The Island – A Serialized Dystopian Story * Chapter Nine

1–2 minutes

Haven’s Reach: The Crackdown

The Council struck back swiftly. Patrols doubled. Doors were kicked open in the night. Families disappeared. Loudspeakers blared warnings: Dissent is death. The island, once noisy with trade and chatter, fell into a haunted hush.

Harper was taken in for questioning. They asked her about the singers, about the Quiet Ones, about Eli. She said nothing. For hours, they kept her in a windowless cell. When they finally released her, a slip of paper was shoved into her pocket: The tide rises at midnight. Meet us by the eastern cliffs.

At the cliffs, Harper found the Quiet Ones gathered. Torches flickered against determined faces. 

“The Council has shown us who they are.” 

One whispered. 

Now we must show them who we are.” 

It was no longer about survival—it was about reclaiming Haven’s Reach.


By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2025