Created

Part 3, Chapter 11

Lizzie

CHESF base

Lizzie was standing in a dark room by herself. A couple of hours ago, they found her hiding in a vent. Then they took her, and put her in that scary metal pod. Now, she could hear things. Things she didn't want to hear. Thoughts.

She's scared right now

The tests were a complete success

Am I a pyromaniac now?

June is so hot

I love punching things

Good old Gertrude does it again

She could hear the thoughts of everyone within what seemed to be a five mile radius. It was scary, and overwhelming. The other people's thoughts were overriding hers and she coudn't think.

I...

Why am I craving pizza

Need...

Just ask Janie out already Doug

To...

This place is awesome

Get...

Ants are scary looking

OUT!

Lizzie screamed, and for just a moment, all of the invasive thoughts stopped.

We need to turn on the dampeners. She can't control it like the other subjects can.

There was a low metallic hum, and her powers shut off. She could no longer hear other people's thoughts. Lizzie sighed with relief. An invisible door opened, and an older lady in a white lab coat stepped out into the room. The door closed.

"Hello Elizabeth."

That was out loud.

"It's just Lizzie."

"I'm sorry." Her voice was low, gentle, and it soothed Lizzie.

"I am sorry all of those words were coming to your mind. It must have been really scary."

Lizzie fought crying. She nodded.

"My name is Bridget. Can I be your friend?"

Lizzie nodded again.

"Good." Bridget held up a small triangular piece of technology that had little blue lights on it.

"This little machine is going to help you use your powers better, okay? All I need to do is put this device on your forehead, is that alright?"

Lizzie nodded a third time. Bridget walked over to Lizzie and stuck the device in the center of Lizzie's forehead. Lizzie tried to look up high enough to see it, but gave up in a few seconds.

Bridget clicked a button on the side and the device powered up.

"This will help you, but you will still need to focus on me to block everything else out."

"Okay." Lizzie put on what Ammy called her brave face; her eyebrows arched down, and her mouth became a straight line.

"Lower the dampener."

The sudden onrush of thoughts wasn't as bad as it was before, but it was still nauseating.

Running this fast is awesome! Woah, I can't stop!

Can you hear me Lizzie?

Four drones this time! For real?

Watch out!!

Lizzie focused on Bridget, and her voice, and tried to block everything else out. There was Bridget, and only Bridget. No one else in the whole wide world.

Can you hear me Lizzie?

Why am I still craving pizza?

Can you hear me Lizzie?

Can you hear me Lizzie?

Can you hear me Lizzie?

"Yes!" Lizzie exclaimed aloud. "I can hear you, and only you! It worked!"

I do love plecebos.

"What's a placebo?"

Dang, this kid is more onto it than I thought, then aloud, "A placebo is when you think a lie, but it ends up coming true. They are used oftentimes in medicine, and trauma therapy. In this case, we gave you a lazer tag target that would have not solved anything; we told you it would solve your problem, and it did!"

"So you lied to me."

"No, no, no Lizzie. I wouldn't lie to a telepath. We just needed to see if you could control your powers, and now we know you do!"

"What's a telepath?"

"It's someone who can read thoughts and emotions."

That's cool. Lizzie thought.

"Indeed it is cool." Lizzie looked up.

"I didn't say that."

"Yes you did."

"No, I didn't. I thought it."

"So, you're able to project your thoughts to others. Very interesting. Write that down."

The last comment wasn't directed at Lizzie, but it was for the people watching them.

"That is all Lizzie. You don't have to be here anymore, now that we know you have some handle on your gifts."

"Thank you Bridget."

"If you need me, I'm only a thought away." Bridget walked out of the invisible door, but this time it stayed open. Lizzie took a second and studied the thoughts of the watchers from behind the walls.

I don't think she's ready for the mission

She's too young

She seems to have control of her powers, I think she's ready

We don't need a seven year old girl running around inflicting her wild and crazy thoughts on random people and ACK-

Lizzie directed her thoughts to the last man, and intensely thought of a chicken. After that, the only thoughts coming off of him were to feed and keep moving, along with several clucks. Lizzie smiled as she walked away. She had more control than they thought. Except for the chicken man. He couldn't really think at all. At least it was temporary. Maybe.