Lycropanthy

A Remus Rant.

I was only four years old, you know? In one night, my whole life was changing, was ruined, and I didn't get a say, I didn't get to choose.

And yet, I'm considered a horrible beast, a creature, something to be locked in a cage.

I'm human too, you know. I have thoughts and feelings, just like any other person. I can love, and I can think for myself. I listen to the Beatles and tease Issy about her bushy hair. I'm an effin vegetarian, for Heaven's sake!

No one would ever choose to live like this. I'm shunned from society. Almost no one knows, but they all whisper behind my back. Where did I get all those scars, all those broken bones, and why am I always absent?

No one would mock someone with a crippling disease, with polio or cancer, with a life crutch. No, those people are celebrated, and had fundraisers for, and honored.

I'm just a normal person, I try to be. I have a mother, and a father, and pet fish. I had a brother when I was little, but he died.

I'm writing this because Is sent me to bed with three broken ribs and a fractured leg. It hurts to breathe. I shouldn't have to go through this.

No one should have to go through this.

And yet, I do. Thousands do, and hundreds more, every month. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters, their lives are yanked out from under their feet and taken from them.

These were the ones that could have had the fairy tale ending, and instead are turned into the village monster.

We are the Quasimodo of the story, and Esmeralda is never to come. We try to turn deaf ears to the critiscm and rage towards out people, but it was filters through.

And you know what?

It hurts.

It really does.

We have hearts, and feelings, and emotions, just like you. But those are ignored and shoved aside as commons and we are mocked for something that we have no control over.

And when we tell people what we are, lifelong friends, they suddenly turn against you. They know who you are, and then when they realize what you are, you're suddenly a freak of nature.

But hey, that's lycropanthy for you.