Once upon a time, there was a big family. In the family, there was a father and his children. The sons were named Nolan, Dima, Kirill, Egor, Alex, and Kirion. The daughters were Anya, Lucy, Mila, and Milana.
Their mother had died, and the father raised them alone. He couldn't find another wife — he simply couldn't love anyone else. He loved all his children… except one — Kirion.
Kirion, however, loved his family very much. He wanted the very best for them and did everything he could to make them feel comfortable.
The father looked at Kirion for a long time, as if making a decision.
— You want everyone to be happy, don't you? — he asked softly.
Kirion nodded. Of course he did. That was why he tried so hard — he spoke more quietly, laughed less, avoided approaching them unless necessary.
The father smiled and took out a needle.
— Then you'll have to be a little quieter.
At first, Kirion didn't understand.
Then he did.
— I… won't be able to speak anymore?
— But no one will get angry, — the father replied calmly. — And we'll be a happy family.
Tears came on their own. He didn't want to cry — what if that was annoying too?
— If that's better… — he whispered.
He stepped forward on his own.
The thread pulled his lips together, and with each stitch, the room grew quieter.
The father worked carefully, almost gently.
— There we go. Now you're a good boy.
Kirion nodded.
The next morning, when his brothers and sisters saw him, they were frightened at first.
Some of them started to cry.
Kirion quickly hugged them and wrote on a piece of paper:
"Don't cry. It's better this way for you."
He smiled.
He always smiled.
Even when he was alone, quietly crying in the bathroom, he would return with that same smile.
A few days passed.
The house became… calm.
Too calm.
No one got irritated anymore.
No one raised their voice.
Everyone spoke more quietly. Even their laughter sounded careful.
Kirion no longer bothered anyone.
He moved silently, almost without a sound. The smile on his face never disappeared — that same stitched one.
Sometimes he wanted to say something.
Really wanted to.
But he couldn't.
So he just watched.
For a long time. Carefully.
At first, his brothers and sisters were relieved — it was easier.
But then they started avoiding his gaze.
Too quiet.
Too perfect.
Too… wrong.
One night, Anya whispered softly:
— Dad… can he be changed back?
The father didn't even turn around.
— No.
— But he… he understands everything now…
— Exactly, — the father replied calmly. — Now he is perfect.
In the darkness, only breathing could be heard.
Kirion stood in the doorway.
He heard everything.
He was smiling.
And for the first time…
the house became truly terrifying.