Going In Blind (Edited)

Chapter One

A loud explosion shakes the building, objects flying, fire burning brightly. Suddenly, everything goes black as pain comes from my eyes. I can feel liquid flowing down my face, and my ears won't stop ringing. People shouting, loud sirens, too much is happening for me to handle... I feel faint, my head hurts... I need a nap...

With a jerk, I try to roll out of bed, only to remember where I am. It's not everyday you wake up in a cryo-capsule. In fact, only a select few were given the chance. My hands roam the sides of the capsule, feeling every imperfection. I feel like I'm covered in cement, my entire body is sluggish and stiff.

A slight whirring sound alerts me to the capsule sliding out. Hands find their way to me, unstrapping my body from the table. Instantly, I start to float. The lack of gravity makes you feel weightless, and yet heavy all the same. The man next to me grabs my hands, and leads me to a bar I can grab onto while I wait for assistance.

So badly I wish I could see what was going on around me, to see the stars that are just within reach. But ever since the accident in the lab left me blind, I could wish as much as I want, and never be granted the gift of sight. Even with the incredible technology we have, you can't do much with shredded eyes.

"People, you have been in cryo for five years, nine months and twenty two days. You will be hungry, you will be weak. If you feel nausea, please use the sacks provided for your convenience. The staff thanks you in advance."

When I was a child, I dreamed of going to a different world, the world of Pandora. I had heard the stories, read the books. By the time I was twelve I could tell you every plant on Pandora. So when the time for University came along, it was an easy guess as to what I wanted to be. I worked hard, showing what I had already had a tight grasp on, theorizing on the best way to regrow the trees that they tore down. It wasn't much of a surprise when I was told that Grace Augustine herself hand-picked me to enter the program.

With the loss of my sight, I had thought my chances had been destroyed, but apparently, Grace still wanted me around.

"Let me help you to the shuttle." A man states, placing his hand gently on my arm to help guide me.

"Thank you sir, for taking time out of your schedule to help me."

"It's a pleasure to help the top of the class." His voice sounds familiar, so I move a hand to his face, trying to figure out how I know him.

"Norm! Oh my! I hadn't realized you were here! I thought you would come later on!" I exclaim, my heart soaring at finally knowing someone here.

"Well, I couldn't let my recently blind study buddy come to a different world without her guide now could I?" He joked, his voice light and airy. He moves my hands to a pole, and suddenly the gravity turns on, my feet landing with a solid thud onto the floor.

Norm leads me to a seat, and helps me buckle in, and instantly I can feel eyes on me, letting me know that the soldiers think I shouldn't be here.

"Ladies, It's impolite to stare. I would appreciate it if you could all turn away from my slashed eyes, and instead focus on buckling yourselves before we take off. It's going to be a bumpy ride."

Norm laughs, and starts up a conversation with the man beside him as I zone out, mentally preparing myself for the upcoming days.

I must have been zoned out for a while, because I came to when we landed and a man started to yell at everyone.

"Remember people, you lose your mask you're unconscious in 20 seconds and you're dead in four minutes. Let's nobody be dead today, it looks bad on my report." A man shouts, possibly the crew chief. "Exopack on, let's go!"