Mute

by Aura Redwood

  Licenta and Anna looked at each other, sharing hopeless expression before quickly opening their books and seeing if they could beat time. Their failure was told by the school bell.

  “Damn, I was up to exercise 3. I was sure I would finish it today,” Licenta said.

  ”4 for me,” signed Anna to Licenta

  “Well done, you are really fast,” Licenta said, they were two of the fastest in the class. There were two or three people who were faster, but the two believed that this was still a great accomplishment.

  “Next Class?” Anna signed to Licenta

  “English,” Licenta said, signing the word at the same time.

 

  The four of them had been practicing sign language diligently. It was true that Anna was the only one who had to use it, but it was easier to remember the signs if they used them a little each day. They were not exactly experts at sign language and were still using simple signs that were for everyday use. However, they still thought it was wonderful.

  Another great thing about learning sign language was that it was their own secret language. They practiced it at lunch times, which meant lots of laughing, lots of mistakes and confused teachers.

  Tom had also been teaching himself sign language by reading the books in his father’s bookshop. He would sometimes come to the boarding house garden where he and the girls could hang out and practice. He still felt guilty for what he asked Anna, and learning sign language was another way to help the guilt slip away. It was also a lot of fun to practice it with the group.

  Aerial and Tom had by now been going out for about a month, and a few people at both of their schools had noticed them. The boys from Tom’s school thought that Aerial was good looking, and the girl’s from Aerials school thought they were a perfect couple.

  Tom and Sullivan, the only two boys amongst the girls, had gotten along well. They attended the same school, although Sullivan was a grade above Tom, even though they were the same age. Licenta was proud of Sullivan, as she personally thought was a genius, especially since he has been moved up a grade because of his academic ability.

  Chapter 18

  Her father had celebrated Easter every year, even when there seemed to be no hope. He had been extremely Christian and had read his little worn bible to the family as a comfort in the darkness. But now he’s gone.

  “Chocolate!” The scream penetrated through Anna’s daydreams, or day nightmares as Anna had come to consider them.

  There would be an Easter picnic at the school and Licenta’s parents were to pick them up in ten minutes. The girls were dressed in light spring clothes and were all excited about the picnic. Licenta’s parents were coming in a car to pick them all up and after the picnic there would be a chapel service.

  “My little brother is coming also,” Licenta said, groaning but still excited. “I haven’t seen him for a whole term. I wonder what he looks like now,” she pondered before walking towards Anna. “I’ll introduce you to my family, my brother’s name is Edward,” she said with a great smile.

  Anna smiled back, trying to keep her smile genuine but she couldn’t help it when her smile faltered.

  “What’s the matter?” Licenta asked.

  ”Nothing” Anna signed to her. It was easy to lie with no vocal tone to worry about.

  Licenta shrugged. She was much too excited to let it worry her for now. Anna felt happy for her friends, but Easter still held painful memories for her.

  A car came up the drive. It was light green and had seven seats. The car stopped in front of the four girls and the silence was broken by an excited high pitched squeal as Licenta ran towards the opening door.

 

  She jumped on her father and hugged him before running to the next door and hugging her mother. She squeezed her mother so tightly that she managed to push all the air out of her lungs and had to let go. Breathlessly, she turned to her friends, “Mum, Dad I’d like you to meet the new girl in our dorm, Anna.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Anna,” said Licenta’s mother, offering her hand. “I’ve heard all about you. All good,” she added, as they exchanged a warm smile.

  Anna was then pushed by Licenta to meet Licenta’s father. He laughed, and shook hands with Anna. “It’s nice to meet you”

  Anna was still dazed by the rush and meeting Licentia’s parents. She looked at them as they were talking to Aerial and Marsha like old friends. Licenta’s mother had short brown hair, beautiful green eyes and a kind face. Her father was slightly shorter and had a lighter shade of brown hair and kind blue eyes.

  Anna smiled, her worries faded. “Hello!” a call came from the car. “Still in the car here!”

  “Edward!” Licenta jumped on her little brother as he got out of the car. He had black hair like his sister and a mischievous look in his eyes.

  Edward joined the group, joining in the conversation quickly. He had known Marsha and Aerial for four years, and met them on holidays even if Licenta’s parents weren’t always attending.

  Watching Licenta’s brother, Edward, join their group of friends reminded Anna of her own brother. The thought that there still was a slight chance of him living lingered in her head till she shook it out and got ready to have fun. She didn’t want her memories to cloud today.

  All of them packed into the light green car and took off, excited about the picnic. The chatter was loud in the car and music played in the background

  The sound of the gravel crunching underneath the wheels announced they had arrived at the picnic area. They all piled out of the car with baskets overflowing with all kinds of food and a red checkered rug.

  Running across the fresh grass in flip-flops they all arrived at the lawn area for the picnic, smiling happily at the scenery. There were beautiful fruit trees and the area was peaceful and empty, except for the rubbish bins and the local hotel sign post.

  The rug was unfolded, the plates were laid down, and suddenly everyone’s stomachs remembered it was time for lunch. There was a delicious roasted chicken, fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, sandwiches, pastries and even some raspberry jelly with cream to top it off.

  The seven prayed thanks to God for the food on this Easter and then indulged themselves. Laughter and stories were shared and the food was consumed gratefully. After eating there were also Easter games; even though the famous egg hunt was slightly childish it was played and enjoyed by all as the prizes were (as many had predicted) chocolate. There were also games like rabbit, rabbit, hare which Licenta’s brother, Edward made up and everyone enjoyed greatly. Tripping and hugging when the person was supposed to run was an often used trick.

  At the end of the day as the sun set down into a crimson backdrop the four girls were sadly taken back to the boarding house. With sad goodbyes, Licenta hugged her parents and brother. The car drove off and they all waved goodbye until the car was out of their sight, then the four girls headed inside.

 

  It was six o’clock, nearly time for the church service. It was traditional for Licenta, Marsha and Aerial to go, they had been going for years together. The four of them got dressed in the most formal clothes they own. In Licenta’s and Anna’s case this was jeans and a nice t-shirt while Aerial and Marsha were both in nice dresses fit for church.

  As the clock turned to six fifteen, the girls walked in the growing darkness to the school’s chapel for the service. Three of the girls chatted happily but one walked silently thinking.

  Why did he have to die? Anna thought as she trudged behind her friends. He was the most Christian person I knew, why didn’t God save him then? Anna wiped a salty tear with her jacket’s sleeve and quickly caught up to her friends as they entered the chapel.

  Candles were burning bright and the light shined off the beautiful stained windows. The four sat down on the oak benches and talked, waiting for the sermon to start. Anna looked around her, there were many rows of benches and at the end of the chapel stood the altar and the huge wooden cross outlined with silver, which gleam
ed in the light of the church. The cross seemed to mock her as she looked at it. She turned away and stared at her sneakers.

 

  “Welcome to the Easter Service,” the priest announced through the microphone. The words echoed around the chapel.

  The priest was wearing a brilliant red gown over white. The contrast was beautiful, but Anna didn’t notice. She was too caught up in her memories of going to church when she was young.

  “Welcome.”

  She was between her Father and Mother held up by their hands. Anna looked up at her father smiling proudly as he shook hands with the priest.

  “Congratulations.”

  The priest shook her mother’s hand and her mother replied, “He will be out in a month or so,” tapping her now bulging stomach.

  The priest’s words interrupted her thoughts. “We are thankful to Jesus for what he did for us.”

  But what did he do for me? Anna thought. Nothing, he just kept me alive to torment me.

  Two more tears streaked down her cheeks. “Jesus died to take your sins away” The speakers blared into her ears.

  What did I do to deserve this? Anna thought, angrily. Her eyes bored deep into the cross, as if trying to tear it apart with her gaze. I didn’t do anything! You hear? Nothing!

  Tears came flooding from her eyes and she bit her lip so hard it began to bleed.

  “Let us now pray.”

  Anna wanted stand up and scream, but she remembered she couldn’t . Pray for what?! Even after years of not being able to speak she still had the instinct.

  “Are you all right?” a kind voice called over from the direction of her friends.

  Anna wanted to shout out, but all she could do was sign to Aerial, ‘No,’ and get up and run.

  She ran, leaving her friends, the chapel and the priest behind. As she ran her tears streamed behind her into the darkness of the night. She ran towards the boarding house. She knew it was useless to run away from her memories, but she was damn well going to try.

  Chapter 19

  The tears streamed down her face and she made little sobbing noises as she sat on the cold ground with her head between her legs. What did I ever do to deserve this? Why does God punish me so?

  There was a knock at the door and Marsha’s voice could be heard, “Anna? Are you in there?”

  “What happened in the chapel?” asked Aerial’s muffled voice through the hard wood.

  There was a sound of keys and Anna knew the lock would soon open. She hit the hard wood bed behind her and quickly got up and yanked the door open to find her friends on the other side, shocked at the appearance of her tear stricken face.

  “Is everything okay?” Aerial asked

  Anna signed back ‘NO,’ aggressively, and slammed the door in their faces, then locked it. She then quickly went to the desk and picked up a sturdy chair and placed it against the door handle. Breathing heavy, angry breaths she leaned on the door and slid to the ground again. No one understands, and why should they? They were all safe and comfortable with their families when the war was happening. They had no reason to hide. It was only the people who were not Christian or opposed to Vacont’s regime that had to hide.

  Why did my parents to have to oppose them? If they hadn’t we could all be safe and sound together as a family. But no, her father had to be a proud and brave rebel against Vacont’s army. If only he had accepted the slaughter.A small innocent part of her said, but that’s wrong. People were dying.

  But we could have lived happily, she thought back angrily, and then he wouldn’t have died.

  She crawled into her bed exhausted and angry at no one in particular. Her eyes slowly closed to the world to enter her nightmare memories.

  Chapter 20

  Her father. The last time she saw her father.

  “Bring the traitor. Vacont is getting tired of his behavior,” a soldier sniggered

  Footsteps could be heard as heavy boots thudded down the path towards them. Warm arms surrounded them and a soft voice comforted them. “It’s ok children. Remember, whatever happens to me you two will be all right.”

  The door creaked open and Anna’s father kissed her and her brother softly on the head. A voice called out from the doorway, “Come on dirt bag, or do you want me to hurt the boy as well?”

  Her father stood up proud, in the grim light. “You will do no such thing.”

  “Oh, is that so?” the soldier chuckled. “Hey Shaun look at this guy. He’s acting all heroic.”

  Laughter came from outside the cold room. Her father still stood strong, waiting for what was about to happen to him. With a wicked grin the soldier pushed the proud man along with his gun.

  The door closed making dust lift from the floor and leaving two terrified children staring into the darkness. Sadly, they weren’t even allowed to be terrified for long. The door opened again, bringing in another soldier. “Come on, its time you work for your food like the rest of us.”

  The children got up; they were now of the age that they had to do work like sewing, cooking, farming or cleaning. Anna was fourteen while her brother, Gregory, was eleven. As the sun began to rise Anna went to work in the kitchens while Gregory was to labour in the fields.

  The children walked across the cold dark hall until they reached the courtyard that they passed each day. Everywhere they went they remained under the leering eyes of the soldiers. Today was different from usual. Someone was going to be shot. It was not the first time Anna had been witness to an execution. Anna hated seeing them and she would have nightmares each time, but this time would prove to be far worse.

  “Matthew Moore. Betrayed Vacont the Great. Rebel. Death by firing squad,” announced a soldier in a loud voice.

  “I may have betrayed your master but I will die happy, knowing I didn’t believe in killing people whose only crime was not being Christian,” her father yelled back.

  He was crudely blindfolded and was tightly tied to a pole that was plunged into the ground. He was covered in filth and suffered from lack of nourishment and hard labour. Yet despite this, he still stood proud and honest.

  “Ready, aim…fire!”

  The shots rang through Anna’s mind. The bullets seemed to travel in slow motion, all aimied at her father. Slowly, they crawled along until the impact and suddenly, he was gone. His proud figure slumped on the pole and his body remained as an empty shell as his spirit left.

  The two children screamed. Anna felt numb and her eyes blurred with tears. She tried to run to her father’s side but a soldier grabbed her roughly and held her back. She fought and fought till she lay on the ground exhausted, her tears making mud in the dirt.

  Chapter 21

  The early morning light shone through the windows. Anna’s eyes opened to reveal an empty room. Groaning, she sat up in her bed and untangled her legs from the covers. As she slowly sat upright all the memories from the previous night came rushing back to her. Her father, the chapel, the running and the locked door.

  The locked door!

  Anna quickly turned to the doorway, but the door was already open. The other girls had probably gone to get the extra keys to the room, claiming they locked themselves out by accident or something similar.

  With another groan, Anna got out of bed and went to the bathroom to change. Why didn’t they wake me up? Anna thought. They’ve probably eaten breakfast by now.

  Rushing out of the room she carefully shut the door behind her, making sure she didn’t lock it this time. Running downstairs she arrived at the breakfast buffet and grabbed a piece of toast and an apple. Walking through the door, she tried to find her friends. They are probably in the garden she thought and walked outside through the grand doorway.

  Entering the little boarding school’s garden she followed the stone path to a picnic table. Passing a huge hedge she caught sight of her friends talking and relaxing in the spring sun. She ran up to them and sat down on the picnic table. The conversation froze, and silence claimed the air. Ann
a stiffened as the silence became apparent. She didn’t know what to do, she just felt like crying again.

  Suddenly Licenta stood up and walked towards the stables where horses were sometimes kept when competitions came to school.

  “Licenta! Come back!” Aerials voice called, pleading at the retreating figure.

  Aerial and Marsha jumped up to follow Licenta, leaving Anna alone.

  “She locked us out!” Licenta said defiantly.

  “She was obviously upset,” Marsha said.

  “But that doesn’t mean she should have locked us out of our own rooms! We’ve been here much longer than her!” Licenta retorted.