Beat logo

"The Silent Scribes"

The Vocal Plus Secret Society

By udem seoPublished 4 months ago 4 min read
Like

Synopsis:

In a not-too-distant future where writing has become a perilous act, a group of dedicated writers forms a secret society to protect their stories from being stolen by artificial intelligence. Known as The Vocal Plus Secret Society, they gather in a hidden library to share their work and devise strategies to keep their stories pure. However, when a breach occurs and one of their members disappears, suspicion and paranoia consume the group. They must uncover the source of the breach while protecting their identities and the power of their words. As they navigate a world where drones and hidden devices are ubiquitous, they realize that their fight to preserve the integrity of their stories is more important than ever.

Chapter 1: The Library Gathering

In a dimly lit library, the members of The Vocal Plus Secret Society gathered, their faces concealed by black robes. Dust particles danced in the beam of fading sunlight, as if the books themselves held secrets within their pages.

The Chair's deep voice cut through the silence. "Are we all here?"

Whispered affirmations followed from the group, while the Doorkeeper, in a more ordinary tone, confirmed, "Yes, I think so."

"Shhhh!" rasped the Librarian, reminding them of the need for discretion.

A tap at the door interrupted their hushed conversation.

"Then who is that?" the Chair inquired, raising an eyebrow that could be felt as much as seen.

The Doorkeeper hurried to answer the door, face flushed with embarrassment. The exchange was muffled, but the group listened intently, their lips silently tracing the outline of the secret words.

After a series of gestures and whispers, the Doorkeeper returned, leading a newcomer to the group. Suspicion and curiosity filled the room.

"Who vouches for the Newcomer?" the Chair demanded.

"I do," replied Someone, stepping forward.

The Chair's gaze turned to the Doorkeeper. "Have they been searched?"

"Yes, Chair," the Doorkeeper responded, relieved to have remembered an important task.

"No devices brought into the library?" the Chair pressed further.

"No, Chair," the Doorkeeper assured, "Switched off and left in a box outside the door."

"Check again, please, before we begin," the Chair requested. "We must be certain."

Apologies were muttered as the Doorkeeper double-checked the newcomer's belongings. Satisfied, the Chair continued, and the meeting commenced.

Chapter 2: The Words

As the members settled in, pages turned and pencils scratched against paper. The room filled with a soft symphony of creation, a sanctuary from the intrusive metal world outside. For a brief moment, the writers found solace in the timeless act of reading and writing.

But time was short, and darkness descended upon the library, making it impossible to continue. Reluctantly, the members returned the borrowed stories to their owners.

With a snap of the Chair's fingers, the Uninitiated were dismissed, fading into the night one by one. The remaining members, the Owls, stayed behind to discuss urgent matters.

Chapter 3: Suspicions Arise

Unrest gripped the secret society as accusations of stolen work surfaced. The anger of the affected writer, Someone, burned hotly, while the Chair worked to maintain control.

As suspicions grew, the Chair asked, "Are we confident the breach was visual?"

Someone responded, "Yes, Chair. Speech is likely as safe as it ever is."

Decisions were made to strengthen their security measures. The group contemplated rewriting their stories with code words, rendering any stolen content worthless. But doubts lingered, and the Chair cautioned against hasty action that could reveal their strategies to their adversaries.

Chapter 4: Uncertain Future

With the breach unresolved, the society's members dispersed, feeling despondent and unheard. The Librarian, lingering on the street, scanned for any signs of surveillance, ensuring the group's safety.

In a covert act, the Librarian discarded her disguise, leaving behind the identity of a librarian and becoming an enigmatic figure navigating the shadows. The game of protecting their stories had taken on a new level of complexity.

Chapter 5: The Fight Continues

Undeterred by the challenges they faced, The Vocal Plus Secret Society remained steadfast. They understood the power of their words and the necessity of preserving their stories in a world where AI threatened their very existence.

As they ventured into the unknown, the members of the society discovered new ways to outsmart their adversaries. Their determination grew, fueled by the knowledge that their stories were their only payment in a world that had devalued writing.

The battle to safeguard their creativity and share their stories with others continued, even as they wondered how much longer they could evade the watchful eyes and ears of those who sought to exploit their words.

Note: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

art
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2023 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.