The Silent

prologue

                                                                                 ~17 years ago~

I held my stomach that held my adoring baby. as I watch the news, I hear various news reports about the government implementing a new "social experiment". the idea of this experiment was to see how people of all ages would react to being silent, among the larger population that could speak. Therefore, one-eighth of the population will be called in by the government to receive the silent rules. the first and most important rule was that the silent could not speak. the second rule was to always have their red hearts shown on their cheek. the third rule was to always wear a microphone on them. breaking any of these rules was punishable by death.

I look at my husband with a worrisome face, wondering if any of our friends or family will be called the silent. a list of names suddenly appears on the screen as I turn my head to look. tears sting my eyes as I see my husband's name on the screen. he was being called in. I was going to lose my husband. all people who appeared on the screen would have to report to the city hall in one week to receive their new social rules.

my husband and I exchange a sad look before hugging each other. "its sad..our baby will never be able to hear your voice. you'll never be able to call their name." the mothers' tears fall down her face as she buries her head into her husband's chest. "its okay honey. she'll hear my voice. I don't care what law I have to break."

after a week passed, the mother gave a tight hug to her husband, knowing she will never hear his voice again. they once again exchange looks before the father leaves to have his voice stripped from him. somehow, the mother knew that this wasn't the end.