Lisa: Three Girls with Extrordinary ESP Powers

damages.

One

The wind was blowing my hair all over the place. But that didn’t matter. I was enjoying myself hugely. At a couple of thousand feet up there’s little to stop the wind and anything loose was catching it. I was just standing there happily letting it blow. What was I standing on? Why, nothing, of course. Hang on and I’ll explain from the beginning.

My name is Lisa, and I’m a bit different - I can fly - well, levitate anyway. I’ve always been able to do it. Some people can levitate objects - I can levitate myself. As far as I’m aware, although there are others, I’m the only person I know who can do this, so naturally, to avoid appearing to be different, I’ve kept it a secret. When you’re only eighteen, being different is not an option.

So there I was happily hovering at about a couple of thousand feet, enjoying the wind blowing my hair about when I heard a voice behind me. Twisting myself round in the air I saw - Supergirl!

Of course it couldn’t really be Supergirl, after all she doesn’t actually exist, but for just one moment...

The other girl had to be another girl with the same power to fly as I had. But she was dressed as Supergirl! With her long blonde hair she looked almost exactly like Supergirl. She spoke again.

I thought I was the only girl around here who could fly. It would seem not.

She obviously had the same power as me because here we both were, standing on nothing, looking at each other.

Hi, she said. I’m Jody. What’s your name.

Lisa, I stammered. For just a moment there I thought you were, you know...

Supergirl? Jody laughed gently. I’ve spent some time trying to look like her. It seems I might have had some success.

Where did you get that costume?

This? Good isn’t it. Standard fancy dress costume.

It’s brilliant.

Jody said, I’m new round here. We only moved here a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea there was anyone else like me anywhere close.

I said I’d never met anyone else with my powers before. I stood in mid air looking at her. But Jody was asking.

Not got your own costume then?

"Err - well - actually...

You have, haven’t you?

Ok, yes. I have actually. It’s a fancy dress costume like yours.

Not Supergirl? Can’t have two Supergirls.

It doesn’t have a name. I wanted a Supergirl but the shop didn’t have one. I’ve thought about flying around wearing it but so far ...

Bottled out, ehh? Oh, don’t worry, I only wear this when people can’t actually see me. I don’t let people see me fly anyway. What’s it look like then, this costume? Can I see it?

I was finding it really easy to talk to Jody. Yeah. Why not. Got some time to spare?

Not planning on doing anything else. Besides, it gets boring just flying around by yourself.

I could relate to that. Come on then, I said, turning downwards and flying towards home. I live this way.

We flew in through my bedroom window and settled to the floor. I’d promised to show her my other costume so I fished it out of the back of the wardrobe and laid it out on my bed.

Hey, not bad, said Jody. Who’s it supposed to be?"

Don’t actually know, I laughed. I think it’s actually Japanese or something, you know, like Sailor Moon or similar. Probably doesn’t have a name. Turn your back and I’ll put it on.

She did this, and shortly there were two super heroines standing in my bedroom. The costumes were actually quite similar, having a leotard top, a skirt and a cape. But while Jody’s was the traditional Supergirl red, blue, and yellow, mine was red and white.

Let’s go for a fly, Jody said.

What? Outside? In public?

No, silly. Outside, yes, but in public? - not on your life! In the woods. Nobody will see us there.

We both dived head first though my bedroom window, me first, then Jody. My house is great for this sort of thing, nobody can see you. We flew around in the woods for a while, chasing each other. I decided I liked Jody, perhaps we could be friends, I didn’t have many of those.

After a little while of this we were both a bit out of breath and excited (we might be able to fly but we aren’t really Supergirls) and so we flew back to my bedroom.

I think I’m going to like being your friend, said Jody. That’s if you’ll have me, of course.

We sat on the bed and talked for a while about this and that. It turned out that Jody, like me, didn’t have any particular friends. Having to keep her power secret meant that she’d never been particularly close to anybody. It looked like this was about to change for both of us.

Our conversation turned to flying, costumes, and Supergirl.

If we’re going to fly together we can’t both be Supergirl, I said. You should be Supergirl, you’ve already got the costume."

Jody replied, There’s nothing wrong with your costume. If we think up a name for you, there can be two super-heroines, plenty to go around.

We spent a few minutes thinking up names. Wondergirl was too much like Wonderwoman so we chucked that one. Finally we got down to two, Powergirl and Ultragirl. I liked Powergirl but Jody liked Ultragirl.

It’s your costume, said Jody. We’ll use what you want. Henceforth you shall be Powergirl. And so Powergirl was born.

Over the next few weeks Jody and I saw a lot of each other. We had great fun, Supergirl and Powergirl, zooming around in the secluded woods.

One day we were enjoying ourselves playing our game of super-heroines as usual when our flight took us near the river. We’d not gone too near as we could hear other young people messing about near the old tree that overhung the water. There was a large branch which people liked to climb out onto and sit above the water.

As we flitted about just out of sight in the woods we heard a sudden loud crack and a series of screams and cries. We flew as near as we dared and peeped out between the trees. A small girl had climbed out on the branch. The old branch had finally given way and had broken partly away from the tree. The frightened girl had almost been dumped into the water. The branch hadn’t broken entirely, it was still attached to the tree but any sudden movement by the girl or any rescue attempt from the bank would make it fall into the river.

Help, help! I can’t swim, cried the girl.

We have to help, I said urgently to Jody.

We can’t let people see us flying, said Jody.

Then I had an idea. They won’t see us. Look at us. They’ll see Supergirl and Powergirl. Neither of us actually exists, if you see what I mean. Who’ll believe a load of kids?

Jody agreed, a bit dubiously, but she agreed. We rose above the trees so it wouldn’t seem as if we’d been in the wood all the time.

Arms extended, we flew headfirst to the river and the old tree. It felt very scary to be flying in public, especially in the super costume. I had a moment to think about how Jody must be feeling. The thought was only momentary, however, as we were quickly on the scene. We each took an arm of the girl and lifted her off the branch. Flying with her to the bank, we landed beside her incredulous friends, lowered her to the ground and immediately rose into the air again and flew off over the treetops.

We landed deep in the wood, well out of sight of the river. Deciding that enough was enough for today, we returned home.

Next morning Mum and I were having breakfast together. She said, Have you heard about the story going round that a young child was rescued from the river by Supergirl and another flying girl yesterday?

I managed to look surprised. No, that can’t be right, can it?

Mum looked at me closely. You can still levitate, can’t you? And you do still have that fancy dress costume we bought you?

I managed to stammer out a hesitant ‘yes’.

I suppose I should explain further, she said. It’s fairly uncommon, as you know, for people to have PSI or ESP or call it what you will. This can manifest itself as several forms, one of which is levitation. Usually it’s girls who can levitate but normally the ability disappears as they reach puberty.

I listened to this with interest. I was well past that stage.

Mum went on, When I met your Dad, I could levitate just like you. Perhaps more to the point, so could he. It’s very rare for a boy’s ESP to include levitation, but he could. Both our abilities disappeared by the time we were about twelve or thirteen but it’s not unknown for the children of such double ability parents to retain their powers all their lives. I think you might be one of these few.

I’ve never really been able to lie to Mum. I had to tell her that I could still do it.

So - it was you. And Jody I’ve no doubt. Which one were you?

I stammered that Jody was Supergirl.

Oh don’t worry. They were only a gang of kids. Nobody really believed them - except me of course, but then I had good cause.

Oh, Mum. We never intended anyone to see us. But we couldn’t let the little girl fall in the river, could we?

She sighed. No, I suppose you’re right. But you must make sure it doesn’t happen again. Having the power to levitate doesn’t mean you are Supergirl or whoever you’ve decided to be.

We realise that. We only did what we did because we thought the kids would see Supergirl and Powergirl and not Lisa and Jody from round the corner.

Well you were right this time but maybe not next time. No more trying to save the world. Anyway, now that I know, there’s no need to be quite so secretive about it.

Two

Before long Summer was over and it was back to school. We’d already been told that Jody was to join me at my school, maybe even in the same class. Even at eighteen, we still had to wear the school uniform, worse luck. I didn’t mind really, It did serve to stop all the girls getting all competitive about what they wore.

On the first morning back, I was getting ready early as usual when I heard a tap at my bedroom window. My bedroom is upstairs so it could be only one thing. I opened the curtains to find Jody hovering outside the window dressed in her school uniform, all ready to go. I opened the window and she floated inside.

I thought we might go together, it being my first day, she said.

I replied, Fine but we have to use the bus and walk to school like anybody else you know.

What, can’t we fly a little of the way?

There are too many other people going the same way, we might be seen. Supergirl and Powergirl we can get away with but not Lisa and Jody in school uniform.

I finished knotting my tie and put on my blazer, now we were both ready. When we appeared downstairs Mum raised an eyebrow at the presence of Jody but said nothing, good old Mum.

We set off for school. As we walked along I asked Jody, I hope you haven’t got your Supergirl outfit on under that uniform.

Nope. Just plain old boring white. Why?

Because there’s an outside chance of Games or Gym, even on the first day, and if you strip off your uniform in the changing room to reveal Supergirl it could be a bit - well - embarrassing. I’m just looking after the new girl, you understand.

We both had a fit of giggles at the thought.

Eventually we arrived at school. So had a lot of other people. I’d never really made any friends, girls or boys, so nobody rushed up to gush out what they’d been doing in the hols. I did spot a few boys eyeing both Jody and me in a speculative way. We were both eighteen and, though I say it myself, well worth looking at, our school shirts went in and out in all the right places.

The first day passed off reasonably ok. Jody did end up in my class and I found myself appointed guardian of the new girl as it was noticed we already knew each other.

After tea I waited for Jody to appear at the window. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before she appeared. I let her in.

After a natter about nothing much, she dropped a bombshell. I want us to show ourselves in our costumes, to get an opinion. Mums and dads are not an option, they’ll think we’re kinky, or worse, childish. It is childish I suppose, really. Playing games at our age!

What’s brought this on? Do you want to let other people see you as Supergirl? You do, don’t you?

Damn! Am I that transparent.

I thought for a minute then said, Cousin Mike.

Naturally, Jody said, What?

Cousin Mike is almost twenty one. He’s ok really but we don’t exactly fancy each other. He would, however, do anything for me, and that might include giving us his opinion. He’s a very nice person and would probably keep it to himself.

Where do we find this paragon of virtue, said Jody.

That’s the snag, I said. He lives about sixty miles away.

Poo! That’s not a snag, said Jody. Come on, we can fly.

I muttered about it being levitation, really, not flying, but Jody would have none of it.

Oh, do see if you can arrange it, she said. We could be there in an hour or so, no problem.

Suddenly she had another thought. Can Mike fly - sorry levitate - as well?

I said yes, unless he’d lost the ability and then had to explain what I meant. It turned out, as I’d thought, that both Jody’s parents had had the power at one time when they were younger, just like mine.

We talked about this and that for a while, the Jody said, Come on. Let’s go for a fly,

It turned out she was already wearing her Supergirl costume under her dress. Not to be outdone, I went over to my wardrobe and began to put on my Powergirl outfit.

I turned to see Jody standing in mid air with her hands on her hips. She looked very confident and ready for anything.

After a moment she broke down in a fit of giggles. Then she turned in mid air, twisted horizontal, and shot out of the window head first. I did the same and followed close behind her.

Three

Over the next few days, Jody and I talked about going to see Mike.

We decided we’d just drop in on Mike. We’d wear ordinary clothes with our costumes on underneath, then ask him to tell us what he thought. We’d wait until half term. Jody and I would be off school, as would Mike, college in his case, of course, but, more important, both his parents would be at work and he’d be in the house alone all day - perfect.

That Monday was a good flying day, no rain but low cloud we could hide in if we needed to. Jody and I put on our costumes and then some normal clothes. We both had to wear skirts and jumpers as trying to get the capes and the Supergirl costume skirts tucked into jeans made us look decidedly lumpy. With a normal skirt, the costumes were concealed without a problem.

We took off to fly to Mike’s place, leaving though my bedroom window as usual. I hovered outside the window for a moment to make sure the window was closed then we set off. Not actually being Supergirl and Powergirl meant that flying at super speed was not an option. Our powers of levitation gave us a forward speed of twenty miles an hour or so - still pretty fast if we flew near the ground but decidedly slow if we flew at any height. We were flying high enough so we’d be hard to spot against the clouds and the journey seemed very long, although it was only a couple of hours or so. I’d found that I could go as high as I liked but I’d been afraid to go too high, and anyway, it gets difficult to spot where you are if you do fly too high.

We landed near Mike’s house where nobody could see us and walked the short distance to the door. I pressed the bell and eventually Mike answered it. Naturally he was surprised to see me, although he knew I could fly, I’d never flown all the way to his house before.

Hi, Lisa, he said. This is a bit of a surprise, you should have phoned first and I’d have been expecting you.

I said we’d decided on the spur of the moment to pop over being at a bit of a loose end what with half term and all. He accepted this small fib without question. I introduced Jody. As he said hello and so on he glanced at me and raised his eyebrows. I knew exactly what he was trying to find out.

Yes, Jody is the same as us. She can levitate too, that’s how we got here.

All the way from your house? That’s great. I’d never thought of long distance flying but I suppose there’s no reason why not. By now we were in Mike’s lounge. After a few more minutes of small talk, I got to the point of our visit. I used another little fib we’d cooked up.

Jody and I are going to a fancy dress party soon. As we can both fly we thought it might be fun to go as super-heroines, not to actually do anything, you understand, but it was the first thing we thought of and it seems like a good idea. We thought we’d try out the costumes on an impartial third party before we decide, just in case we make fools of ourselves. There are prizes for the best costumes.

The last bit was added on the spur of the moment, I thought it up all on my own.

Mike grinned. Go on then. I’ll be your guinea pig or critic or whatever.

Jody and I looked at each other. Quickly we nipped into the kitchen and pulled off our outer clothes. We walked back into the lounge and posed in front of him.

The tableau persisted for a moment, the Mike said, Supergirl and Powergirl. Very nice. However, I know you, Lisa, there’s more to this visit than meets the eye.

What do you mean? I stammered, feeling our scheme about to fall apart around us.

I think there’s no fancy dress party. I bet you two dress like that to have fun pretending to be Supergirl and Powergirl.

Our looks of dismay must have been obvious.

Oh don’t worry. I might have a little surprise for you. Stay here a moment.

And with that he left the room. Jody and I started a hasty whispered conversation.

What now?

I don’t know. Mikes not a nasty person. He won’t tell anyone if we ask him not to.

Even so, I’m very embarrassed.

Oh don’t worry. I wonder where he’s gone.

My question was answered almost immediately as Mike returned. We both let out a gasp.Superboy!

And indeed it was he. There was Mike in a Superboy costume, tight blue trousers or tights, tight blue top with the ‘S’ logo, and bright red shorts - no, big trunks really - with a yellow belt. He had the compulsory red cape just like Jody’s.

Mike!, I squeaked. You look great. Where did you get the costume.

Fancy dress costume actually, like I assume yours are.

A fancy dress costume - at your age, I shook my head sadly. I held the look for just a few seconds, then couldn’t keep it up any longer. I burst into laughter. Mike and Jody joined in. When we’d calmed down a bit I asked Mike the obvious question.

Mike, can you still - you know - levitate.

Yep. Still got the power. But Superboy doesn’t levitate - he can fly!

With that he rose into the air and did a loop the loop.

We spent some time talking about this and that. We told Mike about our obvious obsession with Supergirl. He admitted to having the same obsession, with Superboy anyway, hence the outfit. When we told him about the river rescue he said good for us.

After a short while we decided we’d better get dressed normally again.

It’s getting late and we have to fly back.

Mike came with us to the door. We kissed him goodbye and took off to begin our long flight back home.

Jody and I had a bit of a laugh on the way home. Not horrible, cynical laughter. What about Mike as Superboy?

He does look rather good, laughed Jody. I wonder if he likes dressing up as much as you and me? Maybe he’s as bad as we are.

Jody! You are unkind! But I knew she was probably right.

Four

A couple of days later, Jody and I were sitting in my bedroom doing our homework together, a not unusual occurrence. Jody sat looking into space twiddling her pencil absently. I thought she was searching for the answer to some homework question or other.

Hello? Anyone home? I asked. Jody gave a little jump.

Oh. I was miles away.

What’s his name? I asked with a laugh. Anybody I know?

"It was actually a dream I had last night. Look, I’ll tell you about it