Chapter 2

The dimly lit surroundings made Grace feel a little uneasy as she sat on her desk in quiet solitude documenting a plant. The restless events of the day were starting to have its toll on her as she set the plant down once again to rub her aching temples.

It was late, everyone in the lab had left but her. She preferred to work alone, get some down time while cataloging plant samples, perhaps get a head start on writing her book. Multi-tasking comes natural to her, she can't stand not having anything to keep her busy. Productive usage of her time is a must for her.

However, she found herself not being productive at all these past few weeks, maybe months. She can't get rid of these suppressed memories that are bubbling up the surface lately. It was strange, she was suddenly getting flashbacks, sudden recollections here and there. She thought she had learned how to forget, how to just move on with life. Now, it seems like life had punched her in the gut and rear-ended a truck on her.

'Damn! What the hell is wrong with me?'

Pandora was supposed to be her escape, her dream. Things were looking up at first on this lush planet. It was like a breath of fresh air, she literally heard angels sing when she stepped out into Pandoran ground her first day. Her avatar was like nothing she could ever dream of! She felt unstoppable in it, ready to take on anything this alien world could throw at her. Oh, and the foliage! It was like a huge garden of Eden! Beautiful, thriving plants as far as the eye can see! Grace had thought she would just swoon right there.

Once she had settled, everyone knew she was in charge, and she liked the power. Head of the AVATAR program, hells yeah! People part like the red sea when she walks by and she thrives in this intimidation. Pandora was her oyster, she was on top of the world.

Then, things went to the crapper. Everything went down, down, down in the blink of an eye. There was a whole bunch of shit going on. The demands for unobtanium were putting everyone on edge. She could sense that things were going to screw up, and she tried to keep her sanity every single day. She refused to show any signs of weakness, she would take this head on.

Ever since things went downhill she felt like she had already crashed and burned. She would get unexpected flashbacks from time to time. It was nothing explicit, just vague memories. But then, it would get clearer and clearer each passing day, like gray clouds departing in the sky after a storm, revealing a picturesque blue. She had never felt so confused.

She let out a colorful mix of profanities as she accidentally bumped her hip into a desk. She attempted to brush off the throbbing at her waist as she walked over to the coffeemaker.

A young red-headed girl rushed into the entrance of the house, slinging her backpack off her shoulders. She let out a sigh and rubbed an itch on her nose as she walked into the living area.

"Dad! I'm home" She kicked off her shoes ready to fall onto the couch when she stopped herself, noticing the melancholy mood in the room.

"Wha- what's going on?"

Daniel Augustine looked up at his 9-year-old with tired, bleary eyes, "Sweetie sit down," he scooted over patting the space next to him.

Grace sat down hesitantly, her eyes looking at her brothers' faces for answers. Gabriel's usual boyish smile was now a quivering frown. Luther's confident stance now a slumped form, his head looking down at the floor with odd concentration. Grace finally took a once-over of her dad; a strong, determined, admirable man now a picture of a broken heart.

She gulped hard as she found the beige walls a sudden fascination.

'Dad had told me before that mom was really sick. Which is why she isn't staying home anymore, but is at the hospital.'

"Grace, I'm sorry…"

'He told me that the doctors were going to make her feel better, so she can come back home with us.'

"There was nothing I can do. I'm so sorry…"

'But even though I'm a 9-year-old kid, it doesn't mean that I'm completely clueless. I could tell that mom was seriously sick. When I saw her in that bright, white room, her hair was gone, she was really tired and really pale. But I didn't want to admit it to myself.'

"Gracie, mommy passed away."

She blinked and looked back at her dad, searching his face to see if he was lying.

'I thought my mom was invincible, unstoppable.'

Her vision was quickly blurred as her eyes filled with tears. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to stop her lip from trembling. She blinked, blinked again trying to stop herself.

She lost it as her dad embraced her, burying her head in his shoulder. Ever since her mom was at the hospital, she tried to be as strong as her brothers, tried to suck it up. All that effort flew out the window as she broke down like a young child should have, in the arms of her father.

"Shh. It's okay. I'm here, I'm here."

A hand on her shoulder startled Grace. She whipped around to see who it is.

"Grace, you okay?" It was Max Patel, a concerned look shadowed over his spectacled eyes.

"Yeah. I'm okay." Grace answered quickly, but her voice came out in a shaky tremor and she inwardly cursed herself.

"You sure?" Max raised an eyebrow not believing Grace one bit.

Grace moved to rub her nose, but felt an odd moisture on her cheeks.

'Tears.'

She hastily wiped them off with her sleeve, maneuvering around Max, fixing to leave.

"Yeah I'm sure. I was just yawning," she cleared her throat.

"But- no you weren't yawning."

"I was yawning Max," she answered sternly shooting daggers at him, "now I'm gonna head back to my quarters. Good night."

"But Grace. You were crying."

Grace stopped in her tracks and turned around. She met Max's eyes with a fiery glare, but her eyes became slightly gentler as she noticed Max's frightened expression.

She sighed throwing her hands up in frustration, "Look Max. I'm tired. Drop it and let me go to bed."

Max nodded, his doubt starting to bother him, "Okay sorry. Good night Grace."

Grace made a noise in the back of her throat in response. One thing was clear in her mind: Lack of sleep was really screwing her over.

A/N: Woooo! I had an awesome night...going clubbing! Haha joking, I just watched the movie, Red. It was totally awesome! Oh Bruce Willis! -swoon-

Ok, so here's where things get depressing. And it gets worse. Poor Grace :(

Review please! I long for some feedback :3