Out of the Darkness - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 3

"It's just me, Kathryn, and I managed to track someone down to help us both out." The Dean said and the girl turned her head slightly, but it was obvious that she couldn't see either of them at all. Her hands were a little shaky as she gripped onto her white cane. She held one of her hands out after a moment, showing how much her hand was shaking.

"Hi." She greeted and Marlann stepped forward, taking her hand slowly so it wouldn't make her jump - she didn't know how much she could see.

"Hi, my name's Marlann. I'm doing Performing Arts, but I'll be in your music classes sometimes." Marlann introduced herself, slowly letting go of her hand as she sat in the chair beside hers, the Dean walking around to his own leather seat.

"Kath." The new girl introduced herself. "And as you can tell, my vision is absolutely perfect." She said playfully and Marlann couldn't help but let out a small laugh and she had a smile on her face too. "You moved," Kath said simply.

"Huh?" Marlann questioned.

"You were behind me a little bit and stood up, now you're on my level and beside me," Kath said and Marlann's eyes widened.

"How can you tell that?"

"Where your voice is coming from," Kath said, and Marlann couldn't help but be impressed. She'd never met anybody with a physical disability before, but the fact that she was at least partially blind and was currently in her final year of a Music degree showed her strength and determination. It meant she could play at least two instruments.

"Now, Kathryn, I know Marlann won't be in all of your classes but I'm allowing her to leave her other classes early for as long as it takes to get you to and from classes and then out to the parking lot where your Dad will pick you up." The Dean said and Kath nodded her head. "I'm giving Marlann a copy of your class schedule right now." He added, handing over a piece of paper to Marlann, who took it and glanced over it.

"I know where most of these places are," Marlann said and Kath let out a breathless laugh.

"Most?" She repeated.

"I don't do Music exclusively! How am I to know where the Music Production classes are held?" Marlann defended herself playfully.

"You stand more of a chance of finding it than I do," Kath said simply, but there was a playful smile on her face and Marlann laughed softly.

"We'll go on an adventure to find it." She said simply.

"Sounds good to me." Kath agreed and the Dean smiled at the two of them - he knew he'd made the right choice in picking Marlann to be Kath's guide until she got used to her new environment and could find her way around on her own. He easily could have asked a designated member of staff to be the one to guide her, but he thought it would be more comfortable for Kath to have someone her own age.

"Well, I won't keep you any longer! You both have the same class right now; your teacher is aware that you'll be late." The Dean motioned with his hand for them to leave and Marlann stood up from her seat, watching as Kath used the arms of the chair to help her stand.

"Here, give me your arm," Marlann said softly, reaching for one of Kath's wrists and she hooked it through her arm so that Kath could hold onto her and she held her white cane out in front of her on the ground with her free hand. "You good to go?" Marlann asked and Kath nodded her head, but Marlann could still feel how shaky she was. No matter how much she joked, she was terrified of being in a new place where she didn't know anybody or know her way around. The University was a huge place with multiple buildings, it was overwhelming, but Kath was determined to get her degree. "Okay, lets' head off to class!" Marlann encouraged, the two girls to say a quick goodbye to the Dean before they walked out of the office.

"Where are we going now?" Kath asked, moving the white stick a little bit from side to side to see if she would bump into anything.

"Just to the elevator, then we'll be going to class," Marlann said and Kath's jaw dropped.

"There's an elevator in here?! I walked up a million stairs to get here!" She exclaimed and Marlann tensed up, her eyes widening.

"I-I'm sorry...?" Marlann panicked, but she grew confused when Kath just burst out laughing.

"I'm totally fucking with you, I knew there was an elevator," Kath said and Marlann groaned.

"You're mean!" Marlann accused, which just made Kath laugh harder.

"Humor is the only way I can cope with this shit," Kath said simply. "The elevator is just to the left here, isn't it?" Kath asked and Marlann stopped walking, pushing the button for the elevator they were stood directly in front of.

"You can remember that already?" Marlann asked, impressed.

"I have to rely on my memory a lot... people aren't always trustworthy." Kath breathed, all traces of humor gone.

"Well, you can trust people here - everybody here is super nice," Marlann said, and Kath hesitated before nodding her head. She'd been let down before.