Chapter 26: Survival Mode

Two weeks had passed since Ashley's arrival at the prison, and she had settled into a routine. She had learned to navigate the cellblock, avoiding confrontations and keeping a low profile. As she lay on her bunk, she began to count down the days until her sentence was over. 175 days, 174 days, 173 days... The monotony of prison life was starting to get to her. Ashley had grown accustomed to Samantha's guidance, and the older woman had become a lifeline in the harsh environment. She had introduced Ashley to the other inmates, and Ashley had slowly started to build a network of acquaintances. There was Maria, a tough-as-nails woman who had been incarcerated for armed robbery; Jake, a lanky guy who had gotten caught up in a gang; and Rachel, a quiet, reserved woman who was serving time for a non-violent offense. As Ashley counted down the days, she couldn't help but think about her family and friends back home. She missed her parents, her siblings, and her friends. She missed the freedom to do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. She missed the simple things, like being able to walk outside without being told what to do or where to go. The days blended together in a blur of boredom and routine. Ashley had lost track of time, and the only thing that kept her going was the countdown in her head. She had started to dread the sound of the alarm clock, which signaled the start of another long day. Samantha seemed to sense Ashley's restlessness and approached her one day as they were waiting in line for chow. "Hey, kid, you okay?" she asked, her voice low and concerned. Ashley nodded, trying to put on a brave face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just counting down the days." Samantha smiled and put a hand on Ashley's shoulder. "I know it's tough, but you're doing great. You're adapting well, and you're staying out of trouble. That's all anyone can ask for." Ashley smiled back, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Samantha. She knew she wasn't alone in this place, and that made all the difference. As they walked back to their cellblock after dinner, Ashley noticed a group of inmates gathered around a makeshift TV in the common area. They were watching a news program, and Ashley caught a glimpse of a story about a prison riot that had occurred at a nearby facility. Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she watched the footage of broken glass, overturned furniture, and screaming inmates. She felt a shiver run down her spine and turned to Samantha, who was watching her with a knowing look. "Don't worry, kid," Samantha said, her voice low and reassuring. "This place is volatile, but we make do. We'll get through this, one day at a time." Ashley nodded, taking Samantha's words to heart. She knew she had to stay focused, stay strong, and count down the days until she was free.