Prologue

Pain. Darkness. Fear. Anger. Suffering. Guilt. These emotions are suffocating me even before I open my eyes. I don't remember how I got here. I barely remember my name. Smoke and fire engulf the night sky as I struggle to get to my feet. I fall back onto the ground, rubble and what was left of a building surrounds me. I can hear the screams of innocent civilians, both hurt and frightened and I am powerless to help them. I turn to my left and see a small child, a little girl, cowering by a burnt wall. Her face, blackened with soot stared at me with fear. I see blood dripping down her little hands as I try to stand again. As I start to move, she screams.

"Please don't hurt me again! Please let me go! I want my mommy and daddy!"

My eyes widen as I realize who she was afraid of. It wasn't because of who I had assumed attacked us, it wasn't because of the situation. It was because of me. But I can't remember why.

"Young one, please tell me what is going on!" I pleaded, hoping that I was wrong, so desperately wrong.

I could see her shaking with fear and anger. She pointed a chubby little finger at me, "You. You did this."

No. No. No, no, no, no, no.

I get to my feet and reach out to her, "Please come with me, it's not safe here."

She screams once more and cowers even further back. I could see her eyes darting left and right, trying to find a route that she could use to escape me. I take a step forward and she sprints away, shrieking.

"MOMMY!"

I turn, to see the lifeless body of her mother, the same features, black hair, same nose and too wide eyes. The little girl grabs her dead mothers face.

"Wake up!"

I know this woman is dead, the little girl knows she's dead. She still shakes her, screaming and crying as I begin to piece together what has happened. I look at the devastation around us, and I can hear the sounds of fighting. I look back to this young girl, riddled with guilt. I can't remember anything. Not since that night in the woods. She turns to me with hatred in her too wide, too young eyes and I hear her very thoughts before she says them.

I am a monster.