Broken Silence Read online

  “Was the counselor involved? We obviously heard she was arrested, but it seems so crazy.” He asked.

  “I don’t think she was to begin with. They just found an easy person to pay off. She wasn’t a good person so they used her to get me. She didn’t think she would get caught, but I told Sophia about her before she told them lies. When they tried to grab me, I shoved my phone into my bra, hoping I could use it later if they didn’t notice. They didn’t. They emptied my pockets and my bag got left behind so they thought it was safe. That place is hell, guys. They kidnap teenagers and elderly people to do human trials on. Mine was healing, so they pumped this crazy vitamin and chemical mixture into me, then gave me the cuts and broken rib to see how rapidly I would heal. I assume I would have been given a lot more infusions while they monitored it, but I was rescued before it continued. The guy who explained everything to me said it was a huge operation. I’m going to strengthen my voice and become an agent. I have to end this.” I was determined and my voice took on a hard edge.

  “This seems like an awful scary movie.” Adam mumbled. He got that protective look in his eyes as he scooted closer to me, putting a hand on my leg. “It’s over now. You have us to help you heal.” Such simple words, but I felt them in my soul.

  “I’ve felt so broken. I feel like I’m a completely different person. In most ways I am. I no longer shield myself from people or try and fit in. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter. My heart and soul were shattered that night. As corny as it sounds, you guys helped me glue it back together. It’s like a broken vase, you can repair it, but the fractures remain. I’m stronger now, but I won’t ever be able to just get over it, like so many thought I should.” I finished as the tears slipped down my cheeks. Cole reached over and wiped them off.

  “That’s bullshit.” Alice exclaimed. Everyone looked stunned. She wasn’t usually the one using words like that or having outbursts. “No, that’s just so screwed up! Who would tell anyone to just get over it. People are insensitive jerks.” She ranted, fire in her eyes.

  “You aren’t the same, you are someone new. This was your chance at a new life, powered by your past. Your parents and brother would never want you to punish yourself. I think it’s noble you are planning on stopping this someday. You are smart and strong enough, that’s for sure. Now, you get to enjoy the rest of school worry free, with your adoptive mom and best friends. For the first time in years, Charlie. You get to just enjoy life. Moving on and living is not equivalent to forgetting.” Trent surprised me with his speech. He was funny and outgoing, but sometimes you got a glimpse of the more serious and sensitive person underneath.

  “So, movie night?” I suggested, ready to move on. The debate started back up like everything was normal. I finished my cocoa and worked on using words out loud more. I was ready to move on and heal, and I knew speaking out loud was part of it. I didn’t need the shield of silence and numbness I had lived behind for these two and a half years.

  Cole and I were face to face, lying in bed. He kissed me gently and wrapped his arm around my waist. “I’ll hold you, babe. Also, I like your raspy voice, its sexy. Now sleep.” He whispered. I giggled at his comment, but closed my eyes.

  As I was lying in bed I thought over Trent’s words. He was right. It wasn’t wrong to move on. Hearing someone else say it, made it so much different. Though I needed time to get to that mindset as well. It was time to repair my broken soul and put it back together. It wouldn’t be that hard now that I had a family who cared and friends who wanted to help me live. For the first time in a long time, I fell asleep fully relaxed and with a smile on my face.

  Epilogue

  Today was the day of the first trial. When they found the boss, I was called as a witness. After his trial ended, they would schedule Timmins trial. I was mentally preparing myself to face the people that had nearly killed me. I wasn’t afraid to face them. I knew they needed to be locked away for the things they had done, with absolutely no remorse. That was the part I couldn’t wrap my head around.

  The rescue attempt had managed to free two hundred and thirty victims. The agents worked tirelessly trying to find them a safe place. Maria and Robert actually talked about opening a group home for the teenage survivors, where they could receive medical care and therapy. They had a new chance at life. Though some had physical damage to their bodies that may not be able to be repaired.

  The investigation into the offices didn’t yield fantastic results. The computers had a mass virus sweep through that wiped all of their data. They managed to track down the boss, who I now knew, was Edward Parker. He had disappeared from the office, but they found him hiding out in a hotel room. The arrogant bastard actually thought it would blow over.

  I made my way through the long hallways of the courthouse with Sophia and Cole by my side. She didn’t think it would be appropriate to bring my whole group of friends, though I’m a bit surprised they didn’t just show up on their own.

  “Are you Charlotte?” The voice was soft and quiet, but I heard her anyway. I turned and faced a small teenage girl. She couldn’t have been over seventeen. She had haunted, but fierce eyes. I nodded my head in confusion. She made me yelp as she crashed into me with a hug. “You are the reason we aren’t still there. You saved us all. I had been there for four years, hope wasn’t something I gave thought to anymore. Yet, here I am. It’s because of you. Thank you.” She pulled away and looked at me. “I’m Willow, by the way. Thanks again.”

  “I’m glad they got to us.” I said simply, unsure what words would even be appropriate in this situation. She wiped a stray tear and nodded, stepping away to let us pass. Sophia expertly ushered us into the court room.

  As soon as they lead in the boss, my eyes flared with hatred. He sought me out with his eyes, giving a similar look of hate. He knew there was no way to save himself, and I will definitely take the honor of being his downfall.

  The court proceedings were longer then I expected. Finally I was called up as a witness. I for once, was willing to speak, though thankfully the courtroom was made aware of my condition. The lawyer on our side of things pointed out it was due to this man’s orders.

  “The identification of my client in this situation, was most likely due to the trauma associated with her stay in the facility. Edward Parker was a familiar face and she clung to that once she found out the investigators were looking into her father’s previous workplace.” He droned on in a snotty, high pitched voice. He was clearly trying to convince the jury that I was just in shock and chose who I pictured as the bad guy. I snorted at his statement. This would get him nowhere, it was like he wasn’t even trying. I answered in short answers to his usual string of questions. I knew the other lawyer would get more in depth. I was thankful this idiot was going first.

  “Can you give us an account of your arrival into the facility, what you saw and who you spoke to?” I had met this lawyer before the proceedings started. She was smart and fierce. I nodded as I recounted the events. I pointed out Parker when I got to the introduction into the facility. I included the lab rat comments and the admission into further facilities. Making a point to describe that they brought him in to make me compliant, including the bruises he left on my face. They had taken pictures for evidence and the jury gasped at the pictures of my face. I have to admit it was pretty gruesome.

  The trial droned on for hours, but finally the jury broke and we would be back in the morning for sentencing. I walked out of the court house with my head held high and my hand in Cole’s. I loved seeing Parker sweating as he realized he wasn’t getting out of this one.

  The next morning my whole group came with us. We took up an entire row in the courthouse. I saw the girl who approached me a few rows behind us. I gave her a small smile, before giving my attention to the judge.

  I watched Parker’s reactions as the judge listed all of the crimes that they stuck to him. I waited for his reaction as he was found guilty on every single one. His shoulders slowly slumped. I hoped that he
had a hard time in prison, he deserved it. The judge sentenced him to life in prison. The fact I would never have to see the man personally responsible for my family’s deaths and the countless deaths he caused at the facility again, made the whole process even better.

  Months later and the other proceedings went very similar. The counselor and Timmins were the only other trials I had to attend.

  Timmins never lost his disgusting arrogance. He even smiled when I described his torture. The counselor tried to say she was forced into assisting in my kidnapping. Thankfully the jury saw right through her and they both were sentenced, hers was just a lot less severe. Timmins would join Parker for life. The counselor only had to go for several years. Either way, her life was ruined. This case was too big for her identity to be a secret.

  “Party at our place to celebrate?” Sophia asked the group as we made our way out of the building. There was an unsurprising chorus of agreement. Sophia and I stopped by the store to get enough food for an army and we hurried home. I ran up to change and collect myself.

  The trial had been the perfect form of closure. Being paranoid I would be killed or kidnapped again had made healing hard for the past two years. The fact that these awful people would never hurt anyone else was the perfect justice.

  I made my way downstairs and stopped in the doorway to enjoy the view of my house full of people I had learned to love. Between Sophia, Cole, my friends and now my grandparents I had learned to trust again. I had also learned it’s okay to live life and love again.

  They had taken a broken and numb girl, and without judgement or hesitation had managed to put the pieces back together. They would never be able to understand the level of gratitude and love I had for that alone. I was whole again, though I would never forget my family. Now I was just able to finally live, and I intended to do just that.

  Author’s final notes

  I hope you guys enjoyed Charlie’s story! It had it’s ups and downs and intense moments, but it was a fun story to tell. My future goal is to revisit Charlie after college and help her shut down the facility. Until then, please take a look at the first chapter of The Verdania Chronicles: Dryad mage

  The Verdania Chronicles: Dryad Mage

  Chapter one

  Natalia

  My legs pumped as I pushed myself to run faster. My heart was pounding in my chest until I felt like it would burst free. I tried not to look behind me and just focused on making my way back to the village. The fear was making me feel dizzy but I didn’t want to stop now. Not with that creature out here. I saw a streak of white in my periphery. Impossibly my heart started thudding more intensely in my chest. Wolves weren’t aggressive to us Dryads. They also weren’t white with black, inky eyes.

  Something was wrong here and I didn’t want to stop and find out what was wrong with this wolf. As I neared the village I caught fewer flashes of it. I kept pushing myself until I could see my village in the distance. I could finally start slowing but I didn’t want to stop yet. The closer I got to the village I started slowing down. My body ached and my chest burned. I listened to my surroundings but didn’t really hear anything unusual. I slowed to a walk and did a slow circle, studying the trees around me. I couldn’t see the white wolf at all anymore. Maybe it wouldn’t come this close to the village. As I walked by an ancient oak tree I slid my hand over It’s trunk.

  Can you feel that white wolf? Is it evil? Am I safe? I pushed the questions to the tree in my mind. I could feel the presence of the tree’s spirit stirring. We can no longer feel his presence. It has been lingering here for days, but never comes this close. What happened little one? The trees words filled my mind and I finally let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

  It stalked me as I explored, but I thought I was just jumping at nothing. Then I saw it come out of the trees and it lunged at me. I ran as fast as I could, but he almost got me. I relayed to the tree. I didn’t want to be in the woods anymore today so I gave the tree my thanks and quickly finished the walk into my village.

  Linstrad was a small village made up of mostly dryad families. Being a social race, the town center was always full of people. It was easily my favorite part of town packed full of hanging lanterns and benches. The very center was empty so when the evening came there could be music and dancing. Even though I wasn’t the typical dryad with tons of friends, I still didn’t like being alone.

  The huts were smaller homes, that sometimes connected to each other. Families built on as their numbers grew. Made of wood and surrounded by flowers, our village had the earthy feel we craved. I followed the path further into the town and walked up to the small home I shared with my parents.

  My mom was a beautiful dryad that I favored in looks. We both had long brown curls with the usual dryad green highlights. Hers were darker green, since they darken as we age. Her brown eyes were bright and covered in long lashes. The green dusting around her eyes and neck matched her highlights. Looking at her face she gave off a warm and kind vibe, but it was her personality that drew you in. She always had a smile and a laugh. She was a nurturer and a baker, so she was always feeding us and dancing around her kitchen.

  Dad was a striking elf. He had long black hair and dark blue eyes. He had the best smile that crinkled his eyes in a handsome way. He was more quiet and serious then mom, but the way he adored her would make even the coldest heart melt.

  I ran through our house and found her in the kitchen. She had her back to me as she swished her hips to a song she was humming. She was stirring something that smelled amazing. I took quiet slow steps up behind her and grabbed her shoulders and planted a kiss on her cheek. She let out a shriek as the spoon went flying and she whirled around.

  “Natalia! You rotten girl! Why do you think it’s so funny to scare me!” She scolded, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. Then she took in my face and stopped the lecture. “What happened?” She said with worry.

  I knew she was thinking I had done something to draw attention to myself. I had abilities most dryads don’t. A dryad was born with a connection to one tree. They can communicate with each other and are connected for life. If harm comes to one, the other feels it. We can help plants grow and animals are drawn to us. However, I don’t have a companion tree. Instead I can communicate with any tree I touch. I can make plants grow without seeds. I feel like I could do more if I had the chance, but magic is not something you brag about in my world. Legends say one of our gods, Magnus, Absorbed our magic into himself. Lore, our god of knowledge and balance disappeared at the same time. Now abilities are rare and magic users are hunted or disappear. My parents never let me use it around anyone and didn’t like me to do it here either. She was too scared I would be kidnapped and forced to be a magic slave or sold to the highest bidder. It wasn’t a legal practice, but that hardly stopped it from happening.

  Keeping friends was hard because my mom freaked out if I got to close to anyone. I know she was afraid to lose me, but I was suffocating. I always felt like I didn’t fit in here, but I didn’t want to leave my parents.

  It was common to spend your unmarried life with your parents, and at sixty I was definitely past the age dryads usually found love. Our lives are too long to spend stuck in one place though and I have always dreamt of travelling and seeing all of Verdania. Someday I would travel outside of this one small town and surrounding trees.

  “Something happened in the woods.” I began, turning my attention back to mom. “I was chased by a white wolf. Something was wrong with it mom. It felt angry. I had to run back to the village. I know if I hadn’t run it would have hurt me, or worse.” I finished on a whisper. I didn’t want to believe it myself, and especially didn’t want to upset mom. I peeked up at her face, which had become pale. She turned back to her bowl and started to stir with a new spoon.

  “Natalia, you let your imagination run wild. Why would you make up stories. Wolves don’t attack dryads, and wolves aren’t even white.” She said with finality. Well I guess this conversat
ion is closed. I could barely hide my frustration. This is what my family does, shut down if anything makes them uncomfortable. I sighed and walked away from the kitchen. Making my way to my room I sat on my bed to think.

  If this wolf could track me here, I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t let them get hurt, and I was the only one who has even seen this wolf. I know it was drawn here because of my magic. I know it’s a risk to stay here now.

  My heart clenched at the thought of leaving my home and my parents. It isn’t much of a life, but it is mine. I grabbed a satchel and put in some clothes, my sketch papers, a few pencils, my small dagger and a bottle for water. I threw in a few bandages for good measure, because I knew myself. If there was a way to trip, I would find it. I slipped it under my bed for later.

  I pulled out some paper and started a note to explain why I was leaving. I needed them to understand it was more than the risk the wolf brings. It was also about needing to find somewhere I actually felt like I belonged. It was becoming too much to have to hide. I was completely alone here. There had to be more people like me. I would be careful, but I would find them. I reassured my mom that this was my choice and I loved her. It was pointless to tell her not to worry, that was all she did.