Chapter 4

Althea balled her fists, her grip tightening on her clothes. Her breath could be heard telling how furious and pained she is right now.

She felt exhausted from having to go back and forth with the jars continuously just to get water for them.

This is all Oscar's fault. She wouldn't be going through this if she hadn't agreed to his empty promises.

What was she thinking, taking the fall for him? If only she had known better! If only she had realized how foolish she had been!

But it's too late to turn now as she's stuck in here with no hope of getting out.

He must really be having a good life right now.. Damn this stupid love!

All she did was sacrifice her reputation and career just to see that the man she loves is not labelled a murderer.

She had no idea he was going to turn against her this way!

"Damn you Oscar! Damn you!" She yelled, breaking down in tears.

She was hurting so bad as realization kept hitting her.

"Hey newbie! Keep it down will you? We're trying to sleep here!" Came the voice of one inmate.

Sleep was far away from Althea. Her eyes were glued to a point, staring at an empty space. Her mind clouding with different thoughts.

She did not realize that it was morning until the inmates were moving out of their beds.

Yet, she paid no attention to them. Far from that, she's in a really bad mood.

She could sense they are talking about her or perhaps, hatching up a plan to make another day of her life miserable because of how they kept whispering amongst each other.

Then they stood up and like gangsters, they walked up to her with their jars again. Just like previously, they threw it at her carelessly.

"Get water for us Newbie!" Said the red haired lady. "And with that, I mean now!" She ordered.

Althea moved her eyes to her. Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen and it held a deep anger within. One would easily see the amount of pain she's holding back.

"Get the water yourselves!" She voiced out.

"What did you say?" The lady squats before her, her face reeling with resentment.

"I'm sure you aren't deaf. I said get the water yourselves, you aren't handicapped. Besides, I'm not a slave that you can boss around the way you want. I did what you wanted but that was a terrible mistake on my part, I won't let it repeat itself.."

Althea's voice was cold and firm. Her eyes blazing with fury as well.

The red haired lady is getting on her nerves. Just a little more push and she'd loose it completely.

"You little brat.!!!" She grabbed Althea's hair while her other hand held up her jaw.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You have only been here for a few days and you think you've grown wings uh? Do you think you're worst than the devil just because you committed murder?..."

Althea struggled but the lady was stronger..

"Now listen and listen real good... Do not think of talking back at me, do you get that? I'm only being lenient with you, do not get on my nerves!"

"Don't you think you're getting on my nerves as well? Take your jars and leave while I'm still being calm" Asked Althea

The lady scoffed and forcefully let go of Althea's head, making it hit the wall slightly.

Althea couldn't take it anymore. This is the height of it and she needs these inmates to know that she's not weak neither is she a slave to them.

She stood up angrily, grabbed the lady's shoulders, turning her around and landing a tight slap on her face.

The other inmates all gasped as they were all shocked over what just happened.

"How dare you!.." The lady reacted, lifting up her hands to return the slap but Althea was smart enough and caught her arm hanging in the air.

"Don't you even dare!! l" Althea warned daringly. "I've had enough of your constant bully. I am not your slave. If you want water, get it yourself.."

She pushed the lady's arms away and she could feel the anger emitting from her but she cared less.

The red haired lady angrily turned to the other inmates.

"What are you all waiting for? Teach her a lesson!" She ordered.

Althea was immediately at alert when she saw the inmates moving back and picking up the rods that were lying carelessly at a corner.

She thought of a way out because she was sure she wouldn't be escaping this.

"Move away from me! Don't come any closer!!" She warned, moving backwards as they approached her.

"Too late newbie!" An inmate said from behind and hit her hard with the rod.

"Ahh! "

Althea fell flat, and they began to hit her with the rod alongside hard kicks. They had no care in the world where it landed and if she's in pain.

She kept screaming and groaning in pain. They had no conscience at all.

For a split second, Althea thought that the inmates had more hidden agendas. It's surprising how she's the only one being bullied.

More like, they were sent to make her life miserable.

Could Oscar have done this? Is this part of his scheme?

It felt as though everyone has deserted her. Why aren't the wardens coming?

Suddenly, the wardens came through, hitting the bars with an iron rod. The inmates scurried away from Althea who kept whining in pain.

As though it was planned, the inmates all pointed fingers at her, stressing the fact that she started the fight and they were only trying to put her in her place.

Without further questions, the wardens pulled Althea up. She felt relieved they were taking her out of the cell but her excitement washed Way when she realized they had taken her out to the field instead and laid her on a table.

She still had no idea what was happening even as two wardens held her arms and another warden picked up a whip. Her eyes widened.

"Wh.. What are you doing?" She managed to ask.

" You will get punished for picking a fight with your inmates..."

" But they started it first, they bullied me!" She tried to explain.

" Save the explanation...."

The Warden whipped her hard on her back. Althea gave a loud scream.

Why are they all after her? Why won't anyone believe her? Why is she always getting punished?

It's the seventh time he's whipping her in a goal, she couldn't bring herself to scream. After being hit with a rod, her entire body ached.

All Althea did was just to cry. Why didn't anyone pull her back to get senses when she agreed to take the fall for a crime she know nothing about?

Why? Why? Why?

What she's experiencing right now is worse than hell. Never ever did she think that she'd live some part of her live as a criminal.

Her life outside prison is ruined. Even when she gets out, no one would want to be with her, no one would like to employ an ex convict. Everything is so messed up.

"What is going on here?" A deep croaked voice said and the wardens stopped immediately, pulling back.

Althea laid weak on the table, her eyes barely open. She's not herself right now.

"I asked what is going on here?" The man who looked in his late sixties asked again, walking closer.

The wardens explained to him and why she's being punished.

"And is that why you're having her punished to the point of death? Can't you see she's almost running out of life? Have her released this instant"

He asked, a deep scowl on his face.

The wardens immediately pulled Althea from the table, holding her both arms.

She raised her head up, staring at the man who had come to her aid. Although her vision was blurry and she could barely keep her heavy eyes open - She collapsed.