His Beauty and Her Beast

CHAPTER 1

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In a distant land, where the winds howled and the trees rustled cacophonously, their branches dry and lands barren, lies within its core a beast unbeknownst to the world. She walked aimlessly with no sense of purpose, drowning herself into the dark depths that would beckon her into its cold embrace.

She found comfort in solitude, but deep within her heart longed for a companion that would see her for who she really is; she naught made but one friend, and even they too ran away in the end.

Everybody leaves; only her shell of what once was remained.

Even in deep sadness, she didn't utter a cry. She only trudged on, taking refuge from the bad weather before continuing her journey towards home.

Not that she had any to begin with.

Memories of her past would resurface many times, but she chose to push them away. It was her choice to leave; rather they rejoiced, celebrating her disappearance for she was the black sheep of the family-unwanted and soon-to-be forgotten.

Her heart clenched at the thought of it. Was she really hideous? Was she really an atrocity to humankind, that they'd abandon their kin who look different from others?

She'd spend her time pondering as she continued to walk, wandering to wherever her feet would take her; hopefully towards her home.

What felt like hours, turned into minutes, and what felt like minutes, turned into hours. The days passed by, and her feelings festered which became an unstoppable force that overwhelmed her senses.

She was out for blood. She demanded vengeance for her unwanted suffering.

She was surprised at the sudden change in herself; she welcomed it even.

Fiercer than she was before, she truly became the apex predator in this barren land where few animals adapted to survive in this harsh environment.

That's what she was; an animal in the shell of a human trying to survive.

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After what felt like forever, she found her home. It was an abandoned mansion that used to be filled with the laughter of her siblings and parents who she loved unconditionally. In her eyes, they could do no wrong, and yet, she was exiled because she was 'different' from them.

Instead of having perfect skin like her siblings, she was hairy. Instead of being a beautiful maiden who could capture the hearts of many, she was an abdominal creature who could turn violent at any second. Her family became afraid of what she came to be, and instead of embracing that change, took everything with them and ran.

'What did I do to deserve this?' She'd contemplate. 'They should be the ones suffering, not me.'

Her emotions ran amok as she entered her abandoned abode. After so many months, she had reached her final destination. Yet she couldn't bring herself to smile. This house is not a home without people in it.

Nostalgia swept her from the main hall to the living room where she would play with her siblings, and being the big sister she was, would let them do whatever they wanted. They're not here anymore.

Taking her time, she made her way to the second corridor where her room was, situated at the end of the elongated hallway.

Every step she took echoed around her, amplifying its eeriness. She didn't mind as she was used to it; it felt hollow, just like her heart.

Tracing the worn mahogany door of her bedroom, she took a deep breath and stepped in. It was silent as a grave, and most of almost everything was gone.

Her instruments. Her furniture and accessories. Her clothing too, except for some that had seen better days.
After changing out of her old attire, she walked further in to find her old mirror which had cracks in it. She winced, a familiar memory surfacing from the confines of her mind.

"This is not my child!" Mother screamed as she scrambled away from me.

"Mother, how could you say that? It's me, Belle like the flower Belle. Your favourite-"

"Get away from me!" She slapped my hands from her, trembling, a terrified look on her face.

I was confused, but I still drew closer. "Mother, what ails you so?"

As if snapped out of a trance, she got up and shoved me into the mirror, cracking it in the process. "You are not my daughter, you demon."

I saw her feet rushing out the door as I lost consciousness.

"Mother..."

Shaking her head, she rid herself of forlorn thoughts, focusing rather on the person reflecting in the mirror. It was a gruesome sight; one she'd rather not see.

However, as she continued to examine herself, she felt her sense of resolve being strengthened even more.

'With a bit of grooming, I can look presentable,' she thought as she hummed away her troubling memories. There was no time to dwell on the what-ifs, but only to look forward.

Despite her setbacks, she held a smile on her face as she made the mansion into a home, one where she could truly belong.

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