8:30 A.M. City Women's Correctional Center

The heavy steel gates groaned as they slid open.

A warm breeze swept across the courtyard, carrying with it the sounds of the city beyond the concrete walls.

Freedom.

Selene Vaughn stepped out slowly, shielding her eyes from the morning sun.

For the first time in 19 months...

There were no prison bars.

No guards barking orders.

No orange uniforms.

Just the open sky.

She closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath.

The air smelled different.

Cleaner.

Alive.

An officer approached, holding a small brown envelope.

"Ms. Vaughn."

She opened her eyes.

"Your belongings."

Selene accepted it without a word.

Inside lay...