wytchcroft (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wytchcroft) wrote2008-09-21 05:57 pm
wytchcroft) wrote2008-09-21 05:57 pm
Entry tags:
Writer's Block: Deaf Awareness
They were ghosts at the waters edge, the two children, barely disturbing the surface tension of the air.
The sun was rising and the lake was beginning to gleam red.
The mist, coming up to meet the morning, was clotted and thick - but it was burning away fast.
One child was looking at the other - and that child was looking into nothing.
"I won't stop you." Reiko's voice sounded strange - a rupture in the still of that place. The other girl stayed quiet.
Putting her weight on her heels and her hands deep into her pockets, Reiko wanted to tried again.
"I mean it," she wanted to say. "If you throw yourself in, why should I care?"
But she said nothing herself now. She waited.
Still no answer.
The croak of a frog, like a pistol shot. Reiko jumped inside her coat.
There was no reaction from the other girl.
"Saruki-chan, are you deaf?!" Reiko blurted, annoyed with the child, annoyed with herself.
Nothing.
Despite the rapidly warming air, Reiko shivered.
Deaf, that was it. Had to be. What did you do with deaf people? She tried to conjure an image in her mind, but the brief glimpses she'd had of Miss Aiko at high-school helping the odd student, well, all she saw was a flash of fingers and exaggerated expressions.
She had to do something, Saruki's family would be here soon - her father and friends at any rate, they would come crashing through the trees and into this spot.
Bending down, Reiko picked up a pebble and threw it into the water ahead of the girl.
A splash and a slow ripple. Saruki turned with equal slowness. Under her wild tangle of hair, her eyes were wide and dark, they were eyes that had shed all the tears they were going to - and were blank and silent now.
"No." Reiko made her mouth big and tried to make her voice clear. Saruki tilted her head slightly, a shrug.
She's going to turn away again, thought Reiko.
And now she COULD hear the far off weighty noises of the approaching men. Why had she come here? Why was she interfering - it was Saruki's problem, her family could deal with it.
Except they couldn't - or Saruki wouldn't be here.
Saruki.
Reiko had never once spoken to the girl, even though she lived almost opposite. But she didn't like the girl, too quiet -- when SHE was meant to be the quiet one. And that house, Saruki's father yelling all the time. All the time.
Of course that made sense now.
She moved a step closer. Saruki just looked at her.
That face.
That was what Reiko had seen, caught by the street lamp. Reiko had been watching for her favourite cat, Fantomas. Fat Fantomas would often be seen at sunrise - slowly coming down the road, very dignified, like the fat cat in Whisper of the Heart.
But not this morning. This morning she had just seen Saruki and known, known for sure, that the girl was going off to - not come back.
Reiko moved another step.
There were voices now, beginning to come through the fog.
"Saruki! Saruki!" And various curses. Reiko didn't like men who cursed.
Saruki blinked and her fingers flickered into life. "Wakarimasen," said Reiko. I do not understand.
There was something in Saruki's face, she must have seen so many lips make that shape, thought Reiko.
She pointed to herself, "Reiko" she said, as distinctly as possible.
The girl held her fingers to her chest and made a linked sign. "Saruki," she said - her voice wobbling.
Reiko showed both her hands, palms upright. "Help," she said.
Saruki sighed - but gave a sign. "Help."
Reiko returned the sign and pointed to herself and then Saruki.
"Help - each other." she said.
Saruki seemed to consider this.
But it was too late - the men was so close now, Reiko could make out the individual snapping and splashing sounds as the heavy booted men blundered through the woods toward them.
She locked her eyes with Saruki then, firmly, before raising her hands once more. She would have to be quick.
She made a running motion with two fingers across her one hand, then gestured behind her as she screwed her face up in a coarse expression.
The men are coming.
Saruki nodded starting to repeat the gesture - but her two fingers rose up from her hand and she made an undulating movement that Reiko could read instantly.
There was a tiny smile now at the corner of Saruki's mouth. She's making her signs up too! thought Reiko.
And it was the same feeling as throwing her heavy school satchel down from off her back.
Seconds later, Taro, Ogata, Honshi and the rest burst through into the Lake-side clearing, yelling as they did so.
"Saruki! Reiko - come here! Come back!"
But seconds later was still too late. With whoops of joy, the two girls threw themselves into the water.
And started to swim.
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thanks:)
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it was a one-shot... but i've been thinking of expanding it (and away from the source of inspiration)... so that's an encouraging comment.
i really appreciate that you took to time to read and reply -
and now, since my head is still ringing with the sounds of work*, i must away!:)
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for this very interesting and touching story!
Maybe it could be interesting for you to read about my own experience and thoughts about communication with kids who are both blind and deaf.
And one more: Recently I published a funny nice video Show-Theater "Cinematograph"!. That is a theater of deaf actors and Alexey Znamenskiy is singing there by signs very well.
Thank you again!
How you can see this theme is somehow close to me ;).
Sveta
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and one day I'll publish a full-length Russian movie "Land of the Deaf" - then I'll invite you to watch it! ;)
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