The First Whisper

FRAGMENTS OF HOPE

The next day was unusually sunny and a little bit mature because she found out things she grew up to see and find weren't the way things normally are .

She went to the kitchen to greet her mom, good morning mommy good morning my little rebellion how was your night? Just there I replied "taking my normal spot on the Island “Really no dreams about freedom she voiced out slowly. Ha! Jokes on you I unveiled a big secret yesterday I told her smiling victorious. She looked at me trying to break or find something. She dropped the sponge then sat near the island close to me. What did you discover? A fragment of Late Miss Lira Thane I told her she looked at me surprised at what did it say she asked, something about women speaking about stars, laws and peace. But I know it means we were not as quiet as we are now. I concluded she looked at me and she wanted to say something then a voice interrupted us. Are you guys planning an heretic? my father said angrily from the kitchen door. My mum rushed up facing her eyes to the ground ooh no my husband we were planning what food we need to prepare we were this close so that we won't disturb you my mother explained, his gaze left her to mine staring at me, his he expecting me to lower my gaze or what I questioned myself he removed his gaze teach your daughter manners then he left . What is wrong with him? I asked my mom shhh Adele please you put us in trouble then she faced me again. What did you do to the letter she asked me? I ate it. Mara told me to burn it but I thought it'll raise an alarm so I burnt it. I answered her. Who is Mara? she asked, my friend she was the one that gave it to me – where did she find it ? She asked again. I don't know she didn't leave room for the question she left without explaining anything. My mum heaved a sigh, today is Saturday are you going to her place? Yes mummy in the evening I guess. She rubs her fingers through my hair then packs a handful and smells it . Be careful my daughter, you know I love you and I won't stand if anything happens to you. Yes mummy I replied.

In the evening Adele's mother Mrs Rowan went to the outskirts of the town to an old abandoned building which belonged to an old woman Catherine Pierce killed by the council for heresy.

“ I think the children know”, Mrs Rowan said quietly, her voice masked with fear.

Across the room, Mrs Kerren Mara’s mother lifted her head. “ Yes”, she admitted, eyes darting to the doors. “Even my daughter came to me yesterday asking about Lira. Mrs Rowan sighed. I think Mrs Lira's story is taught in all schools, at least the council allows it. She was one of the voices that began the Wars of voices. But the version they teach now… it's not the real one, it's changed and twisted.

She looked at Kerren. I think your daughter might have stolen a piece of Lira's burnt book and showed it to my daughter.

Mrs Kerren stiffened. “ Mara wouldn't,” she said quickly, almost like she was doubting herself. She knew what her daughter is capable of and that she is capable of doing it. Mara is a smart, brave, curious girl so much like her late father. Let's go Mrs Rowan ended the silence is already getting late the night guards are already on patrol, Kate and Glory thanks for coming.

The air outside was heavy, a sign of a heavy downpour. Mrs Rowan stopped Kerren. We need to be very careful for our children. Mrs Kerren nodded and before she could reply.

“Halt!!”

Four guards out of nowhere surrounded them holding spears and chains.

“ You stand upon a forbidden ground” One of them said, voice echoing. “ This ground belongs to a condemned heretic and by the laws of the council and anyone found around the belongings of an exheretic is guilty of the same crime.”

Before the women could defend themselves they were bound like yams with chains. One guard acting like a messenger, ran to the council Chambers to drop the news. Miss Kerren voice came shallow “please it is not what you think”

“Silence” barked another one. Your words won't change anything.

The women were taken to the council Chambers, now the council consists of seven men each having different roles to play the middle one, High councillor Moren, spoke first. His tone was calm, almost bored. “You were found in the ruins of Catherine Pierce’s home,” he said. “State your reason.” Mrs. Rowan raised her head, trembling. “My lord, it was only a meeting between mothers. We meant no harm. We— we only spoke of our children.” A murmur rose among the Council. “Quiet!!” A loud voice echoed in the room and the room fell into total silence. The councillor leaned forward. “Children? What of them?” Kerren swallowed hard. “They found… pieces. Old pages, from a burnt book. We feared they might learn what they should not.” Silence followed, heavy and dangerous. The Chancellor’s gaze sharpened. “So the rumors are true. The burnt teachings still exist.” He rose slowly, his robe brushing the floor like a possessed maniac. “You have confessed to the possession and discussion of heretical texts. That alone is a crime of the highest order. Catherine Pierce’s sin runs through your tongues.” Mrs. Rowan’s voice broke. “Please—our daughters are innocent. They don’t understand—” “And yet you do,” another Councilor cut in. “You went to the house of the condemned. You stood where blasphemy once spoke. You breathe the same dust.”

The guards stepped closer.

“The law is clear,” said the Chancellor. “Those found in the house of the heretic shall share her fate.” guards take them to the prison until we state our final judgements. The guards took Mrs Rowan and Karen to the prison.

The next day Adele heard about the trial and rushed to the prison with her heart in her hands when she got there she saw her mom lying on the ground chained like a wild beast, her skin was pale mom she uttered the word as tears flowed from her eyes like waterfall. Her mom looked up when she saw her daughter she smiled “I never wanted you to see me like this weak” but everything happens for a reason I guess she moved forward to the prison cage to see a proper view of her daughter and hold her for the last time. She rested her hands on her daughter's chin and told her these words in a whisper, “Remember what I told you, Adele: stay quiet until you burst into flames” I believe in you, my little rebellion. She smiled bitterly. There's a house at the end of the town that belongs to Mrs. Catherine Pierce. In her attic there are books, books she wrote from the little fragment of Lila Thane. No one knows where the original is, only Catherine, but she was killed. Now, I want you to find that book and bring it out. Promise me you'll do that and avenge my death, but before that, promise me you will stay silent because if you don't my death will be in vain. I cried out, I can't stand the fact that my mom is leaving me for good where all the promises of a Happy family, all the I'll be with you till give birth to your last children “No” she can't die. I won't see her again." I shook my head, tears pouring from my eyes. "Mom, please don't go anywhere. Don't leave me. Let's go home. I promise I won't say anything. I will stay in silence. Please, Mummy, tell them I won't say a word." Oh, my poor baby, my little rebellion. I'm so sorry I'm leaving you in this hateful world, but I'm not going to leave your side ever. I'll be with you regardless of what, so stop crying, my love, and take care of yourself. And Mara, she's going to be left an orphan. So take care of her, please. I nodded my head, holding my mom's hand. I promise, Mom, I won't let you down. She smiled. Okay, visitation time is over. The guard watching my mother said, looking mean, and all I did was wipe my tears and glance at my mom, and she gave me the please stay safe look. I nodded and then went home feeling pain and heartache.