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Chapter 5: Prison
A prison-issued top and bottom. A thin blanket. A pair of slippers. A spoon. A mug. A face towel, a small bar of soap, a toothbrush, and a tiny tub of toothpaste. That was all she was given after the body check, after every personal belonging was taken from her. Even her name was stripped away.
Printed across her top was R/14250. Her new identity.
She followed the line in silence, the sound of footsteps echoing louder than her thoughts. When she was told to stop, her heart sank. She stepped into the cell. Four inmates were already inside. She entered with two others, the metal door closing behind them with a sound that settled deep in her chest.
“14250. What you in for?” one of them asked.
Her mouth opened, but no words came.
Another voice followed, quieter. “First time?”
She nodded.
Her mind raced. How long would she be here? When would the lawyer come—if he came at all? Could these women be trusted? Should she tell the truth, or pretend she was stronger than she felt? She was beyond broken. Fear had dulled her instincts. She no longer knew who was safe and who wasn’t.
She refused to give them her real name.
“Ann,” she said instead.
They accepted it without question and began introducing themselves. She listened carefully, adjusting her tone, her words, her posture—learning how to blend in. She spoke like them, adopted a persona they would understand. Slowly, cautiously, she formed fragile bonds. Nicknames replaced numbers. Concern replaced suspicion.
Time passed differently inside.
Then came visitations.
One of them was with the lawyer.
“Hi, Ifa. My name is Chew,” the man said calmly. “I’m the lawyer representing you. I was engaged by someone named Jacob. I’ve only been briefed on your case, but I believe there’s more. I need you to tell me everything—anything at all that might help me help you.”
Everything?
Where did she even begin?
“I… I don’t know where to start,” she said, her voice trembling. “I think it’s my husband. I only know it’s related to drugs, but I honestly don’t know what kind, or how my urine tested positive. I really don’t know.”
He nodded, his expression unreadable.
“Do you know what your charges are?” he asked. “Do you want to know what drug it is, and the possible sentence?”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “And my husband—was he caught? What are his charges?”
As Mr Chew listed them one by one, her blood ran cold.
If found guilty, she could be imprisoned for two to five years.
Her husband had been caught too. He was remanded as well. His charges carried the same potential sentence.
Two to five years.
She explained everything she could remember—where he had gone, who he had been with, moments when he could have spiked her drink without her knowing. Each detail felt like a desperate thread she hoped would keep her from drowning.
“Thank you for being honest,” Mr Chew said. “I’ll speak to your lecturers and cohort mates. I’ll investigate your husband, review his statements, and I’ll visit you again. Do you want me to pass any message to your family—or to Jacob?”
“Just tell them I’m okay,” she whispered. “And please… help me. I’m innocent. I really don’t know how or why I’m here.”
“I’ll see you again before your next hearing,” he replied. “If not, I’ll see you in court and request an adjournment, and will see you after.”
Back in her cell, the questions closed in on her.
How could her husband do this to her?
Why was Jacob so determined to help?
And what would become of her now?
Drugs.
In Singapore.
The word alone felt like a verdict.
Was her future already doomed?
//--- Please leave a comment if you want to read the next chapter. :)
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