The prison gates opened without ceremony.
No cameras. No cheering crowd.
No waiting family. Just the slow groan of heavy steel doors that had remained closed behind Dorian for fourteen years.
A cool morning breeze brushed against his face. He stopped walking.
For the first time in years, there was nothing in front of him. No bars No checkpoints.
No guards telling him where to stand.
Only an open road stretching toward the city.
He should have felt happy.
Instead... He felt uncertain.
A young correctional officer stood a few steps behind him.
"Sir?"
Dorian didn't answer immediately. He simply stared at the sky. "I'd forgotten how blue it is." The officer smiled.
"It rained most of last week."
"I know."
"I watched it through a window."
A long silence followed.
Finally, the officer held out a small brown envelope.
"These are your personal belongings."
Dorian accepted it carefully.
