The Silence.
Before the Silence. They used to say the city never slept. Then, in a single, shocking moment, the silence descended. It was two years ago, when an unknown event abruptly wiped out all communication around the globe. It all stopped. Phones, the internet, and televisions went dark, and planes fell from the sky, never to return. The sky and space became barren, with no satellites or Government broadcasts.
The police force had been replaced by heavily armed Soldiers dressed in black. They controlled the food outlets and distributed food once a day. They rarely spoke and would kill people if they did not comply with their abrupt orders.
The rations were getting smaller each week, and people knew food was running out. Some hoarded food and some stole other people’s. The soldiers didn’t police any other crime, so the streets were dark and lawless. Nobody was safe. Sleeping or talking was dangerous, so people stayed silent and awake as long as possible.
Clutching a baseball bat, Elise sat on the edge of her bed, looking out. The city stretched out in front of her. The skyline was dark and silent. There was no sound of cars or bird songs. It was as if the silence had driven all animals but rats out of the city.
Elise tightened her grip on the baseball bat. The weight felt comforting across her thighs. Sleep tugged at her sore eyes, but she fought back. She knew better than to give in.
The door behind Elise creaked, and her heart leapt to her throat. She raised the bat high, ready to strike. A figure stepped into the room, Hands above his head in surrender.
“ Easy, Elise. It’s only me.” The voice was low and familiar. It was Jackson, her neighbour. He had the same hollow, tired look as everyone else. He told Elise he used to be a teacher, but that seemed like a lifetime ago: now he was just another shadow in the silence.
Elise looked at him. “What is it?” she asked.
“Have you heard it?” Jacksons voice was a whisper.
“Heard what Jackson. What are you saying?”
“They say it’s getting closer”.
Elise’s heart quickened.
“Who says”?
“People are in the Underground stations. They say they can feel it vibrating in their heads. The silence is starting to hum.”
Elise shivers. Everyone has their theories about the silence; most think it’s a global authoritarian experiment gone wrong. Others say it’s aliens watching and waiting. Elise doesn’t know what to believe, but a hum sends a spike of fear through her.
Trying to keep her voice steady“ I haven’t heard anything she said”.
Leaning against the door jackson says
“I can’t take this anymore Elise.” I can’t live like this. I’m waiting day after day for whatever’s coming. Every time I close my eyes, I see things.”
Elise understood. The dreams were getting worse. In the beginning, sleep had just been silence, a relief from the constant fear and tension. But now, the silence in her dreams was filled with shapes, flickers of shadows, and movement at the edge of her vision. She felt as if something was watching her.
Jackson says, “I’m thinking of leaving and going north. I’ve heard it’s different there.”
“It’s not” Elise replied. “I’ve seen people go. They don’t come back.”
“Maybe they found something better.”
“Or maybe they found something worse .”
Jackson is looking at her. “Take care Elise.”She watches him leave
“You too Jackson.”
The door closes, and Elise is alone again.
She turns to the window and stares at the empty streets below. The silence presses against her eardrums, making the air thick and heavy. Could Jackson be right?
Something is changing, she thinks.
A faint hum drifting through the air: hard to hear, but it’s there alright.