The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 160

Margot’s POV

Vie were only a few steps from the end of the cell block when Coban suddenly stopped.

His hand slipped from mine so abruptly that I nearly stumbled.

“Shit – give me two, he muttered, already turning on his heel. “Forgot something.”

Before I could ask what, he jogged back down the corridor toward our room, boots thudding softly against the concrete. I stood there frozen for a second, my fingers curling instinctively like they were still wrapped around his.

Leo arched a brow. Cara shot me a look, impatient but also curious as I shrugged.

“He does that a lot, Leo muttered under his breath.

I barely heard him,

My eyes stayed locked on the hallway Coban had disappeared down, my heart doing that stupid, traitorous thing where it sped up just because he wasn’t within arm’s reach anymore.

It only took seconds.

Coban reappeared almost immediately, moving fast like he hadn’t wasted a single breath. He slid back into place beside me and reclaimed my hand as if he’d never let go in the first place.

Grounded again.

“What was it?” I asked quietly as we started walking.

He shrugged, expression casual. Too casual. “Nothing important. Just some painkillers.”

I nodded, not questioning it further.

There were a hundred things I could’ve asked him about lately, things that sat heavy in my chest, but this wasn’t the moment. Not now. Not when Sarah was waiting for us.

We reached the coded elevator where the guard – I’m assuming from earlier – stood waiting for Cara and Leo to return with us, arms crossed, expression sour.

About time,” he grumbled. ‘I was about to head back upstairs.”

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Chapter 160

Cara whited. Murty, we found them as quick as we could…

Lea shot her a sharp look instantly. “Don’t apologise to any of them,” he hissed out under his breath as soon as the guard huffed and turned hits back on us.

Cara swatted his arm. “Stop, she whispered back, rolling her eyes. “We’re lucky he even waited this long… she defends, as we watched the guard insert his key card, punch in a code, and wave us all inside as though we were running on a timer…

The elevator doors slid shut with a heavy metallic sound, sealing us into the small space.

The ride up was silent.

As the guard impatiently tapped his foot, arms folded, as I watched Coban bore holes in to his back.

He was getting irritated by it, I could tell, and so I began rubbing small circles across his hand with my thumb in an attempt to avoid any unnecessary tension…

He didn’t look at me, but I could feel his awareness of my thumb moving as his fingers tightened around mine.

He was a live wire watching everything, listening to every sound, already preparing for anything that might go wrong…

Before finally, the doors opened onto the medical ward and I released a breath.

It smelled different up here cleaner.

Sterile.

The guard led us through another secured door marked ‘RECOVERY WARD‘, scanning his badge again before it unlocked with a soft beep.

The corridor beyond was nothing like the rest of the prison which shocked me most.

The walls were painted a pale lavender, the colour soft and almost comforting to see amidst a place like this.

Large windows lined one side, sunlight spilling in and washing the floor in warmth. It felt… wrong. Too calm. Too normal. Too nice?

“This place is different,‘ I murmured without thinking.

Coban only hummed in response, looking around too.

I glanced at him and realised his posture hadn’t relaxed even a fraction since we’d left our room. His shoulders were tight, eyes scanning exits, guards, corners.

Always on guard.

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Chapter 160

“Okay,” the guard sald, stopping near a door. “Girls, the room number is three, just down there. Inmates, follow me to the waiting roo

My stomach dropped.

This was it.

Already, we were here.

I tightened my grip on Coban’s hand without meaning to.

He hesitated, just for a second, like the idea of letting go of me physically pained him. Then he looked down at me, eyes dark and searching.

“It’ll be okay,” I promised softly, hoping I sounded braver than I felt.

He nodded once. “I know. Remember what I told you.”

I swallowed, licking my drying lips. “I will.”

Reluctantly, he released my hand.

Cara slipped her arm through mine immediately, her grip firm and just what I needed after the loss of contact with Coban.

Together, we turned toward room three while Coban and Leo were guided in the opposite direction, heads turned over their shoulders to watch us before we disappeared from sight.

I didn’t look back again after that.

If I did, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make myself move forward anymore.

We read the rooms…

One…

Two…

Before we stopped outside the door.

Her door.

She was right behind these walls…

My heart hammered so loudly I was sure Cara could hear it too.

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Chapter 160

I remembered Colman’s warning. She might look wote then you expert, be ready.

And so I heated myseit

Cara squeezed my arm. Ready?‘

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I was.

What state were we going to find her in?

Together, we pressed the door handle down.

Hearing the click before the door opened.

The room was softly lit, curtains half drawn, Machines hummed quietly, steady and rhythmic. The smell of antiseptic hitting me first.

And then we saw her.

Sarah lay propped up against pillows, her skin pale, dark bruises blooming across her face, arms and neck like cruel fingerprints.

Bandages wrapped around her head and most of her body, with one cheek mottled purple and yellow. Her hair was pulled back messily,

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