As a viewed myself in a fragment of looking-glass..., I was so impressed with a sense of vague awe at my appearance ... that I was seized with a violent tremour. – Edgar Allan Poe
I am kept in the attic, so that I will not scare children. I should not be responsible for anymore nightmares. I already cause my mother's and of course, my own. I could not take the screaming of the kingdom's children disturbed by my face.
I was warned that many may believe my disfigurement is the result of a disease. I may be killed in an attempt to stop the fictitious, incurable disease from spreading. With the intention of rearing protection, a man might draw his sword to my throat with little hesitation. So might my life be on the outside world.
From my window, I see the beautiful maidens running about the kingdom, falling in love. The women, my age, who may have been my friends…had it not happened.
Truly I am unsure what 'it' is. I was born this way. My parents did not wish from me to see, but I smuggled a mirror into my sanctuary. I looked into it only after gathering all the courage my body possessed. Here I describe the gruesomeness of the monster in my reflection.
Her hair, the color of mud, is short, like a man's. If you cover the hideousness of the left of her face, you might recognize the visage of a normal, plain maiden, but alas the left. The beast's brow droops under the eyelid, leaving little room for the bulging eye. The monster's mouth is horrid twists, and its nose crooks to one side with a severe bump like that of a witch. Only dark magic could procure a face so vile. Not even those who procreated such a being can rest their eyes upon it.
This is why I am kept in the attic.
My mother has looked upon me thrice, perhaps. My horrible left half has punished her with creatures and beasts in her once peaceful dreams. Only my father can bear my cursed face, granted with nausea and marked pain. He taught me to read and write, to behave with grace and poise despite my handicap. He explained why I can never leave my attic. He explained that only here can I truly be safe. My attic is my sanctuary.