They Poured Water on the New Girl and Humiliated Her in Front of the Entire Prison—Then She Spotted a Mysterious Tattoo and Asked One Question That Silenced Everyone!

Ward stood in the doorway with his jaw clenched. Colson came around the corner, flanked by two guards.

“Both inmates to holding,” he repeated. “Now.”

I raised my voice. “Why? Are we being disciplined? Is there a written order?”

Colson pointed at me. “Keep your mouth shut.”

Rhea faced the camera. “My name is Rhea Vale. I am requesting medical care for my shoulder and protection from retaliation.”

He lunged for the microphone on the wall. Ward stepped between them.

“Sir, the room records automatically. You're on it.”

Colson froze. For a second nobody moved. Then the hallway speaker crackled and Warden Marsh ordered everyone back to regular duties.

We were returned to separate units. I hadn't saved Rhea. I'd only made it harder to take her quietly.

Back on my tier, Brandi waited by the stairs. Her hands were empty. No bottle, no threats.

“I saw Gloria,” she said.

“Where?”

“In the kitchen. They brought her through to collect supplies. She's weak. And she said the red door isn't the hiding place. It's the way out.”

“Out to what?”

“An old maintenance tunnel. My work detail used to keep cleaning supplies there.”

I stared at her. “Why are you telling me?”

“Because Emma came yesterday. They'd lied about the visit being canceled. She told me I looked like somebody I wouldn't want her to know.” Brandi swallowed. “She was right.”

I waited. She owed more than an explanation.

“If someone tries to hurt you again,” she said, “I can stand there and let it happen. Or I can be a witness.”

“Be a witness.”

An alarm sounded from the infirmary. People ran. We heard an officer yell for a doctor. Through the stairwell window I saw a stretcher racing toward the exterior door.