Shortly after the death of Eva Stratt, after the passing of Doctor Grace, a file was released to the public. One that had been protected, or perhaps obfuscated, for decades. At first, because it would have been a public safety risk to allow the truth out. Later, for sentimentality. There was so much out there to humanize the doctor already. Why would a single, tiny recording be missed?
Doctor Grace wouldn't remember recording it if she was still around, anyway. She didn't even remember her first name, her parents, the faces of her students. She was gone, and she was happy- a freer human than had possibly ever existed.
The video plays. A man, well-dressed, in a classroom. He settles in a seat behind a decorated desk. Pauses, taps his fingers together for a moment. Finding the words.
"Hey, class. So... Remember when I'd explained the astrophage situation? It's okay if you don't, it was a busy day and you all had bigger things to worry about. Well-... In your lifetimes, as things grow and change... it'll become a problem. Once you get to my age, maybe have your own kids, you'll be-... close to the end of it. Hopefully, by then, we'll have found an answer and it'll be solved."
Another pause. A slow breath.
"I say we here not as-... like, humanity, but as in... me. Me and a group of government workers. A long time ago, I did some research into stuff that didn't pan out for me- made me a lot of enemies- but that is... seeming like it might help save the planet. When you're older you can look it up, but to spare you the details, I made a big stink about things people thought were facts. And-... It seems, now, like they might not be. So I'm going to work for the Petrova Task Force."
He seems like he doesn't want to. Like he never wanted to. Like the only thing he wants is to stay right at this desk, gripping the hardwood, staring at the poorly-crocheted apple stuffy on his desk. Seems like he's talking directly to the thing that's making him move anyway. There's pain there. He's smothering it.
"I'll be back. Promise. But... probably not before you graduate. And you will graduate, all of you. High school's gonna be a journey, but you'll do fantastic. In the meantime, I've called in a substitute for the rest of the semester to give the principal time to find someone to replace me. She already agreed I could come back to work if there's still a place for a science teacher once I'm done, so... fingers crossed. Am-."
The video cuts just before his head falls forward into his hands. When it continues, his glasses are on the desk. Wet. His voice is as steady as before, though it wasn't as solid as usual in the first place.
"Amanda, Trang, Ryan, and Paige. Your extra credit reports on the parts of an animal cell can be turned in a week later than I said. Jay, Abby, Regina- you're on track for honor roll. Keep that up. The kids I had passing period with, the ones I spoke to-... You know who you are. Things will get better. You're all the reason I want to help save the future. You deserve a world where you get to do and be whatever you want. You deserve to live. If you end up wanting to contact me, I-... I'll try my best to be available. I don't know if I can. I'll try. You all were one of the best classes I ever had. See you soon."
Only sixteen of his students ever got to see the file after its release. The rest had passed, had rejected it, or had moved on.
