The Light Above

by anglerpuff43

A few years ago, I had an English assignment to write either a prequel or sequel to a book I read during that quarter. I made a prequel about when Ty is undergoing tests Topside. Note: I was in 8th Grade and had lost the book at one point, so I am aware of the many inconsistencies! Thank you. Rated for some graphic imagery.

1. Chapter 1

I tried to open my eyes, but when I did, a brilliant white light fried my retina. What the heck? I thought. I started to make my biosonar clicks so I could see the room around me without my eyes. But, just as I was putting my tongue into the position, a door banged open to my right. I made like I was still out as the footsteps moved across the room.

"Well, what are your thoughts, Doctor?" the man said.

"Akai is free to go. My research is complete, and that article will be published any time now." The voice that replied was one I would have recognized even if I were still sedated. My heart sped up with agitation.

"Go check on Akai, Roger. I'm positive that he should be awake by now." The footsteps reentered the room.

"Akai?" he said. "Time to get up, Akai." Dang it! I had forgotten that the computer had been monitoring my vitals for at least a week now. I tried to force my eyes open again, but they snapped shut. "What is wrong?" the man named Roger asked me.

"The light," I replied. "It's too bright."

Roger dimmed the light. "Better?" he asked. I tried to sit up in reply, but I was too weak. The man helped me. When I was sitting up, I got a better look at his face. He was of average height, a little taller than me. He had dark, curly brown hair and a small mustache-beard-combo. He was wearing a dark blue baseball cap that was in striking contrast with his pale, bright blue eyes.

"I'll bet you want to move around." I nodded. "Let me get you a wheel chair," and with that, he walked out of the room.

I flopped back down on the bed. Wow, I thought. This has been a long two weeks. The doctor had been asking questions, researching parts of me that I would never have known about, and poking around my insides with a tube with a camera on the end.

The door opened, and I looked over to my right again. It was Roger. Not only did he have the wheelchair, but he had brought me a small plate of food.

"Hey there, Akai," he beamed.

"Akai," I said, flustered. "Akai. Why do you keep calling me that?"

Roger looked surprised. "Isn't that your name?" he wondered.

I looked up at him, shocked. "What? You think that any parent would name their kid 'sea born'? Only Topside do they give their kids names like that!"

There was a momentary pause. "Well," he said carefully, "what is your name, then?"

"Ty," I answered. Then, after a second or two, I said, "Ty, the kid that is fascinated by Coldsleep Canyon."