Assault: Possibilities re plot/consequences. Sue

It was nearing closing time. Charlotte peered out of the window for the umpteenth time, wondering whether she should fake sleep, welcome Martin back with open arms or continue their argument. She still felt bereft by his decision to go the pub with the others, envious of his ability to fit in better than her and frustrated by her own refusal to join them.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the noise coming from Alex and Anna’s caravan.  She turned her attention to them and watched as their door opened to reveal Dominic on their step. She clearly saw the figures of Alex, Anna and Dominic, as they descended the step and were revealed in the immediate spot lit arena of the caravan.

A series of tableaux, with accompanying soundtrack, played out in front of her. Her senses became disconnected, leaving her feeling strangely removed from herself and what she was witnessing. She heard anger, shouting, accusations and pleas. She saw, in strobe-like vision, momentary flashes of searing clarity and scenes that were blurred by the darkness.

She saw Anna moving towards Dominic, Alex grabbing Anna to try and hold her back, Dominic pulling Anna away from the caravan towards him. Dominic was the stronger and Anna fell into his arms but was then moved aside. Then the men were fighting and Anna was trying to intervene but both men kept pushing her out of the way. There was a momentary flash of a knife within the scrum and the next clear view was of a heap of bodies on the ground. Sound realigned to fit the scene - mixed screams of pain and someone calling for help.

Throughout it all, Charlotte remained as frozen as a rabbit in headlights, aware of danger, wanting to do something to make it stop but too scared to reveal herself or make any move.

As her sound and vision unified, Charlotte heard and saw Martin and the gang rushing towards the caravans. Reality hit and she had no idea of what to do next. 

 Plot possibilities

(Context: Alex suffered a serious knife wound, neither Anna nor Dominic admits to inflicting it, Anna had previously promised to leave Alex and move in with Dominic)

1.Charlotte does not admit to the fact that she was a witness:.

• This could play out with Charlotte internally “knowing”, as does the reader, who stabbed Alex.
•  Or, Charlotte could think she “knows” but is mistaken, or remains unsure, as she cannot piece what she saw together. The reader has extra insight and knows for sure so can read rest of novel with this insight.
• Or, the reader could be left unsure as to what Charlotte witnessed, or what she really knows (or does not know) and is left to guess, fill in missing gaps or pick up on clues revealed as the novel progresses.

 

2. Charlotte admits to being a witness to the scene - some plot choices:

•  She fills in details that she did not witness at the time, leading to the wrong person being convicted of knife assault. This can play into her relationships and the plot... loads of possible permutations and consequences.
• Or, she gives a statement to police but she cannot identify who wielded the knife so they do not take any further action. The circus community would rather she had not co-operated with the police and find it increasingly difficult to accept Charlotte and Martin.
• Or, she describes what she witnessed only to the circus community, but they suspect her of hiding facts or protecting the stabber, as she remains unsure as to who inflicted the knife wound. Loads of potential for relationships issues and consequences.

 Whether 1 or 2. Her sense of safety and trust are shattered, she feels disconnected with everything and everyone around her. She has bad dreams, feels alternatively fearful/numb, guilty/angry/ashamed and finds it difficult to stop thinking about what happened (plus other PSTD like symptoms).  This affects her sense of self and what she really wants, her relationships, actions, reactions and consequences (especially re Martin).