Tells Himself a Story
A child of seven, while hidden away in the cupboard under the stairs (with the dustdirtjunkspidersdark) tells himself a story to pass the time (long minutes stretch to longer days).
Once upon a time, there was a man called Father and a woman called Mother (faces blurred, obscured, unseen, yet kind). They had a baby called Harry, who they loved very much. They had to go away for a while, but they came back for their baby and then they never left him again. The End.
***
A child of eleven, locked into the smallest bedroom (bars on window, lock on door) tells himself a story to fight the sadness (no friends who care to write).
Once upon a time, there was a boy called Harry. He went away to school and met people called Friends. They forgot him once, but then they remembered and nothing was ever that sad again. Together they flew and cast spells and grew and they were never lonely again.The End.
***
A boy of thirteen, stuck with his horrid relations (bully cousin, snobby aunt and ... terrible uncle) tells himself a story to cheer himself up (the future could be bright).
Once upon a time, there was a man called Godfather. He had to go away, but he came back for a boy called Harry. They moved into a house and lived there every summer and were happy forever. The End.
***
A boy of fourteen, sitting in a broken playground (evades everyday horrors) tells himself a story to forget (green light flashes... limp body... smoking cauldr-).
ONCE UPON A TIme... there was a... man called- boy named-
Once upon a time, there was no evil. The End.
***
A child of fifteen, huddled in a corner (holds himself so he doesn't fly apart) tells himself a story to remember (laughter- not always nice).
Once upon a time, there was a man called Godfather, who=s friend stole everything from him. Godfather died and left behind a boy called Harry.
(There is no end here, just hatred)
***
A young man of sixteen, facing his life (struggle and fight and win... or die) tells himself a story to escape (avoid bitter tears, evade dead friends).
Once upon a time there was a girl called Love (red hair, brown eyes, pale skin...) who met a boy called Harry. They were together (tangled limbs, long kisses) forever (weddinghomekids... LIFE).
The End (except it doesn't feel that way)
***
A young man of seventeen, facing his death (green light, blinding pain, taunting laugher...betrayal) tells himself a story to find his courage (their future, without him).
Once upon a time, there were people called FriendsFamily. A boy called Harry died to save them, and they were sad, but they Lived. They were happy and so was the Boy Who Died.
The End (but only for the boy)
***
A man of seventeen, having survived unexpectedly (triumph and … its over) tells himself a story to sort out his life (how to live when youd planned to die).
Once upon a time
.
.
.
But he has no more stories because, now, he has a life to live.