Secrets of the Silent

The sun rose over the land, painting the skies with beautiful shades of pink, red, orange, and purple. The fluffy clouds gently danced around in the sky. The old house on the hill buzzed with excitement as spring rolled around.

“Can you believe my birthday is tomorrow? That means I’ll be able to start learning about my power with you guys!” Mia said as she bounced around with excitement.

“Yeah!” Ryan responded, grinning. “I can’t believe you’re turning eight already!” Ashlynn twirled a loose braid of her dark hair, her fingers glowing faintly with golden sparks.

“Do you think your power will be something flashy like mine, or more... mysterious like Owen’s?” Ashlynn asked.

“I don’t know, but I hope it’s something cool. What if I can fly? Or control shadows?” Mia said, grinning. Owen, sitting on the windowsill with a book in his lap, looked up. “Whatever it is, just make sure you don’t let the Wardens see. You know the rules—no powers until they say you’re ready.” Mia’s smile faded slightly.

“I know, but... don’t you ever wonder why they don’t want us using them?” Mia asked curiously.

“There are rumors,” Ryan explained, “about the older kids, the ones who left and never came back.”

“Why would anyone want to leave here?” Mia exclaimed, puzzled about why someone would want to leave a place where everyone was happy and got along perfectly with each other. “I mean, yeah, it’s a bit boring at times, but why would you want to leave? Everything is perfect here.”

“Is it though?” asked Daniel.

“Ugh, more of your conspiracy theories?” Evelyn asked, annoyed.

“You never know, some huge plot twist could happen! For all we know, this could be an alien farm! Even the cows could be watching us!” Daniel said theatrically, rambling on.

“Well, if we’re so focused on conspiracy theories, how about I use my power to turn us all invisible so we can check out all of your guys’ stories?” Evelyn said mischievously.

“Should we really do that though?” Mia said. “I mean, after all mother Willow and sister Mary did for us, wouldn’t we be invading their privacy?”

“You’re such a goody two-shoes,” remarked Evelyn.

“Am not!” Mia said defensively.

“Prove it,” Evelyn replied teasingly.

“Fine,” Mia said reluctantly. The group exchanged glances, and a silent agreement passed between them. This was happening. With Evelyn leading the way, her fingers glowing faintly as she activated her invisibility, the group crept out of their shared room, careful not to make a sound. The hallway was dim, lit only by flickering wall lamps and the fading morning light seeping through narrow windows. The creaky wooden floor groaned beneath their feet, but the old house had so many odd sounds that no one seemed to notice. They passed the usual rooms like the dusty library, the quiet chapel, or the infirmary where Nurse Edith slept during the day.

“Where are we even going?” Owen whispered.

“Where else?” Daniel whispered back with a grin. “The forbidden hallway.” At the far end of the corridor was a narrow wooden door with iron hinges, one that none of them had dared open before. It was locked every time they tried. But today, as if the house itself wanted them to go in, the door creaked open at Evelyn’s touch. Inside, the room was darker, colder. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with leather-bound books and strange artifacts that buzzed faintly with energy. Papers covered the desk in the center of the room, pages covered in symbols, names, maps, and, weirdly enough, files. Mia stepped forward, her heart pounding.

“This is… the Headmaster’s office.” Mia hesitated.

“Wait, what’s this?” Ryan said, picking up a sheet of parchment. The others gathered around. The silence in the room buzzed with tension as they stared at the paper. It was a list. Names. Ages. And a column labeled “Power Level.” Next to some of the names… a red stamp: ’EXPIRED.’ Ashlynn stepped forward, her eyes locked on a dusty folder near the edge of the desk. Her name was scrawled across the front in thick black ink. She hesitated.

“This… this one’s about me.” Nobody said anything. The room felt heavier now, like the air itself didn’t want them to move. Slowly, Ashlynn reached out and opened the folder. Inside were documents, pages stamped with official seals, notes scribbled in red ink, and a photo paper-clipped to the top corner. They all leaned over her shoulder.

“What does it say?” Daniel asked curiously. Ashlynn began to read aloud, her voice barely above a whisper.

Subject: Ashlynn Foster

Age: 14

Power classification: Level 4 – Elemental Manifestation.

Risk rating: Medium-High.

Notes: Displays accelerated energy development. Monitored closely by Sister Mary. Recommend observation until age 16. Termination scheduled if volatility increases.

“Termination?” Mia stammered, her voice cracking.

“Wait, look at this one,” Owen said as he handed them all a different file.

Subject: Calla Bryn

Age: 12

Power Classification: Level 5 – Neuro-Manipulation

Risk Rating: High Status: Reassigned

Notes: Subject exhibited strong mental interference abilities, including mild telepathic suggestion and emotional distortion. Removed from the general population following an incident during Meal Session 11-B. Memory adjustment authorized. Transfer completed under Watcher Division.

“Why would she be transferred elsewhere?” Ryan asked.

“Let’s find out,” Evelyn said, looking around for more information. Evelyn rifled through the stack of folders, her fingers moving faster now, almost frantic. “There has to be more. If she was reassigned, then something bigger is happening, more than just teaching powers.” Mia walked over to the wall behind the desk. A small cabinet sat in the corner, half-covered by an old tapestry. She pulled the cloth aside and found a metal lockbox sealed with a glowing blue rune.

“This looks important,” she said. “Ashlynn, can your power break this?” Ashlynn stepped forward, pressing her hand against the box. The rune flickered at her touch, then sputtered out with a soft hiss. With a click, the lid popped open. Inside was a thick binder labeled ’WATCHER REPORTS – INTERNAL USE ONLY.’ Daniel let out a low whistle.

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Owen said as he opened the binder. The first page was stamped with a seal none of them had seen before—two wings wrapped around an eye, with the words ‘Truth Through Order’ etched below. “Calla Bryn, Watcher Subject #311,” Owen read aloud. “Location: Sector 7 Dormitory. Behavioral status: Passive compliant. Surveillance priority: Moderate.”

“She’s still alive,” Mia whispered.

“But where’s Sector 7?” Daniel asked.

“There’s no such place here.” Ryan said, looking at a map. “But I know where we could find it.”

“Then we go tomorrow,” replied Daniel.