It was never even a question to me. Not uttered, not posed, not even imagined. They were all entirely fooled. They don't know who I am because I pretend. Pretend I'm a daughter, a lover, a student, human, normal. In all reality, I am the polar opposite. No one ever explained to me the need to pretend, not like Dexter who was shown the way. Not like Hannibal who embraced his difference. No rather, I learned the hard way, through trial after trial until I did it right. I smiled for the camera, and laughed with the others. I even wasted hour after hour gossiping with the ladies, pretending I wanted nothing more in the world than to be right there with them chatting about vapidity. This was not the case. I did not care, I never cared. I was never hurt, afraid, sad, or happy. I could go days on end alone, but I never did. I played my part, but not for them, rather for my sanity. Pretending makes it easier, makes the emptiness less diminutive. I assume you're wondering now why I'm telling you all of this. Well, in all truth, I'm going to die, sooner rather than later, and as my children, there are things I find myself obligated to tell you. I could never tell you before, but now it's time.