Hearing Slave

Chapter 7: Breaking Point

07

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The night of the charity concert arrived, and Jillian felt the energy in the air crackle with anticipation. She stood backstage, surrounded by the buzz of excitement and nerves. It was a different world here, one filled with glitz and glamour, but it only heightened her isolation.

Clementine had been practicing for weeks, and Jillian could feel the pressure radiating off her as she paced backstage, running through the setlist in her mind. Jillian offered her a supportive smile, but Clementine didn’t seem to notice. She was too caught up in her thoughts.

As the concert began, Jillian took a step back, watching from the sidelines. The lights shone bright, casting a glow on Clementine as she stepped into the spotlight. The moment was electric, and for a brief second, Jillian felt a surge of pride for the girl she had been tethered to all this time.

But then, in the middle of the first song, it happened. A sudden surge of feedback echoed through the speakers, causing Jillian to flinch. She watched as Clementine faltered, her confidence shaken. The crowd murmured, the energy shifting from excitement to concern.

Jillian’s heart raced, and she felt the familiar panic rising within her. She wanted to help, to do something, but fear rooted her in place. What if she revealed her secret? What if her voice cracked under pressure?

The feedback continued, and Clementine’s composure shattered. She stepped away from the microphone, frustration painting her features. Jillian could see her battling with the moment, the vulnerability of her performance on display for everyone to see.

Just as Clementine turned to leave the stage, something inside Jillian snapped. “Clementine, wait!” she shouted, surprising even herself. “Just breathe! You’ve got this!”

The crowd hushed, and all eyes turned to Jillian. In that moment, she felt exposed but alive. It was as if the silence she had hidden behind for so long had broken open, and her voice was finally free.

Clementine paused, her expression shifting as she looked at Jillian. There was uncertainty, then understanding. The weight of their shared burdens hung in the air.

The weeks dragged on, each day blending into the next, filled with the same demands and humiliations. Jillian felt the weight of her secret bearing down on her. Each time she complied with one of Clementine’s orders, she felt herself slipping further into a role she never wanted. She was trapped in a cycle of servitude, and the loneliness was suffocating.

One Friday, while Jillian was running an errand for Clementine, she stumbled upon a flyer for a talent show audition. The event was advertised prominently on the school bulletin board, showcasing an array of performers from singers to dancers, all looking for a chance to shine. A spark ignited within her, a longing to break free from the shadows and express herself through music.

As the day wore on, Jillian found herself daydreaming about taking the stage. She imagined singing a song that echoed the vulnerability she felt inside. But as she pictured herself in the spotlight, the reality of her situation crashed down on her. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t even let her secret slip, let alone perform in front of an audience.

Later that afternoon, as Jillian returned to Clementine’s side, she hesitated to voice her thoughts about the talent show. The moment she approached Clementine, however, she knew it would be a waste of breath.

Clementine had just finished an intense rehearsal with her friends and was in an unusually foul mood. Jillian stood quietly, clutching a stack of papers for Clementine, waiting for the perfect moment to speak.

“What do you want, Jillian?” Clementine snapped, her annoyance palpable.

Jillian’s heart raced. “Um, I saw a flyer for a talent show… I thought—”

“A talent show? You think you can just jump in there and sing with the rest of us?” Clementine interrupted, her eyes narrowing. “Stay in your lane, okay? That’s not for you.”

Jillian swallowed the lump in her throat. “I just thought—”

“Stop thinking,” Clementine interrupted again, her voice rising. “You’re not good enough. You’re lucky I’m even keeping you around. Just stick to being my assistant.”

Jillian’s cheeks flushed with shame, and she felt tears prick at her eyes. It was humiliating to be shot down so easily, and she hated that Clementine had this power over her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking down.

As she turned to leave, she overheard Clementine’s friends snickering behind her, their laughter echoing in her ears. The weight of their words clung to her like a shadow.

But something in Jillian shifted that day. She couldn’t let herself be pushed around any longer. She needed an outlet, a way to express the turmoil swirling within her. That night, as she lay in bed, she made a decision: she would audition for the talent show, no matter what.