66 Shadows of the Soul

A heavy silence settled between the warden and the head guard as they grappled with the weight of their past actions. The head guard took a moment to reflect on the choices she had made, the path she had taken, and the distance she had traveled. She had been stuck with the warden, bound by duty, even though she had never felt a genuine liking for him. The realization of their shared guilt and the warden's surprising leniency stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her. She knew that even if he wanted to punish her, he couldn’t because of their years together. As the silence lingered, the warden broke the stillness with a gentle sigh. "Tell me something, how long do you wish to remain in this prison?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. The head guard's gaze met his, her eyes reflecting the struggles she had endured throughout her time in the prison. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before responding, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determi