My Dark World (Gabentine Fic)

Hello Darkness

Darkness.

That's my life and what I've grown into. I knew when I was little that someday I would be surrounded by it. Doctors couldn't help me and told me to get use to using a cane and dark sunglasses. I was thirteen when I had to get bifocals for my eyes because my vision was getting worse and I was pulled from school. My parents hired a teacher to come to my room for three days a week and give me lessons there. People looked at me like I was some freak of nature and kids teased me about my thick glasses.

So, I stayed in the dark in my room to prepare myself for the inevitable. It may sound foolish but, I can say that it has helped me. My cane became like another limb for me to use and my sunglasses were always apart of my outfit. My parents wanted me to get a service dog but, I couldn't bring myself to have something suffer with me.

The years passed and my vision became worse. I graduated high school and began taking college courses at home when I was around twenty. My parents treated me as if I was some sort of burden to them and my sister, Mariana, moved away to go to college up North. Her moving away was the next worst thing to happen to me because she was my only friend. She would go out with me on the town and go eat somewhere nice and didn't treat me different. I became truly alone living with my parents and decided the darkness would be my friend.

Because the darkness would never leave me alone.

I did everything in the dark. Threw darts and knives at targets in my room, trying to sharpen my aim. Began putting my other senses to the limit and becoming aware of my surroundings. My homeschool teacher helped me with my handwriting and could actually write with my eyes closed. I also learned how to read braille so, I would still be able to read when my vision vanished. I was doing great in my self training and then my vision went black. I was taking a nap in the middle of the day because I was tired from my workout and needed to replenish my energy. I woke up to darkness and assumed I had turned the light out and pulled the blinds closed but, when I flipped my light switch I knew.

23 years old and I was blind.

My parents didn't give a shit and I honestly wasn't surprised by their behavior. I called Mariana the day after and was going to tell her that it happened but, got the voice of her roommate instead.

"Oh, you didn't hear? Mariana has been missing for weeks and the police gave up with their search. I'm sorry."

That day I allowed myself to cry. Not only had I lost my vision but, I also lost my best friend/sister. My parents didn't have the audacity to tell me that she was missing and I hated them for it. I didn't eat for days and slept through my sadness. I didn't want to face the day knowing that no one cared about me anymore. I planned on killing myself January 6th and counted down the days till then. I woke up on that cold and rainy day with joy. Knowing that I didn't have to try anymore and I could let go. My knife was laying heavily in my hand as I brought it to my wrist. The cold feel of metal bit my skin and was about to slice when my phone went off.

THIS IS NOT A TEST. THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM HAS ISSUED A WARNING TO ALL TO STAY IN YOUR HOMES AND LOCK THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. A DISEASE OUTBREAK HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AND CORPSES ARE COMING OUT OF THE GROUND. PLEASE STAY INDOORS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The shock from the message left me feeling cold and I became stiff. The sound of a door opening and closing brought me back and I ran to the living room.

"Kate! David! Where did you guys go?"

Silence was my only response and I heard my phone ring and say incoming call from Kate.

"Gabe, we had to leave and get out of the city. David said to lock all the doors and windows and barricade them. We also left you a handgun and ammo. I'm sorry but, we couldn't take you with us because you would get us killed. We wish you the best and to stay alive."

Click.

My phone bounces off the floor as I drop it and I am left with one thought running through my head.

I'm staying alive. No matter what it takes, I will find them and I will kill them.