After nearly two years in and out of doctor and counselor offices, Cadet Taurean couldn’t tell if that was where he felt most comfortable or if he just didn’t know how to talk to anybody else at this point. But those two years of tests and surgeries and therapy and more therapy, Anders found himself running out of words, thoughts even. It was unavoidable this time.

Realizing that he was standing just off to the side of the Counselor’s office, Anders let out a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead. He thanked all luck that, for once, the halls of the Challenger seemed empty enough to avoid other officers. It was as if every time he went to check in - be it the Counselor, CSO or doctor - Anders was caught in his own little world. Since his injury, since Lillian passed, the young Cadet found his mind wandering off into its own personal cosmos. Every time to this point, Anders would come to reality and find himself making eye contact with another member of the ship, only to play it off like a bad actor.

‘Okay, man, it’s not that bad. Just go, just go,’ he went from self-reassuring to self-pleading, and took another deep breath before pressing the door chime with a focused determination. ‘It’ll be quick and easy and then you’re ready for duty…’

Foolishly, Anders hoped that would make everything seem okay in an instant. It didn’t.

(Cadet Anders Taurean, Science Division)