Unspoken

Chapter 4

The night is unsettling. The Level in my Transmitter that is supposed to help me sleep isn't taking effect and I'm restless. No matter how much I try, I can't bring myself to sleep. There's something in the air, something different. In the Movement things are never different--they're not allowed to be.

I roll onto my side. Something presses against my stomach. I sit up quickly and grab the book out of my pocket. In the dark, I can only make out its vague outline. It taunts me. It wants me to read it. But why?

I can't read now. Not only because it's dark, but because the Movement is watching. They can't know I'm reading this book, can they?

Why did Merda bring me this book and change before my eyes into someone I'd never seen before? The answer must be in the old, yellowed pages. In the morning I'll begin to read. I go home tomorrow, so I can read in the comfort of my room or den while my father is out at work. It should only take me a day or so to absorb the worn pages.

With a hefty sigh, I slip the book back into my pocket and lay down on the bed, pulling the pillow over the top of my head. I can't bring myself to take the jacket off—I haven't even changed into my nightclothes. Nothing in me wants to sleep. My eyes can barely stay closed. I turn over to burry my head into the plain bed, hoping that's enough to bring me into a slumber.

The hair on the back of my neck rises as it's exposed to the open air of the frigid room. Even though I'm chilled to the bone, a cold sweat starts over my skin.

Something's wrong.

Something's here.

I sit up suddenly and look around the dark room, searching for something, anything in the shadowy circle surrounding me. Where is it? What could be wrong?

I see nothing.

I slowly put one foot after the other on the floor and rise from the bed. A noise sounds behind me. Through the curtain of night I see nothing. An odd, dark blackness hangs in the air. This is exactly the type of darkness the Movement aims to avoid, and I almost understand why. I've never felt so unnerved in all my years.

With my heart beating in my chest faster than it has before, I move quickly across the room to the television. It's the only item in the room that will give any light; the overhead lights are automated to turn off and on at certain times, set exactly to the amount of sleep that is healthy for me. Except tonight I will not sleep, I know it. Today the setting fails me.

When I'm standing in front of the television and moving my finger to push the power button, something grabs me from behind. I'm yanked away from the screen as four hands pull me toward the middle of the floor.

I want to scream, but I know that the sound is so harsh it will waste one of my words. A cloth falls over my mouth, further keeping me from making any audible noise.

My first instinct is to throw my elbow back. It collides with flesh, someone's side, and a hefty groan is released into the air. The grip around my sides loosens. The cloth remains tight around my mouth.

I hear another gasp from behind me as the person shifts. I take the moment to try and break loose from the struggle, but my head begins to feel light and I find that my legs are giving out from under me.

All of a sudden, I'm engulfed in a black darker than that of the night, one that takes away all of my senses.

I feel nothing.

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A/N: This is a short chapter, but like I said, it's the one that gets the ball rolling! This is one of my favorites! We get to see some new characters in the next chapter!

So vote, comment, whatever you can! I'd love to hear what you think of Unspoken so far!