“This is Dr. Sanja Mehta, neuro-ophthalmology,” she said.
“Good to meet you,” a male voice responded, easy and sure.
“Dr. Lucia Bennett, retinal imaging and ocular trauma.”
“Good evening.”
“Dr. Jonah Pierce, low-vision rehabilitation.”
“A pleasure.” His tone was so deep it was startling.
“And Dr. Keira Womack will be teaching you Braille. She has a PhD in special education with a specialization in visual impairments.”
“I look forward to working with you, Gage,” she said cheerfully. “Call me Keira.”
Five specialists, all for him. It was almost too much attention. But it also made him grateful to Jo, who seemed genuinely concerned for his well-being, just as she said.
“How long does it take to learn Braille?” he asked, already overwhelmed.
He’d failed miserably at the two languages he’d tried to learn in high school, German and Spanish, which were supposed to be two of the easiest. He wasn’t in the mindset of failing the one that could improve his life.
“Most adults take about six months to a year to become fluent,” Keira said. “Writing it usually comes a little later.”
Gage’s shoulders dipped—a year.
“But,” she continued. “That’s for the average learner. Your tactile sensitivity is exceptional and well above baseline. And your memory retention is—no exaggeration—off the charts. With the strategies I use and the way your brain is already overcompensating, I expect you’ll be reading independently in eight to ten weeks.”
Gage blinked. “That fast?”
“That fast,” she confirmed. He could hear the smile in her voice. “Fluency will improve over time, but you won’t be helpless or dependent. You’ll read labels, messages, and notes. You’ll move through the world without waiting on someone else to describe it for you.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay,” he said. “I can do eight weeks.”
Dr. Rockwell took back over, “We’ll run a few basic assessments. Nothing invasive. No needles. No sedation. We’re not here to take anything from you.”
Gage flinched anyway, out of reflex.
“Nah, he don’t need no tests,” Roz butted in.
“Mateo,” Dr. Rockwell said, steel tinging her gentle tone, “Gage needs to reclaim his life, and knowledge of his abilities is a part of that.”
Gage could feel his friend vibrating with the urge to argue.
Dr. Rockwell softened. “Gage. Face me, please.”
He turned toward her voice.
“I know you don’t trust us,” she said quietly. “But I want you to hear and believe this. Nobody in this facility…in this entire program, is allowed to experiment. Not on you….not on anyone. We treat, we rehabilitate, we train. That’s it. If one of the Raven’s ask for more enhancement, only then, do we provide it.”
Gage could hear Dr. Rockwell gritting her teeth.
“And stoking fear in him, Mateo, is not helpful.”
Roz still didn’t let him go.
“Valor came to see me last night,” she added. “He told me, very politely, that if anyone under my direction ever violated your consent, he would make me disappear so thoroughly that my name would become a rumor.”
Gage let out a small, disbelieving huff.
