Time moved differently in prison—days felt endless while years disappeared without notice. Ral marked his third anniversary in Cumberland by counting scars accumulated from attacks that Marcus's protection had barely prevented. Shoulder wound from cafeteria, knife s***h across forearm from shower ambush, broken ribs from exercise yard beating. His body was becoming map of survival purchased through constant vigilance.
"Letter from Maya," guard announced, sliding envelope through cell door slot.
Ral opened it carefully, reading his daughter's words written from women's federal prison in West Virginia where she was serving her fifteen-year sentence.
*Dad,*
*Year three complete. Twelve more to go. Mathematics are brutal but manageable. I've been teaching GED classes to inmates who never f
