Inside the Women's Correctional Facility, Dina sat on the edge of her bunk, her eyes swollen from hours of crying. The news of her mother Sylvia's death had broken her. She hadn't expected it, not like this.
Her mother had been the only one who stayed. The only person who never gave up on her, even when Dina hadn't been the best daughter. Sylvia always defended her. And now… she was gone. Taken by the fire.
Dina stared at the floor, the weight of her loss pressing down on her chest like a heavy stone. Her whole body felt numb.
A loud buzz echoed through the hallway. It was time to gather in the yard. Sniffling, Dina quickly wiped her tears and stood up. She took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together, then stepped out of her cell and joined the line of inmates heading outside.
The sound of loud whistles echoed across the Women's Correctional Facility yard.
