Freedom.

The cold prison cell reminded her of how cruel the world was for the low-class people.

For months, she had begged Bruno to allow her to see their son, and today was no different.

She sat in the visitors’ room, her heart beating fast as Bruno entered with his mother.

“Bruno, please,” she began, her voice hinting with desperation. “Let me see him. I just want to hold my son. Or at least, let me hear his voice.”

Before Bruno could respond, his mother interrupted, her voice sharp, as always. “Absolutely not. I won’t let you traumatize the poor boy. He’s better off without a criminal like you. He needs to focus on Zurich. You can speak with him after you have served your jail term.”

She clenched her fists, her glare piercing through the duo. “You will regret this,” she mouthed, her voice low, but filled with fury. “Both of you will.”

Margaret laughed mockingly, the sound echoing in the room. “Regret it? What can you possibly do from prison? You will rot here. That is where you belong. Let's just say you are serving the terms your wretched father should have, for owing me. Know your place, Alison.”

"Mother, that's enough. Let's go," Bruno said, getting up.

***

A week later, she received a heartbreaking news.

The only one she had left; her mother had died in the hospital, unable to bear the shock of her daughter’s imprisonment.

The news shattered her completely. Her world had collapsed in front of her, and she was unable to do anything, other than watch it be destroyed. “Why? Why did this happen to me?”

Her cellmate tried to console her, but the more she tried to calm her down, the more Alison wept bitterly.

Her brokenness turned into a fierce rage. “They did this to me,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Bruno and his family. They killed my mother and took away my son. I will make them pay dearly. They will regret ever doing this to me.”

Months turned into a year since she got into prison, and she endured all the suffering and taunting. Every night, she would curl up and cry silently.

Her freedom was taken away from her, and there was little to nothing she could do.

She had no one, now. No one visited her, and she was slowly accepting her fate.

"Inmate 324, you have a visitor."

Alison was surprised. It had been months and no one came to visit her. Initially, her mind drifted to Bruno, until she reached the visiting room.

A middle-aged average woman was seated across the room, waiting for her.

Alison took a seat directly opposite her. She could not recognize the woman, and therefore, her expression was cold.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?"

“I’m Megan,” the woman introduced herself. “I was a friend of your mother. She was a wonderful woman, and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm here to help you."

“I owe her everything. Your mother saved my life,” Megan said. “I will do whatever it takes to get you out of here.”

"How do you plan on doing that? I am in prison without any form of bail, so you can't say you will bail me out. I must serve my complete term."

Megan passed her an assuring smile, "I exist to find a solution. I will get you out of here, soon. Trust me."

For the first time since she got into jail, Alison felt a sense of hope within her.

Unbeknownst to her, Margaret was determined to ensure she never left prison. She wanted her completely out of the way.

She had paid an officer to get rid of her in a way that there would be no need for investigation. She had promised him a hefty sum for the job.

One night, while she was sleeping, the officer approached her in the cell, calling her out.

“You need to come with me,” he said lowly, grabbing her arm.

Suspicion flared, but she did not resist. Rather, she carefully watched him, while walking by his side.

In a secluded corner of the prison, the officer leaned in close and whispered, “They want you dead, but I’m not going to kill you. Not here, not like this.”

Her heart raced, as he looked at him in surprise.

He continued, “I have seen enough injustice in this place. I will help you escape, but you must pay me back in the future.”

She did not hesitate. “Anything,” she promised. “Just get me out of here, please.”

"Come closer," he said, and he began to whisper her escape plan, so as to look unsuspicious.

The plan was dangerous, but of course, she was ready to take the risk.

On one of the nights, when the prison’s security was at its lowest, the officer walked and smuggled her out of the yard after leaving her cell gate open for her to escape.

When they finally reached the outer wall of the prison, she turned to the officer.

"Thank you so much, Officer." She said, giving a short bow.

"You are welcome. Just take a few steps forward, a car is waiting for you there," he told her.

As she turned to leave, she paused and faced him.

"If I may ask, who ordered you to kill me?"

He hesitated a bit before answering, "Mrs. Margaret Francisco."

"How do you plan to cover up for my escape?" She asked further.

"Don't worry about that. Leave it to me."

She nodded and walked away.

As she got into the car, she realized it was Megan.

"Thank you so much, for helping me. Without you, I would have been dead by now."

Megan smiled, "I told you I've got this."

As the car sped away, the prison faded like a wisp of smoke. Alison could not help but look back at how much time she had spent behind bars for a crime she did not commit.

"I wanna ask, why would your mother-in-law pay to get you killed?" Megan asked as she took a left turn.

Alison looked away, clenching her teeth.

"I don't know, and I don't care about her reasons. All I care about right now is revenge."

"I like the sound of that," Megan said with a chuckle, "but first, you need to establish yourself. You can't take them down at your lowest. You need either be at their level or above them."

“This isn’t the end,” Alison whispered to herself. “It’s just the beginning.”

"You've got me, okay? I will help you with whatever you need," Megan reassured.

"Thank you, Megan."

As they arrived at Megan's house, she stepped out, taking in a deep breath.

She was finally free.

“I’m coming back for you, Theo,” she vowed. “And for them. They will regret the day they tried to destroy me.”