In the car of your assigned officer

The car of officer Reno is an old but, according to himself, trustworthy pick-up truck. Officer Reno was assigned to your case shortly after you were granted probation. The bald haired, slightly tanned man was once a very respected police detective. He even caught a serial killer in his prime. But five years ago, he decided that he became too old for active duty and that he would like to help reintegrate youth criminals in society until retirement. And you are one of his cases now.

He talked a lot during the drive. Since he is responsible for you, you decided it would be better to just listen. He told you about some of his former cases. Most made it to start a new life. Others did not. However, he told you little about your future home. Only that the halfway house is run by a woman called Rita and her daughter.

Since you already listened to him for about two hours, you think it is time to finally ask him some questions about the halfway house.

“Officer Reno,” you begin, “Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”

“Of course not,” officer Reno answers friendly, “just ask.”

“This halfway house, what is it like?” you ask, “is there something I need to know?”

“It’s better Rita shows you the details, but I guess I can tell you some basics,” Officer Reno answers, “the halfway house is especially for youth criminals on probation. Rita’s mother, an old friend of mine, founded it with help of a social NGO, in order to help young people, like you getting back to a normal life after prison. She died some years ago and Rita continued the project.”

“What is she like?” you ask, “and how many other people like me are there?”

“Rita is one of our best,” officer Reno answers proud, “four out of five of her cases manage to get a job and a normal life. Many of them have own families by now and donate regularly to the organization this house is part of. Currently there are three other young people on probation. But they better introduce themselves. Oh, and of course there is Rita’s daughter Paula. She … well she isn’t that happy about the former criminals in her home. But she helps her mom whenever she can. Just make sure you don’t cause trouble, then you will get along.”

“What about her husband?” you ask, “you haven’t said anything about him.”

“There is nothing to say,” officer Reno replies bitter, “he is a fucking looser and I hope he rots somewhere in a gutter. He just left Rita in the moment he heard she is pregnant.”

You nod but don’t answer. It is clear officer Reno prefers to not talk about this guy. And he doesn’t have to, because a moment later a small town appears in front of you.

“Moonlight Fields,” officer Reno answers your unspoken question, “population around 9.000, mainly agriculture, some casual tourism and very little industry. The halfway is at the border of the town and it is likely that you will have a job here as long as you stay there.”

“Seems nice,” you mumble, “sleepy but peacefully.”

“Yes, if you like it that way, you can get very happy here,” officer Reno agrees, “the people here are mostly honest and forgiving. The majority accepted the halfway house and the people inside a long time ago. There is only a hand full I would suggest you avoid. Some idiots always think they know everything better.”

You nod slightly and a few minutes later officer Reno stops at a house. It looks not that different from the other houses around. It has two floors, a lightly green color and a small garden. There are two women in the garden working on a vegetable patch. One is around your age, her hair short and green colored with black stripes and she has several different tattoos. Her open jeans jacked barely hides the black band of fabric she wears instead of a bra. The other woman is older, maybe 35 or 40. Her hair is black and her skin free from tattoos, piercings or scars. Her clothes are casual but absolutely normal. You assume the older woman is Rita and the green haired girl is one of the other youth criminals on probation.

Officer Reno gets out of the car and heads over to Rita she greets him friendly and hugs him. You follow him and Rita gives you a warm smile. Time to see your new home.