The Prison Project Novel

Chapter 79 - Boarding The Bus Margot's POV The screech of metal against metal echoed through the cell block like a warning shot , followed by the sharp slam of latches releasing . A split second of silence . Then- " Let's go ! Clear out the cells ! Now ! " The guards were on the move , barking orders as heavy boots pounded the concrete , fists thudding against bars . This was the most involved that I'd seen any of them be this entire week ! I jumped slightly , even though I'd expected something different today . Coban turned his head toward the door like he could already see them coming .

I watched his jaw twitch as he flexed his fingers once before shoving them into his pockets . He didn't like this , I could tell , knowing we would be separated today . He wouldn't say it out loud , of course , but it was clear in the way his shoulders tensed and the crease formed between his brows . As the door to our cell was yanked open , three guards stood waiting , each armed with their usual baton and bad attitude . " Females to the left line ! Males stay in place until further instruction ! " one of them called .

I turned to Coban just as the lead guard gestured at me roughly , his hand landing on my shoulder to steer me out . Before I moved , I offered Coban a small smile a silent message that I was okay , that it would all go fine today , His nostrils flared , eyes locking with mine , and for a second , I thought he might say something . Do something . But he didn't . He just gave the smallest nod , like he understood me . The guards ushered me into line with the other girls filing out of the cells colourful uniforms , but many tired expressions this time around .

It seemed a break from this place was what everyone needed ... including myself . We were herded into the main corridor , the echo of feet moving and shuffling filling the area . 1/4 3:34 pm P Chapter 79- Boarding The Bus I tried to keep up with the rest , as I faced forward , staying quiet as we merged with the stream of other women moving through the hallway from different blocks . A few murmured soft greetings , others looked too tired to speak just yet . I scanned the crowd as we walked , my eyes searching every head , every stride looking for the one person that mattered in here . Cara .

Where was she ? My gut clenched . She had to be here . Somewhere . I didn't want to face this day alone ... We moved closer toward the next checkpoint - the double doors that separated us from the exits . But before we could reach them , a guard barked out again , louder this time : " Strip search , ladies ! It's mandatory ! Pick a line , spread out ! " A female officer commanded , her tone louder and more frightening than most of the men in this place .... A chorus of groans followed , as each of us shuffled to form lines outside the array of doors .

I let out a sharp sigh , grinding my teeth . " Not this again , " I muttered through clenched jaws , already peeling off the top half of my uniform with practiced irritation . These searches were of course needed , to ensure smuggling couldn't take place but they were brutal nonetheless . I wondered if the guards just enjoyed it . The way it humiliated us . Since I knew that most of them thought we were idiots for coming here ... Which they weren't wrong about that .... " Margot !

" I flinched , feeling the sudden grip on my shoulders , I startled , twisting around quickly- And then instantly sagged in relief . " There you are ! " Cara beamed , her uniform already halfway off , as if this whole charade didn't faze her in the slightest . She yanked me into a hug before I could even respond . I wrapped my arms around her and held tight , burying my face against her shoulder . She smelled like laundry soap and something sweet . Maybe toothpaste ? I didn't care . 2/4 3:34 pm P & DD .

Chapter 79 Boarding The Bus ' I'm so happy to see you , " I whispered , more to myself than to her . " Woah , " she pulled back a little , her eyes scanning mine instantly . " What's gotten into you ? I seen you just yesterday ! " I could see the switch flip in her head . Cara might be bold , sarcastic , even reckless at times , but she was sharp . She knew something was off the second I looked at her . I shook my head quickly , wiping my eyes before anything could spill . " I'll tell you all about it later . I promise .

" She searched my face a moment longer , then gave a small nod , her fingers brushing against mine before stepping into place beside me . It didn't take long for each of us to be called in to the room , performing the same boring strip that made us feel less than ... They checked every inch of skin , hair and clothing seams once we got redressed . I kept my expression blank , my eyes forward , before being passed . I waited outside for Cara to finish up , before seeing her eventually emerge , shaking her head . " I hate them ! " She huffs , as I instantly agree .

We hovered around like waiting cattle while the female guards wrapped up the searches - satisfied that none of us were hiding shivs , notes , or scraps of contraband up our asses . We were quickly guided forward again , herded toward the exit doors - finally . Stepping outside of the final set of double doors , all of the women were being filtered out on to coaches as I stuck close to Cara , practically hip - to - hip with her , like a kid too afraid of losing their parent at the mall ... I wasn't in the mood to pretend I was brave anymore .

I needed her throughout this entire project if I had any hope of making it to the end ! The sun poured down on us as we stepped up and boarded the nearest bus . We clambered through , finding two seats together , as we sank down on them with a breath . My senses were already overwhelmed , after days spent in gray walls , the thought of stepping away from this place was both a gift and a shock to the system ... I glanced around at the others , honing in on the laughter and chatter amongst them - their reunions seeming to relight some of their hope for the time being ...

Girls were stretching , tugging their sleeves up , loosening ponytails , and smiling like this was recess instead of a day to make reports on our inmates to the hierarchy ... 3/4 3:34 pm P SDD . Chapter 79 Boarding The Bus There was something eerie about it . All the joy of having our Saturdays off ... it just felt like a mask . They knew themselves they had thrown us all to the wolves , and Cara and I were amongst the luckier ones . who had a single hope of surviving this place ... Chapter Comments 6 Write Comments < SHARE