“I Was Born Quiet, But I Won’T Stay Silent”
Episode 3
Early morning at the Maren household…
The rain taps softly against the windows. The house is quiet, but not peaceful. It’s the kind of quiet that feels like it’s holding back a scream.
Calla sits curled in a chair near the living room window, wearing one of Theo’s old hoodies. In her lap is a mug of tea, untouched and cold. Her tablet sits on the coffee table, screen still glowing with her now-viral post:
“Justice for Theo Maren.”
#IWillNotBeSilent
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Isabel walks in, folding a stack of Theo’s clothes — careful, almost ritualistic. She places a sweatshirt beside Calla and sits without a word.
Isabel Maren
You’re doing something brave. But it’s dangerous, Calla. *soflty*
Calla Maren (FL)
Everything’s dangerous now. Breathing. Hoping. Speaking.
Isabel Maren
I just… I don’t want to lose you too.
Calla Maren (FL)
Then don’t ask me to stay quiet. Not anymore.
Later that morning in Lena’s school – Velmont High
The camera follows Lena down a long hallway. Students stare. Some glance away. Others whisper as she passes.
A group of girls by a locker pause their conversation. One of them — Alyra, smug and sharp-tongued — looks directly at Lena.
ALYRA:
Wasn’t your brother the guy who went after Jaxon Virell?
Lena Maren
He was the guy your whole school is too scared to stand up for. *icy cold*
ALYRA:
Well, maybe people should stay in their lane.
Theo didn’t.
Lena doesn’t hesitate. She grabs Alyra’s wrist and pins her against the locker.
Lena Maren
Say. His. Name. Again. *coldly*
A teacher rounds the corner. Lena steps back without being caught, eyes burning. She storms out of the hallway.
Meanwhile – in Maya’s room
Maya sits cross-legged on her bed, laptop open, headphones in. A video plays: an old clip from Theo’s birthday. He’s dancing in the kitchen, off-beat, trying to get Calla to join him. Calla is laughing behind the camera.
Tears stream down Maya’s face. She doesn’t wipe them away.
Calla Maren (FL)
He was terrible at dancing.
Maya Maren
*Quickly closes the laptop*
Calla Maren (FL)
*Steps inside the room*
Maya Maren
I wasn’t watching anything. I’m just—
Calla Maren (FL)
It’s okay. I’ve watched it, too. A dozen times.
Maya Maren
Everyone keeps talking about fighting. About making noise. But I don’t know how to do that. I don’t want to yell. *sniffing*
Calla Maren (FL)
You don’t have to. You just have to be part of the story. Write. Draw. Speak in your way. That’s enough.
Maya Maren
What if it’s not?
Calla Maren (FL)
Then we keep going anyway. *quietly*
Same time – Virell Penthouse, West Velmont
Magnus Virell stands in front of a massive digital window wall. A muted news broadcast plays behind him. Headlines flash:
“Theo Maren’s Sister Speaks Out.”
“Rising Protests in East Velmont Over Alleged Murder.”
Jaxon walks in, half-dressed, clearly hungover from the night before.
Magnus Virell
Your name is being whispered in corners. You’re becoming a liability.
Evan Stirling
So what, she posts a few dramatic quotes and lights a candle? She’ll fade like they all do.
Celene Virell
She hasn’t faded. She’s rising. *enters and says with a sharp voice*
Magnus Virell
Silence it before it spreads. *to Jaxon*
Jaxon Virell (ML)
I didn’t mean to kill him. I didn’t mean for this. *defensively*
Magnus Virell
Intent doesn’t matter, Jaxon. Control does.
Celene Virell
You had control. And you lost it. *quietly*
Afternoon – Downtown Velmont Café
Calla and Evan sit at a booth, tucked in the back corner of a small, crowded café. She’s holding a list of local reporters. He’s highlighting names.
Evan Stirling
This one runs an underground blog. Covers corruption cases. Not mainstream, but real.
Calla Maren (FL)
“Velmont Unmasked”? *reading*
Evan Stirling
He’s been raided twice. That means he’s telling the truth.
Calla Maren (FL)
I want this city to hear his name. Theo Maren. I want them to feel like they knew him.
Evan Stirling
Then let’s make sure they do. *gently*
Evening – East Velmont City Square
Dozens of people gather under low streetlights. The square is filled with hand-painted signs and candles.
Lena reads a short poem about her brother. Maya stands beside her, holding Calla’s hand. Evan adjusts a mic as Calla steps forward.
Calla Maren (FL)
My brother was loud.
Loud about injustice. Loud about his dreams. Loud about protecting the people he loved.
Calla Maren (FL)
They silenced him.
But they will not silence us.
Calla Maren (FL)
If speaking up makes us targets—
Then we stand together.
Calla Maren (FL)
I was born quiet. But I won’t stay silent. *steady voice*
The crowd begins to applaud. Slowly at first. Then stronger. People cheer, raise candles, chant:
“Justice for Theo!”
“Say his name!”
“We won’t be silent!”
A camera drone captures it from above.
Late that night – Virell estate, underground garage
Jaxon paces, gripping a stun baton in his hand. Tayn Mercer leans against the wall, watching a projection of Calla’s speech.
Tayn Mercer (ML’s BFF)
She’s got half the city listening. If she keeps talking, people might actually start thinking she’s right.
Jaxon Virell (ML)
She’s not right. She’s dangerous. *grits his teeth in anger*
Tayn Mercer (ML’s BFF)
So what’s the plan?
Jaxon Virell (ML)
We silence her. Like we did him. *darkly*
Calla pins a new note beside Theo’s photo:
“His voice echoes in mine.”
She stands back, staring at it. Her phone buzzes. A message from an unknown number:
“You should stop while you’re ahead.”
Calla Maren (FL)
*stares at the text and deletes it*
Calla Maren (FL)
(You can threaten me. You can watch me. But you can’t bury what’s already breaking the surface.)
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