Aleksandra Norin
"I'll be fine, па́па, don't worry." Aleks said, hugging her father tightly. Then her mother touched her hand, and she turned to hug her as well. Everyone was slowly becoming adjusted to her blindness, making it almost...normal. After the embraces were over, she took a half step back, tugging on a strand of her long hair anxiously. This was the first time they were leaving her alone since she'd lost her sight. It was partially her idea. She'd told them they needed to go out for a date and stop worrying over her so much. Reluctantly they'd agreed, which freed Aleks to meet with the two men who'd appeared at her doorstep before. Her parents had outright refused everything they suggested, but Aleks was curious. Other people with powers? She'd lost her vision for her powers, what had these people lost? She hated what she was going to do to her foster parents, she loved them and didn't want to hurt them, but she had to know why this was happening to her.
After a few more goodbyes, in which Aleks had to struggle against the tears forming in her eyes that these were real goodbyes, not the 'see you in a few hours' type, her parents left, and silence fell over the house. It was time to get to work. Aleks grabbed the little recording device that sat on the counter next to the pantry that she and her parents used to leave notes to each other, since she couldn't read or write. She left a short, slightly tearful message on it, one with profuse apologies dotted throughout. She told them that she loved them, but she needed to learn more about what had caused her to go blind, find a purpose in life.
Then she hurried upstairs, one arm outstretched just in case she misjudged how far away everything was from her, and dressed herself. She pulled on warm socks and her favorite pair of boots, a heavy jacket, and a knit cap, and stuffed her gloves in pocket. It took entirely too long for her to get everything ready, it involved a lot of feeling around for the right thing, which she hated, but it had to be done. This was her life and she had to deal with it.
She clomped back down the stairs, gripping the railing and counting each step so she wouldn't fall, when the realization hit her. She'd so eagerly agreed to the clandestine meeting that she'd forgotten that she had no way of getting there without someone's help. She chewed on her lips, anxiety and loathing filling her belly. Why did things have to be this way? Why blindness? She'd rather lose an arm than have to deal with how frustrating her disability was. She felt her way to the couch, a house key still between her slender fingers, and flopped down, new tears biting at her eyes. But she wouldn't let them fall. She had to be strong. She had to think of something.
But what? She couldn't call the men and ask for help, she didn't have their numbers. Maybe when she didn't show up they'd come back another time. She didn't know how well she'd be able to convince her parents to go out again, but she could always use her power to sneak out if she really had to. She hoped dearly that they wouldn't think she didn't show up because she wasn't interested and wanted no part in whatever it was they planned to do.
All these thoughts were racing through her head when she heard the doorbell ring. Her stomach jumped into her mouth with fright. The sound had startled her from her thoughts. She never answered the door, her parents told her not to. It made sense. She couldn't possibly see who was at the door, so why even open it? But then she heard a voice, identifying itself and calling her name. Her fear was replaced by joy. They'd come to get her. All her worries dissipated as she hurried to the door, using the key in her hand to open it.
"простите, простите," She spouted as she opened the door, her face flushing red, "Er, I'm sorry. I forgot that..." She waved her hand halfheartedly in front of her face to finish the sentence for her. She was turning her head back and forth, trying to pinpoint the location of the person, or people she was talking to. She didn't know if both of them or just Ezra had come, but she felt too shy to ask outright. "I'm sorry for being a bother," She said, worrying her hands as she stood uncomfortably in the door frame. When she was flustered she had difficulties keeping track of which words were English and which ones were Russian, and it was very apparent by the way she stumbled through her sentences. "спасибо for coming to...um..I mean thank for coming here...I really, er--" After a few more stutters she just snapped her mouth shut, her face flushed and her fingers twirling a strand of loose hair uncomfortably. "Thank you." She finally said, forcing herself to calm down. If she didn't stop freaking out, she'd just go invisible, which would be even more embarrassing.
Cautiously, and to prevent further embarrassment, she stepped out onto the porch and locked the door behind her, tucking the key into a potted plant on the doorstep along with the spare one that was always there. Then she turned around again, slightly disoriented as to Ezra's location. Without thinking she reached out to find him, her hand landing on his upper arm. "Can we go, now?" She asked, letting her previous excitement fill her again. Now it was time for answers.