Amends Part 4

I heard that even before the New Wave, parenting was a difficult task of seemingly endless challenges. And believe me that I undoubtedly wasn't much different. Their powers would usually get passed on through the family line for most people. I, however, wasn't exactly the luckiest in that department.

My parents' transformative but increasingly recessive traits finally came out upon my birth; the minute the doctor slapped me behind was when I kicked his, which was just the sign of dozens of other incidents. It didn't matter if it was a changed diaper, petty argument, or another impatient demand; all the same, I would transform into that beast, scaring parents and children alike with my appearance alone.

It got so bad that my parents decided that they needed to make a whole new start in a place where people like me were common: Krimo. And with that new start, my parents decided to come in with a new campaign to control my transformation.

I gave up on most of my public schooling for my entire life, instead getting replaced with everything from breathing exercises to positive messages. And whenever I felt sad, they gave me a small pocket mirror to remember what a smile is always like. Those times are honestly my favorites because those days were truly and utterly happy.

Yet, no matter how many happy days passed, my family was always quick to remind me of the truth. That I was dangerous, that I was unstable and that no matter what happens, I've got to keep my cool. Because if I don't, this superhuman society will forever abandon me. Little did I know that this warning would eventually be a self-serving prophecy.

Eventually, through the prodding of my tutors, I was able to get at least a taste of the urban jungle that was high school. At first, my parents were apprehensive, and I was scared, but like most situations, I was almost always able to see the bright side. And soon enough, I took to high school like a fish to water.

Maybe it was because of how I looked; maybe it was my innocence in a city with none or just my stance on happiness but managed to be popular. Or, as I like to call it, relatively well-liked. If a person didn't want me or got violent, I just didn't fight back or talk it out. You'd be surprised how quickly conflict goes when you have someone giving you time to think. The worst I got was a little less allowance and a small punishment here and there.

My peaceful days became even happier upon meeting "him." If I was my school's apparent goody two shoes, then Chase Jackson was the bad apple. Every time I saw him leave a classroom prematurely or pull a silly prank with the most relaxed grin in the world, I felt envious. It was like he could do whatever he wanted, the world was his oyster, and his spirit was free. Guess you could say it was love at first sight.

Soon enough, we were the power couple of our entire school, and while my friends gave me every warning possible, I didn't listen; the fun of breaking a small rule or 2 with him was too great. But, while it often led to some tongue lashing from my parents, I always did enjoy our little talks on a grassy hill on the edge of the middle levels at sunset.

"Still don't understand why you want to go to that shitty dance anyway."

"Well, it's not that I want to go, more like I need to. The class did vote for prom Queen after all, and I can't refuse they'll be upset."

"That's your problem, Rury; you're always too selfless for your own good. Life's short, you know? And I bet squares like you would enjoy it a lot more if you just saw an opportunity and took it," he said thoughtfully.

With that, I leaned in even closer to his strong arms and started to press my face closer in a kiss-like motion while saying.

"Like this?"

However, before I could seal the deal, Chase's phone rang at that moment, forcing him to get up and answer the text.

"Sorry, it's my uh, grandma Sally. She needs me to get her medicine before the shop closes."

A twinge of disappointment affected me, but I quickly shoved that away and gave him a comforting smile instead.

"Go ahead Chase, she needs you after all, and if you don't want to go to the dance, then."

"I'll go, Rury, for you and only you. Scout's honor and all that bullcrap," he said dismissively with a devilishly charming smile.

I guess you can say that everything indeed went downhill after that night. When I woke up the following day, I accidentally set my planned dress on fire, got a massive and noticeable cut on my head from getting a ball for the neighbors, and got my phone eaten by a dog with titanium-lined teeth. Oh, and I stubbed my toe.

With my parents out on their respective jobs, I had to rely on using our outdated smart house to text chase, get a new dress and shoes I could barely get to fit me, and use up all my makeup to hide the scratch. Yet despite all of this, I somehow remained calm. After all, things only get worse before they get better. Except they never did get better.

After my paid driver got into a fender bender in the middle of dense fog, I got forced to walk the remaining mile there in the thunderous rain. By the time I got there, I was an utter mess. At that point, I realized that appearing there looking like something out of a monster movie probably would be way worse than me not appearing at all, so I was hoping at the very least I could meet with Chase, explain myself and leave promptly.

Through the partying masses, I shuffled my way through like something out of a zombie movie, desperately to find Chase. However, I wish I never saw him because when I did, I found his tongue 3 inches down the throat of another woman. At that point, the flood of emotions that swirled around me started to rear their ugly head.

Eventually, Chase noticed my presence trying to explain himself as I tried pushing through the crowd. As tears started to well up, I tried using the pocket mirror, hoping that I could smile this pain away. But even that was a mistake, as soon enough, I eventually got shoved to the floor. And when my eyes finally met with Chase's regretful face, I lost what little control I had.

I don't know what happened next, but I was cold, alone, and scared inside a dumpster with only my scratched-up pocket mirror when I finally came to. However, I knew it was already too late for me by the time I managed to procure my clothes. Because when I walked into the city, I came face to face with my little outburst on the late-night news for all of Krimo to see.

I tried smiling, diverting, and suppressing it all down, but when I saw my monstrous beast maul through dozens of my former classmates, I knew I couldn't deny the truth. But, of course, knowing I didn't kill anyone makes it any better. Because it simply proved the fact that I was a monster forevermore. And a monster doesn't deserve kindness, redemption, or to live amongst people.

So for years on end, I never bothered going home, instead deciding to live as a nameless nomad. I stayed away from any person who would dare come for me. And to survive, I adopted every mask I could use, regretfully resorting to petty pickpocketing. But, of course, that stealing eventually caught me to my current fate.

Like so many times before, I had made a deadman sprint across the lower levels, springing apologies along the way. But around then, I didn't know how determined Eternus was.

"I'm sorry, okay? Can we talk about this?"

"If talking means shoving my fist six feet down your throat, then, by all means, let's talk!"

At that point, I got desperate, cutting through a narrow alleyway and hoping for the best. However, Eternus' hunger got the better of me, descending from above with his black cape abound while slamming me down to the ground. With that, Eternus demonic smile made his first appearance.

"So, thief, have something to say for yourself!?"

"I'm sorry," I said as I once again gave into the beast.

When I came back again, I found that the same alleyway had turned into a bloody battlefield. Cracked concrete and rows of blood spattered the walls around me, as somehow I found myself with Eternus' half butchered corpse. At the drop of a hat, piercing fright took over my body as I tried in vain to wake up my unconscious opponent. Finally, but surprisingly, he did wake up, shoving me aside to the opposite end of the wall and springing up, ready to fight.

"Good, you're ready for round 2! Let's do this!"

However, I couldn't even bother responding, instead grinning like an idiot at sight. That one expression completely pacified Eternus as he asked.

"What the hell are you smiling for?"

"Nothing, I'm just really glad you're alive."

At that moment, he took a good look at the stump of a right arm. A mix of both grave seriousness and casual frustration took over his face as he stated.

"Well, I won't be that way for much longer."

At that moment, a grave urgency took over as I leaned in closer.

"Then let me help you."

"Why the hell would you?"

"Because I would like to do at least one thing right," I said while taking what little cloth I had left on me to cover his wound.

At that moment, Eternus noticed my lack of dress, so using his ripped-up cape, he draped it over me and got back up through gritted teeth.

"Well, if you insist, I've got a place where we can stitch up. I'll tell you what to do," he said while shuffling off.

However, before he could even exit the alleyway, I let him lean on my shoulder as we walked off to a new horizon. Through my all fangs and fur, he accepted me nonetheless. And when he made his plea for The Cons, I took without a second thought. Because if we truly did become the worst of the worst, no one would ever dare come, then no one ever has to bear getting close to us again.

And if we did indeed become captured, then that at the very least, I'll be the trapped beast I know I am. But I guess I can't even do a good job being the worst of the worst because no matter how hard I try to bottom it all down, I keep hurting the people kindest to me.