Shattered Alibi

Valerie’s POV

The cell door creaked open, slowly, like it didn’t want to wake the ghosts in my head. I hadn’t slept. Not really. Just stared at the ceiling most of the night, listening to the hollow thump of my own heartbeat and the whisper of prison air through the vents.

“You’re up,” the guard said.

I sat up. Didn’t nod. Didn’t speak. I just moved. My hands were cold as they cuffed me again, wri