Aloe's POV
Sofia showed up at my Portland apartment on a Saturday afternoon in March, without warning or explanation. Just knocked on the door and stood there with coffee and a look that suggested she had news I needed to hear.
"This is either very good or very bad," I said, letting her in.
"It's complicated. Which seems to be our specialty." Sofia settled on my couch while Evelyn played with blocks on the floor. "Blake is up for early release review. Eighteen months served, model prisoner, exemplary behavior. If approved, he could be out in six months instead of four and a half more years."
Early release. Blake, free in six months instead of years from now. The news should have felt neutral—he'd served his time, earned his release through good behavior.
Instead, it felt terrifying.
