n fish shattering on the ground. I swallowed the bitterness, forcing it

n the screen, a series of videos played: a woman' s mouth, meticulously forming words, each movement

ilent question hanging in the air. Why n

a while. A long while." He stopped, his back to me, looking out the grimy window at

he thought was a sudden, wrenching blow. My vision blurred

sive fabric of his suit. I squeezed, then pointed at myself, then at the d

at, devoid of the warmth I remembered. "It's too dangerous. And... you need to focus on

t of the old Bowen. "Remember how we always dreamed of a life beyond these docks? A li

ds, meant to soothe, felt like a betrayal. I dropped my hand, my shoulder

strange, silent sounds. My tongue felt heavy, unused. I remembered how hard it had been to learn anything new as a child, how frustrating my mutism made e

me, a sneer twisting her perfect lips. "Still playing with your toys, little mute?" Her vo

er, hoping, praying, for Bowen. Fo

unreadable. My heart leaped. He was h

just stood there

aren't you? A silent anchor dragging him down

t Bowen, my eyes pleading wit

aw tightening. "She has her challenges, Kassandra," he said,

My heart didn't just break; it fractured into a thousand shards. It felt like my chest was co

s a simple, cheap thing, but it was our signal. One sharp blow meant "danger." Two meant "I need you." Three mea

ry, his face a mask of indifference. I remembered his promise the day he

notes. Then again. And again. Des

eyes blazing. He stormed towards me. My heart flut

ere filled with a cold, furious rage. He saw my tear-streaked face, the whistle trembling in my hand,

nd. "Oh, she's throwing a tantrum

rushes and charcoal, clenched into fists. Without thinking, I lashed out, my nails s

ce. "You wretched little beast! She

hat have you done?" He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging in

Apologize? For what? For defending myself agains

eyes. "Oh, it's alright, Bowen. She doesn't know any better. She's just a wild thing,

pain exploding in my neck as I stumbled, hitting my shoulder against the wall. He was looking at Kassandra, his eyes

vision swam. He was still looking at Kassandra,