A Soundless World a World War 2 book

When the Bell Sounds

Annie could barely breath. Her heart pounded hard in her chest making her head hurt. Timothy guided Annie over to her bed. "breath." he told her. Annie tried but she couldn't process what they had just discovered. It all made sense. Timothy brought her a cup of water. "here. drink." she did as she was told. "thanks." Annie murmured. After taking a little time to process everything and came to her senses she decided they needed a plan. "what are we going to do Timothy? After the trenches are dug they're going to start shooting innocent people. We need to get out of here." Timothy raised an eyebrow. "we huh? we just met and you're thinking of a plan that involves a we when it would be much easier to escape with one person." Annie blushed and turned her face away and then back again in case he said something else. "So a plan?" Annie asked trying to break the stare they had been sharing. "right. First maybe i should teach you the sign language Ruth and I made up." "Why?" Annie asked confused why Timothy would want to spend precious time teaching her his secret sign language. "in case one of the soldiers knows sign language and we need to warn the other or something like that." "oh I guess that makes sense."

For the next hour Timothy sat there teaching Annie the secret language. "I think that's all we'll need you to know for now." Timothy said picking up Ruth and setting her on his lap. "Now for the next part of the plan. Tomorrow when we're signing directions we should put in a warning for the others." Annie said. "I don't know." Timothy said obviously hesitant. "They deserve to know. And if we get caught it's not like we wouldn't die soon anyways." Annie said. "I guess you're right but i still think we should try to think of an escape plan." so for the next 30 minutes before dinner they sat there desperately trying to think of a plan. "I don't have any ideas." Timothy said. "neither do I" Annie agreed. 

At supper they got a piece of bread and nothing else. "here." Annie signed to Ruth as she gave the little girl half of her piece. "You didn't have to give her that you know." Timothy said to Annie. "Yeah but she needs to stay healthy because...." Annie signed the rest "we're getting her out of here." Timothy smiled and said Thank you. "Thank you for what?" "for not giving up hope." Timothy said and then continued. "My parents have." Annie looked over at Timothy's recently introduced parents. "I don't think they have. I just don't think they want to let you down. They love you a lot you know." Annie said looking back at Timothy. "Yeah I know. And I also know they liked you a lot." Annie could feel her face becoming as red a tomato.  Timothy held Annie's gaze for  a time that should've felt awkward but didn't. 

A soldier came to get Annie from where she was sitting so she could sign the announcement to the crowd. The general stood at a podium that Annie didn't remember being there before. As soon as Annie was beside the podium and  all attention to the front the general began to speak.

"Tomorrow you will begin your tasks. You are to wear the uniforms given to you when you first arrived. Each person young or old will be expected to do their part  with no complaint or hesitation. There WILL be punishment for those who do not follow through with their given orders. Work will start when the bell is sounded. Those who can hear are given the task of waking those who cannot and those not out their quarters 5 minutes after the bell is sounded will be punished hearing OR deaf. curfew is at 7:00 so you have 5 minutes from NOW to get back to your quarters or there will be punishment. You are dismissed." 

Annie finished signing and headed quickly towards her quarters. Timothy was already there when she got back. "Timothy. Can I ask you a favor?" Annie asked. "Yes, What?" They were interrupted by the shot of a gun. Someone hadn't made it back to their quarters in time. Annie stood there paralyzed. "Annie?" Annie couldn't make out what Timothy was saying but she could see him signing and quickly focused on his hands. "Talk to me are you okay?" Timothy asked a concerned look on his face. "yes I'm fine just... shocked." "What was that favor you wanted to ask me?" Timothy asked. Annie smiled at his weak attempt to get her to think about something else. "Can you wake me up when the bell sounds I don't want to be late."Timothy knew Annie was still thinking about the gunshot and then he realized something. "how did you know there was a gunshot?" Annie smiled at his confusion. "the vibrations." Timothy looked surprised. "oh." Annie laughed for the first time in a long time.