Prologue Part One

All eleven year old Madison wanted was to give her mother a happier memory. For her to forget walking in on Madison cutting her hands and watching them heal themselves. She had done it before, Changed someone's memory without any issues. All she did this time was make a new memory from two old ones. One of Dr. Brenner's men taking her away and that moment her mother found out about her power. Forcing a new memory of her mother opening Madison's door , Dr. Brenner showing up , barging into their house and dragging Madison away. Making all the words spoken to her mother unclear and distorted in the memories.  In hopes he would look more like a liar that took away her only daughter.

Yet as she stares at her parents, her father's arms wrapped around her mother. Who is kneeling on the ground shaking, clutching her head and muttering "no..no..something is wrong. They stole her..my Madison...."

I pushed too hard, Madison thought, checks stained from tears and blood pouring from her nose.

"What did you do Madison?", Dr Brenner asked with a clear fascination in his eyes. Realizing that she had more than just healing in her blood.

Madison shakes her head, heart heavy and panic setting in as she backs up into the kitchen, stopping when her back meets their counter. All this time of dealing with being pushed to see how far she can heal. Dealing with having to behave, not crying  for help when allowed a home visit. Getting him to believe she would not try to run. So certain that he agreed to the guards staying outside, did not worry as he followed her father outside for a chat. A year worth of effort trying to not give a single hint she could hear thoughts, see memories and even alter memories now wasted.

I broke my own mother..

"Come it's time to leave.." Dr. Brenner demands, Madison shakes her head, eyes still glued to the damage she caused. Hearing the mess her mothers mind now is, "People are not safe around you"

One of the guards grab her arm,  Madison quickly reaches for the block of knives pulling one free. Swiping at the guard's hand getting him to let go with a hiss. The knife cutting through the glove into his skin. Holding the knife with a sturdy grip she points it straight out at everyone whispering, "Leave me alone"

"Madi...they just want to help you." Her father tries to gently remind her as he stands up attention now focused on her.

"No...they hurt me," Her voice is a shaky mess as panic starts to sweep in, "Please don't let them take me back!! please!"

Everything become a blurry of tears, shouting and fear as a guard tackles her. Her panic high as their bodies jerk around. Her fingers trying to keep their grip on the knife that sharp end direction keeps changing. Ears full of her father's shouting, her mother's screams and thousand different thought pushing into her mind. Her eyes catch two more guards race in. Restraining her father away from Brenner who reaches for two tubes with a needle from his pocket, full of knock out drugs. Through all the loud chaos, Madison can feel her strength failing. The knife slips from her hands, its sharp blade piercing her flesh. As the guard pushes it deep into her right shoulder until its tip is jutting out from the other side. Madison can not stop her cry of pain falling from her lips. Forgotten among the noise her mother rushed forward. Slamming a solid table decoration on the back of the guard's head. 

Again and again shouting, "leave my daughter alone!" Stopping as the guard falls to the ground, head now oozing blood.

Making all stand still for a moment with wide eyes. Madison with a grunt pulls the knife out of her shoulder. Her mother screams in fight, dropping the now bloody object as Madison skin stitches itself back together. Madison stares into her mother's frightened eyes. Guilt filling her heart as scattered thoughts of a now broken mind wash over her mind. Madison's eyes sweep around the room. Taking in Brenner's greedy gaze, empty eyes of guards and her fathers eyes full of pity. Looking back at her mother's shocked face knife still gripped tight Madison rushes to her only escape. The kitchen door that leads to their backyard. The cold air slams into her face, but she ignores it as she runs. Jumping fences and racing through the neighborhood. 

Can't let them catch me, she thinks as her legs start to burn. Madison loses track of where she is and time while stars grace the night sky. Only stopping when she comes runs right into Steve Harrington standing in front of a gas station. 

"Madi.." his voice is full of shock as he takes in her appearance. Eyes going over her bloody shoulder, hands and landing on the knife covered in blood. 

"I.." Madison takes a step forward only to stop as he steps back," Help. I need help"

Steve's father walks out the store shoving her away he pushes his son behind him. His shouts for help and questions become a faint noise to her ears. Eyes still staring back into Steve's her heart fills with pain as she sees her best friend in the world scared of her. Their attention is captured by the shouts of Dr.Brenner and his men. Who get out of their car and head right for her with quick steps. While telling Steve's father that they are here to take her back to the mental hospital she ran away from. Madison takes one more glance at Steve before running into the woods. 

Mind flashing back to woods that kept haunting her nightmares for weeks. Filled with shadows, monsters and strange air. A place with that felt so real she could still taste the odd mushrooms she ate, the murky water she drank and hear the sounds of a create with no face. It's blood leaving a awful taste in her mouth even after waking up. A place she thought was the scariest nightmare until she met Dr. Brenner.

Out of breath Madison quickly hides behind a tree. Dropping the knife, her hands cover her ears as she rocks. Trying to block out Brenner calling her name. Madison's voice is a soft whisper, "leave...forget me ...forget me..," a branch snaps, blood flows from her nose as she opens her mind to theirs. Focusing on burning down their memories of her. Full of desperation, Madison's voice rings out in the night, "Forget me!!"

Brenner and his guards stumble backwards as if hit by something. Their eyes fog over and without another word they turn leaving silently. Madison collapses, her energy gone, she gives into her body's desire for sleep.

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