Home Doesn't Always Mean Safety, But Maybe With You It Can?

Chapter Seven- The Story of Ghosts

AN: So this is our catch up complete with this chapter, next chapter will be out by the end of the week once I make a few last changes etc. Enjoy and please do drop me any comments, any suggestions, reviews etc :)

Preview: Hopper brings news that causes a bit of a stir, we learn more of Max's relationship with her mother, Max and Eleven finally talk, Nancy's teasing maybe goes a step too far and Neil's Lawyer is cause for concern.

TW: All current warning apply for abuse of a minor, both physically and mentally. Please read with caution.

Chapter Seven- The Story of Ghosts

"Hey kid, good to see you with a little bit of colour back in your cheeks, you doing okay?" Hopper greeted entering the room, Karen following behind him.

It had been nearly three days since he last saw Max. Five days since he had been called to the house to go over the harrowing details of all the redhead had endured in the Wheeler's kitchen.

Hopper could tell from the way Max held herself she was still in pain, and likely would be for sometime.

Thankfully though she didn't look as frighteningly pale as that first day.

"I'm okay" Max replied quietly, "sir," she added on quickly, tensing against Nancy while watching Hopper cautiously.

Hopper glanced up to Karen who was watching Max sadly. "You can call me Hop kid, everyone else does and I don't mind it." He assured, knowing the term of respect was only said through fear. He didn't know Max well but even he could see a stark difference in the girl in front of him to the one he spoke with at Joyce Byers cabin. "Okay, lets get to it," He continued after a silence fell over the room, waiting a moment for Karen to take a seat on the arm of the sofa, sitting noticeably close to her young ward but not touching her. "There's no easy way to put this- so I'm just gonna say it- Neil's going to be released this evening."

Silence.

"I can't hold him any longer without causing implications for the case, so he's going to be heading home tonight." Hopper explained to the room.

Karen's brow furrowed, Ted signed, taking his glasses off to inspect them while Nancy tugged Max closer looking angry.

"When- when's he coming to get me?" Max asked shakily, eyes on her lap.

"No way is he taking her away! He beat her near half to death!" Nancy explained loudly causing Max to flinch under her arm. "You said you would protect her and keep her safe? How is this-"

"-Woah, hold your fire- look kid you are not going back to that house, okay-" Hopper interjected emphasising the word 'not', trying to calm the escalating panic in the room.

"What if he comes here and-" Nancy cut in again, Max burrowing closer into her chest her breathing picking up.

"-just let me explain alright?" Hopper interrupted again, louder this time.

His volume ceasing Nancy's angry outburst her attention instead turning to Max who was quickly paling at the thought of having to be anywhere near her stepfather again, breathing uneven and panicked.

"The temporary placement you're under here with the Wheeler's still stands kid, the charges still stand- I just can't keep him locked up any longer- his lawyer is pulling rank, and I will have to release him until the trial like with your Mom and Billy- but I can assure you that he will not be coming anywhere near you, okay?" Hopper assured quickly, "I said I will protect you and I meant it, that's why I'm here today- I want to put some measures in place to keep Max safe and I want to explain what's going on- just everyone calm down, okay?" Hopper continued, pausing again for a moment. "Kid, do you need a minute?" He asked noticing Max's shuddering breaths and tight grip against Nancy as the older girl held her close, trying to calm her panic.