"Stay away from us, you freak!"

Ellen Dawn stepped away from the couple immediately. "I'm sorry," she said to the man, who was standing in front of his wife protectively.

"Don't even talk to us, you Color!"

Turning her head away, Ellen walked away from the couple towards her home on the outskirts of town. Her yellow dress shone in the sun, sticking out even more in the gray world. She could hear the people whispering and see them running to their homes in fear, but Ellen tried to act like she didn't.

Remember why you're still here, she thought to herself. You have to help them, even if they seem like they don't deserve it.

People insulted her often, forcing her away from them and calling her names, but Ellen couldn't leave. She wouldn't leave. Although they didn't realize it, the Normals needed Ellen if they wanted to survive in that colorless society.

"Look at her. The government should have her locked up or executed."

Ellen turned away from the direction of the voice and found herself staring at a tree whose leaves sported a light green. She must have accidentally brushed her fingers against the leaves as she had passed by it.

She was regretting touching the tree, and the woman's words from previously rang in Ellen's head, but another voice spoke up.

"What gives you the right to say that? All she did was add a little color. If that's a reason to be sent to jail or die, any action should be given the same punishment."

Ellen looked up in surprise, wondering if there was another Light, but only saw a sea of black, gray, and white people. From the blurred crowd, one young man stepped forward, looking no older than Ellen.

"If you did not exist, and if you did not provide us with at least a little color," he said to Ellen, "this world would be ruined. No one would know what color the leaves used to be or how beautiful colors can make something."

By now, a small crowd had begun to form around him and Ellen. The majority seemed to be mocking him, but the man paid no attention to them and stepped closer to Ellen. He grabbed her hand, causing color to spread starting from his palm. He dragged it over his clothes and hair, reflecting more colors to the stunned crowd.

"Why are you doing this?" Ellen whispered. "You have nothing to benefit."

The man smiled. "What world would survive without a little color?" he asked. "You were helping people, but I saw you struggling. I can help you. We can struggle together."

Unconsciously, a smile began to form on Ellen's lips, an action she wasn't used to. "But, we don't even know each other," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

The man's pink lips also smiled. "I am Apollo Hills. Who might you be?"

"Ellen Dawn, a Light," she replied brightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."