The Silent

Soule had always been good at being quiet. Not because she had nothing to say, but because she had learned that sometimes silence was safer than speaking. People saw her as calm, reserved, and distant. They never saw the thoughts that kept her awake at night or the memories she tried desperately to bury. Every morning, Soule woke up, got ready, and faced the world with the same expression she had perfected over the years—a gentle smile that told everyone she was fine. “Good morning, Soule,” her mother called from downstairs. “Good morning,” she replied softly. Her voice sounded normal. Almost convincing. She picked up her bag and looked at herself in the mirror before leaving. For a moment, she stared at her own reflection, wondering how long she could continue pretending. There were questions she wanted to ask, words she wanted to say, and feelings she wanted someone to understand. But the words never came. At school, Soule sat quietly at the back of the classroom. Around her, students laughed, talked, and made plans for the weekend. She listened without saying much. “You are always so quiet,” her friend said, smiling. “What goes on inside that head of yours?” Soule laughed softly. “Nothing,” she said. But it wasn't nothing. There was a whole story inside her - a story no one knew. And Soule had no idea that soon, the silence she had spent years protecting would begin to break.