"Cade Jennings," a voice speaks through the darkness.

"Who's there?" I call out.

"Cade, I am here for you, but you must come to me," the voice says.

"What do you mean, come to you?" I reply.

"You know what I am saying. Come to me Cade."

"Cade. Cade wake up. It's time to get ready for school," Dad says, shaking my body. I groan. I sit up and I feel the covers get off my legs.

"Mack, come," I say, and I feel his handle brush my hand. I grab it and stand up. Dad leads us to the bathroom where he helps me get into the bathtub so I can shower. Dad leaves the room and Mack stays like every morning. I feel around for the handle and turn the water on. I get the water to a good temperature and get my whole body wet. I then feel the wall to my left for the rack that holds the soaps. I grab a large bottle with one hand, leave the other there and open it. I sniff it and realize that it is Mom and Emma's shampoo so I put it where my hand is resting. I do the same thing until I find Dad and I's shampoo. I shampoo my hair and repeat the whole process to condition my hair. Then I feel for the bar soap and I clean my body. After I am cleaned, I find the handle and shut the water off.

"Mack, speak," I say. Mack barks and Dad walks into the bathroom a minute later. I hold my hand out of the curtain.

"Here is your towel Cade," Dad says.

"Thanks Dad," I say. I dry myself off with the towel then hold it out of the shower. Dad grabs it.

"Here are your boxers," Dad says. They are put into my hands and I feel for the tag inside. When I do, I turn them around and put them on.

"I have them on," I say. I hear Dad open the curtain and he helps me out of the shower. Dad hands me my shorts and he helps me get into them. He helps me put my shirt on, and then he combs my hair.

"Are you hungry?" he asks.

"Yep," I say.

* * *

Easton and I sit at our lunch table as I'm eating my sandwich.

"So, did you ask your parents?" he asks.

"I did," I say, after finishing chewing my bite. I take another bite of my sandwich. I finish chewing before I continue. "I did, and they said that I can go. Emma was like, 'This is ridiculous.'" I take another bite.

"Why did Emma say that?" Easton asks.

"Because she had asked the night before if she could go to a party on Sunday. Mom and Dad said no," I reply chuckling, then stop before continuing. "She might also consider herself an Atheist and not non-religious."

"Oh, well, that's too bad. At least you can go right?"

"Yep," I say. I finish my sandwich and feel for my lunchbox. I find a bag that makes a crinkling sound and I hold it up. It takes Easton a minute before he responds.

"Oh, uh, those are Doritos,"

"What kind?"

"Cool ranch,"

"Okay," I say. I hand him the bag and he opens it. The last time I tried to open one, the chips flew everywhere according to Easton. He hands the bag back to me and I reach inside. I grab a chip and eat it.

"Cade."

"What?" I ask.

"Jake and his friends are coming in this direction," Easton says.

"Seriously? What are they going to do to us now?" I say.

"Well, hello there Cade. Easton," I recognize the voice as Jake. The table moves a lot so I can tell they sat down. "How is our little blind beggar doing today?"

"Go away," I say.

"Why? You haven't answered my question," Jake says. I hear chuckling behind him to my right.

"I'm fine. There, I answered your question. Now please. Go away," I say.

"You can't make me."

"Maybe he can't, but I can," Easton counters. "Jake. Why do you bully Cade? Seriously, what do you gain from it? Just because Cade is blind doesn't mean he is weak, and do you know what bullies do? They prey on the weak. Cade isn't weak, so go find someone else to take your hurt and anger out on." There is silence for a few long seconds then the table moves.

"Is he gone?" I ask.

"Yep," Easton says. "He's gone." We are silent for a few minutes, but I break it.

"Easton, thank you," I say.

"For what?"

"For being a good friend. You have stood up for me and helped me in my darkest situations. Pun intended. In other words, you are the light in my very dark darkness," I say.

"Yeah, well, I don't know about that last part," he replies.

~ ~ ~

A/N

Hey guys! I just wanted to say that the first part of this chapter may have been weird. I put that in there to show how a blind person may shower. Even though I don't personally know a blind person, I am writing through research and my own ingenuity. I just wanted to say that and thank you for reading my short story so far!

~ Rex Skyline (xXCONTESTSXx)