Echos

Kristina

January 3, 2001 I was born, my parents are Claire and Mark Silversteen, a very wealthy couple who were at the top business of the world. My mother believed Echoes were nothing but tools and my father didn't have much to say about it. I am an Echo of course they had no idea until my fifth birthday which is about when symptoms begin to show. However, I knew how my mother felt, about Echos, for a while at that point, and I knew I was an Echo about a year before she found out.

Even though my mother wanted to practically enslave me my father prevented that from happening. Unfortunately he died on his 43 birthday when I was 10 years old. There is no proof of who killed him but I am pretty sure my mother did it.
So my life was peaceful for the most part till then. With my father gone my mother had full custody, and she prevented me from even going to school until 7th grade.
This story started in the next year my 8th grade year about half way through students were looking into highschool and as for me, I knew my mother was likely to pull me out of school again.

"Where is my daughter!" My mother screamed as I was getting ready to leave. I set everything down and run to her office my head down "Yes mother?" I say timidly as she gestures me to her desk "You better remember anyone finds out you are a monster you will not ever go back to school understand?" She said this every morning warning me. I begged her to let me go to school and she saw a good opportunity in letting me go, but she will pull me out in a heart beat. She would also starve me and beat me if I ever did anything wrong. I know your probably thinking just run away. I thought about it trust me and some of her employees have even offered to help, but no matter how bad it is I fear she will just find another Echo and do the same. Well that used to be my thinking but two years ago the National Echo Foundation was founded to protect Echoes so buying them is illegal and would damage her company so I just need to find a way to convince her to let me leave. Then something amazing happened.

"Teachers check your email and send the kids in that list to the office." I half ignored it because, seriously what would they want. Then the teacher looked at me and told me to grab my things and go. I went of course, but I had no clue why I needed to bring my stuff. I arrived in the office and there were maybe ten other students there. A man in a suit then took us into the principles office.

I was the last to enter and the man gave me a brief smile as I passed him. He closed the door and I looked to the principals desk and he stood, "Hello students." He paused and breathed, "Earlier this year we tested all our students in search of Echoes and all of you tested positive." My eyes widened and I was scared, my mother promised to never let me have contact with other ever if anyone found out. I had no clue what I needed to do I was scared.

The principal noticed my reaction and asked, "Miss Silversteen are you ok." The other students looked at me and I jolted my head up and responded promptly, "Yes! I'm sorry please continue." He eased up a bit and continued from before, "Anyway I am aware that not all of you are Echoes and that a normal person can test positive. Having said that if any of you are Echoes please speak now." I let out a silent sigh of relief and smiles not saying anything.

The room was silent and no one responded so the principal sighed, "I find it hard to believe that 10 people who are not Echoes tested positive in such a small school. But it is possible. Having said that please if you are unable to speak about your condition because of an alternative reason know your parents will not find out we know if you say something. If we find out in other ways your parents may find out." We all nodded and we escorted out of the room. The man I'm the suit was outside the door and stopped me, "It's ok to hide but it is also dangerous." He handed me a business card. "I am a representative of the Echoes foundation. If you don't feel comfortable telling your principal please contact me and I will keep your secret safe." I looked at the card then looked at the man hesitant. I took the card and ran off. School had ended by this point but I sat in the classroom thinking, "He didn't stop anyone else, so does that mean I am the only one? Also at the same time I am glad that rest it 100% accurate cause if my mother knew I would disappear." My thoughts just ran rampant untill the bell rang for all students to leave.

I arrived home and my mother gave me her normal lectures. I stood by her desk doing most of her work all night scared that she knew what happened at school today. After she let me go I ran to my room and borrowed a maids phone and tried to call the man from school. The first time there was no response but because I was desperate I called again. Thankfully he answered the second time and I sat in the corner and spoke quietly, "Hello." His voice was much deeper, "Hello, this is Nolan Johnson from the Echo Foundation Education and Protection department."
I took a deep breath and said, "Hi I am Kristina Silversteen, we met at Williams Junior High today. You told me to contact you." The man responded quickly, "Yes the Echo Girl. Sorry if I surprised you earlier. I promise you I can help you escape your mother. What she is doing is illegal and I wish to help you escape. I will be at your school tomorrow to discuss more details." I responded, "Okay." hung up and snuck the phone back to the maid, then rushing back to my room and laying in my blankets which were spread on the floor.

I didn't sleep much that night and the next morning my mother's glare scared me more than normal. I rushed to school that day and went straight to the principal, "Hello Sir," He looked at me surprised, "About yesterday the man that was here said I could meet with him is he here." My words rushed out, but the principal seemed to understand. He nodded and said, "I will call you to the conference room when Mr. Johnson arrives go to class for now Ms. Silversteen." I bowed and walked slowly to class.

I sat in class impatiently waiting eagerly to be called from class. It had a hard time focus on my teacher and I continuly watches the clock. Right before lunch my teacher received a call. As soon as he said my name I sprung up and rushed out not letting him finish his statement. I took a breath outside my classroom and walked over to the conference room and opened the door. This was my first experience talking to another Echo one on one so I was a little nervous but excited.