Ella`s Story
My Love From The Future
BOOK ONE

Chapter 8 : TinkerBell

Episode 8 : April 12 2019 Friday 8th grade

Copyright © 2019-2025 Gary Brandt. All rights reserved.

For once, the day unfolds without drama, a rare gift after weeks of chaos.

The school hours pass in a blur of routine—lectures, quizzes, and cafeteria chatter—leaving Ella, Roxana, and Eileen craving the comfort of normalcy.

After the final bell, they gather at Eileen’s house, a sprawling two-story home with a cozy dining room that smells faintly of fresh-baked bread and lemon cleaner.

The girls sprawl around the oak table, their backpacks dumped in a heap by the door, waiting for Eileen’s dad, who’s notorious for late hours at the courthouse.

They’re planning a sleepover, but first, they have questions—big ones—for him. “Honey, the girls need you!” Eileen’s mom calls down the hall as the front door creaks open, signaling her husband’s arrival. “Really?” Eileen’s dad replies, his voice warm with mock surprise as he shrugs off his coat.

“They remember us old folks exist?” “Dad!” Eileen shouts from the dining room.

“Come here.

We’re having a meeting.” Mr.

Callahan steps cautiously into the room, his tie loosened and a wary grin on his face.

He’s a tall man with a prosecutor’s sharp eyes and a penchant for UFO conspiracies that the girls usually tease him about.

“How much is this gonna cost me?” he asks, eyeing the trio. “Nothing!” Eileen says, exasperated, as Ella and Roxana fix him with serious stares.

“It’s not about money.

We need your advice.” “My advice?” He raises an eyebrow, glancing toward the kitchen.

“Honey, grab the video camera—this needs to be documented!” “Stop being silly!” Eileen snaps.

“You’re a lawyer and a prosecutor, so you know legal stuff, political stuff.

And you’re obsessed with flying saucers, ETs, interdimensional beings, and all that disclosure nonsense, right?” “I suppose,” he says, settling into a chair, his tone cautious.

“Why? Did you see a UFO? Want me to represent an alien in court? Were you abducted? I can’t believe I’m even saying this.” “No!” Eileen laughs, though her voice wavers with nervous energy.

“We… abducted one of them! Kidding!” The girls giggle, but the sound is strained, their eyes darting to the Aladdin’s lamp perfume bottle tucked in Ella’s bag.

“Seriously, though, we’ve realized our town’s a mess.

Like big cities, it’s full of sad, depressed people—people with awful lives, who drink, do drugs, steal, hurt others.

We’ve also learned our world’s changing, and we’re part of that change.

We want to save our town, maybe the world.

We need your advice on how to do it.

We need your help.” Mr.

Callahan leans back, rubbing his chin, his expression shifting from amusement to contemplation.

“I was expecting math homework or a science project.

Saving the world’s a tall order.

Where’s this coming from?” Ella speaks up, her voice steady.

“Eileen has a friend—she can’t name her, confidentiality and all.

She lives in a rough part of town where bad things happen.

This friend got hurt, and Eileen wants to help.

We all do.

We don’t want our crew to just be about gossiping or boys.

We want to make a difference.” Mr.

Callahan paces, his footsteps soft on the hardwood floor, as if addressing a jury.

“Ella, you sound like your grandfather.

He was all about changing the world in the ’60s—hippies, peace, love.

They thought they’d fix everything, but I think they got sidetracked by too much weed.” “Don’t make fun, Dad!” Eileen glares, her cheeks flushing.

“We’re serious!” “I see that,” he says, his tone softening.

“It’s just surprising, at your age, to hear you talk like this.

I know from experience how impossible changing the world is.

History’s full of people who tried and failed, with only a few succeeding—some through violence, like our Revolutionary War; others through peace, like Gandhi or Jesus.

Change comes at a great cost.” He pauses, his face darkening.

“I honor your passion, but it terrifies me.

I picture your precious young lives cut short because you tried too much, too soon.

Your mom and I will help—insist on it, actually.

Don’t you dare act without checking with us first.

Got it? We see the dark side of life every day.

I’ve stood in morgues, pulling back sheets, seeing horrors you can’t imagine.” “You’re grounding us?” Eileen’s voice rises, incredulous.

“For wanting to make the world better? You can’t ground all of us!” “Watch your mouth,” Mrs.

Callahan says sharply from the doorway. “I’ve talked to your parents,” Mr.

Callahan continues, his voice firm.

“We weren’t expecting the danger years this soon, but we’ve agreed: any one of us can ground all of you.

Ask them—they’ll confirm.

I’m not against you; it’s my job to keep you safe.

And by the way, your mom saw a traffic cam video of you three on Jackson Street.

It’s starting to add up.” Ella pales, her breath catching.

Eileen’s face reddens with anger, and Roxana’s eyes brim with tears, each processing the revelation differently. “Girls, please,” Mrs.

Callahan says, stepping forward with a hug for each.

“Don’t overreact.

Your dad’s just being a dad.

I believe you’ll change the world, but for now, we need to be part of it.

Go upstairs, finish your homework, get some sleep.

We’ll talk tomorrow.” As the girls trudge to Eileen’s room, Mrs.

Callahan grabs her husband’s hand, her voice low.

“What’s going on with them? This is twenty-something stuff, not middle school.

It’s scaring me.

And what’s it got to do with your ET obsession? You think they’re in some UFO cult?” “If it was a cult, they’d be serving a leader, not acting alone,” Mr.

Callahan says, frowning.

“But something’s up.

Did you see their faces when Eileen joked about abducting ‘one of them’? Ella and Roxana nearly jumped, like she’d spilled a secret.” “You think they’re under some entity’s influence?” Mrs.

Callahan asks, skeptical.

“A make-believe one, maybe.

I’m not buying your ET theories.

Girls this age blur imagination and reality.” “Real or not, it’s dangerous,” he says, his voice tight.

“Remember the Slender Man case? Kids get influenced, and it can turn deadly.” “It was Slender Man, not Thin Man,” she corrects.

“Thin Man was a ’30s radio show.

But I get your point.” Upstairs, Ella’s fury erupts.

“Eileen, seriously? ‘We abducted one of them’? What the heck? You don’t say that in front of a cop!” Eileen’s eyes well with tears.

“I’m sorry! I was nervous, and it slipped.

I forget she’s a cop—she’s my mom too.” “We were just starting something good with Helana,” Ella says, her voice breaking as she stares at the floor.

“Now we might have to send her home.” “Wait!” Roxana interjects, her tone firm.

“Let’s not be too hard on ourselves.

We didn’t do anything wrong.

Our parents are just freaking out because they don’t understand.

They don’t know Helana.

Helana! Get out here and help us fix this!” The girls wait, the room silent, but Helana doesn’t respond. “Helana?” Ella calls, her voice trembling.

“Helana?” “Oh no,” Roxana says, her face falling.

“She’s gone.

I bet she went home.” “Maybe not,” Eileen says, striding to the door.

She opens it and stomps her foot.

“Dad! Mom! Spying? Really? We’re not twelve anymore.

You promised!” Mr.

Callahan steps into view, his expression unapologetic.

“We promised before we knew you were talking to aliens.

Who—or what—is Helana?” “She’s our friend,” Ella says, her voice steady.

“A girl, a kid like us.” “Really?” Mr.

Callahan’s tone is skeptical.

“Why’s she invisible?” “She’s visiting from another dimension,” Roxana explains, her words rushing out.

“She’s a runaway.

In her world, we’re in their history books, and she wanted to meet us.

She came without permission, and Ella trapped her in a genie bottle so she couldn’t leave.

Now she’s in trouble because she told us about our future, which is illegal there.

She’s our friend, and we love her.” Mr.

Callahan’s eyes widen, processing the flood of words.

“So she’s an interdimensional time traveler, here illegally, and you think it’s fine to befriend her? What if she’s not what she seems? Even if she’s a schoolgirl, what happens when her interdimensional police come looking? I can’t protect her here—or there.

Who’s protecting you?” “We did a prayer of protection,” Ella says, almost defiantly. Mrs.

Callahan throws up her hands.

“This is nonsense! You’re talking like this is real? You’re so grounded.

One of us will drive you to school, pick you up, check on you at lunch, and you’re straight to your rooms after.

Your bikes are locked in the garage.

Understood?” “Mom!” the girls chorus, their voices a mix of frustration and disbelief. “Oh my gosh, will this ever end?” Eileen groans.

“Helana, thanks a lot.

This is your fault.

Hope you’re happy!” “I’m so sorry,” Helana’s voice whispers telepathically, soft and remorseful.

“I messed up bad.

I never meant for this, and yes, I’m in more trouble than I can imagine.

I’m scared.” “Dad!” Eileen yelps.

“Catch Mom—she’s pale and about to faint!” Mr.

Callahan steadies his wife, guiding her to a chair.

“Everyone, sit.

Time for an interdimensional meeting.” “My parents can’t know!” Ella pleads. “Mine either!” Roxana adds, her voice desperate.

“They’ll call a dozen exorcists.” “I can’t promise secrecy,” Mr.

Callahan says.

“Your hiding hasn’t worked out.

But we’ll keep it quiet for now.

Helana, tell me about yourself.

Where are you from? What time? How old are you? Why are you here, and how do you know my girls?” Helana’s voice trembles slightly.

“Where to start? In my domain, time and space aren’t linear like here.

I can’t give my age in years, but I’m developmentally like your girls, which is why we connect.

I came for a school project, observing historical figures—your girls—but I wasn’t supposed to be seen or stay.

In my world, we’re consciousness beings, spiritual entities.

We create physical forms or planets with thought, and their location in time and space is fluid, unlike your fixed planets born from cosmic dust.” “When I studied your girls in our history lessons—not books, but something like them—I was awed by them.

I fell in love and had to meet them.

My love made me visible, and Ella captured me.

She released me later, but we chose for me to stay because we’re friends, and we love each other.” “What about your parents?” Mr.

Callahan asks.

“Why haven’t they come for you?” “Time travel is a-temporal,” Helana explains.

“I’ll return the instant I left, so they won’t know I’m gone until I’m back.

But I’ll carry experiential inertia—changes from my time here—that’ll ripple through our history lessons.

Those like me will feel it, and I’ll face punishment and restitution.” “So you’re a fugitive,” Mr.

Callahan says flatly. “Technically, no, since in my time, this hasn’t happened yet,” Helana says. “I’m not into technicalities,” he counters.

“You’re hiding here because you’re scared to go home, right?” “Yes,” Helana admits quietly. “The term here, little girl, is ‘Yes, sir,’” Mr.

Callahan says, his tone stern but not unkind. “Yes, sir!” Helana replies, a hint of relief in her voice. Eileen leans toward Ella, whispering, “He called her ‘little girl.’ He’s adopting her.

I know my dad—we’re good.” Mr.

Callahan’s gaze sharpens, and for a moment, his eyes flicker to a corner of the room, as if catching a glimpse of something.

“Helana, I shouldn’t believe you, but I trust my girls, and you seem truthful.

You appear to my mind as a young child, vulnerable.

So I’m choosing to trust you.

Here, we have a legal term, *in loco parentis*—‘in place of a parent.’ Since your parents aren’t here, I’m claiming that role for you, as I have for Ella and Roxana.

You’ll respect me as you would your parents.

Understood? And by the way, you’re grounded too until we sort this out.” Eileen whispers again, “Told you!” “Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!” Helana says, her voice bright with gratitude. “Dad, something’s wrong with Mom,” Eileen says, nodding toward Mrs.

Callahan, who sits staring blankly at the wall. “Her filters are up,” Helana explains.

“Her brain isn’t recording this.

After she sleeps, it’ll fade like a dream.” “Probably for the best,” Mr.

Callahan says.

“She’s not ready for this.

Let’s not discuss it around her.

We’ve got plenty to talk about later.” He pauses at the door, turning back.

“One more thing, girls.

Before you sleep, imagine Tinkerbell’s outfit—vividly.

Picture crafting one, different colors for each, putting it in a gift box, and giving it to your friend.

Helana, next time I see you, you’d better be wearing clothes.” “He saw you?” Ella shrieks, her eyes wide. “How?” Helana’s voice quakes.

“I’m naked? I’m mortified.

I love your dad, Eileen, he’s cool, but I can’t face him again.” “It’s fine,” Eileen says, grinning.

“We all ran around naked here as kids.

You’re one of us now.” “That was when you were babies!” Helana wails.

“I’m so embarrassed.” “Get over it,” Ella says, a teasing edge to her voice.

“What’s with the Tinkerbell outfit? Are you her size?” “I’m about that size relative to you, but no wings,” Helana says, still flustered.

“He really saw me.

This is awful.” “Relax,” Roxana says.

“Your dad’s not creepy, Eileen.

He’s just a dad.

If we imagine these outfits, can you wear them?” “Your dad must know about consciousness beings,” Helana says.

“Maybe I can.

I’ve never tried.

If I get gift boxes in the morning, I’ll let you know.” “Can we see you then?” Ella asks, her voice rising with excitement. “Maybe,” Helana says.

“If we all focus, I might have enough energy to manifest.

Your dad’s intensity scared me into visibility.

This has been a weird day.” “Forget Tinkerbell,” Ella says, grinning.

“Let’s imagine some awesome outfits for our friend.

Goodnight, everyone.

Dream up something cool.” --- In the quiet of Eileen’s room, Ella opens her diary, her heart heavy with frustration and fear.

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NEXT >> Chapter 9
Double Trouble

Three middle school friends discover their interdimensional friend Helana can now manifest physically after an emotionally intense night, appearing as a tiny luminous figure who explains her temporary visibility is due to their collective emotional energy. When a suspicious Navy recruiter appears at their school offering a specialized program and reveals he knows about their telepathic abilities, the girls decline his offer and realize Helana's presence has somehow altered their timeline, putting them all in potential danger.

<< PREVIOUS Chapter 7
7

Eileen befriends Crystal, a troubled girl from a group home who reveals she was sexually assaulted at age twelve during a party with older teens, but refuses to report it due to fear of retaliation in her dangerous neighborhood. Determined to understand Crystal's world, Eileen convinces her friends to bike through Jackson Street, where their psychic friend Helana senses overwhelming emotional pain and explains that both poor and wealthy neighborhoods suffer from deep angst when people's reality doesn't match their dreams of who they're meant to be.

FIRST Chapter 0 Sleep Over

Thirteen-year-old Ella and her best friends Eileen and Roxana encounter an interdimensional being named Helana during a sleepover, who appears as different benevolent figures to each girl and reveals glimpses of their legendary futures. When Helana tries to leave after accidentally revealing herself and disrupting their timelines, Ella cleverly traps the entity by claiming authority over her domain, forcing Helana to stay as their `genie in a bottle` despite her pleas to return home.