A Silent Voice

Chapter Ten

"'Just because you cant shut up doesnt mean I have to suffer!' These words spiraled through Isaki's head, echoing louder and louder until it was almost deafening. She felt nauseous, she shivered, and felt weak. Her sister that she held so dearly to her heart had finally had enough of her, had enough of- what she thought was, the perfect sister. When in reality it was someone who couldnt take a hint, someone who didnt know the right time for anything. Someone who couldnt shut up. Isaki never spoke after that. A little arguement turned into a potentially life long problem. 'Almosy like atonement.' She thought. It began as her not talking but being able to, to her not talking because she lost her voice."
My answer- not a pleasant one, nor an answer I hoped was true. But it was an answer. I stood quiet, and thought, and pondered what Ive just been told. Shouko is sitting across from me waiting intently on a response of any kind. For what feels like ages of silence I speak. "I..." i squeak out, "I didnt think it was this serious..." Shouko nods. "No one does." She says sarcastically. "I act the way I do to make her do something, fight back, yell, something. But she just cries, and cries, and writes in her dumb little book. Wouldnt she try and get her voice back? Does she not want to?" Shouko gets mor fustrated with each word, "I havent always been the best sister but i do everything with goof intentions i swear. I just dont know what to do anymore." I see tears form in her eyes. 'Good acting or dead serious?' I think to myself, shes good at lying so i wouldnt push it past her but this seems genuine and Ill go with my gut to believe her. "I can try, she seems the most comfortable around me anyways..." I trail off while looking off to the side, "Up until recently." Shouko looks away, "Yeah."
"At least look at me? I just wanna talk to you." The words grip the back of my throat, almost like they were strangling me waiting for me to say something stupid. I grab her by the arm and turn her around to stop her from walking away. "Saki, stop." I say, voice unsure of what is gonna come out next. "Just... just please dont be-" before I can say anything else she slips away from me and runs. She hides before I can give chace and I lose her. 'Damn'