Bridget had always been the one to take the lead when it came to praise and worship during devotions that happened once in a while, and the sanitation that happened every weekend. When others sank into depression, she would lift them with her warm words so much that they felt like sunlight.
Some people would call her over-sabi(charlatan). Others admired her spirit, they would often ask her "how did you find herself here, if you were always this positive, what happened to you? But she would only smile, and say with a soft voice, “It is well.” She never gave them more than that.
She knew that a payday would come, that the good works she does would pay off just like her mother would tell her while she was still a child. She would have to tell her story, but not in a way that would keep people down, but in a way that will make people rejoice with her.
One fateful afternoon, the news spread like wildfire. Her Excellency, the governor’s wife, would be visiting Kiri Kirk prison yard in two days’ time, and would free random people. Something like that had last happened about 5 years ago, and now, it's about to happen again.
The fateful day came, as early as the sun rose, the prisoners were made to clean the environment thoroughly, after which they were lined back to their cells. Every single minute that passed felt like an hour of waiting. Eventually, a few minutes to midday, sirens broke the silence. The governor's wife had arrived with an escort, her bodyguards, the commissioner of police and some other police men, politicians, the prison warden, a lawyer, even the press, and many more.
All the prisoners stood so close to the cage wall, trying to make themselves noticed by the woman who could rewrite destinies. but she walked past and stopped at the centre of the yard. She then spoke in a firm voice, “Warden, bring me five of your best-behaved prisoners. I like to have individual conversations with them myself.”
Amongst the five ladies that were chosen was Bridget and Toyin. Toyin had been a prisoner long before Bridget, a prisoner who was at the height of depression before Bridget's arrival. But ever since she saw Bridget's attitude, she made her a friend, and someone who she confides in. She would always assist Bridget in whatever she does, and gradually, even the warders started to notice her good deeds too.
The Governor's wife, alongside her escorts and the selected five moved out of the prison walls to a more conducive environment for a conversation with Her excellency and her lawyer. The press was also there to cover everything. After the session had ended. The prisoners were escorted back to their cells where they would wait for Her excellency's decision.
A few minutes later, two warders entered the prison and unfolded a sheet of paper to call three names out of it. “Bridget Atunde, Toyin Dada, Ngozi Chiwe". They moved towards the prisoners cells and opened the gate for them to walk out.
Generate using meta AI
After they had changed their dresses, signed documents, and taken some pictures with the governor's wife, commissioner of police, warden, and several other people. The press interviewed Bridget and the other ladies.
For the first time, Bridget told the story that got her into Kiri Kiri prison. She spoke of the school where she once taught, and how the students there loved her. She spoke of how one day a student complained of stomach pains, how she gave him her own unfinished medication for stomach pain, how the boy passed away that same evening., and how the boy's parents ensured she gets punished for giving their child drugs without authorization.
Her story touched everybody including Her excellency. They congratulated her and freed them to go back to their families. Bridget and Toyin kept in touch after that day, they would always discuss and thank God for that day that their good works eventually paid off.
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Here is my entry for the Inkwell fictional prompt #235, thank you for reading through.
