The Story of Silence (Book 3)

Chapter 19

Wednesday, March 15th:

'Well,' said the sun to the early morning riser. 'What brings you up so early?'

'I am here to watch you rise. For each time you rise it means a new day dawns, and a new day dawning is what some people spend all their days hoping for,' replied the early morning riser.

'And why do you wish to see me rise?' questioned the sun.

'Because it means that the night is over.'

Well, it was true, some spend all the time in their days waiting for the new day to dawn in case that it brings with them a new day, a new future perhaps? But what is the point of wishing for something new to happen? Wishes don't always come true. If you want a new day, something that has never happened to you before, you have to get up and do it.

And for Silence, he spent a long time hoping that each day would be different, and indeed everyday was, but he was too blind to see it change before his eyes. He spent a long time hoping that Susan would quit trying to find out the truth of his past. He hoped that by asking her to stop, telling her that it was none of her business, that it would make her stop. But his efforts only spiked her interest and she continued. So why not try something different? He thought. I'll tell her what happened in the hopes that she stops, she understands ... she never tells.

Silence's bedside clock started beeping, rousing him from his thoughts. He tapped the roof of the clock and it quit beeping as he lay back down on his bed and closed his eyes, trying to assemble his thoughts. He opened his eyes a quick second later as he looked over at the red 7:30.

It was time to get up and go to work. He threw his covers aside and rose to his feet. He noted as he stood that he didn't seem to be suffering any longer from the effects of the night before, if anything he felt better.

Thomas's door was closed with the light off as Silence made his way to the shower, so he was careful as he walked passed. If Thomas woke, Silence was almost certain he would object about him working today. Bines had only said he was suffering from shock after all, and he was feeling fine now so Silence could see no problem with heading to work.

He made himself a quick breakfast after his shower and then rushed to getting ready for work. His thoughts had drifted back to Susan while he was in the shower, and he had made up his mind.

After hailing a taxi and climbing in, he pulled out his phone and sent her a text.

I'm sorry for last night. Please can I see you for lunch today? It's important. I'll tell you about my past.

Work seemed different as he walked in. The building was a hush despite it being working hour, and the main floor was empty except for the few odd people who had arrived a little late like Silence. No one seemed willing to say anything to Silence, or even acknowledge that he was there. But he noticed that it wasn't just him being ignored, everyone was keeping to themselves, not looking anywhere besides where their feet were going.

The building seemed eerie standing tall and quiet, Silence wasn't used to it. In fact he didn't even recall a time that it was this quiet. It was like someone had died and they were all being quiet out of respect. Or else they were too spooked and afraid to make any noise. He found the cause for it later as he stepped out of the elevator and noticed a sign at the end of the hall, posted onto one of those large, pin-up boards for posting announcements.

It was the notice that Oldwood had made Miss Phelps write in his office yesterday, though Silence noticed a couple of changes to it. For starters -one thing he knew he hadn't heard Oldwood tell her to write- it was written that any unnecessary noise such as: conversation not having to do with work, were not permitted during working hours. If the source was discovered an immediate sacking would follow.