Maren turned and walked away, the grass stem still in her mouth no matter the season.
A month had quickly passed, it was now late January.
Her friends wanted to come with her to see her off but they had to go to work. They urged Danielle to pack up quickly.
But Danielle took her time helping Clara wash dishes.
“Go on, girl! I can handle this bowl myself.”
“Clara, let me help you! This might be the last time we see each other. Who knows when we’ll meet again? You’ve helped me a lot these past three years.”
During those three years Clara always saved a bun for Danielle.
“You’re younger than my own daughter and yet so honest. I like you and that’s why I’m good to you. Go now, this place isn’t meant for you. You’ll do better out there.”
Danielle caught Clara’s eye when she first arrived at the prison; with her youthful face she looked like a student who’d wandered into the wrong place.
“Thank you, Clara, I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself in this cold weather.”
Danielle took off her jacket and gave it to Clara who only wore short sleeves.
Clara’s eyes were red as she accepted it gratefully and held it close. “Girl, find an honest man after you get out of here and live well.”
“Yes,” said Danielle obediently before turning around and walking out of the cafeteria while pulling some crumpled bills from inside her sleeve.
She’d earned them through hard labor over these past few years but never spent them until today.
After some thought, she exchanged them for candy, then bought a pack of cigarettes – Maren’s favorite brand – on top of that.
Before leaving the room, Danielle distributed all these things among their beds except one envelope containing Maren’s cigarettes which went under Maren’s pillow. They’d surely bring joy upon discovery later on.
“Don’t you hate those women who bullied you? Why give them candy?” Mr. Wiley asked curiously as he watched Danielle hand out candy one by one among those female prisoners who used to bully her six months ago when she first got locked up here.
“I don’t hate them anymore, Mr. Wiley,” replied Danielle cheerfully while offering him some candy too,
“You should have one too!”
He carefully picked up one piece then put it in his pocket, saying, “Thanks.”
Finally free from prison clothes, Danielle changed back into school uniform before leaving.
The black suit was tailored to perfection. She wasn’t tall, but her figure was well-proportioned, especially her legs which were long and slender. Against the backdrop of the red plaid skirt, they looked even fairer and almost matched the white shirt she wore on top.
She shivered as she repeatedly touched the long-lost clothes, her lips pursed lightly. Her heart felt like a mixed bag of emotions – memories flooding back all at once – and suddenly she tore off the emblem on her coat.
“Don’t you like it?” Mr. Wiley asked with a hint of surprise as he watched blood start to trickle from her hand.
“I love it too much that I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself,” she replied with a bitter smile while tightly clutching onto the school emblem in her palm.
“You look great in this outfit; you won’t embarrass yourself,” said Mr. Wiley reassuringly. “Danielle, go out! Once you cross this door, you’re starting anew. From today onwards, be good and start fresh because I don’t want to see you here again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wiley.” Danielle bowed sincerely before him.
Her hair had grown very long; what used to be short hair reaching up to her neck now reached down past her waistline. As she bent over in gratitude towards Mr. Wiley, strands of hair covered most of her face, making it difficult for anyone nearby to hear what she said clearly due to her choked voice.
She had no luggage except for this school uniform set which was given by Mr. Wiley himself upon release from prison where no one visited her during these six months and seventeen days that held Danielle captive behind bars.
Finally, the gates slowly opened, revealing two soldiers holding guns standing guard outside.
The moment sunlight hit Danielle’s skin, it became apparent how pale it had become due to lack of exposure.
Her veins were visible through translucent skin.
She closed her eyes, allowing herself bask under warmth brought by sun rays.
Her beauty appeared frail yet pure despite being out-of-place within dark, damp confines of prison cells.
Danielle stepped out into sunlight with a small smile playing across her lips. “Sunshine feels so good!”
A black car parked not far away belonged to someone who followed closely behind.
Driving it was a man dressed smartly in deep blue suit, his fair complexion complementing his chiselled features.
He placed both hands evenly on steering wheel, gazing at the silhouette through rear-view mirror.
“Follow Her!”
“Mr. Foley, you’ve got contracts unsigned, and meetings unattended. What brings you here waiting outside the prison gate? Has something happened?” The young man spoke up, his white suit contrasting brightly against his golden locks while complaining about Foley’s behavior.
“Nothing,” Kelvin said in a calm voice, watching as the woman took a few steps and suddenly collapsed on the street. His heart tightened.
He didn’t have time to think, immediately starting his car and chasing after her. Suddenly accelerating, due to inertia, the white clothed man hit his head, grinning with pain.
“Hey man, can’t you say something?”
The car slowly stopped at the side of the road. Kelvin unbuckled his seat belt and rushed over to the woman.
“You drive. Go to Kindred Hospital quickly!”
“Huh? Why don’t you drive instead? I’ll take care of this beauty.”
Just now it was just a glance but he saw this girl’s profile which was stunningly beautiful.
Now that he got closer for a look… oh! She looked pretty good! No wonder his cold-faced boss was so anxious about her. But how did such an innocent-looking girl come out of prison?
Such an innocent and lovely young girl looks completely unrelated to crime!
True, people can’t be judged by their appearance.
“Stop fucking around and hurry up!” Kelvin sat directly in the back seat, taking off his coat and covering her body with it before realizing that her arms were already ice-cold while her hands were blue-purple all over.
This is a key clue for finding Cheyenne; Danielle cannot die like this!
Two tall men with handsome faces stood at the entrance of emergency room attracting many admiring glances from small nurses nearby.
After quite some time passed, finally someone, holding a report card, came out from the operating room.
“Who is patient’s family member?”
“I am.” Kelvin walked up, asking questions, while doctor told him that she fainted due to acute gastritis caused by low blood sugar levels. Moreover, she had strange symptoms. At such young age she even had malignant tumors!
Chris’ face showed shock. “How could this be Miss Parry? She has been living comfortably without any problems until now.”
Kelvin sneered. “She isn’t Danielle at all!”