Colour Blind
Alice Foster was born with achromatopsia, a rare condition where those afflicted are only able to see in shades of black and white. She cannot see the colour of her dog Harvey’s eyes, or her mother’s gentle smile. The condition is genetic, and her grandmother was the only other person Alice knew to have the condition. When she passed away around Alice’s sixteenth birthday, she gave up trying to see the colours. She began to push those close to her away and isolate herself, which only made her world darker. One summers day, Alice, her little brother Jacob and their friends went to the woods for a while. Alice didn’t say a word for hours, and after her friends made an attempt to include her, she lost her temper and stormed off into the woods. What happened next, changed her life forever... Alice ends up in a fantasy world where dangerous reds and warm, welcoming yellows tempt her. She admires the sky and the forest though she has no one to share them with. Alice was used to being on her own, so it didn’t seem so bad at first. For the first time in her dull, grey life she could see everything how it was supposed to look. Though nothing feels like it is supposed feel. Is it truly enough for her? Will this world truly bring her the happiness she so desires?
Alice Foster was born with achromatopsia, a rare condition where those afflicted are only able to see in shades of black and white. She cannot see the colour of her dog Harvey’s eyes, or her mother’s gentle smile. The condition is genetic, and her grandmother was the only other person Alice knew to have the condition. When she passed away around Alice’s sixteenth birthday, she gave up trying to see the colours. She began to push those close to her away and isolate herself, which only made her world darker. One summers day, Alice, her little brother Jacob and their friends went to the woods for a while. Alice didn’t say a word for hours, and after her friends made an attempt to include her, she lost her temper and stormed off into the woods. What happened next, changed her life forever...
Alice ends up in a fantasy world where dangerous reds and warm, welcoming yellows tempt her. She admires the sky and the forest though she has no one to share them with. Alice was used to being on her own, so it didn’t seem so bad at first. For the first time in her dull, grey life she could see everything how it was supposed to look. Though nothing feels like it is supposed feel. Is it truly enough for her? Will this world truly bring her the happiness she so desires?
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COLOUR BLIND
no house. No family. Nothing. It was too quiet and she didn’t
even notice or care about the colours of the trees or flowers.
Alice collapsed onto the floor and cried for a few moments until
suddenly, over the sound of her sobs, she heard something in
the bushes across the clearing. “Hello?” She said to fill the tense
silence. There was a loud bark before four small, golden paws
burst out of the tree line and raced towards her. Alice instantly
knew that it was her dog Harvey. She ran to meet him and
dropped to the floor as he licked her face and nuzzled into her
side. “What are you doing here huh?” It was the first time she
had properly seen his brown eyes and blonde fur but she didn’t
care. It was his familiar smell and softness that she had missed.
Cuddling Harvey, Alice stared into the forest hoping her family
would appear too, but no one did. She missed them terribly
and made the decision that it was time to go home.
When Alice woke up, Harvey was sitting beside her patiently
waiting to leave. They immediately began to make their way
back to the river. It took her a while to find it again, the forest
seemed busier. There were flowers blocking her path trying to
distract and chase her. Green roots were grabbing at her ankles,
demanding her attention. It was as if they didn’t want her to
leave. But Alice wouldn’t turn back, she ran faster, Harvey was
at her side protecting her.
When they came to the river, the water was bluer and brighter
than it had ever been. She stopped to think about her decision.
If she leaves, she will never see any of this again. Alice kneeled
beside her dog and stroked his fur making note of every golden
strand. Looking into his eyes she knew that she had to go home,
this wasn’t the real Harvey. She kissed his head “I’ll see you
soon boy.” Harvey whimpered as Alice stood up and walked
towards the water.
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