Your breath hitches as you hide behind the cold wall. Their footsteps grow louder in the hallway, whispering about you… about the cursed girl, the different one. You were special, and it was your fault. Special enough for them to fear you.

On the night of your escape, you gave up your voice… the voice that had always exposed you. You signed a contract with silence; you became mute. You thought that would make you safe. But they didn’t stop.

And now… there you have your neighbor’s son Karl. His dark eyes searching your face for something. You step back, but the wall was your destiny. He raises his hands in surrender, his voice calm:

“Don’t be afraid… I’m not here to hurt you.”

You wanted to scream, but your voice betrayed you. You tried to sign, but he narrowed his eyes in confusion.

“I don’t know sign language… I’m sorry.” He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to you, his palm exposed: ”There’s no paper… Use my skin.”

You froze for a moment. You engrave your words on him? He could have easily caught you. Handed you over to them.

But you… believed him.

You stretched out your trembling finger, and slowly wrote on the palm of his hand: “I’m Scared.”

He closed his fingers over your word like a promise. “I won’t let them touch you again.”

For the first time… you felt your silence heard.