CHAPTER 1.9 – “THE CHEERFUL GIRL”

-CHAPTER 1.9 – “THE CHEERFUL GIRL”-

Location: Koruch Vessel – Infirmary

Date: NTC 1446.07.15

Once the shock wore off, Yusuf turned toward the orange-bereted Mute. His brows were furrowed in a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“How do you still have consciousness?” he asked. “Weren’t you pacified?”

The Mute’s deep, black eyes turned to him calmly. Its voice was steady and expressionless.

“No. I escaped.”

Yusuf’s eyebrows shot up. “So… you’ve just been pretending to be unconscious this whole time?”

The Mute gave a slight nod. “Yes.”

Yusuf pointed toward Yorgo, who still lay unconscious on the floor. “Then how did no one notice? Not even this old geezer?”

“You fugitives aren’t exactly geniuses,” the Mute replied, its tone suddenly dry, almost sarcastic.

Above them, the ceiling light flickered. Merry glanced at it, noticing the camera above, but didn’t seem interested. Her eyes lingered for a moment, then moved on.

“So… you’re using us,” Yusuf said, his tone firm. “Ships like ours. To hide from the State.”

“To survive… yes,” the Mute answered without hesitation or shame.

Merry stepped in, frowning, visibly confused. “Wait a second… What do you mean ‘pretending to be unconscious’?”

Yusuf turned to her. “You mean you knew he was conscious?”

The Mute tilted its head slightly. “Yes, how did you know? I’ve been aboard dozens of pirate and smuggler ships. Not once has anyone suspected me.”

Merry blinked. “Know what? It looked normal to me. It was weird that it wasn’t talking, that’s all. What do you mean ‘how did I know’?”

Yusuf and the Mute exchanged stunned glances. Then Yusuf asked, cautiously, “Where were you manufactured?”

“You ask too many questions,” the Mute replied, now serious.

Yusuf stepped back slightly, embarrassed. “Sorry… You’re the first conscious Mute I’ve ever seen. I just got curious.”

“What’s your name?” Merry asked suddenly, eyes wide with interest.

The Mute hesitated, caught off guard. “I’m a Mute. I don’t have a name. I have a production number, if you’d like to learn that instead.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Merry frowned. “Then pick one! Don’t give me that excuse! What do you want your name to be?!”

“Please don’t shout,” the Mute said, quietly.

Yusuf laughed at how absurd the whole thing sounded. He turned to Merry. “You’re pretty cheerful, aren’t you?”

“I don’t have anything to be upset about,” she said with a playful grin.

Then she turned back to the Mute, her voice softer now, yet full of determination. “So? Have you decided yet? I’m not calling you by a number. Choosing a name is the first step to being a person.”

For the first time, something changed in the Mute’s tone, there was a flicker of genuine curiosity as it looked at Merry.

“Do you believe I could be… a person?”

Merry looked genuinely surprised. “What kind of stupid question is that? You are a person!”

Yusuf stepped in, clearly worried. “Just saying that is enough to get you labeled a heretic by the State. Please don’t say things like that around others…

or under surveillance.”

“Since when telling the truth is heresy?!” Merry’s voice rose with frustration.

A heavy silence followed. A moment later, her eyes went distant, her thoughts flashing back to when the Wandering Lady was declared a Heretic.

Her expression went blank for just a second.

The Mute’s voice came again, gentle. “Yusuf’s right. Thank you for your thoughts, but… showing sympathy to a Mute is a heresy offense.

Mute Proclamation. Year 372. Haven’t you heard of it?”

“What’s that supposed to be?” Merry scoffed. “Sounds like garbage.”

Yusuf shook his head. “How have you survived this long? If an Inayet agent heard half the things you say…”

“Then let them!” Merry shouted. “I’ll think what I want. Say what I want.”

Then, calmer again, she turned back to the Mute. “So? Decided on a name yet?”

The Mute nodded slowly. “I think I have one. Want to hear it?”

“Yes!” Merry said, almost bouncing with anticipation.

“Okay,” the Mute began, speaking slowly. “What I’ve thought of… It’s easy to say. It’s ironic, almost mocking and it contradicts my nature. It also sounds like rebellion.

I don’t know if you’ll like it. But it’s the first name that… sort of defines the future I want. Because in life...”

“Enough!” Merry cut it off with a shout. “Just tell us the name already!”

“Chatter,” the Mute said firmly.

Merry beamed. She extended a hand toward it. “Nice to meet you, Chatter. I’m Merry. Let’s get out of here together, okay?”

Chatter looked at her hand, surprised. It frowned, uncertain but after a moment’s pause, took it. “Okay,” it said.

Yusuf’s eyes widened like he was witnessing a miracle. “Incredible…” he whispered.

Merry laughed joyfully, shaking Chatter’s hand up and down. “Haha! Now that’s team spirit.”

She laughed again, bright and carefree.

Chatter looked at her quietly.

And in its eyes, for the first time.

There was a flicker of hope.

They were a team now.

And for the first time, all three agreed:

They would get out of here. Together.

They didn’t yet know what that would look like

But they weren’t afraid either.