Lilia was heading to the elevator. It was out of the way and had a 'Not Working' sign, but Lilia ignored it and walked inside, pushing the button. Lilia counted the seconds while wrapping her hands around the railing and closing her eyes.

The elevator jolted, and she bit her lip, hoping to restrain herself from squealing like a little girl.

Where are some stairs when you need them?

Okay, she had to admit she was deathly afraid of the moving tin can, but at least it wasn't a vehicle. Those were so much worse. Give her open skies and walk with her own power any day of the week.

The elevator jolted to a stop; Lilia held her breath, waiting for the dinging sound. Soon after, she felt the doors whooshed open. Once Lilia managed to pry her hands from the railing, she couldn't get out fast enough.

Lilia breathed out and opened her eyes, relieved she had survived another day.

Lilia walked down the all-too-familiar hallway and brushed her hand against the wall. When she first arrived, she spent much time in this part of the compound, which brought back many memories, both good and bad.

"Oh man, that was tough," a male voice groaned.

Oh, great, more people.

"Yeah, the Headmistress is angry," another male voice replied. "After Mr. Chesterfield came back with Bryson and Druid. She has been in a sour mood ever since. Must not like the information she received."

Mr. Chesterfield, I know that name. Lilia had to think for a moment. Wasn't he supposed to be Bryson and Druid's chaperone while they were off the compound?

She met him only a couple of times and didn't like him. Too smarmy.

The two men came into view. White coats! Lilia couldn't help but shudder. She didn't like white coats. They brought back bad memories. They smelled of chemicals, making her nose itchy.

She adjusted her headphones and hugged the wall to get past.

"Kid, what are you doing here? This area is restricted," one of the white coats demanded.

She ignored them, turning a corner.

"Ha, wait."

"No, man, I think she's one of the Headmistress's special kids."

"You mean the same as Bryson and Druid?"

"Yeah."

"Poor kid."

It was the last thing she heard before their voices faded away. She sighed in relief, placing her hand on a glass door.

She looked up and gasped. White coats and now this! I went down the wrong hall!

A lab with ten-foot tubes leaning against the door was through the glass door. It was all too familiar. This was the room where Lilia had woken up to find out that her whole world was torn apart.

It was her first meeting with Headmistress Weatherly.

***

Four Years Ago

It hurt. Everything hurt. It felt like Lilia's skin was peeling off her bones. What happened? She couldn't remember. It was so dark.

I'm scared. It hurts. Lilia wanted to scream out, but something was wrenched inside her mouth. Her throat choked up in a panic. She tried to tear the thing out, but something was restraining her hands. She couldn't move!!

Lilia's mind felt like it was breaking. This is a nightmare. I can't think. It hurts! IT HURTS!! Please make it stop. Mom!! Help me. HELP ME!

She tugged at her restraints, pushing and pulling, struggling to get free. Still, it was useless; it felt like she was fighting against jelly-everything was so slippery.

She could not touch the floor with her feet. She couldn't get a good grip.

NOTHING IS WORKING!!

But beyond her frenzied mind, beyond the pain, she felt it. Movement beyond her prison. No, not just that, but voices. She could pick up the sounds if she concentrated a bit more...

Focus, Lilia... you've got it... There!

"The kid's lighting up like a Christmas tree," a deep voice spoke.

"If this goes on ...? "He paused.

"There is a real chance that she might die."

"I don't care about that. If the little freak doesn't shut up, I'll shoot the kid in the head," another voice growled out.

"I will shoot YOU in the head." This time, a female voice spoke, stern and with more authority. "If she dies, you all will follow her soon after. I guarantee it."

The woman continued speaking, "Besides, she can hear you." A woman's voice finished in a cold, flat tone, and shivers ran down Lilia's spine.

That voice… she'd heard it before coming out of the shadows. There was blood, so much blood. Her sister screaming…. Men in the darkness…. Reaching hands. She hated that voice. She feared that voice. That voice had destroyed her world.

No! Her world was already destroyed. She remembered they came after the Ripples hit their house. They pulled her and her sister out. Everything was so confusing; she could barely concentrate.

"You're projecting Lilia; you are going to be a great little telepath, aren't you?" that hateful voice said. It was closer, coming closer. Lilia's chest tightened in fright. Stay away. Please stay away!

"Your mother destroyed your make-believe little world a long time ago."

What did she mean? What did mom do? What does that mean? Where was she?

"Your mother left a big mess before she disappeared," that voice continued. "Just think of me as the person cleaning that mess up."

Disappeared! Shock ran through her system. Her mother was gone. Lilia began to struggle again, wanting to get free and find Mom.

But where was she, Stella?

A pinging sound, like tapping on the glass, interrupted her thoughts. "Girl, pay attention to me; this part is vital." Her voice hardened.

"You better fight to stay alive. Your precious little sister is useless to me if you don't." The woman paused, letting that statement sink in before continuing. "I heard you are smart, so you should know what I do with useless things…."

"You will kill her," she couldn't help but think. "You will kill an eight-year-old girl!"

"In a second." That woman chuckled, like killing her sister was nothing to her. "So, don't move around too much, don't panic. The process is almost finished. The pain will worsen, but I think we understand each other, don't we?"

Lilia heard the clicking of heels going distant. "Soon, you will be very useful to me, my special little butterfly."

That was what her mother called her, but those words coming out of that woman's mouth made her feel sick. But for now, she had to let it go; her sister needed her more.

I will live. Lilia clenched her teeth around the object wrenched in her mouth. She felt it welling up, the power within the pain shaping her into something that shouldn't exist. She could feel it eating at her insides.

Lilia didn't care; she would sacrifice everything for her sister.

Agony shot through like lightning. It was horrible, a lot worse than before.

She was grateful as the darkness finally took her away.

***

Present Day

Lilia tore her hand from the door, allowing the memory to fade. That place still gave her nightmares. Most of all, Headmistress Weatherly's threats still haunted her. That woman terrified her to her very core.

She clutched her fist, breathing in and out, trying to calm down.

No matter what the Headmistress's motives were. The truth was Lilia would have died without Headmistress Weatherly.

Even so, it didn't mean that the scars weren't real.