As the years passed, the baby who would eventually be named Ethan would grow up and be raised at an orphanage were his parents relatives dumped him at.
Ever since which those family members never contacted or visited Ethan even once. However a silver lining appeared. Being born blind as a result of the accident just before his birth, Ethan received extra love and attention from the orphanage's staff and caretakers.
This normally took the form of getting extra treats, compliments and gifts in from the staff, who truly loved the boy. And the caretakers worked to ensure that Ethan's fellow orphans never caught on to the blatant favoritism.
But in contrary to the adults hopes at secrecy, many of the other children did notice Ethan's special privileges.
As it didn't take long for the difference in treatment to cause resentment to build among Ethan's. This of course made it difficult for Ethan to naturally connect with many of the other children and form friendships.
The fact that he was the also the only blind child at the orphanage as well only complicated his situation. Since being blind made him different from the others, which in turn made him a main target for the others discontent.
He was often the main pick for bullying, especially from the older orphans as he was the easiest target. After all the bullies understood something important, being unable to see meant Ethan was unable to fight back and defend himself.
A fact they took delight in, and used to abuse him.
They'd stick their feet out to trip him up. Hide and steal the gifts or possessions he receive from orphanage staff. One time they even pretended to kindly offered Ethan a piece of what they claimed to be rock candy, as an apology for all the wrong things they did to him.
At first all was find, when Ethan accepted the gift without hesitation, wanting to use this gesture to hopefully finally mend the rift between himself and the other kids put the claimed piece of candy in his mouth and suckled on it he tasted sweetness, but a second later when Ethan tried to bit into it he felt a wreathing pain from his molars.
This pain caused him to spit out the candy immediately.
Upon closer inspection the supposed piece of candy now covered in saliva with a small teng of blood. Mostly likely from Ethan cracking a tooth, had actually turned out be a pebble from the orphanage front yard that the older kids covered lightly in honey from the kitchen.
Such acts of blind cruelty continued for much of Ethan's childhood. The reason for this stream of unchecked, uninterrupted malice, stemmed from two key factors. One, the bullies only ever acted when they were 100 percent sure none of the caretakers were nearby to catch them in the act. And two, because Ethan himself always kept quit about it.
That's right. Never once did Ethan ever complain to any adult, get visibly mad or sad, or raised his voice in protest to his bullies.
The reason why you might ask? it was simple. Its because to Ethan saw no reason to. To him such treatment was just his way of living, such harassment was just his norm in life, no different than breathing. While he did not care for it, he also saw no reason to try and stop it.
Just as he saw the kindness and love from the caretakers as normal, he in turn saw the hate he faced at the hands of the other children as normal. Never once did he doubt this mindset. As for how he ended up developing such a view life is anyone's guess.
Fortunately it would be his lack of response to the torment, which bordered on near doll like behavior, would prove into to be his salvation. Even if he didn't personally see anything wrong with his current life.
Eventually Ethan's constant indifference caused his bullies to become a uneased when he was nearby. They often pondered how could someone be so unfazed after all the painful pranks and hits they gave him, all the insults they had hurled at him, and still be so normal, almost empty.
In time the unease that Ethan gave them caused the bullies to develop a subtle fear of him. In their minds they began to view him as something fundamentally different. Something human like in shape but not human in spirit, and its this fear that made them to at some point started to activity avoid Ethan.
Not long after, such behavior spread through out the orphanage and all the other kids also kept their distant from Ethan, and ignore him.
In the end Ethan gained freedom from the daily harassment, but it ultimately brought little comfort as his days continued on with zero companionship.
That is until one day after he turned seven years old, Ethan who was sitting alone in a corner of the orphanage common room reading a book in brail that he had recently received. A celebratory gift for him successfully learning fluent brail.
This book and many other books that came from the same related series that Ethan would read in the future, become one of the most precious things to him.
It was a book that told countless stories of a far off universe where countless races and species interacted with one another. Of wars and battles, of love and loss, of corruption and redemption. Where space travel was the key to unlocking infinite adventures and possibilities.
There was even one special phrase from the book that appeared ever so often, one that resonated with him on a spiritual level and striked a cored with his very mind and soul, becoming a new center force of his life.
What was this phrase you may wonder? it would be "May the Force be with you".
*******
Two years later
location: orphanage common room
One morning in the orphanage's common room Ethan who is now nine years old sat down on one of the large sofas after putting in a CD in the common room DVD player underneath the TV. Spending a good four minute's fumbling around sofa trying to feel for the remote he finally managed to find it, Then turned the DVD player on and was about to listen to the thing him cherished most of all in his life.
"Good morning, Ethan, are you doing alright"
Suddenly just as Ethan was about to press start, he was called out to by a familiar and friendly voice. Ms. Jeanna Blake. She was a beautiful slim twenty-seven year African American with a short dreadlock ponytail, who had a very caring nature and viewed all the children of the orphanage as if they were her own.
She was also the Director of the orphanage that Ethan lives at, as well as the one who in fact named Ethan on the day that he first arrived. Back when she herself just started working there at eighteen, and since that day shes always had a special place in her heart for Ethan.
(Image of Jeanna Blake)
"Ah is that you Ms. Jeanna"
Ethan said smiling without looking in her direction.
"Yes I am, I'm just about to watch Star Wars. Though I guess its more listening than watching"
"Ha Ha Ha!, Stars Wars again I see, I swear whenever I see you you're either listening to that shows lore on the computer or on the tv, or asking someone to read you comics and novels based on it. Don't you ever get sick of it"
Jeanna chuckled while holding her hands on her waist, as she gazed warmly at the boy.
"Not at all, listening and learning about all the different species, planets, and stories in the Stars Wars universe is one of the greatest things in the world to me" "Rodians, Hutts, Hoth, Sith, Dagobah, the nihil, jedi, Wookies and I haven't even mention....!"
Ethan yelped as his enthusiasm caused he to nearly fall out of his sit and tumble to the floor.
Over the last two years Ethan's passion for Star Wars grow so strong that on the rare occasions he ever ask for anything it was always for books, novels and comics on Star Wars, despite the fact his condition prevents him from actually reading them. But from time to time Jeanna or one of the other caretakers would be free to read them to him.
Some of the adults however at one point expressed fear that he's passion may be developing into an obsession and began considering limiting he access to it.
But Jeanna quickly shut down such talks from her staff. She saw what the others couldn't, that Star Wars was the only thing that brought a true bright expression to the previously lonely Ethan. She absolutely would not allow anyone to take that from him.
"Whoa there!... easy does it kiddo you don't want to hurt yourself do you"
Jeanna said with a mix on amusement and panic.
"Haha.... sorry about that Ms. Jeanna, I'll be more careful."
Ethan shyly mumbled in embarrassment as he restabilized his place on the sofa, with a small blush on his cheeks.
"Well, whatever makes you happy kiddo, enjoy"
Jeanna said with a sigh and a smile as she placed a hand on his head and began to lightly ruffle it playfully. She began walking away so that he could enjoy his show. But just as she was about to exit the room she paused in place, and looked back at Ethan.
'God if you exist please allow this boy to live decent life. If anyone in this place deserves it, it's him, after all his been through'
After that one thoughtful moment Jeanna continued on her way. Jeanna often worried for young Ethan's wellbeing, both in the present and in the future. While currently it was within her power to care for him, give him food, shelter, warm and love that wouldn't always be the case.
Sooner or later when Ethan comes of age and grows up, she feared how he would fend for himself. While today's modern governments do have systems in place to help aid people like him, as someone who's involved in the social serve business Jeanna know all too well how easily people can slip through the cracks.
Especially cases like Ethan.
*******
8 years later
As the next few years continued to pass by, Ethan's life for the most apart remained unchanged. While some children would be adopted every now and then. New children occasionally would be brought in to take their place.
Some kids on the other hand grow old enough to get jobs and eventually left the orphanage on their own. Ethan however still remained. He personally just chalked it up to people merely not wanting to blind child, and as he got old with each passing year his older age became more of factor.
But deep down Ethan couldn't blame them.
With the cost and time that comes with looking after a blind person, Ethan thought that only natural he wasn't an ideal chose for most parents.
He know most couples wanted to adopt a child, sought the tender loving experience of raising and care for a bright young new life that has yet to know the world.
As a seventeen year old teen he was long past that target age range.
Heck he even though only someone eccentric or weird would ever want to adopt him at this point. Or if worst comes to worst, someone with very strange tastes.
If it were ever the latter, then he would probably bigger problems to deal with.
But none of that would ever an issue for him. Why you ask? It's because one day the previous year Jeanna the orphanage director sat down with him for serious heart to heart.
"Hey Ethan how would you like it if....if you became my son...my legal son"
Jeanna asked with a tender glaze and smile that one would surly feel the warmth of the sun from.
It was an offer to adopt him.
Ethan unconsciously held his breath when he heard the words. Both surprised and dazed. But when he finally managed to come to his senses Ethan did not hesitate for a second longer and agreed with small tears in his eyes forming in the corners of his eyes.
********
Location: Ethan's room - Evening
Late evening as the sun was setting, Ethan was in his room finished up on a programming assignment for one of his online college courses.
Using a specialized laptop for the visually impaired.
After turning seventeen this year and finalizing his adoption to Jeanna, he decided to start taking early college level courses. Particularly in computer coding, software and electronics.
This was the manor in which he completed all his other previous schooling.
Due to his disability, he was permitted to receive all his state mandatory education from elementary to high school all through a combination online class and occasional home visits from specialized teachers to the orphanage, so Ethan never had to physically go to public school.
As to why a seventeen year was taking college courses, its because to the surprise of many Ethan had a high intellect which allowed to sore through his classes left and right.
Even earning him his high school diploma a full year ahead of his peers.
Which he like quite a bit, as it enabled him to spend more time both on his Star Wars hobby and working toward his future.
As for his reason for taking these college classes, his aim was to land a job in technology and software development. Where he could complete his assignments from his personal computer, working completely out of the home.
He hoped that by achieving this he wouldn't be a burden his now Mother Leanna. With worries of juggling the logistic of his physical transportation going to and from an actual office in some company build.
Achieving this was of major importance to Ethan. Especially since Leanna for a good while now has strongly pushing Ethan to move in with her into her actual home. Located less than a mile from the orphanage, so that the two may truly live together as mother and son.
Nearing the completion of his class assignment Ethan paused from typing and merely stared into blank space pondering his current life.
'To think that I would be able to have such a life like this. A mom, a home to truly call me own. And if all goes well, in two years or so I'll have an online college degree and a good chance at getting a well paying job. Then I can finally start paying Ms. Jeanna back for all that she's given me. Though I guess to her there's nothing for me to pay'
As Ethan peacefully thought this, he rubbed his eyes in a shy attempt to prevent tears from forming. Then resumed working on his laptop.
Truly his life, which started out as if the world wanted to stripe him of any possible chance of having a decent life.
Seemed finally okay with giving him a break.
That is until what happened next.
"BOOM!!!!!"
A great loud sound and an intense feeling of heat overwhelmed Ethan's senses and powerful blow sent him cross his room slamming his head against the wall.
Upon impact Ethan's consciousness slowly faded and with half a second his mind was out like a light.