The Evil Inside

11. Free To Go

     Despite the protest from Doctor Lawson, he eventually had to concede there was no reason John should not be released. He had been a model patient, and tolerated a lot of tests and therapy for the better part of eighteen months. Max had tried a few times to get John's release papers and only succeeded on the third try. Many medical experts that Max spoke with were positive that if John's memory was going to return, it would have happened sooner rather than later. They were sure that the damage to his brain had completely obliterated the memories that he had prior to the accident. The longer he went without any recall, the less likely it was ever going to happen.

     So when Max took his case to court and explained that John had gone above and beyond to prove he was no longer a threat to society, the judge reluctantly agreed. The judge still insisted that certain conditions be met before signing off, which Max pretty my expected. It was a short list and they didn't seem too intrusive. John had to check in with what was like an unofficial parole officer, attend therapy with a local shrink, and stay close to where Max was living so that he could keep an eye on him too. The last was not expected by Max but seeing that John trusted him a lot, it seemed fair to have him nearby if his help was needed. Max agreed to the conditions, as did John the next time Max when to visit him. Upon agreeing to the terms of his release, the judge signed off as well and he would be released the next day. The judge seemed uncomfortable about it, but he had no choice. Max had painted him into a corner and this had to happen sooner or later, especially since not a single memory came back and John was also a model patent at the mental facility.

     The next day, Max and Hugh drove back up to the mental facility that had been John's home for over a year. John had packed lightly and was all smiles as he waited at the curb for the car to pull up. Once he parked the car, Max got out and walked over to shake John's hand.

     "Welcome to the free world," Max said before taking the box from John and carrying it over to the trunk which was already open.

     "Thanks," John replied, "It feels weird to be out. Hello Mr. Kissel!"

     "Hey John," Hugh said. He had the window rolled all the way down and his elbow sticking out as he rested his arm. "If you could be so kind, please get into the damn car before those doctors change their mind."

     John looked at the door to the facility and then back at Hugh. "That's not a bad idea."

     Max shut the trunk and watched as John got into the back. He then looked over at the front door, where a few doctors were watching. Some of them had to know what was going on, who they were releasing back into the unknowing public. Max wasn't concerned they would leak the details of John's case, or the fact that he was the Night Reaper. If word got out, they'd get the most heat from an angry public for letting him go in the first place. Their hands were just as tied as the courts, which meant John's secret would remain one for quite some time if all went well. That in itself was a very tall order. Once back in the car, Max turned back to look at John.

     "You eat lunch, yet?" he asked his new passenger.

     "Not yet," John answered.

     "Let's hit the Bob's Rib Joint again," Hugh said, as he relished the idea of good barbeque again, "John's freedom is worth celebrating."

     "Sounds good to me," John asked, "But I hope you guys are buying, because I've got to watch my budget."

     "Lunch is on me," Max called out.

     "Since John is a client," Hugh added, "You can write this off as a business expense anyway."

     "Bingo." Max said with a smile as he pulled out onto the streets and started to drive away from the hospital John had been at for so long.