Chapter 2: A Talk, and a Visit.

As we drove to the judge's office, I kept wondering what he wanted to talk to me about. I started getting very nervous and anxious.
Did I do something wrong? I thought. Maybe he thinks I forged evidence? What if he wants to take my badge away! Does he want a loan? No, that's stupid. Maybe he just wants a friendly chat? Yeah right, I wish.
Before I knew it, we were at outside of his office.
"Nick!" Maya asked. "What do you think he wants to talk to you about? Maybe he's congratulating you on your success and wants to give you a raise!"
I chuckled. "I wish Maya…"
We walked into the building, and the receptionist pointed to the elevator.
"12th floor." She said without looking up.
"Thanks." I said.
We walked into the elevator and I pushed number "12" on the wall.
The elevator lurched upward.
Maya suddenly put her back on the wall and slid down to the floor.
"Ugh, Nick…" she started. "I don't feel so good…"
I turned to her, she looked green in the face.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I think I got elevator sick…" she replied.
I chuckled, Never heard of that.
"Don't worry Maya." I said, patting her on the shoulder. "It's we're almost there."
But "almost there" didn't come fast enough…
Before I knew it, Maya had thrown up on the elevator floor.
"Ack!" I started.
"Mystic Maya!" Pearl exclaimed. "Are you ok?"
The door suddenly slid open, and a few people were waiting outside for the elevator.
Embarrassed, I laughed stupidly
"I guess we need to call a janitor…" I said. "And I think you should take the stairs…"
The people quickly scampered for the stairs.

Soon, we reached the door to the judge's office. I knocked sluggishly, my nervousness quickly returning.
"Come in!" the judge's voice called from inside.
I opened the door, and went inside. There sat the judge, behind a desk reading some files.
"Ahh Mr. Wright." The judge said. "Welcome, please sit down."
I found a chair and sat down. By now, Maya looked much better, so she sat next to me and put Pearl on her lap.
"Well Mr. Wright." The judge started. "You have really proven to be a force to be reckoned with behind the defense's table." He ended with a smile.
"Th-Thank you, your honor." I replied.
"Mr. Wright?" the judge said. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh no no!" I replied quickly. "I'm just…"
"Nervous?" the judge asked chuckling. "Don't worry Mr. Wright, nobody is in trouble here. And you don't have to call me 'Your Honor,' we're not in court here."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Whew. Thank, God. "Yes sir." I replied.
"What I wanted to speak with you was…" The judge started. "The young nun's sentence."

My heart did a back flip.
"You mean Iris?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
The judge nodded. "The very same. I wanted to ask you this question…"

"What is this question, sir?" I asked.
"Do you want Iris's sentence ended?" the judge asked seriously.
"Absolutely!" I responded strongly. "She doesn't deserve to be in jail! She was just helping her sister—"
The judge held up a hand to silence me.
"I understand Mr. Wright." The judge said. "Now she has been in jail for a few months now, and I've also been getting reports of her fantastic community service!"
I smiled. "Really, sir?" I asked.
The judged beamed. "She's been really kind to everyone, including other inmates. If you finish those documents on her sentence, and she continues to behave well like this, than she should be out within a few years!"

"That's great your honor!" said happily. "I'll work as har—"
I was interrupted by a jab on my ribs.
"Ow!" I yelled. I looked and saw it was Pearl.
"Mr. Nick! You're doing it again!" Pearl exclaimed angrily. "What about Mystic Maya!"
"Pearly…" Maya said. "Can I speak to you outside?"
"Of course Mystic Maya!" Pearl said. "Planning Mr. Nick's wedding?"
"Come on Pearly!" Maya said quickly, and led her outside of the office.

"She's a cute one." The judge said.
I chuckled. "Yeah, but she punches really hard."
The judge laughed. "Alright Mr. Wright, that just about covers everything. And so I say to you, good luck, and if everything goes right, I'll see you back here in a few years!"
"Thank you very much Judge!" I said happily. "Goodbye!"

With that, I turn and leave to join Maya and Pearl.
But when I get outside, I see Pearl sobbing in Maya's arms.

"Maya!" I quickly ask, worried. "What happened?"
"I told her that you and I are not special someones and that we are more like brother and sister." Maya replied. "I told her I don't love you in that way and vice-versa."
"Waaaaaaah!" Pearl cried. "What are you gonna do Mystic Maya! Mr. Nick is right there!"
"I'll ask him to adopt us Pearl!" Maya replied. "Then we'll truly be a family!"
"Wait what!" I asked, alarmed.
Pearl then got excited.
"Yay! That's a great idea Mystic Maya!" Pearl said happily.
You know you could consult me first before you start putting thoughts into Pearls's head…I thought miserably.
"Come on you two." I said. "We're going to the detention center."
"Oooh." Maya said "So you can swoon over your girlfriend?"
"Be quiet!" I said quickly, reddening.

Date: May 4th, 2005 Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Detention Center.

"Feenie!" Iris exclaimed. "You're here!"
"Of course Iris!" I replied. "How are you doing?"
"Fairly well." Iris said. "Where is Maya and Pearl?"
"Visiting Mr. Armando." I replied. "I'm going to bring them here in a few minutes."
"Ok Feenie!" she said happily. "So how are things with you?"
"Things are great!" I responded happily. "Plus I got some good news!"
"Really?" she asked. "What is it?"
"The judge told me if I kept working at your sentence, and you keep up the good behavior, you'll be out within a few years!"
Iris was overjoyed.

"Oh my!" Iris said excitedly. "That's great!"
"Yeah!" I said happily.

Silence followed. I looked at her, and couldn't help but stare. She was so beautiful, and so radiant. Her eyes were so hypnotizing…

"Feenie?" she asked, blushing. "Why are you staring at me?"
I quickly shook my head. "Sorry!" I said. "Your very pretty today…" Like every other day…
Iris blushed deeper. "Th-Thank you Feenie. You look very handsome today in that suit…"
Now it was my turn to blush, but then I turned serious.

"I swear to you Iris…" I started. "I will free you, and when I do, maybe we can be together?" I ended that nervously.
A tear fell from one of Iris's eyes. She smiled.
"Yes! Yes Feenie!" She said. "I'd like that…"
"It's a promise!" I said happily.
I placed a hand on the glass. She seems so close, and yet so far…Don't worry Iris! You'll be out of there in no time! I thought.
She retaliated by placing her hand in the same spot mine was.

"It's a promise..." Iris said.

Little did I know, that my world would crumble before my eyes after that moment of intimacy.