Muted

Chapter 1

Silence is the most powerful scream -- Anonymous.

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Silence. It can be as loud and deafening as your speaker turned up to full volume. Silence has always been my friend, ever since I was small. It gave me comfort and safety when I needed it the most.

The sound of nearing sirens shattered the stillness that had settled over the house. I tensed and closed my eyes.

Please don't pull in. Please don't pull in. Please –

The sound of tires crunching along our gravel driveway caused my heartbeat to add to the invading sounds of the quiet house. As quietly as I could I left my small, broken room. As I near the top of our creaky stairs, I see the red and blue lights illuminating the front hallway and living room. The light reflecting off the left behind alcohol bottles that littered the house.

A booming pounding sounded from our front door.

"Sandra Miller! This is the Police! Open up!"

I sat down on the top of the stairs, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

After another knock they discovered that the door was unlocked; Just like it has been for years. Mom had broken it in one of her drunken rages.

I watched from my seat as two police officers raided the main level. They were pushing through empty beer bottles and trash. They were calling my mother's name; little did they know that she was passed out on the couch. But it was so cluttered you couldn't tell. The cool Seattle night air rushed in through the windows, cooling the sweat that gathered with my nerves. I watched the looks of disgust cross the officers faces as they took in my home.

"How could someone raise a child in this dump?" The officer with greying hair asked.

You don't, they raise themselves I wanted to say. I didn't though, I wasn't even sure if I could speak anymore; I've been silent for so long.

Suddenly a snort sounded from the couch as mom sat up and stretched. I shook my head at her timing.

"Sandra Miller?" The younger officer asked.

"Ugh, What?" She groaned sitting up, her voice still rough from sleep.

"Sandra Miller, you are under arrest for negligence and -"

"Arrest? What? Why are the Police in my house?" Her gaze caught sight of me on the stairs.

"What. Did. You. Do?" she demanded, her voice lowering in anger.

I shook my head quickly at her, my fingers clenching around the wood of the banister.

Both officers spun around quickly, alarm on their faces. When they noticed me, the older officer took a step forward while the younger one turned his attention back to Mom. He began reading her, her rights and cuffing her hands behind her back.

"Aurora! What did you do?! AURORA!!" she screamed, struggling against the officer. Tears gathered in my eyes as her screams continued all the way outside.

"Are you Aurora Belle?" asked the one with grey hair. I looked at him and nodded my head slightly, just enough to confirm who I was. A single tear escaping down my cheek. I have a different last name than my Mom since I was given my Dad's instead, but he died before I was born.

"Ms. Belle my name is Officer Greg. We revived a call from the new guidance counselor at your school and she was worried when she read through your file. She had some suspicions that abuse in the home was occurring. We are here to make you safe. First let's go and get you a bag of stuff then I've got to take you down to the station alright?" He asked I gave him another small nod before walking back to my room. I grabbed my old backpack and stuffed the few clothes I had inside. Leaving the small room with paint peeling from the walls, I made my way in to the bathroom across the hall. Quickly I grabbed my toothbrush and hair brush. As I turned back towards the door I caught a glimpse of myself in the grimy mirror. My long, black hair that curled at the ends, reaching just below my chest, made my fair skin stand out. My hazel eyes looked tired and unsure; Because no matter how awful it was here – this was my life and it was the only thing I knew.