Prologue
When I was first born, I remember being happy with who I am. I didn't think there was anything wrong. I know better now.
* 4 years later *
I was sitting in my father's old study when I heard the first knock on my door. It seemed filled with a sense of urgency, so I left my book behind and hurried to the door myself, choosing not to wait for one of the servants to arrive. Rushing through the front hall, I nearly tripped over a loose corner of the red velvet carpet that covered the floor. When I finally reached the foyer, it took all my strength to pull open the large wooden door.
"Well, it's about time," a shrill voice called through the dark.
"Sorry, miss. I didn't know I was expecting company," I replied, trying to discern a figure in the dark of the night.
A young woman stepped out of the dark and into the candlelight, her dark hair reflecting the glow.
"You weren't. But lucky for you, I've decided to grace your house with my presence. What's your name?"
"David. And my parents told me not to ever let strangers into the house," I replied, standing between her and my home.
"But I'm not just any stranger, David. I'm special, you see. You need'nt worry," she said, taking a step closer to me.
I let my eyes roam over her, but could not find anything different from her and any other traveller, and without a thought, I told her just as much.
"You don't seem very special." I didn't mean for the words to be so caustic.
"Not special? And I suppose you think you are?" the woman shrieked.
"Well-" I tried to pacify her, but she would hear none of it, cutting me off.
"You aren't special, and hardly perfect. I'll show you, walking around as if you're better than everyone else, better than me. You-you beast!" she yelled, rushing toward me, "Now, no one will be able to see the man within the beast."
She grabbed me, her hands glowing, and where they touched the naked flesh of my arms, it felt like sludge was pouring into my veins. My legs failed me, and I fell sideways, knocking into the rosebush beside the door, their thorns scratching along my face and arms. I tried to catch myself, my arms shooting out in front of me. As my hands struggled to find purchase, all they could find were thorns, and just before my head hit the hard concrete surface of the porch, my left hand closed around a stem, the thorns piercing my hand, and the stem snapping easily, causing my hand to fall to my side. My eyelids grew heavy, and darkness filled my vision.
*Present*
Some might think that I despise the witch who cursed me that day, but I do not. Now I can see what I could not before, I realize just how disgusting and horrible I am. Thanks to her, I can ensure that I never burden another person with my existence ever again.