chapter1

She moved quickly, keeping her head down. The corridor was full of bodies tonight, but she bullied her way past them, never once looking back. Expletives and abuse accompanied her clumsy progress, and as she turned the corner into her wing, she felt a large glob of saliva hit the back of her neck. Normally she would have turned to confront the offender—she loved cracking bones—but there was no question of that tonight.

Lockup was only fifteen minutes away and Leah knew that if she could make it back to her cell, she would be safe. She'd been lying low in the Skills Department, concealing herself in a disused storeroom, but when the bell rang for end of association, she knew she had to move. She was not superstitious by nature, but as she left her hiding place, she kissed her crucifix three times, muttering her boys’ names and praying for luck. She had a feeling she would need it.

They knew. And now they were coming for her. It was just a question of where and when. Holloway Prison was a maze of narrow, ill-lit corridors, with numerous opportunities for ambush. Leah knew the terrain better than most—she'd been there five years already—but that was no guarantee of safety. Not when you were being hunted by the pack.

As she quickened her pace, Leah was suddenly overwhelmed by fear—she had the strong feeling that she would die in there, amid the filth and the misery. She could picture herself bleeding out on the floor as her attackers circled her, their eyes full of hate...

“Get yourself together, girl.”

The words came out in a harsh whisper and Leah cut them off abruptly, chiding herself for her weakness and stupidity. She was in deep trouble for sure, but she was nearly home—it would be crazy to mess it up now. Taking a deep breath, she emerged from the corridor and, crossing the gantry, skipped up the stairs to Level 2. She was treading lightly, trying not to make any noise, but her steps beat out a dull metallic rhythm. Her eyes darted left and right, as she expected an attack at any moment, but to her surprise the way remained clear.

In fact, nothing seemed out of the ordinary tonight. As Leah scanned her wing, she saw the same old faces, jawing and laughing before their enforced separation for the night. Everybody seemed relaxed, even happy, and Leah now felt a surge of optimism. Perhaps all her fears had been for nothing. A short dash and she would be back in her cell, safe and sound.

All she had to do now was pick her moment.