Chapter 1

SET IN THE PRESENT

The weather outside Hell’s Gate was refreshing. The entire scene had been overtaken by debris from the previous night’s storm.

She stepped out after the beep at the gate, clad in an exquisite, all-ginger jumpsuit. Spinning her arms in the air in a wide, clockwise motion, she smiled with her mouth open.

“Wow, it smells heavenly. Cheers to some freaking air!”

Clasping her hands together, she laughed hysterically — a sharp, raw sound that sliced through the silence. Then, carefully placing one foot in front of the other, she found steady ground.

“I’m alright,” she murmured, glancing back at the giant wall behind her — cold, silent, and watching.

A gust of wind swept past, lifting her hair, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“How did I end up in the middle of nowhere?”

T-a-ck.

She made a mental note and walked away, finding a leaning tree. She pressed her back to it, struck a match, and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled upward, slow and silver — like a ghost trying to remember its name.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Jewel, are you up?” Elis’s sharp voice cut through the hallway.

She waited, then pressed gently against Jewel’s door. Unfortunately, it was locked from the inside.

She chuckled and knocked gently on the door.

Jewel heard her mom earlier but wasn’t ready for the usual morning lecture. She threw a pillow over her head just as the third knock landed on the door. Elis was persistent, knocking, which irritated her.

“Mom, that’s enough already! I’ll be out in a minute.” She squirmed under her pillow.

“Good, because James is here.”

“James?” She yelled out to her mom.

“Yes, James — the boyfriend. He’s been waiting all morning.” Elis said softly, pressing her ear to the door.

Jewel snorted and hit her head with her palms. Then her alarm rang. She stretched out her arms to reach the small clock on the bedpost to turn it off — and her eyes caught the note stuck to it.

“Oh my God, Ginger.” She jumped off her bed and rushed to her wardrobe.

“Are you okay, baby?” Her worried mom asked after hearing her wail.

Jewel yanked out yesterday’s blouse, sniffed it, and shrugged. “This’ll do.” She stripped off her nightgown and slipped it on.

She dashed into the bathroom, gagged on her mouthwash, then raced back to the door, grabbing her sandals and bag from where she’d dumped them the night before. Tossing the sandals into her bag, she flung the door open — and nearly knocked her mom over.

“Sorry, Mom. See you later.”

“Sorry? That’s it?”

“Not now mom.” Jewel turned to face her. “I have to go.”

Elis stared, hand still raised to her face as Jewel ran a hand through her hair and brushed past her.

Elis followed abruptly.

“Brunch is ready, and your boyfriend is still waiting.”

Jewel forced herself to face her mom again when she mentioned James. She had almost forgotten he was still in the house.

James, hiding behind the pillar that divided the hall, peeked out when he heard his name. He caught Elis’s eye and offered a polite smile.

Jewel rolled her eyes. “Mom, tell my boyfriend to call next time he wants to visit.”

“Jew…el…”

“Mom, save it. I’m late. And again — James should’ve called.” She spun around—and ran straight into him.

James caught her before she stumbled.

“I was trying to warn you about that,” her mom said, leaving them staring at each other.

“Uhm, babes, I’ve got to go.” Jewel managed, avoiding the usual affectionate greetings.

She slipped out of his grasp without another word and rushed to the door, leaving James speechless in the center of the room.

“Jewel.” He thundered across the room. His brow furrowed and his eyes flared.

She froze. “You were saying?”

“We need to talk,” he said calmly.

“And I need to be somewhere right now. You have a problem with that?” Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

He let out a long sigh. “No. See you later, then.”

“Thank you, babes.” She stepped into his arms and gave him a quick hug, attempting a kiss. But James cupped her face, holding her still.

They stayed like that for a moment — two people pretending they weren’t falling apart.

Across the room, Elis smiled awkwardly and accidentally dropped a spoon. The clatter broke the moment.

They glanced at her. She mouthed “Sorry,” then vanished into the kitchen.

James laughed softly, still holding Jewel. “You think we have time for more?” He winked.

“No, I really must—”

“Yes. You have to go.” He let her go and scratched his forehead.

“When I get back, we’ll talk,” she whispered.

“That’s the hundredth promise. But I’ll wait… until you make time for us.”

“Thank you, James.” She kissed him quickly and darted out before he could stop her.

He watched her leave, his smile fading the moment the door shut. He wiped the lipstick off his mouth with the back of his hand. Quietly, he walked to the curtains, drew them open, and watched as Jewel’s car disappeared behind the closing gate. His face darkened. He chuckled — but it was cold and bitter.

Just then, Elis returned. James turned, quickly masking his mood with a smile.

“I’m so sorry about earlier,” she said, her voice laced with guilt.

“It’s fine. We’ll work it out.” Then he hesitated. “But do you have any idea where she runs off to every Sunday morning?”

Elis sighed. “My dear, I wish I knew. She’s been like this for the past four years.”

“What about her pops?”

“He’s too busy to notice.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing serious,” James offered, though his voice lacked conviction.

“I hope so,” Elis replied, motioning toward the brunch table. “Come eat something.”

James nodded, smiled faintly, and followed her.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jewel sped through the city, ignoring every red light like a ghost chasing time.

She slammed the brakes in front of Hell’s Gate, the tires screeching as the car jolted to a stop. Smiling, she rolled down her window and slid off her sunglasses.

There she was — Ginger, standing at the entrance, poised as if the years inside had never touched her.

Jewel bolted out of the car, arms flung wide. “Ginger!”

But Ginger didn’t move. She stared blankly, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a slow drag.

“Only you could make an entrance like this… and in full ginger, no less,” Jewel muttered, catching her breath.

“You’re late,” Ginger said flatly, smoke curling around her lips.

“I know, I’m so sorry.” Jewel leaned in for a hug.

Ginger stiffened, barely lifting her arms. The moment felt fragile. Jewel pulled back, forcing a smile.

“You’ll have to make it up to me, then,” Ginger teased, tapping her on the nose.

“You got it. Now let’s go home.”

“Home?” Ginger raised an eyebrow. “Same home?”

“Yes. Unless you want to go somewhere else?”

“A hotel. Or anywhere that’s not home.” She flicked her cigarette to the ground and lit another. “Want one?” Ginger smirked.

“No thanks. I still don’t smoke.” Jewel muttered. “And fine — we’ll get a hotel after the restaurant.”

“Great, real food!” Ginger shouted, throwing her hands in the air.

“Someone missed me,” Jewel grinned, storing the moment like a secret.

“Nope! Just the food.” Ginger tapped her arm.

“No argument here. Come on.” Jewel reached for her hand, tugging her toward the car.

Ginger hesitated. She turned back to glance at the massive iron gate now closing behind her.

She stared at the letters carved across it — Hell’s Gate.

“You alright?” Jewel asked.

“Not really.” Her voice dropped. “But I think I’m going to miss this prison I called home for the past twenty years.”

“Eighteen,” Jewel corrected gently. “You were only transferred here after the juvenile center and the mental facility didn’t work.”

“A year in each of those places was worse than Hell’s Gate,” Ginger whispered, blinking back tears.

Jewel moved closer. “You know I’ve got you, right?”

Ginger didn’t answer right away. She stared down the road, watching two white vans roll by slowly.

“I’m not sure, Jewel,” she said, almost too quiet to hear.

Jewel frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ginger ignored her, eyes narrowing on the vans inching down the road.

“Who else did you tell I was getting out today?” she asked sharply.

“What?” Jewel asked confused.

“You heard me. Who did you tell?” Ginger thundered.

“You told me not to tell anyone—”

“Then why are there vans watching us?” Ginger’s voice turned fierce. “I’m not going to ask again.”

“Ginger—”

“You little brat!” Ginger started toward her.

“Did you just call me—” Jewel started, but Ginger cut her off, pushing her roughly.

“GET DOWN!” Gingered bellowed across the yard.

Jewel froze. “What—”

“I said GET—”

Before Jewel could react, Ginger lunged and tackled her to the ground.

And then — chaos.

Gunfire erupted across the yard and guards shouting. Prisoners ducking for cover behind the prison walls.

Ginger shielded Jewel with her own body, pressing her face to the asphalt as bullets tore through the silence like lightning through glass.