The Silent Patient

by Alex Michaelides

Alicia shook her head—no. A brief movement, but definite. Finally—a response.

Alicia’s first reaction

Another shake of the head. Her eyes burned through me. She’s getting angry, I thought.

Emotion

Alicia smiled.

WOWWW!! A SMILE!!!

I was disappointed.

interesting…

A man and a woman escaping the fire. The woman was unmistakably Alicia, her red hair the same color as the flames. I recognized the man as myself. I was carrying Alicia in my arms, holding her aloft while the fire licked at my ankles.

i’m seeing what’s happening..

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right.

….okay

Alicia’s lips moved slowly, painfully; her voice cracked a little as it emerged, like a creaking gate that needed oiling. “What…” she whispered. Then she stopped. And again: “What … what—”

WHATTT

I didn’t. Not a word of it.

what??