The Contradiction of the Gifted

Ever Adair

For as long as I can remember my whole life has been filled with silence. Sometimes it was peaceful other times it made me want to scream out. If only I could do that. Scream, hum, talk, sing, anything would have been fine with me but life seemed to have another idea for me. The fact that I am unable to make a noise led me to be considered a freak where ever I went. I didn't choose this life, why would I.

School is one of the few places in my life that is loud, really loud. I adjust the bag on my shoulder, walking through the crowd of people with my head pointed at the ground. I run a hand through my hair as I stop at my locker. I unlock it and set my bag in it, I grab the science book that lay inside. "Hey Ever," Maggie says giving me a smile. I smile back at her giving her a small wave, I shut my locker.

"So are you doing anything this weekend," she asks as we start to walk down the halls together. I nod my head quickly 'my schedule is packed this week' I sign she groans. "you're always busy why do you parents push you so hard, you never get a break," I shrug. "One day you're going to come over to my house, I'll force you to," Maggie says.

I nod slightly stopping outside of my science class. "Well I'll talk to you later," she says waving to me. I wave back giving her a small smile as she leaves, walking into class. If I let Maggie come to my house she would know, she would ask questions that I don't want to answer. She's one of the only people in my life who took the time to understand me and my sign language.

So why don't I trust her. The thought was lost in mind as I focused on the teacher. Usually teachers don't call on me because they can't read sign language. So I guess I have it easy at school. Or at least Maggie says that.

The loud bell makes me flinch slightly, as everyone rushes out the door having already put their stuff away. I shut my book with a snap, leaving last per usual. I walk down the wall back to my locker. As I reach it a ground has gathered around. I quickly push through wonder what the commotion was all about.

Bright red words were scrawled on my locker. Sloppy handwriting spelled out 'Freak' and 'Indian bitch' and 'Mute cunt'. I could feel the stares burning into my head, I could here the whispers as if they had been doubled in volume. The sound filling my head. Tears filled my eyes, words echoing in my head.

The world seemed to fall into slow motion as my science book fell from my hands, I turned to look at the people. As I scanned across the crowd looking at the people I met eyes with Maggie. Her eyes full of concern.

Everything turned back to normal as I ran through the crowd. The tears now running down my face blurring my vision. I ran out of the doors of the school, I felt unable to breath. I didn't pay attention to where I was going I just needed to get away.

I stumbled over something, making me fall to my hands and knees. The palm of my hands stung at impact, my knee scraped against the ground. A few tears fell to the ground. Carefully standing up I wiped the tears away with my sleeve.

Examining my hands, they were bleeding slightly. My pant leg had a hole in the left side where my injured knee was bleeding. But nothing major of course. I sigh and look around, the street looked unfamiliar and deserted. Dusting the few rocks that still stuck to my hands I started limping back to the direction of the school.

I could walk home from there. I didn't get very far when a silver car slowed down next to me. Panic started to take a hold of me. The window was rolled down to reveal a young looking woman, the panic in my chest loosened slightly.

"Honey what are you doing out here all alone, and out of school." She asks in a calming voice. I shake my head knowing she wouldn't be able to understand me. Her sweet smile turns into a sad one. "Too bad, I was hoping to have a conversation," she says. I raise a confused eyebrow at her.

I'm suddenly blinded as a bag is thrown over my head. I flail my limbs as I'm picked up with ease and thrown into what I guess is the back of the car. Fear flooding my brain. "Stop moving," a rough voice says from next to me. I'm guessing the person who had masked me.

"Listen I'm real sorry Hon but it's bosses orders," the lady's voice says, her voice missing regret. She was lying. My breathing becomes shorter as I continue to kick and punch.

My hand catches something, as pain explodes in my fist. The man next to me shouting out in pain. "Okay that's it," he says grabbing my arms and twisting them behind me. Making me face the direction where I was just sitting, and my back hitting his chest.

"Maybe this will make you more complying," he says as a sharp pain enters my neck. He pulls the needle out and I jump away, my hands touch the area of skin. "Night night bitch," he says as I can feel my eyes getting heavier. My now free arms becoming heavy.

My fighting getting weaker as the substance inserted into my takes a hold. My body finally shuts down.