The love seat was Tiffany blue. Ellie loved the color Tiffany blue. It made her think of Audrey Hepburn and long black gloves. Unfortunately the love seat was in that thick hospital pleather. The doctor’s office was nicely decorated in shades of soothing grays and creams with splashes of blue, all designed to make people comfortable. Ellie was very comfortable.

Bouncing lightly on the furry throw pillows, Ellie made herself comfortable on the loveseat. She smoothed her hospital gown wishing she had her skinny jeans, wishing she hadn’t wiped the social worker before she got an overnight bag. Ellie examined her nails. The monitor on the therapist’s desk flickered awake. On the screen, a moonfaced woman smiled at Ellie.

Since Ellie was tranquillized and taken to the hospital she hadn’t seen my smiles. True facts, she hadn’t seen many faces. Her parents and sister never came to visit. There were no get well cards or boxes of candy. She knew she was kind of to blame because she made people phase out. It had started three weeks ago. Mrs. Pembroke the vice principal was saying the same old same old about being late and unprepared for class like anybody cared. Ellie wished her away and Mrs. Pembroke was gone. There was the smell of burnt popcorn and a staticky pop and Vice Principal Pembroke was a translucent figure. Pembroke was still speaking, her voice growing softer and softer like an echo. Ellie could see Van Gogh’s Starry Night print right through her. Ellie screamed. The school secretary rushed in just as what ever was left of Mrs. Pembroke disappeared.

Ellie was taken to a police station. There were police officers and detectives and social workers. No one believed her. Ellie had gotten so sick and tired the same question, she had wiped out another seven people.

You knew this hospital wasn’t a place to get well. She was being monitored. They hoped to manage her. Ellie giggled to herself.

“Hello, Eleanor, I’m Dr. Melina Grayson. You can call me Mel. May I call you Ellie?” The moonfaced lady said from the screen. After years of therapy, family therapy, special Ed classes, and one on one tutoring, Ellie knew the drill. People were always trying to control her. But Ellie was no one’s slave. Appearing bored, Ellie schooled her features to be blank. Ellie looked up slightly at nothing at all. The therapist fell for it.

“As c’mon meet me half way. Eleanor is a lovely name and Ellie is fun and cute too. Let me which is your favorite.” Dr. Grayson cocked her head to the side like a playful dog.

Ellie watched the doctor closely. She could see the therapist’s smile did reach her eyes.” Ellie recognized the fear beneath the therapist’s smile. No one knew how deep her powers ran, yet she was too valuable to destroy. An innocent smile grew across the young girl’s face.

“Call me El. I like your office. It’s pretty like you.”