The Monster

I am sorry... Nathan...

"Satrena..." I muttered in shock. What have I done?... "Nathan..." I dropped to my knees next to her and wrapped my arms around her, ignoring the blood as it stained my clothes. Tears filled my eyes, blurring everything around me. "It isn't your fault, Nathy..." I listened to her struggle for air. It was my fault and I knew it but all I could do was cry as her grip weakened. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean it. Satrena, please don't leave me here alone." I whisper against her cold skin. "Nathan, I... I love you forever... and always..." she whispered as her hand slipped down my blood covered arm. I held her tightly, her blood staining my clothes, as I felt her body go limp in my arms.

I held her, not wanting to let go... Her blood covered my arms and stained my clothes... I cried against her ice cold skin. "I'm... sorry..." I said softly into her neck as my tears dried. I stayed there, holding her body tightly. As I held her, I heard voices, especially a little girl's voice. I ignored it, what did she want with me?

Suddenly, my head started pounding. I let her go and grabbed my head, this pain was too much. The sharp pain only grew stronger and I started screaming. I stood up and stumbled away from her, nearly collapsing. I fell against the kitchen counter, knocking over the glasses and bottles. The high pitched sound of glass breaking only made the pain worse. Then the rest of my body fell into an agonising pain.

I fell to the ground as I felt my bones twist. I screamed and soon I started vomiting a black liquid... was it blood? I tried to crawl to the counter when suddenly my wrist twisted and soon the rest of my body twisted out of human proportions. I screamed in agony as bones broke through my skin. Then, all around the open wounds, my skin started fading into a black, leathery hide...

After what seemed like hours of screaming, I laid on the floor in complete silence... What was happening to me? As I laid there, I felt my body twitch uncontrollably every minute or so. The pain was fading slowly, but I couldn't move.

Suddenly, a voice, almost a whisper, spoke, "Nathan, come back... You can't stay here." I sprung up quickly, feeling my head spin and I sunk back to back to the ground. I shivered as I regained my strength and attempted to stand again. I stumbled to my feet... or claws now. On all fours I slowly crawled towards the kitchen doorway. As I crawled out of the kitchen, I looked back and saw her still laying there... Then I turned away and towards the back door, I stared at a silhouette. A small one...

Was that who was calling me?

I walked towards them and as I approached them, a broken mirror laid shattered on the ground. I looked at my broken reflection. A creature with black hide, charcoal bones breaking through its skin. Wearing a crow like skull over its face, horns emerging from its eye sockets and one open hole in the middle of my forehead.

What monster have I become?

As I turned back to the silhouette, I could feel my spine fall back into place. Spikes readjusted themselves along my spine. I slowly limped towards the figure and once I was near them I stopped.

I didn't feel guilty... I couldn't feel anything. What was happening?

I stood there and stared at the silhouette, unable to make out who it was. I straightened my back, though on four legs, standing tall.

They reached out their hand and I lowered my head to them. They placed there hand about my jaw, covering the monstrous teeth. I stood there in awe, why weren't they running? I was a monster, why weren't they scared?

I could only stare at them and they looked at me, as if peering into my soul.

"You're safe now. I am sorry I couldn't save her..." a small female voice said... Why did her voice sound so familiar?

I stepped back, letting her hand to fall to her side. I kept backing away, frightened at their familiarity. And then, everything around me started to fade into blackness as a wave of dizziness washed over me. All became dark and silence crept into my mind...

What have I become?