I’ve never been certain I’m human

Oh, the X-rays and blood tests are normal, and most people have no reason to suspect I’m more than I appear to be. But if I tell you to do something? You do it — no ifs, ands or buts.

I call my power the ‘press.’

My name is Mercy Hollings, and if you think that having the power to control people makes my life easy, you’re dead wrong.

Because when I get angry, everyone around me is at risk — Sukey, my friend who has frightening taste in men; my clients, who, ironically, come to me for help; my neighbors, who regard me as a loner; and Sam, a man who wants to know my darkest secret.

I have hurt people in the past, and I don’t want that to happen again. But now a powerful stranger is threatening the new life that I’ve made for myself.

And I’m afraid my anger is taking over.