Reintegration program - Elmax

Chapter 37 : The cat

The next days, the tensions didn't decrease. Alban and his gang kept provoking and threatening the ex-prisoners, -except Mona, obviously-, discouraging all of them to come back. Even Melissa gave up! And, as Mona was the last one, she didn't come back either.

Two weeks passed, and things seem to be like before again, like if this reintegration program never existed. It wasn't important anyway, the program was ending in a few weeks, they just stopped earlier than it was planned.

The party was in music class, all five. Dustin was late or busy with something else, but it was fine, the class didn't begin yet. Will and Mike came back to them like if nothing happened, like if it was normal. Max didn't talk to them, she didn't want to create tensions but it didn't mean she had to support them! So she ignored them, not knowing how she didn't punch them yet.

- --and then, he fell on the floor! explained Mike with a big smile.

His story made laugh the three other teens around, exasperating Max. Even Beverly was having fun with him, she had the right of course, but she hoped she wouldn't forget how he was two weeks ago, and with who!

- You didn't like my story? asked Mike with a disappointed tone.

- Um...I didn't listen, answered Max.

- You want me to repeat?

- No, I want you to shut up!

- Come on Max, intervened Lucas, relax!

- Relax!? I don't wanna relax!

- But, it's like before! told Will. Like, when they weren't there!

- But I liked when they were here!

- Oh really!? You were not saying that when they arrived!

- I know! But I changed my mind, what's wrong with that!?

- Nothing, but you can't force us to change ours! Especially when we are right! replied Mike.

The redhead turned to answer but Dustin bursting inside the room stopped the fight, catching everyone's attention.

- Look what I found in the school bins! said happily the young boy.

All his friends stood and went around him. The curly-haired boy softly removed the tissue for his discovery, letting appear a small red cat covered of dirt and mud.

- Aww, exclaimed Bev. He is so cute!

- Yeah, right? I think he is abandoned, answered Dustin.

- Oh, poor thing...what kind of human can do such horrible thing! told Lucas.

- If you answer garbage, I kill you, threatened Max to Mike and Will.

The two boys raised their hands to prove their innocence before stepping back. Max looked closely at the animal. She was sure she already saw him before, but she didn't remember where. Unless...

- It's not Jane's cat!? frowned the redhead.

- You think? said Bev.

- I...I don't know but, I was close to him when they wanted to burn him, and I'm pretty sure he was red like him, and as small.

- Well, there is only one way to know! You think she will be at her home after the class? asked Dustin.

- I don't know, we can check if you want.

- You're all going to see her after she shot us!? Really!? intervened Mike.

- Shut up Mike! We already talked about it, you already know what we think about it! Get out of here, you're not part of the conversation!