.”

Rupert sad. “So you know. Of course they were at Hill high. I’m sorry. It has to rough to learn that those you knew were into that. Shit. My brother dated one of those girls, I think. I had best call him, and get him to call the folks so they know he wasn’t there.”

Joe said. “I knew them, Misty was close to my Sister and Yuma’s Tom was her not so secret boy. The others were all in our circle, if not as well known to use. They were all Hill, and most are from the families that flaunt it.”

Yuma typed. “Just so, this is going to get nasty. These cases are never good, but with this time. A number of those family are well connected. There are going to be calls for boycotts and tighter restrictions, no matter What Uncle Walter said. They are going to be blaming the Muslim community the hardest, but the Jewish one will get some as well. Mitchles were already trying for more regs, Murphy was in quite support, as were a number of the others. This will make them vocal.” She didn’t want to ask them to get involved, but hoped they would, and that they could see the harm it would do. Taking a breath she clicked on the open room and started typing, not reading the conversation. Just waning to get the facts out first. “As sad and as troubling as the announcement was please remember that the charges are biased solely on the evidence that was at the location. Therefore there are more expiations to come. The defendants will not present their evidence until they are in court. It is only then that we will know what was hidden, what the explanations are for the actions. Only then that the full story can be known. The evidence is less than half the picture, the rest will come in the court room. Do not assume the worse. Do not make it worse by blaming those that there are no ties to. It is going to be a temptation to but it would be unfair to blame without evidence. That is gossip, hate mongering and is against the Word. Let the evidence speak, do not go seeing evil where there is nothing to say it is there.” It might be a bit over but it needed to be there, the more it was said the better the chance that it would have an impact, or so Yuma hoped.

She then looked at the chat and shook her head, as there was finger pointing going on, but she was realized to see that others were saying that it was jumping at shadows. Still it was going to be a long day and she was going to get tired of repeating the same things. If they weren’t trying to blame others they were saying how unfair the charges were, that it was to harsh. How they failed to take all the facts into account. So Yuma kept typing that the charges were made at the maximum leave biased solely on the collected evidence that was collected, it was expected that they would be reduced as the case unfolded. And he full story was know. Yes there was more to it, but that was for court not the investigation. The investigations only involved the crime séances, nothing outside of it or in the lives of the defendants. That would be given in court and was in jury hands to determine the finale verdicts, which normally differed from the charges. Charges were made at the high possible level, but tit was not expected that the convections would be in any case. The chargers were harsh so they would be room for them to be reduced as the case unfolded. She typed it so much she half expected to find the words in her paper, which she did remember to open and finish.

Yuma paused with the mouse on the print button, it seemed a bit petty now to print her paper from here, but then perhaps it would help as well. It would give her sister something to rant about, something a bit less scary to be upset about. Yet was it to soon? However the paper needed to be printed and she didn’t want to take the computer from Tulip to do so. So she clicked Print and then saw she had a message from Joe. “Alice is a bit more settled, but if Tulip could find a away to get her to think of something other than where Misty is it would help. Can you get her to call? She is still to worked up. Mom is worried that she will have to give her a shot, as she won’t take her any of her pills.”

Yuma frowned, that was worse than she had expected. Just what had gotten Alice that worked up, it had been years since she refused to take her pills. “Now my way downstairs now, and will see what I can do. I know Tulip will call, but don’t know how she is. Still she should be able to help. I just printed my paper so that might help give her something to talk about. She has yet to realize I have a computer and has been dropping hints about needing one. Petty, I know, but if it works.”

She stood up as the computer pinged with his reply. “Good that should help. Sounds like just the thing. Yes it is a bit silly, but that should help. That is likely just what Tulip needs right now. Something she can complain about. And you need to get away from the computer before you start yelling at it. You are doing good, but need a break. Yes I’m going as well. We have done enough, time to get out of the chat rooms for the night I think. Focus on other things.” Yuma shook her head and just went to the door, the answer could wait. She hoped he did go for a walk. He was more worried then he wanted her to know. Alice was never strong and for her to be this upset was scary. They weren’t close, but she was his sister.

Yuma got down stairs and shook her head a bit as Tulip was focused on the computer, but that was what she had expected. “Tulip do you want a coke? I know I shouldn’t but I think that this night needs two, shall I bring you one?” Her sister jumped and nodded, so she went and got them, and a bag of chips for her sister. They would give Tulip another reason to complain as she ate them, for she felt that they were unhealthy. Thinking on that Yuma opened the soda, that way her sister would have to drink it for all it wasn’t one of her diet ones. It would be good for her, the sugar would help. “Here you go. I can see you are busy there, but if you can you need to take a break and call Alice. Joe said he thinks she can talk to you know, but it really hither hard. She isn’t able to dial yet, but should be able to answer now. Her mother hasn’t been able to get her to take her pill and so fears she might have to give her a shot.”

Tulip took her phone out. “Thanks for the drink. Why didn’t they call me? They should have if it was that bad. I thought she was managing! She is in the chat after all. You need the computer now? You said that your paper was do, but haven’t been working on it all. Just what have you been doing? You didn’t come down for the news even! How could you stand watching on your phone? I would have thrown it. Even know it was coming, it was to much. To think there were others, that it might be bigger yet. I just wish. I hope Misty will explain. There has to be some reason. She had to have been tricked or something. It so isn’t like her.”

Yuma nodded. “All we will have until it gets to court is the evidence that was collocated in the raid. There is more to come out, but we must wait for it. I don’t know that there will be, or could be, a satisfactory reason for it. However there is a good chance there will be enough to reduce the charges. It is still going to be a lengthy sentience, none of them will ever have their lives back, but hopefully they will have something. It is triadic, but the evidence is not the full story, just a position of it. It is very seldom that charges match the conviction. It is easy to forget that when it is this big. Just as it is to easy to point fingers. I fear that the calls for more regulations and restrictions on the minorities have already started, for all there is nothing that says they were involved. It is going to be rough. I can’t see any of them ever being downtown. I know there is no way that Misty would, yet that is where some insist the cause has to be.” She shook her head. “I don’t know that my words are doing any good, but that is what I have been doing, trying to talk some around and dampen a few fires in some public chats, as I understand you have been doing on the school chat.” Tulip didn’t seem to hear as she was looking at her phone.

Samuel nodded. “There will be others in the chats trying the same, and extra patrols in the streets to try and curb any actions before they get started. Some don’t care what the facts are they are going to let their distrust and fear rule them. It is going to be rough, but they will have realized once the news broke and have taken steps of their own as well. This isn’t the first time they have been though this as sad as that is to admit.”

Wane frowned. “It is good that the patrols are being upped. I am sure that will send the right messages. I do wonder that any could  find books contain spells. I just don’t see how they would have been brought in, so someone must have an illegal print shop. However it shouldn’t be possible with the property regulations.”

Yuma shook her head. “You are putting the blame on the wrong people. There is nothing tying anyone to either of the groups targeted by those unfair regulations. Why not try those that attend no church at all? They are given the same rights as those that attend a Christen Church, yet they do not respect any teachings, some have been known to say it was all lies. That to me would make them a suspect than those who take the same view as we do on the subject of witchcraft and spell work. Not that it is fair to blame any without evidence.”  Her uncle was red and her father was frowning a bit, but that should tell them both that she would be supporting the bill to remove the regulations that limited where Muslims and Jews could live and what types of property they could buy. It wouldn’t pass, not yet, but getting it out there would start the talks that might let it pass in a few years.

Samuel said. “Yuma that is a good point and a very reasonable to start looking for an illegal print shop. Those that have no respect for the teachings would not see the need for the publishing regulations as they come from the Word. The regulations on property were meant to stop fights, but they do need another look. Some seem to be doing more harm than good.”

Wane shook his head, but knew when to let it go. They would see in time just where the danger was. Once Samuel lost Yuma to it, he would understand. Too bad it would be too late for her, if only they would see how out of control the child was. “Yuma how is the paper coming? It must be some paper if you can type it in your room, and play in chat rooms as well.”

Yuma smiled a bit and went to the printer. “Thank you, I almost forgot to get it from the printer. It is all done I just need to look it over and staple it once I know all the pages got printed. This printer has been known to skip pages and ones printed one backwards somehow. So I always double check now.” His face was a study.

Tulip asked before he found the words. “Why did you print it from your phone? That was silly. I mean I am glad that you let me have the time, but I thought you would go to one of your libraries, not that you were using your phone. Just how did you even mange to do it on it?”

Yuma looked at her. “Why would I use my phone? Is there even a way to? I am sure that if I tried I would be pulling my hair out. It is enough work to just look at the messages boards on it. I haven’t even tried to post on them from it. My texts end up strange enough, and they are short. I don’t even want to think of what a longer reply would look like, littler own something a page long.”

Wane said. “Just how did you print your paper then?”

Yuma looked at him. “From the computer I wrote it on. Most certainly I didn’t write or edit it on my phone. That would be a mess with the trouble I have with the touch screens”

“Just how? Your sister has been on this computer, you haven’t been near it” Wane looked thoughtful, and there was a bit of a gleam in his eye. “I know you didn’t use mine, Janie has been on it. So just what did you use? I can’t see your father agreeing for you to use his office, and that is the only other computer in the house I thought.”

Tulip said. “Mom has one, but you wouldn’t have put a program on it, and don’t like the normal one. So I can’t see you using it, either. Plus I thought you were in your room.”

Yuma risked looking at her parents and was surprised to see her Father seemed to be fighting his own laughter. She was finding it silly, but expected they would be upset with her dragging it on this way. Yet he at least wasn’t, her mother was a bit, but not to bad. Still she likely should end it, but yet wanted to see who said it first. “I was in my room, so no it was neither of those. Now then if you will excuse me, I still need to look at zoology boards, and see if they can give me a new place to look. As well as see if they have something I haven’t included.”

Wane said. “So you are saying there is a computer in your room. Just how is that?”

Tulip said. “No fair! Just how did you get a computer in your room? When did that happen? How? All this time. No wonder!”

Yuma said. “Yes, my laptop is in my room, as that is where I was. I bought it with my allowance, which is why and how I have it.” Wane looked at her parents clearly expecting them to have something to say.

Tulip didn’t wait, but yelled, clearly forgetting that she had Alice on the phone.”You did what? How dare you? That is way over the spending limit. Just how did you get away with it! I never! Of all the. That is just why we didn’t have a card before know. Just what they were afraid of. Then you go and prove that we can’t be trusted. How did it even go though? It isn’t right! Not at all!”

Yuma said. “You might want to let Alice know why you were yelling in her ear. It is quite simple really. When I looked at the papers I saw that there were different limits, and that the monthly limit was high enough that I might be able to use it to get the computer I wanted, though it would be close. Then I learn that they were going to be on sale, and so it would easily do it. So I asked if I might spend my monthly limit all at once on a laptop. Once I had permission I did so, and it did take just about all of it, so I will not be buying much else this month. I feel it was worth it, though I am glad that it was this month not next, for I want to order a few new dresses for the Season.” Her mother and sister looked startled, as they typically had to fight to get her to buy new clothes of any kind. “Well, alright two of them are already started, but I will pay for them next month.”

Tulip said. “You did what? Why would you? Just how is that even? You should have said something.”

Yuma said. “I didn’t see why I needed to inform you. It was something I wanted and so I asked if it would be possible. I just thought that if you were interested you would do the same thing.”

Tulip shook her head a bit. Martha said. “Yes, we agreed that she could use the monthly amount to purchases her laptop, and you may do the same. Yuma there is a separate allowance for clothing, and you have barely touched yours so you can pay for the gowns now. It is odd for you to be worrying about your clothes.”

Yuma shrugged. “Everton won’t let me pay until they are all finished, so it is not a problem. One of them is because I liked the fabric when I saw it, and told him that I needed another gown of his choosing. He said I need three dresses and two ball gowns as well as some good day clothes and I could pick them up the last week in November. So I truly didn’t order them but I will have some new clothes for the Season this year.

Tulip said. “You mean I have to give up a month’s worth of allowance to get it? That is imposable and outrageously unfair! I don’t see how it could even be possible. Do you not know what it takes for the balls that are come? All the obligations I have that require me to have money. I can barely mange as it is. That is just so unfair. I don’t see how it could even be possible! Just how? You have to be kidding me!” She turned and stomped off saying. “Did you hear that Alice? Can you credit it? Why must I make do like some poor working class beggar? You are so luckily. Even though it is a handy me down, at least you have one. They truly take it to far at times. I can see not wanting to spoil us, like Irena’s folks do. Yet make me do without anything to have what I need. the very idea! And this close to the Season. I just don’t see how it could be possible do you?” Her footsteps faded and a door slammed.

Yuma said. “Well that should help shift the focus for a bit. I wonder how much of that was acting and how upset she really is. Likely it only bothers her because some of the other have been get a laptop after Joe passed his to Alice. I don’t think she truly wants one. That’s not her normal reaction.”

Wane looked at them and shook his head a bit. “So was that just a distraction, or did you realy buy a laptop?”

Yuma said. “I bought a laptop, it is the newest Glavan silver, the rugged model with an added hard case. It was close to my limit even with the sale that was going on, but as the customized the case for me I couldn’t turn it down. Though it was the fact that the set came with a European converter that finely convinced Joe he had to get one as well. I was hoping that print my paper would cause her to realize I had it, and give her something to complain about, but I didn’t make it up. I used my allowance to buy it, and am glad I have it.”

Wane said. “I would think the phones would be enough, but an unblocked computer as well. I don’t see just how you find it to be safe. There is so much out there and I know that you don’t have a filter on the internet.” That had been a loud fight, and Yuma still couldn’t believe how upset he was that the filter was just on the family computer, after all he had one on his as well.

Samuel said. “The girls are near their majority, it is time they are exposed to more. I do not see the need to block everything for them, they have a right to see what is there. The freedoms they have will be increasing rapidly. They need to get used to the fact that they are responsible and must set their own binderies not be governed by ours.”

Wane said. “I don’t see what more there is you could change you barely have an rules for them now. I don’t see how you can feel comfortable with it, not when they do not have a ring.”

Yuma said. “I do not see why a ring would matter, sir. I will be of age soon and will be held responsible for all my actions, a ring will not change that fact.”

Wane coughed and looked startled at being addressed. He had forgotten that Yuma was still there, but even so for her to speak like that, just showed how wild the girl was. “No, but it will show that you are not alone, that there is guidance there. It is dangerous for a young female to be on her own that is all. There needs to someone to protect you, you do not know just how evil the world can be.”

Yuma shook her head and this time her father coughed, but he said nothing, waiting to see if Yuma would. She took a breath, and hoped she didn’t sound as upset as she was. “Uncle I know it is going to shock you but I am a licensed paramedic. I have worked on the downtown ambiance. Been to accidents and crime scenes, and fought to keep the victims alive. I have seen the effects of evil and can tell you a ring will not stop it.” Her Uncle coughed and looked at her father, clearly wanting him to correct her, to say that she was stretching the truth. “There is a reason I have a weapons permit and carry a gun when I leave the house. I am not going to depend on anyone to protect me. My safety is my responsibility. As are my choices mine to make, no one else. I will not give up my right to live my own life. Ring or no ring I am the one who is reasonable for my actions. I speak for myself now and will do so after I am married. I can see that upsets you, but I am not one to set back and let others tell me what to think. I never have been.” The last was pushing it, but she wanted him to know that she got the hint but didn’t care for the implication that she couldn’t be trusted to think for herself.

Wane said. “Just what do you mean? They wouldn’t let a child go on runs like that. It is abuse to expose any to such. And a gun really? I am to believe that you are armed. Like your father would allow that off the hiking trails.”

Samuel said. “The law says to take the Med tec course and work as an aid in a hospital they must be fifteen but to take the paramedic course they just need a parents consent and be in high school. It took a lot of convincing, but we let her take the classes last year and she took shifts all summer long. If a call came in she went, no matter what the call was. Yes that meant she was on some that wish she had of been, but she handled it fine. As the gun, yes she carries one. I insisted on it as a part of agreeing to let her take the course. They both got an open carry permit at thirteen, as will the other two. Yuma went further and received her consoled carry permit a few months after that, from Baxter not me. He teaches and test mine and I do the same for his children.”