The forgotten

happiness behind bars

Elowen's world tilted on its axis the moment Mrs. Mary fell. The next thing she knew, sirens wailed, and Lorien, that snake, was pointing a trembling finger, his voice dripping with false grief. "She did it! Elowen killed her!"

The injustice of it all was a physical blow. She wanted to scream, to fight, but the words caught in her throat, choked by disbelief. She was being arrested... for a crime she didn't commit.

As the officers led her away, she caught a glimpse of Mrs. Mary's lifeless eyes. A wave of guilt washed over her, so potent it nearly buckled her knees. It was because of her. Because she had looked "pitiful." Because she had dared to exist.

In the courtroom, Lorien's lies became the truth. The evidence, twisted and manipulated, painted her as a cold-blooded killer. Four years. The judge's words echoed in her ears, sealing her fate.

The prison loomed, a concrete monster promising despair. But inside those walls, something unexpected happened. The Correctional Center for Women became a sanctuary, a place where she found a sense of belonging she had never known.

One day, while working in the prison garden, an elderly woman with kind eyes approached her. "What brings a sweet thing like you to a place like this?" she asked, her voice raspy but gentle.

"I killed a man," Elowen replied, the words flat and devoid of emotion.

The granny chuckled, a warm, comforting sound. "You? Never. You must have had your reasons."

Elowen managed a weak smile. "I guess I did."

"And your family, child? Do they visit?"

Elowen's face hardened. "They're dead to me." It was a harsh statement, but the truth was harsher. In the two years she had been incarcerated, not a single letter, not a single visit. They had abandoned her, just like everyone else.

But here, within these walls, she had found a different kind of family. Women who had seen the worst of the world and still managed to find strength, compassion, and even joy. At twenty two, Elowen was the youngest, a "sweetheart" who had somehow managed to win their hearts. She was still haunted by the past, by Mrs. Mary's death and Lorien's betrayal, but here, in this stinky, yet happy place, she was finally starting to heal.

Elowen had served two years in prison when she was unexpectedly called to the matron’s office. At the time, she was quietly weaving cloth alongside a few others—something that had become a comforting routine for her during her time inside.

When she stepped into the office, the matron handed her a letter and said gently,

“You’re being released on parole.”

Elowen stood frozen, staring at the letter.

“I have nowhere to go,” she whispered. “This place… it’s the only place I’ve ever felt at peace.”

The matron looked at her with a mix of pride and sadness. She reached into her drawer and handed Elowen a small, folded piece of paper with a phone number on it.

“Call this number when you’re out,” she said. “Her name is Marta—my friend. She just opened a restaurant and she’s looking for help. I told her about you.”

Elowen’s eyes filled with tears. She broke down, overcome with gratitude, and hugged the matron tightly.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. “Thank you for seeing me.”

That night, in the correctional facility, the staff and a few of the inmates quietly gathered. They held a small farewell party for Elowen—nothing big, just cake, smiles, and kind words.

She had been a darling to everyone for over two years—gentle, helpful, and kind. Her presence had left a mark.

Now, she was walking into a new chapter. Not alone—but with hope, a number in her hand, and the kindness of those who believed she deserved another chance.