38 Bonds of Defiance

The shrill screech of the cell guard's keys pierced the air as the cell door swung open, beckoning Ria, Jennifer, Ryan, and the room leader to begin their daily routine. They exchanged wary glances, silently acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead as they stepped into the prison hallway. It was yet another daily routine that seemed so overwhelming and exhausting. Ria was still the newest member amongst the four inmates, the room leader was the oldest then came Jennifer and then Ryan. Ria imagined her spending all of her years in prison, doing the same thing over and over again. It was indeed torture and she started to realize why a lot of prisoners found committing suicide or breaking out of prison as the best option. Those that were caught trying to escape either died or were caught by the guards and had their body tortured. “Is this how I’m going to live for ten years?” Streams of tears flowed down Ria’s face, she felt so heartbroken and at the same time her eyes were fille