Save me from the silence..

Prologue

When I was younger my parents always threw a party for my birthday, with lots of decoration, food, drinks, guest, presents and a huge chocolate cake with candles on top.

One day before my birthday I was playing outside with my friend Alice who was my neighbour. She was cute with big green eyes and curly brown hair. She was always wearing nice dresses fitted her perfectly. She was a very cheerful happy person, and was nice to hang around with.

So, we were playing in my backyard with our favourite dolls and were talking about what we would be doing for my birthday. The sun was shining in our eyes making us squint.

"It's my birthday tomorrow and I want you to come," I said to Alice. She smiled sweetly at me.

"Yes, I know, your mother already invited me and my family to your birthday party and I've already prepare a special gift for you. You will love it!" she squealed cheerfully. She always got excited whenever she gave anyone gifts. Sometimes I thought she was more excited about giving than receiving.

"Really? Well I can't wait to see what it is." I walked over to her and gave her a hug. She was such a good friend and was always there for me no matter what. In fact, we were more like sisters that's how close we were. Suddenly Alice mother called her for dinner.

"Well Jess I'll see you tomorrow," she said whilst giving me another hug. Then she left and my mother asked me to pick up all of my toys and to come in for dinner

Whilst I was picking everything up I notice that Alice had forget her doll, so I run to her house to give it to her and suddenly I heard a scream. I entered the house and saw a man with a gun. Alice was lying on the ground with her mother and brother, they were covered in blood and I saw the red liquid slowly make its way to my feet. I stood there in shocked not understand what was happening. The man noticed me, came closer and whispered "If you breathe a word about this to anybody you'll be next and your family." He stared at me with the most frightening expression on his face that it made me wet my pants. But the worst thing was that it was Alice's stepdad Robert. He walks into another room, leaving me standing there scared and shocked. I looked down at the dead bodies crying whilst holding Alice. He came back through and shook his head at the sight. I stopped crying and his presence made my eyes dry. I wanted to scream so badly but I knew if I did he would kill me and if I called for help my parents would come and he would kill them as well and I didn't want that to happen.

Suddenly he takes the gun and for a second I thought he was going to kill me. But he shoots himself in the shoulder, gets his phone out and calls the police. He tells them that someone has murdered his family and he is the only survivor. He then tells them that I am a witness and saw everything through the window. He then gives his name, address and how many where killed. Then he hung up the phone. "You tell them you saw us getting attacked and I will spare your life. If you don't I will find a way to murder you and your family. Do you hear me?" He growled. I stood there frozen to the spot nodding.

Five minutes later the police arrive and start questioning him. He tells them the false story again then they come over to me.

"Hello young lady. We would like to ask you a few questions." I stood there looking at him but didn't saying anything.

"First of all, we would like you to tell us what happened." Yet again I said nothing. He tried asking me again but I just stood there, not moving or talking.

"Officer she will be in shock. It is a horrible thing for a girl her age to witness something like this. Maybe question her when she's calmed down," he tried to tell the police man.

"Excuse me sir but I am talking to her. The ambulance are here they will take you to the hospital. I will be down soon to ask you more questions." He turned back to me.

"Can you answer one question for me?" I looked at him still not saying anything. "Did you see the killer?" I looked over at Robert who was expecting me to say yes. I just nodded and looked at him.

The police officer turned around and suddenly realised that the whole story Robert told him didn't seem right. Usually with a murder it is the man that is killed first. He then noticed that all the victims were shot in the head except Robert. The forensic team were already investigating and found suspicious bruises on Alice's mothers body which would most likely be through rape. The officer grabbed Robert and handcuffed him. "I am arresting you on suspicion of murder. You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, what you say can be used against you in court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer and have the lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you desire." He then dragged him outside and drove him to the station. Another police officer came in and took me outside. My mum ran up to me crying. She wrapped her arms around me. We stood there watching as we saw the bodies being brought out.

I looked over at my father and noticed that he was talking to a police officer. He looked very serious but was nodding to whatever the officer was saying. After finishing with him he came back over and hugged me very tightly. "My sweet child. My baby. We have to send you away for a while to get all of the memories away. I don't know how long it will be but the officer over there said it would be the best thing for you," He told me. At that time, I didn't quite understand what he was saying but judging from my mother's sudden outburst of crying I knew it was bad. I was lead away by one of the officer and taken into the car. My mother and father were crying and waving at me. I started crying, knowing then it would be a long time before I saw them again.

THE REST OF MY SPEAK WILL BE IN SIGN LANGUAGE BUT MY OTHER CHARCTERS WILL BE TALKING NORMALLY.

Fifteen years later

"You have to go," my grandmother tells me.

"No, I don't want to go. You can't make me," I protest.

"But you have to dear. Tomorrow you are turning 20. I want you to go and study and become a successful woman." I rolled my eyes at this. All I wanted to do was stay here and feed the animals. Plus, I know I'm going to be different from everyone else. The girl who can't talk. I just hope that that there will be someone there who knows sign language. I'm not deaf its just I prefer not to talk after what I witnessed.

Anyway, my grandmother is looking at me waiting for me to reply.

"My parents earn a lot of money. They own their own company. I will be inheriting it soon. I don't need an education," I tell her impatiently.

"Yes, dear that all very well, but what happens if they suddenly lose all of their money which does happen to people. Then you are stuck with nothing and no qualifications, then what do you do. You will struggle to find a job because most of them involve talking. You might be able to get a job in an office but I want you to do better than that. I want to be proud of you and see you accomplish something in your life," she says.

"But I can't leave my friends here. What will I do without Bill, Peter and Roberta," I say

"Oh, you are talking about the pig, the chicken and the cow?! Believe me they're going to be okay without you. If you want I can send them to you it's already time to cook them," I shake my head in annoyance.

"Promise me you won't cook them," I tell her with an angry expression on my face.

"Ok I promise but you have to leave," She says. I nod then go to pack my bags. The train would be leaving in three hours.

I am now sitting at the train station with my grandmother. To say I am a nervous is an understatement. It's been fifteen years since I last saw my parents. I know going back there was going to bring so many disturbing memories. The shock of what happened has silenced me. I refused to speak after so I was taught sign language. I feel my grandmothers hand on mine. She is trying to reassure me that everything will be ok. I nod to show her that I'm fine. I hear the noise of the train. It gets louder and louder as it gets closer. I stand up and hug my her. She starts crying. I pick up my bag and make my way to the train. "Jess wait, I forgot to give you this." She hands me a small parcel then kisses my head before taking me to the door of the train. I get on, take a seat and wave at her out of the window as the train leaves the station. Once she's out of sight I open the gift. It's a gold necklace with my name on it. I put it round my neck and hold it in my hand as tears start to drip down my cheek. I was going to miss her even if she did nag lot. I smile, thinking about all the fun times we had.