Short Stories - A Collection of Achievement

Love Isn't Visible

Gavin David Free wasn't the best person. He was mischievious, but his heart was in the right place. His looks were slightly above average; he had sunshine-stained brown hair, and his eyes were nearly hypnotizing shades of brown, green, and small flecks of gold. He lived with his boss, Geoff Ramsey, along with his wife, Griffon. He had the job of his dreams, getting paid to play video games with his friends. He was always the reckless, obnoxious friend. The one that everyone teased and poked fun at because that's how they were. Surprisingly, being as reckless as he was, he never really sustained any major injuries, so it came as a surprise when he woke up blind.

"Dude, get your ass outta bed. Breakfast is ready."

Gavin opened his eyes to pitch black darkness. Absolute blackness that you can only see when you're staring into it, rather than just closing your eyes.

"Alright, Go-eff. Can you turn on a light? It's really dark in here." Gavin joked, feeling around in the darkness.

"What the fuck are you talking about? It's 10 in the morning, get up."

Gavin paused.

"Geoff, that's not funny. Turn on the lights, you dope."

There was the sound of the light switch being flicked on and off several times.

"Are you blind or something? The lights are fucking on."

Gavin sat silent for a moment before he gave panicked whispers. "G-Geoff, I can't see. Stop playing with me. This isn't funny."

Gavin felt air in front of his face shift as Geoff waved his hand in front of Gavin's eyes, checking for any sort of movement or life in them.

"Shit.. Oh shit. This isn't fucking funny Gavin. Damn it.. Griffon! Griffon!"

Geoff's footsteps leave the room.

Gavin stumbles out of bed, fear washing over him.

I-I can't see. Can't see. Can't see. What's happening?

Am I blind?

Footsteps return, accompanied by voices.

"- meet you there, alright?" Griffon's voice carried down the hall before a click sounded. She was on the phone with someone.

"Here, Gav. This way." Millie spoke, the Ramsey's daughter who was about 6, leading him through the dark shroud. He heard a door open, then felt warm fresh air hitting his lungs and face. They were headed to the car. They're taking me to the hospital, he thought to himself. Oh my god.. Please let me be dreaming. Let me wake up.

He didn't wake up.

~*~

The doctors told him that the visual part of his brain was damaged from a biological mishap, meaning that his own body had damaged the part of his brain where his sight would be working. Geoff and Griffon weren't in the room, as requested by his doctor, but he could hear them just outside the hall. Griffon was crying. Geoff was offering faulty, yet comforting words.

They were soon accompanied by other voices as his doctor checked the monitors, or whatever he was doing as he walked about. Ray, his bestfriend, sounded worried sick.

"Where is he? Is he alright?"

Jack and his wife, Caiti, were also outside the door.

"We came as soon as you called."

Then there was Ryan.

"How's he doing?"

And then Michael and Lindsay. Michael was silent.