Out of Body Experience

Chapter 8

 "So, she's probably the reason her friend died?"

Benjamin glared, "don't say it like that."

Lucas raised a brow, "I'm not an idiot, I wouldn't use those words around her."

"I know, I..." Benjamin sighed, "it's a very delicate topic. I've assigned her a therapist; can you make sure she goes?"

Lucas nodded, "at least it explains everything."

Benjamin looked down at the girl's file.

"The lack of eye contact, how shy she is with her mother. She feels guilty."

Benjamin looked up and nodded, "that makes sense. Poor thing."

"Nobody arrives here okay."

Benjamin nodded, "on the bright side, she had some good things to say about you."

Lucas looked surprised, "really?"

"She said you were nice to her and made her feel comfortable here. You were pretty much the only thing she wanted to talk about to her mom."

Lucas blushed, "wow. I'm glad."

Benjamin nodded, "this isn't the first kid I've had you help me with, what's different?"

Lucas shrugged, "I dunno. She's sweet, I like her. I'm glad I can make her feel more at home in this place."

Benjamin nodded, "well, keep up the good work son."

"I best be going."

Benjamin nodded. But before he could say goodbye Lucas was up and gone.

Benjamin sighed, putting away the files.

For a while, things were uneventful. Lucas and Ella got on better every day. Every night they watched a movie together.

In the mornings Ella had training with Abel. He watched expectantly as she aimed her bow and arrow. She missed. Abel's shoulders sagged yet the shot wasn't half bad.

"Very good," he praised. But it was too little too late.

Ella grabbed another arrow having already seen the disappointment in his posture.

Irys was a great teacher, every evening Ella learnt something new, and her maths was improving. Yet Irys also seemed disappointed, with each possible power she crossed of the list, concern was growing.

It was just another day, yet Ella felt tired. She hid her fatigue from Lucas as he prepared the movie. But she couldn't hold it back for long.

"You're what?" her grip on the small cat toy she'd bought over tightened, as she raised her head to stare straight at him.

When he turned to look at her, she lowered her head. "It's just a couple of days. Nothing dangerous. Missions are common, I'm just tagging along, nothing dangerous." He spoke quickly, trying to reassure the younger girl.

She stared into the eyes of her toy. "You promise?"

Lucas hugged her, "of course."

Ella leaned against Lucas for the rest of the movie, he kept his arm around her.

The next day Ella was alone in the cafeteria during lunch, poking at her food with no intent of eating it. She missed Lucas. Tonight, would be even harder without a movie to look forward to.

Caroline was seated with some adults but noticed Ella all alone and moved.

"Hey Sweetheart, missing the guys?"

Ella didn't move her eyes from the food, just nodded, "a lot."

"Benjamin taking good care of you?"

Ella nodded, "and Lucas watches movies with me every night."

"Aw, that's sweet of him," Caroline nodded approvingly.

Ella nodded again, cutting her food slowly.

Caroline wished she could encourage Ella to make new friends, but there weren't any other kids her age in this area. "So, got any plans for tonight?"

Ella shook her head, "Lucas said I could go to his room and watch a movie without him but... it's not the same."

Caroline watched the girl before having an idea, "why don't you come to my room and watch something with me?"

Ella looked up ever so slightly, "really?"

Caroline nodded, "I have a really good documentary on magic, if that's the kind of thing you'd be interested in?"

Ella nodded, "yes please."

Caroline smiled, "okay then, well I'll have popcorn and juice ready for you."

Ella smiled back.

That night Ella was surprised by how much bigger and nicer Caroline's room was. It had wallpaper covering the walls, a sofa in front of a far larger television than Lucas' and instead of videos she had DVDs, very modern.

Just like promised Caroline had set up juice and fresh unsalted popcorn out on the coffee table, as well as an extra soft blanket on the sofa.

The documentary was fascinating, but also had way more theorizing than Ella was used to.

"Scientists theorize magic has existed for thousands of years, but a recent mutation is what made it show. Prior to this it was invisible, nowadays, magic can show outward signs as early as four years old."

Ella watched the CGI cells float around on screen, change and reproduce.

Caroline leaned closer, "if you have any questions, feel free to ask," she whispered.

Ella nodded, "thanks."

The documentary went on to explain many of the more typical power sets. None of them felt even slightly plausible to Ella, she stared down at her hands wishing she had something simple like super strength or speed.