Warning: mentions of abuse.

I probably stood in front of the door longer than I thought. The little old lady that lived next door actually came up to me and asked if I got locked out, which wasn't the case. I just couldn't think of an excuse on why my face is messed up. Most of the blood came off when I used some tissue and water I had in my backpack, but it was pretty obvious that I had a busted lip and a still swelling cheek.

Was there even a point to have an excuse? Phoebe is a news fanatic and she is no stranger to social media since she loves to post all of her before and after pictures about interior design. She probably already saw the afternoon news about the bank robbery and Spiderman escorting me outside all bloody in the face.

I should just tell the truth.

After all my family has done for me, I shouldn't lie.

With a deep breath, I unlocked the front door.

Closing it behind me, I kept my head down as I took off my shoes and placed my backpack next to them alongside the wall.

"Lia? Is that you sweetie?" Phoebe called. I heard her footsteps come where I was. She stood in front of me in silence as she placed her hand on my unharmed cheek. Lifting my head up, I saw the worry etched on her face, "Oh honey. What did they do to you?"

With a sigh, I asked a question that I already knew the answer to.

"Did you watch the news?"

"How else would I know about this?" She asked back. She retreated back into the kitchen with me trailing behind her. I sat on one of the dining chairs, feeling small like a child that is about to be scolded. In her hands was a frozen bag of peas. She placed it on my cheek and put one of my unoccupied hands over it so I can hold it. I groaned in relief as the coolness quelled the burning sensation on my cheek. "Did you disinfect the cut on your face?"

I shook my head in response. Leaving my side, I think she went to get the first aid kit in the bathroom. Closing my eyes, I put the bag of peas on the table and laid my cheek down on it.

Thinking back to what happened not even an hour ago, I wasn't even thinking it would have worked. Hypnotizing two people almost simultaneously. What if it didn't work? Would Spiderman have arrived on time? Or would I have died due to sheer stupidity?

There was only one other time I had done this. This was before Mesmera. A time when I was just a regular high school girl with hypnotic powers.

Back in Southampton, I had a friend named Penny Walsh. She's a straight A student, vice president of the student council, and is not afraid to speak her mind. She was the first person who talked to me freshman year. She didn't judge me from the lack of eye contact or how reserved I was. She even sat with me during lunch period and talked about anything and everything just to break the silence. It was refreshing to talk to someone other than my family.

One day, I noticed she had a bruise around her wrist when her sleeve rode up. I asked her about it, but she just shrugged it off like it was nothing. A bruise in the shape of a hand print is definitely not nothing. I didn't press any more after that. Until I noticed it got worse.

As the days went by, she has been wearing more makeup than usual. She finally told me when I confronted her about it in the restroom after a week of keeping quiet about it. Penny was being abused at home. Her father lost his job at a construction site for showing up to work intoxicated. Her father couldn't cope so he turned to drinking instead. When I asked about her mom, her mom was too afraid to disobey him or fight back. It angered me so much seeing her break down in front of me as she told me everything that he did.

I grew up in a loving home with my God family. Well… Clara can be a pain sometimes, but isn't that how most siblings are anyway? I've never been exposed to anything harmful or toxic in my life. I grew up with the mindset of living life to the fullest and be the best person I can be.

It hurt to see someone finally let out what they have been carrying on their shoulders.

I never hated someone so much. Parents are supposed to love their children, not beat them when they do nothing wrong or just being in their presence. My mind went into a bad place as she told me what her father did while her mother just sat there.

I wanted to hurt him so bad. Hundreds of scenarios ran through my mind after that day with most of them ending in his death. I never would do that to anybody. Take their own lives or someone else's. I can't play God and do something like that.

With my powers, I have two main rules.

Rule #1: Do not use my power on my family or friends.

Rule #2: Do not kill.

I know. My second rule is a lot like Batman's, but killing won't bring any justice.

The following night, I went to her house. I probably looked like a robber with a black mask and black clothing. Climbing up the tree, I noticed it was right in front of her parents room. Wedging the putty knife between the window and the jamb, I wiggled the frame as quietly as I could. I grasped the barrel lock with pliers and attempted to pull as I wiggled it open. Putting those away, I brought out my iron fan. Crouching along the floor, I stood over his sleeping form. I pressed the sharp tip of the fan against his throat, making him away. Placing a finger to my lips, I pressed it a bit harder threateningly. I felt my eyes glow as his green orbs melted into a black abyss.

"You will never lay a hand on your daughter ever again. You will think of all the terrible things you have done to her. Never will alcohol touch your lips and enter your body. Love your daughter like a daughter should be loved."

Him repeating back what I said woke her mother up. I felt myself freeze as she opened her mouth to scream. My eyes shifted to hers since my power was still active since he wasn't finished.

I told her the same last command as his. I prayed that it would work and it did. With one more command to not remember I was here, I disappeared into the night.

That was back in November last year. As time went on, her dad got better. He went to Alcoholics Anonymous and got another job. I was so happy for her that they were treating her how she deserved to be treated. When it melted into January, I guess her dad got consumed by the guilt of what he did to her that they moved away and that was the last I heard of her.

To this day, I just hope that everything is still alright with her.

I never got to tell her this, but thank you Penny Walsh for being my friend and trusting me.

Also, thank you for helping me discover that I can do actual good with my power.

Author's Note:

Hello everyone!

I know there wasn't any Peter in this chapter, but I did want to give a little flashback on Ophelia's past when she discovered she can manipulate two people and her drive to become Mesmera.

Thank you again to WALU1G1, PrettyRecklessLaura, and PuppyCake for the lovely reviews! Also thank you all for favoriting, following, and just reading! It really means a lot to me and drives me to write more for you!

Now to answer some questions:

PuppyCake: Thank you for asking! With Ophelia, she has only discovered that she can brainwash two people so far. Since she really doesn't have any people to test out her power's full capabilities, she can do two at the most. I honestly didn't think about that when I wrote that chapter. Don't worry, I won't make her ridiculously overpowered or anything like that.

WALU1G1: Yes! I did previously post this story on Wattpad with my meggehwhovian account with the same story name. It didn't get as much love as I had hoped it would so I deleted it off there and posted it on here. Thank you for finding this story again if you read it on there. I do like posting here a lot more haha!

Anyways, I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter! Leave a review and let me know what you think. I take any and all compliments and/or criticisms. Also if you have any questions, I will gladly answer them!

Until next time!

-YoullBeAvenged