Chapter 9: The Prisoner’s Impossible Choice
The entire prison knew something happened.
They always knew.
A place like this carried secrets faster than electricity.
By breakfast, everyone knew I had received a call.
By lunch, everyone knew the caller’s name.
Richard Vale.
Even women who had never met him looked afraid.
That told me more than anything.
Ava found me outside.
Her face was pale.
“You heard from him.””
I looked at her.
“You knew he was alive.””
She didn’t deny it.
That hurt more.
“You knew.””
“I suspected.””
“You suspected?””
My voice rose.
“Your father destroyed my life.””
Ava looked away.
“I know.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You don’t.””
She looked at me.
“I watched him destroy mine too.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she said:
“He wants you to go to Blackwood Farm.””
I frowned.
“How do you know?””
“Because that’s what he does.””
“What?””
“He creates impossible choices.””
I looked at her.
“What choice?””
Ava’s voice became quiet.
“He will offer you Lily.””
My heart stopped.
“And?””
“He will ask for something in return.””
I already knew.
“What?””
Ava looked at me.
“Your silence.””
I laughed.
“Never.””
“You say that now.””
“No.””
I looked toward the prison walls.
“I spent years screaming the truth while nobody listened.””
My voice lowered.
“I’m not staying quiet anymore.””
Ava studied me.
Then nodded.
“Good.””
That surprised me.
“You believe me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
She looked down.
“Because Lily believed you too.””
I froze.
“What?””
Ava’s eyes filled.
“She never forgot you.””
The world stopped.
“She remembers me?””
Ava nodded.
“She kept asking when you were coming home.””
I covered my mouth.
For years, I imagined Lily forgetting me.
Growing up without knowing who I was.
But she remembered.
She waited.
And that hurt more.
Ava sat beside me.
“She drew pictures of you.””
“What kind?””
“Her and you together.””
I closed my eyes.
I could see it.
The refrigerator covered with crayons.
Her tiny hands holding mine.
The smell of her shampoo.
The sound of her laugh.
Ava whispered:
“She hated Daniel.””
I opened my eyes.
“Why?””
“Because she knew.””
“Knew what?””
“That he lied.””
Before I could ask more, a guard called my name.
“Carter. Administration.””
Again.
I walked there expecting another accusation.
Another trap.
Instead, the warden placed a folder in front of me.
“You have been approved for temporary transfer.””
I stared.
“What?””
“Federal review.””
“That’s impossible.””
The warden looked uncomfortable.
“Someone powerful requested it.””
“Who?””
She didn’t answer.
She didn’t have to.
Richard.
I opened the folder.
The transfer location was listed.
Blackwood County Medical Facility.
Not a prison.
A hospital.
I looked up.
“Why am I going there?””
The warden hesitated.
Then said:
“Because someone there claims to have information about your daughter.””
My hands went cold.
“Who?””
She slid another document across the desk.
A patient name.
I read it.
And my heart stopped.
Ruth Bell.
Alive.
I looked up.
“She’s there?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
The warden’s face tightened.
“That’s what you’re supposed to find out.””
I returned to my cell carrying the papers.
Ava was waiting.
When she saw my face, she knew.
“What happened?””
I showed her the document.
Her expression changed instantly.
“Ruth.””
“She’s alive.””
Ava sat down.
“That’s impossible.””
“No.””
I looked at the transfer order.
“Apparently impossible things happen a lot around us.””
That night, I packed my few belongings.
A photograph.
A letter.
The key Ava gave me.
And the hope I had tried not to feel.
Before leaving, I found a note slipped beneath my door.
My stomach dropped.
Another message.
Another warning.
But this time, it wasn’t from an enemy.
It was from Ruth.
Three words.
DON’T TRUST DANIEL.
I stared at the paper.
Because for the first time, I wondered if the man who betrayed me was also the only person trying to save me.
And as the prison doors opened the next morning, I realized something terrifying.
May you like
I wasn’t being transferred to find Ruth.
I was being transferred because Ruth had found the truth first.
