The Spirit of Silence

Chapter 3

           

One night, when I was eight years old, I went to bed like I would any other. I slipped into my nightgown, brushed my teeth, and made sure my Dad remembered to tuck me in before he fell asleep. He tiredly agreed just like he always did and I found that to be promise enough. I held my eyes open until, finally, he appeared in my doorway. His shoulders sagged and his walk to my bed was filled with fatigue, but I was just proud that I stayed awake long enough to see him. He sat on the edge of my bed and stroked my hair. I don't remember what he whispered, only that when he kissed my forehead his lips felt wet.

I didn't like it.

He squeezed my hand before standing up and walking through my door, leaving me to sleep. I felt safe, protected, and loved – as I always had.

When I woke, I was alone. Still in my nightgown, my feet tingled from the chill of the concrete below them. Bright light filtered through a single window, illuminating the room before me. I was on the floor, caged, surrounded by metal objects and scary tools that I didn't even know the name of.  I began squirming, crying out for my mom and dad, when I heard a quiet voice.

"Shhh, it's okay. Please don't let them hear you." It said.

I turned around the best I could, eyes locking with those of a young boy. He had wild, blond hair that just covered the tip of his eyelashes. His eyes, however, were filled with calm. They were a strikingly deep, muddy brown – stunning enough for the image of them to be forever burned into my mind. His tan skin was perfect, except for a scar directly above his right eye.

"What is this place? Where are my parents? Who are you?" I whimpered, missing the comfort of my bed and more so my father.

"I'm Liam. I don't know what this is, I only got here a few days ago." He said, eyes never leaving mine.

"And have you seen anyone?" I glanced away, his glare too intense for me. 

"There was a boy in your cage when I arrived. He was there when I fell asleep, but now you're here."

There was someone else, but now he was gone. What did that mean? What was this place? And most importantly, why was I here?

"How old was he? How old are you?"

"I don't know how old he was, he never even told me his name. Probably my age, though. I'm nine."

Nine. One year older than me. Both comforting and terrifying information. He couldn't protect me, but he was the same as me.

"You told me to be quiet so they wouldn't hear me. Who are they?" I asked.

"The people in whitecoats. They took me out of here yesterday and put me on a table. When I woke up, I had this."

Liam held out his wrist to me, stretching it through the metal bars of his cage. I squinted, barely making out what seemed to be three black dots printed on his wrist.

Biting my lip, I pulled my knees to my chest. "Did it hurt?"

He shook his head. "I don't even remember it."

We sat in silence for a while, but I could feel his eyes on me every so often. Eventually he cleared his throat, gathering my attention.

"Hey. What's your name? For all I know I'll be gone tomorrow, so I guess it doesn't really matter, but it would be nice to know."

I glanced at him, expecting my gaze to meet his. But his eyes were on his hands which were picking at a loose thread on his grey sweatpants.

In that moment I decided I liked this boy – Liam. He had warned me to be quiet and cared enough about me to learn my name.

"Hazel," I whispered. "My name is Hazel."

~

The next day I, again, awoke to an unfamiliar feeling. The door of my cage swung open and I was soon lifted onto a metal table. I began to panic and kicked my legs, slowly, testing the patience of the people around me. Effortlessly they strapped me down, leaving me feeling entirely helpless. Tears welled in my eyes as I felt a sharp prick in my left arm and I realized they were drawing my blood.

I twisted, trying to get free.

"Hold still. This will only take a second." A soothing voice said, though it was muffled behind a mask.

I shut my eyes, willing this nightmare to be over already.

The woman taking my blood stood up, carrying the vial with her, and left. I waited for what seemed like hours, strapped to that cold table.

Eventually she returned, but this time, she had Liam with her. She unclasped my arms, but left my feet and sat Liam on the table next to mine. I rubbed my wrists, trying to regain some feeling, when I noticed three black dots printed on my left wrist.

Pulling down her mask she smiled at us, perfect teeth and narrow eyes sending an odd chill down my spine. "Children," She said, clapping her hands together. "Do you know why you are here?"

Immediately, I looked to Liam, hoping he would be able to get us out of this.

He was staring at her, his gaze unnerving.

She ignored him and turned to me.

"You are two very special children," she began. "We have been searching for years for the perfect kids to help us achieve our goals. In case you have failed to notice, the world has been getting sick. A disease has been killing everyone and we didn't know why or how to stop it – until now. It took us years to find you, but your blood is just what we were looking for. It fights off disease like other blood doesn't. Each of you are immune to this deadly disease which means that you –", she paused, seemingly trying to hold back both tears and excitement.

"You are the cure."

~~~

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long. I've been having trouble trying to find the motivation to post, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. My dog died today and, oddly enough, writing/editing has been a great distraction from my heartache. Anyways, please let me know what you think so far! Did you like the flashback chapter? Do you want more of these? Or just flashbacks mixed in with the present time. Let me know!! Thanks!