“I Was Born Quiet, But I Won’T Stay Silent”
Episode 4
Early morning – Outside the Maren home
Camera pans across their quiet street. A neighborhood still in mourning. Lit candles flicker by Theo’s mural — someone has spray-painted a new line across the wall:
“He spoke. Now we listen.”
Inside the house, Isabel flips through mail — most of it useless. One envelope is unmarked. She opens it slowly.
Inside: a single slip of paper.
“Tell your daughter to shut her mouth. Or someone else gets buried.”
She grips the paper. Hands shaking.
Calla reviews responses on her post. Thousands of shares. A few journalists have reached out. One message stands out from a name she doesn’t know.
“I believe you. Let me help you tell the whole story.”
— Amari Zane, Independent Journalist.
Maya Maren
*knocks on the door gently*
Maya Maren
There’s someone downstairs to see you.
Lena Maren
You’re not going to believe it.
Downstairs – Maren living room
Celene Virell sits on the couch.
The room is tense. Elias, Isabel, and Calla stand near the doorway, watching her like a wild animal.
Calla Maren (FL)
Why are you here? *in a cold voice*
Celene Virell
To ask you not to go to the press.
Isabel Maren
Your son killed mine! *shaking in anger*
Celene Virell
And nothing I say can bring him back. I know that.
Calla Maren (FL)
Then what do you want?
Celene Virell
You want justice. I want to protect what’s left of my family.
So I’m here to offer something very few people get from my world: the truth.
Calla Maren (FL)
You think I want an apology? *sharply*
Celene Virell
No. I think you want a weapon. And I’m handing you one. *hands Calla a flash drive, then stands and leaves without another word.*
Calla inserts the flash drive into her computer. A video loads: security footage. A different angle of the night Theo was killed.
It clearly shows Jaxon Virell stepping out of the car, stun baton in hand.
There’s no audio. But it’s enough.
She covers her mouth. Tears. Fury. Vindication.
Calla Maren (FL)
*calls Evan*
Calla Maren (FL)
I have the footage. *on call*
Evan Stirling
Are you serious? *on call*
Calla Maren (FL)
Dead serious. *on call*
Same time – Virell estate, Magnus’s office
Jaxon storms in, furious.
Jaxon Virell (ML)
She’s still talking. Now even Mom is in on it?
Magnus Virell
Your mother’s weakness is guilt. Don’t let it infect you. *speaks in a calm tone*
Jaxon Virell (ML)
She gave them something. I know it.
Magnus Virell
Then we take something back.
If Calla won’t stop, we’ll make her regret ever opening her mouth.
Late afternoon – Underground café in East Velmont
Calla and Evan meet Amari Zane, a no-nonsense freelance journalist in her late 30s with a voice like thunder and a stare that cuts through lies.
Amari Zane / Journalist
I’ve covered power plays in twelve cities. This? This is personal. This is warfare.
Calla Maren (FL)
They think they can outspend the truth. But I have the truth right here.
Calla Maren (FL)
*hands her the flash drive*
Amari Zane / Journalist
I’ll broadcast this from the rooftops if I have to.
Evan Stirling
They’ll come after you.
Amari Zane / Journalist
Then let them. *grins*
Evening – Virell Tower, Security Surveillance Room
Tayn Mercer and Jaxon watch a clip of Amari’s face broadcasted on a news teaser:
“Tonight at 9: Uncovering the Shadow Behind the Virell Name.”
Tayn Mercer (ML’s BFF)
She’s going to air it.
Jaxon Virell (ML)
Not if we stop her first.
Tayn Mercer (ML’s BFF)
What are you thinking?
Jaxon Virell (ML)
Let’s remind everyone that silence is safer. *smirks*
Security cameras glitch. The power flickers. Amari’s assistant screams.
They find her car windshield smashed, the building graffitied:
“KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.”
“VIRELL BLOOD DOESN’T BLEED.”
Amari Zane / Journalist
*takes photos, laughs once — dry and bitter*
Amari Zane / Journalist
Congratulations, boys. Now I have to go public.
Meanwhile – The Maren kitchen
Isabel and Elias sit with Calla and the girls. The weight of the flash drive’s contents still lingers.
Elias Maren
What you’re doing is dangerous. But it’s right.
Isabel Maren
Theo would be proud of you. *softly*
Maya Maren
He is. Wherever he is.
Lena Maren
And when that footage goes live?…
Lena Maren
The Virells are going to burn…
Late night – News broadcast teaser
TV screens across Velmont flash with the words:
TONIGHT: The Death They Buried — The Truth They Can’t Silence.
Featuring: Calla Maren.
People across the city — from the slums of East Velmont to the penthouses of the elite — pause. Some lean forward. Others tense up.
Calla Maren (FL)
(The city will finally hear me.)
Jaxon’s car, parked in the shadows
Jaxon Virell (ML)
*watches the news screen through the windshield and his face was unreadable*
Jaxon Virell (ML)
*in his lap was a gun*
Jaxon Virell (ML)
If she takes me down… I’ll take her with me. *quietly yet coldly*
Author
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Author
Have an amazing rest of your day! 💖✨
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