A little bit dangerous

Chapter 25 : Invitation

Hopper hadn't slept for days now. Many people reported aggressions, acts of vandalism, hit-and-run offences, and more things like that lately. He didn't know what to do, it was all gangs' acts, and it was always hard to arrest them, they were either hidden or protected by powerful people. He threw his file on the top of the others and decided to check his mails. He got a letter from Blackbirds. He had a bad shiver, he didn't receive lots of letters from them, but it was always to tell him that someone was dead. When he opened the envelope, Joyce entered in the office.

- "You never knock?" asked nonchalantly Hopper, not being able to take his eyes off of the paper.

- "Sometime. You should take some rest a little bit, you hadn't stop working for almost a week now!"

- "I know, but I need to find those criminals."

- "You're not the only cop in this station, let them do your work!"

- "Why are you so worried for me?"

- "We have a dinner tonight, and I don't want you to collapse in your plate while I'm eating mine."

- "...Good point. I just received a weird letter from Blackbirds."

- "Oh my god, did someone die!?" asked quickly Joyce.

- "No, but I'm invited."

- "Invited? Where?"

- "I don't know, but I can bring someone with me. You wanna go?"

- "I don't know, it sounds creepy, I mean, what a jail like Blackbirds could organize to the point of being able to invite people to come?"

- "I have no idea, but there is only one way to figure it out!"

- "Yeah, you're right."

- "Anyway, I'm going to free one of them right now, you wanna come?" proposed the man.

- "Oh, uh, yes, why not. How will happen their rehabilitation?"

- "You really think the State will pay to reinsert one person? Nah, she is free now, she has to deal with it."

- "Stupid society."

- "Yep. Let's go!"

The man stood and left the office, followed by Joyce. They both went to the waiting room, where a young redhead was waiting. She quickly stood when she saw them.

- "Oh, hi Max, I wasn't expecting to see you here," told Joyce.

- "My cousin is supposed to be freed today! How long am I gonna wait again!?"

- "Come with me, she is in one of our rooms," answered Hopper.

- "You call that freedom!?"

- "Just come with me."

Joyce placed her hands on the young girl's shoulders and warmly smiled to her. While they were following Hopper through the corridors; Max was wondering if everything would be ok. Maybe Clarissa wouldn't recognize her, or maybe she wouldn't love her anymore, or maybe she didn't miss her at all. She didn't know if it was a good idea to welcome her in her flat, especially if she was harried by those four masks.

- "Are you ready?" asked gently Hopper, holding the doorknob.

- "I, I guess," answered Max who paled during the walk.

- "Hey, you know you're not alone in this, if you need help, you call me and I'll be there, ok?" said Joyce.

Max loudly gulped and nodded. The policeman opened the door. Max took a deep breath before entering. Her cousin was standing in front of the mirror, watching closely to her face. Hopper closed the door to give them some privacy.