My name is Kyode, the first thing I remember was, that the moment I gained an understanding of life, I knew I was nothing special.
Others walked the world, enjoying the beauty of everything around them, some blind to the evil of the world, the unfairness and imbalance in the world.
Some knew of the imbalance of the world, despaired at the fact that they would never be anybody.
I was neither, I may be physically blind but I knew of this natural imbalance, but I would not accept it. Maybe I did not care much for riches and fame, but I desired to be somebody recognized by all.
Sure I could build my way up, and work every day of my life, but what would that get me? Nothing.
So the next logical step was to make myself special, and if I wanted to be special, first I had to at least be able to see.
I've never minded my blindness, I never knew what I was missing. But if I want to become someone, I want to see it myself.
And so here I am, hopefully, in front of a pristine white building with the huge words, "RexTech Industries" not a particularly notable or reputable company, but the only one willing to work with me.
The guide alongside me didn't bother me much, instead tapping on the cement to signal me where to go. I knew when I went in that the experiment might not work, so I paused. Not out of fear, just to admire for a second.
I knew the color of the sky was blue, and the sun yellow, but I never saw it. I could feel the heat beating down on my skin though, I knew the sun was out and the sky was clear. The wind rushed past my face gently, my bangs dancing across my forehead, I felt it all. But this was not enough for me.
And as I slowly followed the gentle clicking I felt the harsh heat fade, instead replaced with a gentle and constant breeze, followed by the constant hum of the AC.
The clicking stopped. I heard the guide click on his phone before saying, "Yes, subject Kyode Namis is here, prep the lab and get the rest of the paperwork out here." Then the call ended.
"Alright, I will run you through the remaining paperwork and we will move to the surgery room. Upon completing the surgery you will be sent $100,000. Do you have any emergency contacts…"
I spent the next hour answering all of his questions, and basic stuff, and then I had to consent to the risk of the surgery. I hesitated for a moment, not out of fear of dying, no, I wasn't scared of death.
I hesitated because if I died now, how would I be remembered, would I be remembered? Perhaps as a Subject number by this company, but outside of that I was nothing.
But my hesitation lasted only a second, to grow risk must be taken, and I needed to grow.
"Yes, I consent to all the stated risks of surgery, RexTech holds no responsibility for any possible consequences."
"Great! Follow me and we will immediately begin surgery!"
We eventually made our way to a different room, people were constantly muttering, and metal was hitting metal. Until the guide spoke up.
"Alright guys, Subject number one is here, let's get him prepped for injection number 1, James, get over and explain the process, I need to get ready."
"Yes sir," said a guy not far away, I heard his steps scramble over to me, he took a deep breath in and said, "Welcome to RexTech, you have been briefed on what this test is, a surgery to artificially perfect the human being, this would include your blindness!"
"The process will be incredibly painful and occurs in three major steps. The first step we will carve into your body until we reach the bone marrow. We will inject the product into your bonemarrow, and your body will begin to naturally produce it but will not be able to handle it. This is when we begin the second stage, we will inject the second product in, this acts as a blood thinner for the first product that will prevent the product from building up in your bloodstream and causing a blockage. The third and final product will stabilize your body. Do you understand so far?"
It sounded painful, extremely painful. "Yes, I understand." But I wouldn't back down from it, not now.
"…Alright then, we will first use a pain reliever on you, the strongest we are allowed, but that alone will not dull the pain, so be prepared. We will begin in a couple of minutes, lay down here" and with that, I heard the man, James, walk away from the table.
I laid down on a bed, I felt a need go into my right arm. Within moments I couldn't feel anything.
A few seconds later I felt a faint pressure on my arm…
One second…
Two seconds…
Three seconds…
"Ahhhhh!!!!!!" I screamed but my throat was constricting and I felt a burning sensation spreading through my body.
I felt the skin on my body peeling off, my hair ripped out of my head. I felt a warmth building below my eyes.
I could feel, bit by bit as my limbs grew longer, my bones elongating and hardening. I could feel the bones in my face reshaping. My eyes were stinging, I tried to rub them but my hands were held down.
I worked out regularly but I could feel my muscles constricting and then growing. Despite the pain, I felt something new within my eyes, despite the warm blood clouding my vision, I could see!
The ceiling was white, a bright light shining directly into my eyes! People around me stared at me, writing down notes with a blank face. I looked around the room, a window, I wanted to see the sky, but there was none. Still, the colors I saw were beautiful.
I smiled, and then my vision went dark again…
… Did the test fail? Am I blind again?