CHAPTER 7

Isabella sat on the cot in the dim light of her cell, staring at the cracked concrete walls that had become her world. It seemed impossible that it had been weeks since Mary had made that first visit to her. The walls felt like closing in around her, holding her hostage with her thoughts. But instead of defeated, a spark was beginning to light in her. She had waited long enough for somebody to save her. It was time to act.

She shut her eyes and started going over in her mind every incident that led to the whole case against her. It was like a bad movie running in her head-the trial, the courtroom, the gavel coming down on her future. What could I have done differently? she thought. Who was really behind all this?

Suddenly, clattering noises filled the hall and dragged her out of her reverie. A few guards were accompanying a new inmate into her cell block. She walked inside, head held high and an aura of confidence surrounding her. Dark hair combed back in a tight bun, with a fierce glint in her eyes, was what described her. Isabella felt this woman had some story to tell.

"Hey," she said, looking up and down the block as if taking in her surroundings. "I'm Jenna. Just got transferred here."

Isabella nodded. "I'm Isabella. Welcome, I suppose."

"Thanks. This place really is a treat, huh?" Jenna replied with a roll of her eyes.

Isabella chuckled lightly at that, and for a second, there was the spark of companionship. "Yeah, more like a nightmare."

Jenna smiled wryly. "You have no idea. Nothing but survival in this place, you can't trust anyone."

Isabella moved a bit closer, very curious. "What do you mean?"

"I've seen things. This place? It's not just about punishment; it's about power. And there are some here who know how to play the game." Jenna leaned in closer. "I know about the corruption within this prison system."

Isabella's heart started to beat rapidly in her chest as she said, "Corruption? What do you mean?"

Jenna ushered herself closer, looking carefully around her, then continued in a hushed tone, "Let's just say that the people running this place are making a profit off our misery. They'll do anything to keep their little operation going, and that includes silencing anyone who tries to speak up."

"What sort of thing have you seen?" Isabella pressed, her curiosity now awakened.

Jenna let out a sigh and sank onto the edge of the cot opposite of Isabella. "I had a friend in here before me, Carmen. She got to leave once she found big corruption with some guards and the warden involved. Then again, she had to play the cards just right. It was dangerous." The thoughts swam around in Isabella's head. "What did she find out?

"Enough to blow the lid off this place. Guards were taking bribes from cons to bring in contraband. It was all about money and control," Jenna explained. "Carmen tried to report it, but they shut her down fast. I think she made a deal with someone to keep herself safe."

A shiver ran down Isabella's spine. "You think that kind of corruption could have landed me here?

Jenna's face fell deadpan. "If it is a case of framing, then you bet there is a much larger network involved for which they would go all the way to keep the secrets buried."

"Do you know how to prove it?" Isabella asked, her heart pounding at this mixture of excitement and fear.

Jenna shook her head. "That's the tricky part. It takes time and trust to pick up the right pieces of information. But if we can get the right people in our corner, then we might just unravel the truth after all."

Isabella took another deep breath and was silent for a bit longer. "How can I help?

A mischievous sparkle danced in Jenna's eyes as she smiled. "You sound sharp, Isabella. I could use someone like you. We can watch each other's backs. If you help me gather intel about the guards and other inmates, I can share what I know."

"I'm in," said Isabella as adrenaline pumped through her heart. "What's first?

"Let's start with something simple. Befriend some of the others and see if you can find anyone who has heard anything about the guards or any of their underhanded dealings. And don't mention my name," Jenna cautioned. "That's everything in here: trust."

Isabella nodded, a burst of determination welling up. "I can do that."

Contingencies swirled in the vortex of her brain as they spoke more and more about it. This, she felt, was leading to some sort of big game now; this would probably either free her or make her fall deeper into danger.

Just then, a name cut through her skin like cold air: "You know, David has connections here. If he's the one involved in this corruption, we have to tread carefully."

Isabella's stomach somersaulted at the mention of the name David. "What do you mean?"

"He has a reputation. People say he can get to anyone he wants. If he knows you're trying to expose him, he might tear this place upside down trying to protect himself."

Isabella balled her fists. "I just can't let him win. I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't let him get away with it.

Jenna nodded, her face grim. "That's the spirit, but you need to be smart about it. Keep your head low and gather your information quietly. We can't tip him off."

Isabella drew a deep breath as her determination hardened. "All right. I'll be careful, but I don't want to just survive-I want to fight back.

"Then we will do it together," Jenna said even-toned. "Let us lighten up somehow the darkness of this place.

As they continued to deliberate on what their next step would be, a growing sense of dread was building in the bottom of Isabella's stomach. The world outside her window seemed blacker than it ever had before, but for the first time, she was not alone.

Now, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, Isabella thought about what to do next. The shadows closed in; corruption seemed to edge in closer by the second. She would not back down. She had a plan, she had a partner in crime, and she had an overwhelming urge for justice.

And yet, the deeper she dug, the more dangerous things would become, even. Little did anything weigh against the resolution of will that made her move with relentless determination: when the decision was made to move on, Isabella did matter. This was her opportunity to put her life together, and she simply wasn't going to let fear stop her from trying to find the truth.