Chapter 2

A New Life

Five months later, Annie was finally settling into a new life. Of course, it wasn't easy, but it was getting easier. As the new job started, she had to learn to deal with people in a new way. She had attended college at Georgetown, been top of her class and a prized pupal of the linguistics program. It helped Annie to be able to have a mental picture of the place she now worked. She knew where everything was and with Silke's help, she maneuvered as if it was her own home. The linguistics department was pleased to have her back as a professor. She was the youngest department head in the University, well, in most universities, but no one seemed to have one negative word to say about it. Despite the fact that many of the professors in the department had once been her instructors, she did an amazing job heading the team. Much to her surprise, her disability never got in the way either.

Silke was always by her side. No one questioned the dog's presence in Annie's life. She taught three advanced level language courses, all 400 level to ensure that the students in the classes were serious about their studies. It also meant fewer students in each course, which was easier for their newly blinded professor to manage. The thought of teaching a lecture style course at this time seemed impossible for Annie.

All of her students understood how to accommodate their professor's basic rules. Rules such as: 1) always announce yourself as you enter the classroom 2) sit in the same seat each time the class meets 3) do not move furniture in the classroom and finally 4) all assignments are to be submitted orally or digitally.

Today, Wednesday February 24th, 2010, she was forced to stay home. The weather conditions meant that power was out, many roads were closed, and the university was not going to open. Of course, Annie's routine would begin the same, she was up at 6am when her alarm blared. Luckily the nightmares that had once plagued her every night, now only tormented her a couple times a week. Today, she woke refreshed from her horror free slumber. She opened her eyes, but was not overcome by the darkness anymore. Stepping out of bed, she effortlessly walked to the bathroom, took a shower and then made her way to her closet to select today's outfit. Her closet was meticulously organized. Every article of clothing had a tag in braille that indicated its color or print. Annie had been able to learn each fabric's texture in her closet. She knew each article of clothing by touch. She was always careful to make sure her outfits matched. Danielle was a lifesaver with this. Her big sister knew her style and always made sure was fashionably put together.

After dressing in a casual ensemble of jeans and a blue cashmere sweater (at least she assumed it was blue as its tag indicated), she opened the back door for Silke to go take care of her business outside and listened intently for her to scratch on the door as she carefully poured herself some juice. Normally she would have coffee, but the power being out did not allow for this. Luckily the main house had a generator. She knew Danielle would have breakfast ready at 8:00, it was the same each morning. Checking the time, the Braille markings on her watch told her the time was only 6:40 am.

Danielle had been a God send since Annie went blind. Of course, not even Danielle knew the full details of how she went blind. She had only told people she was in a serious accident when a truck carrying supplies hit a tree. No one questioned her story. Silke knew, but she wouldn't tell anyone. Silke knew Annie better than any human alive ever could. As much as she hated being stuck at home all day, she was grateful for her sister. Her sister would make sure she wasn't alone. Even though Danielle didn't know the reasons she never wanted to be alone, she never questioned it. Annie assumes that Danielle thinks it has to do with her blindness, but it fact it has to do with the eternal fear she lives in.

At least if she was going to be out of work for a day or so, she could work on the freelance work she did translating papers, recordings, and documents that various companies needed. Lucky for Annie she had almost everything in hard copy or digital recordings. Being without power was not the huge inconvenience for Annie that it was for the rest of the world. They needed it for everything they did. For Annie, she really only needed electricity to make her coffee and heat her home. For today she could wear extra layers and Danielle would make sure she had coffee.

Annie hears Silke bark outside. At first she is alarmed since she never does this unless there is someone unexpected around, but then Annie hears the scrapping of a shovel. Michael, Danielle's husband, must be clearing the snow from the sidewalk. No matter how many times she told them she would walk on the snow, they refused to chance it. They were always being so protective of Annie, especially since her world went black. Sometimes she was grateful for this, but usually she was annoyed by it.

Danielle had always looked after her, like big sisters tend to do. But she had been irreplaceable since Annie's "accident". Danielle and Michael had built onto their guest house to create almost a complete apartment for Annie. It contained a full kitchen, living room, updated bathroom, and two bedrooms. The first few weeks Annie was home, Danielle stayed in the second bedroom and woke every time Annie did. Annie was grateful for Danielle. Of course, she never told her about the nightmares' context, but the support was required for Annie's sanity.

As she stood in the kitchen with her juice in front of her, Annie thought back to when she woke in the hospital in March of 2009, upon waking, she gently moved her body. Moving her head instantly caused major disorientation and confusion. Most of her injuries from the kidnapping had healed during the two weeks she was in a coma. In a matter of minutes she remembered vividly the events that put her here. When she opened her eyes she was alarmed, but simply assumed the lights were out. Seeing her stir, Danielle came to her side at once.

"Annie" her sister stated in almost a whisper. Clearing her throat to dislodge the emotions threatening to overtake her she continues, "Its Danielle, hold on let me get the doctor."

Moments later, Annie hears another voice. "Ms. Walker, my name is Heather; I've been overseeing your case since you arrived in the states two weeks ago. Do you know where you are?"

"At the hospital? Doctor, why are the lights off? " Annie stated weakly.

"Do you remember what happened?" The doctor asked seemingly ignoring her question.

But then panic threatened to overtake Annie. As she thought about what had happened. She knew she couldn't voice this to anyone. No one was with her when it happened and she had been found by a young boy in the desert where the men had dumped her barely alive. They would believe any story she gave them. She decided it was best to lie. No one should have the burden of knowing what really happened. She did not want their pity for the poor girl who was kidnapped and raped repeatedly.

"I was in Africa helping to build a school. One day I was carrying supplies to one of the schools, when the truck I was driving hit a pothole, I must have over corrected because I flipped the truck a couple times before it landed in a ditch. I don't remember anything else." Annie stated emotionally, hoping to make the event sound convincing. "What are my injuries?"

"You have many bruises and cuts covering your body, you must have sustained a serious blow to the head. You suffered significant brain damage."

"Is that why I can't see right now- because of the brain injury?"

"Yes." The doctor stated simply.

"How long will it be like this?" tilting her head towards the doctor's voice. It was strange not being able to see the person who was talking.

"We have no way of knowing that. Could be a day, weeks, or months. We had hoped the extended break the coma provided would heal the damage to your brain. The fact is, you may never see again. More tests will tell us more. You will be here for a few days."

Annie is bought back to the present moments later, as she hears Silke scratching at the door to be let back in. As Silke comes in and shakes off the excess moisture from her fur, Annie settles herself into the couch as she enjoys her juice, listening to the methodical rhythm of Michael's snow shoveling.