Someone believed her. Someone did not try to tell her it was all in her head. Of course it was all in her head. How else would she be able to hear her Raker?  Raker, the sweet voice dripping words of poisoned honey right into her ear. Raker, the one who convinced her to do those things to her mother. Raker, the one who shouted the loudest and loved her the best.<br/><br/>Until the doctor came. Then it was he who loved her the best and told her wonderful things to put her back together and make her whole in the best way possible. She, who had never known pure love, was now awash in it. He told them to love her. And they did. Because he did. When the love and adoration became too frightening, Raker was there to tell her to be strong and brave and trust the doctor wholeheartedly. So she did.<br/><br/>Her words grew stronger and the people came to her, desperate for her prophecies until the time came for her to take the position for which she had so long been groomed.<br/><br/>Leaving the sanctity of the hospital scared her, tremors of fear running down the length of her spine no matter what Raker whispered. It was the touch of the dark-eyed one that calmed her, her pale-skinned hand gripping his. His words commanded her attention, his voice drowning out the chaos in her head. Charlotte nodded slowly; she could trust Kell, he meant her no harm. She would come to him for whatever she needed. He would take care of her. Despite his reassurances, the non-captive fingers began to tap a rhythm on the outside of her thigh. One finger, then the next, and the next, followed by the last. Over and over tapping the pattern on her leg until her fingertips tingled and her thigh felt bruised from the repetition.<br/><br/>Green eyes widened at the sight of the large house, her home now, before moving to the assembled crowd. They would be her people now. She would speak and they would believe. They would always want to hear what she had to say. For what she had to say was the<i>truth</i>.  The good doctor had told her so and Raker had agreed.<br/><br/>Her companion pulled her out of the car, her natural inclination to shrink and hide behind him. Until the Doctor had found her and fixed her broken mind, she had learned that drawing attention to herself resulted in<i>pain</i>.  Not the good pain that her special voice friend promised but the pain from the needles or the restraints or even the pain from being denied sustenance. Wretched horrible things to do to the sweet golden-haired one.<br/><br/>Hold his hand tighter. Open your arms for the people. Let the light hit your chest.<br/><br/>Yes, she would do those things. She would tighten her grip. She would step out from his shadow and spread her arms in a crude imitation of angel wings. She would open herself up to the light, eyes closed and head falling back. As their oracle opened herself physically and mentally to them, the crowd roared their approval. She was the one who would help lead them all to salvation.<br/><br/>Emboldened by their approval, Lotte dropped Kell‘s hand, her fingers slipping through his hand as she took one step forward then another. “They call to me. Do you hear them?” she questioned as she glanced briefly over her shoulder to see if he minded. Her voice was sweet and clear, angelic even. Even in the worst of her fits, she spoke with pure intentions and a pure voice. “Do you?” Her question asked in earnest, green eyes searching his face.<br/><br/>His response was unimportant; the people wanted her. They wanted to bask in her golden glow and she wanted to fulfill the role the man had promised her for so many years was hers. Arms spread wide, she went to them, letting the crowd swallow her with their bodies and their love. The petite doll disappeared into the press of bodies, no longer scared of what her future might hold.  They loved her and they would not hurt her.<br/><br/>The group began to dissipate after some time, each person content with a small touch and smile from the young woman until finally, she was standing alone where a throng of people had once been. Widespread arms fell to her side as she walked towards the one who had brought her here safely. “They love me,” her voice strong with conviction as she took his hand once more.<br/><br/>Charlotte glanced over his shoulder at the mansion looming behind him. The doctor’s home. His home. And now, her home. After so long, she had so many people to<i>listen </i>to her and a home she could call her own.