The Prison Visit

The prison corridor was silent. Too silent.

Bethany walked slowly toward the last cell, her heels echoing against the cold floor.

She had come to see one woman.

A woman who had lost everything.

But Bethany had not come to offer help.

She had come to destroy the last thing that woman still had.

Hope.

The Cell

The prison guard unlocked the heavy metal door.

Bethany stepped inside.

Shara’s mother was sitting alone on the narrow bench inside the cell.

Her face looked tired. Her eyes were swollen from countless nights of crying.

But the moment she saw Bethany, her expression changed.

SHARA’S MOTHER

What are you doing here?

Bethany slowly smiled.

BETHANY

I came to see you.

SHARA’S MOTHER

You? I don’t want anything from you.

Shara Came To Me

Bethany walked closer to the bars.

BETHANY

That’s interesting.

BETHANY

Because Shara wants something from me.

The mention of her daughter’s name made the woman’s eyes widen.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Shara?

BETHANY

Yes. Your precious Shara came to me.

SHARA’S MOTHER

What did she want?

BETHANY

She begged me.

A Mother’s Hope

SHARA’S MOTHER

Begged you for what?

BETHANY

For me to help you.

A heavy silence filled the cell.

SHARA’S MOTHER

She went to you?

BETHANY

She did.

BETHANY

She asked me to speak to her father.

BETHANY

She asked me to use my influence.

BETHANY

She wanted me to get you out of this prison.

The woman’s eyes filled with tears.

SHARA’S MOTHER

My daughter…

The Truth

SHARA’S MOTHER

If you can help me, please do it.

Bethany remained silent.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Whatever Shara asked you… please do it.

Bethany suddenly laughed.

It wasn’t a warm laugh.

It was quiet. Cruel.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Why are you laughing?

BETHANY

Because she doesn’t know me.

SHARA’S MOTHER

What do you mean?

BETHANY

Shara thinks I will help you.

She thinks I will talk to her father.

She thinks I will somehow get you released.

Bethany’s Cruel Plan

Bethany stared directly into the woman’s eyes.

BETHANY

But she doesn’t know that I will never let you out.

SHARA’S MOTHER

What?

BETHANY

You heard me.

I will never help you leave this place.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Why?

BETHANY

Because if you walk out of this prison, Shara will finally have peace.

She will finally sleep peacefully.

She will finally stop worrying.

She will finally feel safe.

BETHANY

And I don’t want that.

More Charges

SHARA’S MOTHER

You hate my daughter that much?

BETHANY

You have no idea.

Bethany’s eyes hardened.

BETHANY

As long as you stay in this prison, Shara will keep suffering.

She’ll keep wondering when you’re coming home.

She’ll keep blaming herself.

BETHANY

And every single day, she’ll remember me.

SHARA’S MOTHER

You’re sick.

BETHANY

Maybe.

BETHANY

And there’s more.

SHARA’S MOTHER

What more could you possibly do?

BETHANY

More charges.

The Breaking Point

SHARA’S MOTHER

You can’t do that!

BETHANY

Watch me.

SHARA’S MOTHER

I’ve already lost everything!

BETHANY

Not everything.

Bethany smiled.

BETHANY

You still have Shara.

BETHANY

And that’s exactly what I’m going to take from you.

Something inside the woman snapped.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Don’t you dare talk about my daughter!

BETHANY

Why?

SHARA’S MOTHER

Because she is the only reason I’m still alive!

BETHANY

Then maybe I should take away that reason too.

The Slap

The woman’s eyes filled with rage.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Enough!

BETHANY

What are you going to do?

The woman trembled.

BETHANY

Hit me?

BETHANY

Go ahead.

BETHANY

Show me how desperate you really are.

The woman stared at Bethany.

Her breathing became faster.

Her hands tightened into fists.

BETHANY

You can’t touch me.

BETHANY

Because you’re already behind bars.

BETHANY

And no one will believe you.

The sound exploded through the prison corridor.

Bethany’s face turned sharply to the side.

Silence.

A Dangerous Smile

Bethany slowly touched her cheek.

A red mark was beginning to appear on her face.

But instead of getting angry…

Bethany smiled.

A strange smile.

A dangerous smile.

SHARA’S MOTHER

Don’t ever speak about my daughter like that again.

BETHANY

You just made a very big mistake.

SHARA’S MOTHER

I don’t care.

BETHANY

You should.

The guard rushed toward the cell.