Four Months Later

"Sterling. Warden wants to see you." It was a Wednesday morning in early December, and the expression on Officer Cassie at my cell door was one I couldn't read.

My stomach dropped. Had something gone wrong?

The warden's office was small and surprisingly warm, with photos of his family on the desk. He gestured for me to sit.

"Ms. Sterling, I'll get right to the point. You're being released early."

"WHAT?!"

"It's over crowded, so we are releasing a select few. Your time is ...