The Borrowed Voice

In a world where people can temporarily borrow other people’s voices to speak languages, sing, or persuade, a quiet teenage girl named Anya rents a voice to testify in court and accidentally uses one that belongs to someone who died years ago.

After that day, the voice starts speaking to her without being rented—warning her of crimes before they happen. When Anya follows one warning, she discovers the voice belonged to a whistleblower who was erased, not killed.

Now powerful institutions are hunting her, trying to reclaim the voice and finish what they started. The problem: the voice is slowly replacing Anya’s own.

If she keeps it, she can expose the truth.

If she gives it up, she survives—but becomes silent forever.

Beep...Beep...Beep"uugghhhhhh", I groaned stuffing my face in my favourite pillow. "Anya! Wake up honey, you're getting late for school!" I heard my mother's voice. I sighed. I hate school and I am not saying this because I do not like to study, which by the way is another reason but the real reason is the way everyone treats me there. I do not know why people are so horrible towards me even though I try to be polite and helpful towards everyone.

Students use vulgular language against me. They randomly slap me or push me for no reason. Most of the girls call me ugly. I often wonder if there is something wrong with me? Perhaps, if I just disappear, noone would notice. They might even celebrate to finally get rid of me.

My father died when I was young and I am an only child. My mother had taken multiple jobs to support us financially. I love my mom. She is my someone I look up to. The reason I want to live.

Anyway, I got up and did my morning routine. I put on a lilac sundress with white joggers. I put my red hair in a messy bun, applied mascara to make my violet eyes pop, and viola, I am good to go.

I went downstairs where my mother was making pancakes. She put a plate stacked with pancakes and I started to eat them hungrily when I heard the bus honking. I stuffed my food hurriedly in my mouth and swallowed."Bye mom", I kissed my mother's cheek and rushed to the main door so that I do not miss my school bus.

As I started to get on the bus, "Look! The freak show's here" a boy yelled from the back and everyone started to laugh at me. They threw paper balls and wrappers at me. I shielded myself with my arms and found a secluded spot in the corner as noone likes to sit with me.

I was getting off of the bus when someone pushed me from behind and I tripped. My head hit the pavement and my eyes started to burn as tears threatened to spill from my eyes, my cheeks flushed from embarrassment as everyone started making fun of me. A girl even stepped on to me to get off of the bus." What's going on here? Oh dear! Are you alright?", my calculus teacher Miss Rose came running towards me and asked me worriedly.

"Yes I am okay", I answered her as she helped me stand up. She took me to the nurse's room as I had scraped my knees and hit my head pretty hard on the pavement.

"Please tend to her and then you can go home", Miss Maria told the nurse and I. "I am fine miss. I will not miss my classes, it's just a scratch", I reasoned." Very well then, if you're sure", miss Maria replied." Yes yes I'm sure. Thank you for helping me", I thanked her. "You are welcome child", she replied sweetly.

Miss Maria is the only one who treats me well and always saves me when I am being bullied.

After the nurse patched me up, I made my way towards the auditorium. We were having a debate contest and I wanted to participate as well. I had prepared myself and I just hoped that I passed as the suitable candidate.

Students were presenting their practiced debates. "Anya Adams! You're up", the lady taking our auditions bellowed. As I started to walk up to the stage, a group of boys and girls motioned towards me and started snickering. I did not pay any attention to them and started to speak.

"You know that we...", I was rudely interrupted, "Yo! Freak show! Why don't you debate about freaky eyes?", mocked Matt. "You don't have any potential why are you even bothering?", another voice added. "Yeah people would freak out seeing you!", a boy said and everyone laughed.

I was completely humiliated. My knees were about to give out. A sob threatened to escape and then, I ran. I ran all the way back to home.

"Anya what happened?", my mother questioned, worry etched on her face as she saw me entering the premises of my home with a tear strickened face. "Nothing mom, just tired...", I replied lowly and went to the sofa where she was sitting and hugged her.. "It's clearly not nothing especially the way you're crying and your face is all red and swollen. Tell me honey what happened? Is someone bothering you at school?", my mother asked calmly while running her hands through my hair which were looking like a bird's nest because of all the running I did. "Mom everyone at school calls me a freak. They said I should give a speech about having freaky eyes...and...and that I am not capable of participating in a debate", I told my mother everything truthfully. "Oh Anya, you have a rare eye colour and they are just jealous because of how unique you are. Don't be upset.", she said.

"But mom they make me feel so worthless...Like I am just...just a burden and don't deserve to live", I said between sobs." Don't say that honey. People will never truly appreciate you no matter how hard you try. So instead of trying to please them, ignore them. Noone can make you feel worthless without consent. Don't give them too much attention, just focus on your self. Now go up to your room and freshen up. I made pizza you favourite", she adviced me while cradling my face with her palms and wiping my tears with her thumbs.

Please comment and tell me whether the chapter needs any improvements. Thank you for reading.