I was a conscript. So at my first chance I became a prisoner of war and claimed asylum. To return was to get shot, to go onwards was a new life in a free country as a new citizen. They could put a gun in my hand, yet love and faith remained in my heart. I believe in peace.
The prisoner whom is most trapped needs no guard, for they have quite forgotten that there is a world beyond their walls.
One can become a prisoner of walls and bars, or cold hearted icy words. One can be so taught not to rise that one remains upon the floor. Perhaps these are the most common prisons of all.
The goal and duty of the prisoner of war is escape, so face down that guard come what may.
A prisoner can be formed in many ways, for me, it was the destruction of my credibility so that none would believe a word I said. Thus my prison was formed from his lies, lies that could make a real brick and mortar prison around me with locked doors and barred windows. That is what psychopaths do. They make you appear insane so that when they do insane things to you, when you ask for protection, it is you that gets locked up instead of them.