Sia’s POV

I knew my words hadn’t reached Amanda. She was numb to everything—pain, fear, even hope. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I took her to our cell, where Mama Red, Francena, and Claudia sat in their usual spots, talking in hushed tones. These women had all spent time in prison, some of them starting from juvenile detention. If anyone could get through to Amanda, it would be them.

"Hey, got a visitor for y’all," I said, motioning toward Amanda, who was wheeling herself in behind me. She didn’t say a word, her face still locked in that mask of indifference.

Mama Red was the first to speak....