The news reported the killings and structural damage as a natural disaster, a freak storm that had not only damaged the building, but also taken three people's lives.
Still, I knew better. It was no storm that killed my friends. Jason's head had looked—
No, I can't think of that. I want to unsee that terrible sight next to Ryan's severed tongue.
The bathroom felt as if the walls were closing in, as if it would become a box of darkness that would squeeze me until I popped. I had to leave, to get into the open.
Quickly, I pivoted and threw the door wide, then fled the room to run down the hallway to the elevator. Several nurses watched as I frantically sprinted along the corridor, but I didn't care.
Need to get out, need to breathe.
The elevators, with their silver metal doors, loomed in front of me. I slowed to a walk, then rested my cheek on their cool surface, reaching out a hand to mash the button repeatedly until the doors opened.
Once inside, I examined the multitude of buttons. Normally, I would've felt for the braille writing to tell me which was the first floor. It was strange to use my new vision and not touch toseethings again.
After pushing the one labeled with aG, I leaned my spine against the wall and closed my eyes.
The smooth motion of the machinery powering the elevator hummed under my feet, soothing the panic inside.
This world, of darkness filled with smells and feelings, had been my home for over ten years. How would I ever adjust? What I'd always wanted—my sight, a family, independence—had sounded better in my dreams.
No, I can't think like this. Maybe…maybe God has a plan for me.Ihadbeen praying to the wrong person all along.
I needed to truly open my eyes and see what had been right in front of me: Lucian was the devil, and he didn't give gifts without some sort of price.
I called for him, torn between wanting his comfort and needing to know he hadn't been responsible for all that death and destruction.
The hallway smelled like him, though. Even under the blood, his distinct scent had lingered.Unless I'd only imagined it.
He didn't answer.
I have to focus on the here and now, take one thing at a time.
Like most of the other orphans, neither boy had close relatives, which meant someone needed to arrange Jason's funeral.
A heavy weight fell on my shoulders, invisible yet crushing my soul with its intensity.
Since I'd graduated High School, the trust that had helped pay for what I needed at the orphanage had started depositing into my bank account monthly, under my full control. The money wasn't a lot, but it helped pay rent and other essential needs.
And it'll help cover the costs of a moderate funeral for Jason.
The elevator doors opened with ading, the sound and sudden lack of movement dropping me back to reality.
I sprinted through the opening doors and didn't stop until I raced through the foyer and found myself outside, under a gray, cloudy sky.
Being blind for over ten years meant I didn't have a license. I could've called an Uber or waited for the city bus, but I opted for walking. I needed the time to think and process the past two days’ events.
What should've been the happiest day of my life—getting my vision restored—now felt like a curse.
Tears poured from my eyes. Such sorrow filled my heart. How easily and cruelly life had become for Ryan.
And Jason…gone forever…
"Where are you, Lucian?" I ground my teeth together. A simmering anger stirred in my heart. "Iknowyou and your angels had something to do with what happened." I skirted around a fire hydrant, its red paint peeling as it stood guard on the corner of a sidewalk. "Show yourself."
To my right, a woman sat on a bench, holding an IV pole in one hand and cigarette in the other. She raised her eyebrows as I passed.
I didn't care if it looked like I was talking to myself. I wanted—no,needed—Lucian to pop in like he always did, and explain he had nothing to do with the death and dismemberments, that it was just a freak of nature.
