Story starts with Merlin and his best friend Maria aged 10. When playing outside one day, Merlin accidentally reveals his secret to his young friend. He quickly hurries her through the front door of his small cottage to explain. But little did he know, that she was not the only one who got a glimpse of his extraordinary abilities...

"Please don't scream." he said, afraid to remove his hand from her mouth. She was breathing heavily, he looked deep into her blue eyes, so full of fear. She nodded, and Merlin carefully took his hand off her mouth and took a few steps back, his hands raised slightly to reassure her that he meant no harm.

He took a deep breath and, turned to look out the window so that he wouldn't have to see her reaction, "I've been this way for as long as I can remember.".

He paused. Would she run? Would she scream for help? She wasn't supposed to know, nobody was supposed to know. But amongst his many powers, erasing the past was not one of them. "I know what you're thinking," he said, looking down, "I'm a monster."

She stood frozen for a little while, unable to speak and trying with all of her strength to control her breathing. Merlin shook his head and fell to his knees clasping his head as he began to sob. The word monster struck him hard in the stomach like a blade, he thought of this word that his mother had used when she discovered his powers, his brothers, his sisters, everyone saw him as a monster. But, strangely, she took a step towards him.

"Merlin" she whispered softly, and despite her heart jumping out of her chest, she managed to steady her voice. "You are not a monster." she said walking over to where he was heaped on the floor and kneeling by his side, "I'm not afraid of you Merlin." she smiled and took his hand.

Suddenly Maria's father, along with several other men burst through the door armed with torches and various other weapons. They surrounded Merlin, pulling him towards the open door. Maria was grabbed from Merlin's side and pulled brutally to the far end of the room.

"Maria!" Merlin shouted as his hand left hers as he was tdragged out the door.

"Merlin!" she shrieked, tears beginning to flood from her eyes. She struggled and tried with all her force to release herself from her father's grasp.

"He's dangerous Maria!" her father shouted, refusing to release her.

"No he's not! He's not!"