"I..." She seemed to be at a loss for words, as she simply shook her head seemingly unable to put the words together.

More gasps filled the room as the guards let go of me. Doctor Miller peeled me off the table, though I tried to remain brave, I couldn't help but grunt in pain. Another pair of arms came to help, they wrapped around my shoulders careful not to touch my back. Soon I was upright, though my head was spinning and pain echoed through every inch of my body. I pushed through and forced my jelly-like legs to move forward, throwing Ms.Hester a triumphant glance as we passed her. Her face was red with fury, I have been here for almost seven years and I had never seen her this angry. Which was really saying something.

It was only after we had stepped through the door and stumbled into the hallway when I allowed my head to sag, the dizziness taking over. My vision becoming increasingly blurry, as dark spots clouded over my eyes. I allowed the darkness to sweep over me, the pain finally dulling.

****

My eyes flickered open, though it took a few blinks for my surroundings to come into focus. It took me some time to realize I was lying on my stomach on a relatively comfortable bed. I must be in the infirmary. The metal cabinets and arrays of medical equipment gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the large window across from my bed. I watched as a bird flew by, its wings gliding through the air.

"Lucky." I breathed, as I tried pushing myself up. Sharp, searing pain ran down my back and I immediately sunk back down into the bed. The pain subsided quite dramatically once I was lying down again, they must have given me some painkillers. My thoughts returned to what had happened. Why on earth did Doctor Miller do that? I've never really heard of someone standing up for an Abnormal in such a way, at least not in here. Putting yourself in harms way for someone like me, was basically unheard of. So why did he do it? He said he wanted to be our friend, to help us, maybe he was telling the truth. Somehow my gut was telling me otherwise, there was still something not quite right about him. Shaking my head, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. I owe him at least that. Our society might not be exactly accepting of Abnormals, but that doesn't mean there weren't people who helped those with abilities, though I have personally never met one before.

I'm so engrossed in my own thoughts that I nearly missed someone opening the door at the far side of the room. Lady Agatha walked in, holding a clipboard and looking very harassed. She noticed I'm awake and gives a deep sigh.

"Girl, you have caused quite the ruckus today." She hurried towards me, her short legs moving fast. She lifted up my shirt to look at my wounds. "Still, you are pretty lucky. The cuts aren't too deep so you will be released tomorrow night."

I've never personally met Lady Agatha, she only started working here as a nurse a few years ago. Having said that I have caught glimpses of her here and there, frequently hearing that she is relatively kind, though a bit pompous at times. Her round, meaty hands fumbled with the paper on her clipboards, after having stepped back from my bed a little. Her round, heavy cheeks were flushed red, a few drops of sweat running down her forehead.

"Ms. Hester?" I simply asked, knowing she would understand.

"Fuming more than a tractor during harvest season." Her words made no sense, but I understood the anger part. "You know, I heard that she was going to call the big boss and ask for the doctor's immediate termination." Lady Agatha whispered in my ear as though there was someone else in the room. "If they won't do it, I bet she'll do it all on her own. Won't be surprised one bit." She stated, as though it was common knowledge.

"Did he leave?" I asked, slightly concerned the only person who've stood up for me in almost 16 years was now gone.

"Doctor Miller? Heck no! That guy is as stubborn as a mule, it would seem." Lady Agatha exclaimed enthusiastically, swiping some strands of her thin, brown hair away from her small, green eyes. "Quite brave, if you ask me. Was rather dashing how he came in and helped you, wasn't it?"

"Sure," I answered, biting my tongue. Who else was going to help me?

"Ah, speak of the devil!" Lady Agatha gasped, looking towards the door. I glanced down to see Doctor Miller walk through the doorway. A large smile on his face.

"Ms. Harper, I am so glad to see you have awoken. How are you feeling?" His words once again took me by surprise, as though I had expected him to regret his decision to help me and treat me like the freak I was.

"Fine." I simply replied, still a little apprehensive.

"I am so unbelievably sorry for what you have had to endure. It is absolutely unacceptable."

"It's okay. We're used to it." I replied, watching his expression. His eyes immediately dropped, his face contorting with sadness and pity. What was wrong with this guy?

"None of you should be, what Hester did was against the law and will no longer be something any of you will have to worry about. That I assure you." He put his hand over mine, smiling warmly. I couldn't help but lower my defenses, even if it was only slightly. He might actually be here to help us, he might actually genuinely care about our well-being. I push the gnawing feeling that something wasn't quite right about him down, it was probably just because I wasn't use to people like him.

"Thank you," I said, smiling now too. Doctor Miller seemed relieved, then he stood up and walked towards Lady Agatha. She was standing close by, her mouth gaping open. When he approached her she shut it immediately and smiled broadly.

"Ms. Agatha, please ensure that Ms. Rose is comfortable. I know I cannot prescribe her any medication, but I would deeply appreciate it if you gave her something for the pain, should she come back and ask for it." He flashed his bright smile again, touching her shoulder. It was as though she was melting under his touch, her face reddened to the shade of overripe cherries.

"Yes, doctor. Of course, that's totally fine." She mumbled, seemingly out of breath.

"Then I must be going, I have another appointment I should be getting to. It was nice meeting you Ms. Agatha." He gave her a slight bow, sending her into a mess of giggles. Turning to me, he said: "I hope you feel better soon, though I will check up on you tomorrow. I believe we have our first session, so it would be like killing two birds with one stone. Until then, Ms. Harper."

I watched him leave, still slightly puzzled by his behaviour.

"Oh, what a man!" Ms. Agatha sighed, waving her hand as though she was trying to cool herself off.

My time in the infirmary went by too fast and before I knew it I found myself being escorted back to my own room the next evening. True to his word Doctor Miller came to visit me earlier that day, this time sitting down to have a formal session. He started by telling me about something called a 'confidentiality agreement,' which basically meant that what was discussed between us can only stay between us. Then he asked me all kinds of questions about my feelings, goals, and thoughts, occasionally scribbling into a book he held on his lap. I was uncomfortable during most of it, but admittedly it was nice having someone so focused on my well-being.

Olive got to visit me as well, she had been on kitchen cleaning duty so she'd only managed to come right before dinner. She was pretty impressed by the spectacle I had caused, saying she would have given me a high five right there if she had the chance. I also gave her the rundown of what my parents had told me and what lead to me losing control.

"Well, of course, you freaked out then!" She said, waving her arms in the air. "They can't blame you."

"They definitely don't see it like that."

"You know, I'm sure my folks won't mind taking you in! You're out of here before me, but they would be happy to have you there." She looked hopeful, the idea taking form in her head. "Yes, oh my gosh it would be awesome. Like one big sleepover!" She beamed, jumping up and down with excitement. I didn't reply, only smiled and nodded. I guessed that wouldn't be so bad, at least it would be a roof over my head.

The dinner bell eventually rang through the small room and Olive left, still talking about how much fun it would be for me to live with her. A few hours after finishing the plate of meatloaf Lady Agatha had brought me, she helped me off the bed and gestured towards a guard waiting at the door.

"He'll take you back to your room. The meds I just gave you should last until tomorrow, but if you feel any pain swing by after breakfast and I'll give you some more."

"Thank you, Lady Agatha." I bowed my head slightly, giving her a small smile. She smiled back, waving as I headed out the door.

The walk to my room felt strange, besides going to the bathroom I hadn't really walked since the previous morning. My body still felt weak and my breathing almost seemed to be constricted, seeing as my whole abdomen was tightly wrapped in bandages. I thought it was a little overkill, but Lady Agatha ensured it was the only way to properly get to the wounds on my back. I winced every time I thought of the ugly scars they would probably leave.