Lights-out left the cellblock in heavy silence, broken only by the occasional cough or muttered curse. Aiko sat on her bunk, knees pulled to her chest, staring at the faint glow slipping under the door.

  “Can’t sleep either?” Ginger whispered from the shadowed corner. She’d slipped into Aiko’s cell again, somehow always finding a way.

  Aiko shook her head. “Nightmares.”

  “Yeah. Welcome to the club.” Ginger’s voice carried a bitter laugh, but it faded quick.

  They sat in silence for a while, listening to the hum of the building. Then Ginger spoke again, softer this time. “You know… sometimes I think if I just keep talking, maybe I won’t feel like I’m rotting in here.”

  Aiko’s throat tightened. “What do you talk about?”

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  “My mom. That jerk who set me up. Dumb stuff. Doesn’t matter. Makes me feel less… gone.”

  Aiko hesitated, then whispered, “Jack.”

  Ginger tilted her head. “That the name you dropped before? The one you said framed you?”

  Aiko’s nails dug into her knees. “He… he ruined everything. The Hendersons took me in, treated me like family. And then Jack twisted it. He made it look like I betrayed them. Like I was part of—” She broke off, breath catching.

  Ginger waited. For once, no jokes. No teasing. Just quiet.

  “I didn’t,” Aiko forced out. “I would never. But no one believes me. Not the court. Not even the Hendersons.”

  Her eyes stung, but she blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall.

  Finally, Ginger said, “I believe you.”

  Aiko’s head snapped up. “You don’t even know me.”

  “I know liars,” Ginger said simply. “And I know kids who got screwed over. You’re the second one.”

  A shaky laugh escaped Aiko before she could stop it. “That’s not exactly comforting.”

  “Wasn’t meant to be.” Ginger smirked, but her voice was steady, solid. “It’s just the truth.”

  They sat there in the dim cell, the air heavy but different. For the first time, Aiko didn’t feel completely alone.