The Weight of Silence

Chapter 2: The Weight of Silence

The metallic chime of a bell echoed through the orphanage halls. Shin opened his eyes abruptly, a thin layer of sweat glistening on his forehead. That nightmare again. That voice.

He lay still for a moment, staring at the dark ceiling. Around him, the other boys stirred awake, their footsteps and murmurs filling the room.

— "Shin, you're up?" a familiar voice called.

Shin turned his head slightly to see Raiden already standing, arms crossed.

— "Yeah," he muttered, sitting up slowly.

Raiden narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Shin with a mix of concern and curiosity.

— "You were mumbling in your sleep again," Raiden said as he stepped closer. "Weird stuff."

Shin ran a hand over his face, trying to hide his irritation.

— "It's nothing. Just a bad dream."

Raiden sat on the neighboring bed, his expression serious.

— "Look, I get that you want to act tough and all, but… everyone knows you're different."

Shin frowned.

— "What's that supposed to mean?"

Raiden raised an eyebrow.

— "Seriously? The System, Shin. Everyone gets notifications, directives, quests. Everyone… except you."

A heavy silence settled between them. Shin turned his gaze away, but Raiden didn't back down.

— "What if it's dangerous?" Raiden pressed. "What if… it's not normal?"

— "It doesn't matter," Shin replied sharply.

— "Doesn't matter?!" Raiden stood abruptly. "Shin, we live in a world where the System governs everything. It gives you quests, rewards, helps you survive! But you… you've got nothing. How does that not bother you?"

Shin clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the floor.

— "It's not your problem, Raiden."

Raiden sighed, running a hand through his hair.

— "You know I'm here for you, right? No matter what this is, we'll figure it out."

Before Shin could respond, a soft yet firm voice echoed from the doorway.

— "You two are going to be late for breakfast if you keep this up."

Hiwari, a girl their age, stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. Her long black hair framed a serious face, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

— "Hiwari, always the big sister," Raiden joked with a forced smile.

She ignored him, focusing on Shin.

— "Another nightmare, huh?"

Shin stood up, avoiding her gaze.

— "It's nothing," he said as he left the room.

Hiwari shot Raiden an accusatory look.

— "You could try not to push him so hard."

— "I'm trying my best," Raiden replied with a shrug. "But he's not exactly making it easy."

In the dining hall, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. The orphans ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Shin sat at a table near the window, with Hiwari and Raiden quickly joining him.

— "You should eat something," Hiwari said, handing him a bowl of porridge.

— "Not hungry."

Raiden leaned on the table, staring intently at Shin.

— "You know what? I've been thinking. Maybe the fact that you don't have a System isn't just some glitch or anomaly. Maybe it means something."

Shin gave him a cold glare.

— "Drop it."

— "No, I can't," Raiden insisted. "Maybe it makes you special. Maybe there's a reason."

Hiwari interjected, her voice calm but firm:

— "Raiden, stop. Can't you see he doesn't want to talk about it?"

— "Exactly! That's what bothers me," Raiden shot back.

Shin stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

— "Stop worrying about me," he said before leaving the dining hall.

Hiwari sighed, clasping her hands on the table.

— "He's more lost than he's willing to admit," she murmured.

Raiden nodded, his expression dark.

— "And that's what worries me the most."

Shin climbed to the roof, seeking refuge from the stares and questions. The cold wind hit his face, but he welcomed its sharp bite.

He stared at the horizon, his heart heavy. Why did everything feel so complicated? Why him?

Raiden's words echoed in his mind: "Maybe it makes you special."

Shin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Special, huh?" he thought. "If that's true, why does it feel like I'm just… a mistake?"