Exceptional Set me free from the prison I pour. Amber chains by Patty Mazzurco      The Prisoner Contest Winner

He stared at the amber liquid swirling in the glass, a familiar prison with no bars. Each sip loosened his chains, yet tightened their grip. The bottle promised freedom—a warm escape from the cold truth he refused to face—but left him shackled to mornings of regret and trembling hands. His reflection in the glass was a stranger, hollow-eyed and silent, pleading for release. He tipped the bottle back, drowning the voice inside. Outside, the world moved on, oblivious to his solitary confinement. Inside, he was both prisoner and warden, locked in a cage only he held the key to. Writing Prompt In 100 words, or less, write a short story--not necessarily a flash-fiction, though it could be--on the theme/subject/topic of 'prisoner'. It could be literal or metaphoric. The Prisoner Contest Winner

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