The Beast Inside

20.

Natalie gasped, and I knew my mouth hung wide open. I was speechless.

I finally composed myself. "So what you are saying is my family is cursed?"

She nodded and smiled. "That is exactly what I am saying."

"You were exactly like me?"

She shook her head this time. "No son. I was human. I fell in love with your father though. He did not love me as a man, only as a beast. When the end of the year came up, I turned into what you are. I did live a happy life. I loved your father very much, just as we loved you."

"Why did I never know you?"

"Well baby.." she started. "Every generation before you, the story was always told to their children. We wanted you to have a better chance. So we hid you, and let you live your own life. So that if a woman ever came along, you wouldn't question if she was the one. You wouldn't feel pressured. What Isabel's words were is that it had to be true love. You would of never known if you knew of the legend. You needed to fall in love on your own. You needed to know for a fact when you said it. And you did."

"If I broke the curse then why am I still this way." I asked. I mean, I still had wings.

"That's the thing Austin. Do you remember all of your life? Or are there bits and peices missing where your beast took completely over or you blacked out?"

"There are parts." I stated.

"Thats why. Remember Isabel's words. You are beast, and you are man. But you seem to forget, you are still one."

"What do you mean by one?"

My mother turned to Natalie and smiled. "What's your name sweetie?"

Natalie smiled back. "Natalie."

"That is a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Now Natalie. Does Austin look different when he is a complete beast then he does now?"

Natalie stole a glance at me and then looked by to my mother.

"Well, yes."

"Okay, and did he act different as well?"

"Yes."

"Explain both of those to Austin, will you please darling."

"Okay," Natalie whispered and looked up at me. "When you were a beast you were never mean. You were always comforting."

"Now, what were different about his looks."

"Your eyes turn completely black and you grow three times bigger in muscles. Oh, and your voice was deeper." Natalie blushed and then looked away.

"What does that mean?" I asked looking at my mother, and pulling Natalie closer to my side. I heard Natalie giggled, and let a small smile slip through.

"It means that was the bigger and better side of you. The 'monster' was always man. The 'beast' was what the monster wasn't." She paused for a moment again, as I nodded.

"Austin think really hard for me. If you think about the exact moments that your beast took over, you will know everything. He has never kept anything from you, because you are one. You were born a monster, born to never care. The beast did that for you, he was that side of you. He could never make you do anything you didn't want to do. He is... you! You just weren't ready to let that part of you in. Now you are, all you need to do is remember."

I closed my eyes and thought real hard about the time I had lost. The memories came to me all at once that I let go of Natalie and clutched my head. I barely heard her when she asked if I was okay.

I remembered. The first night I had flown her here, I comforted Natalie and slept in the same bed with her. She even made sure that I was comfortable since I was laying on my wings.

I remember when I found her in the forest. A man holding her from behind. He shirt was ripped, while a different man fondled her. I had ripped him from her, and told Natalie to turn around so she wouldn't see me kill them. I told her to cover he ears so she wouldn't hear. I didn't even kill them right there though. I had grabbed them both by the throat, and flew them a ways away. Then I came back to her. She cried herself to sleep before we reached the house. It was then I realized her arm was broken. For some reason I knew what I had to do. I slit my wrist, and poured blood down her throat. I was amazed when he arm automatically fixed itself. I changed her shirt and then went back for the car. After I got the car back, I unloaded everything, so she wouldn't have to. I had watched Natalie sleep for a little while before I placed a kiss on her forehead and fell asleep beside her.

I remember when I flew around the whole city trying to find her. I caught wiff of a scent that smelled of her blood, and automatically knew where she was. I busted through the roof into the room she was in.

Then I remember when I thought she was dead. I had to try everything I could. She couldn't leave me. I was supposed to live my whole life with her. I slit both of my wrist and poured the blood down her throat. I watched her and cried for over and hour before she started to heal. Once I knew all of the broken bones were gone, I flew her back to the house. I had been so exhausted from all the crying and stressing that I passed out on the bed beside her before I had a chance to clean all the blood for her.

I lifted my head up, and look at my mother before looking into Natalie's eyes. "I remember!" I smiled.

I almost laughed when she started jumping up and down clapping. "Yay!" She yelled, making me cringe a little. She then through he arms around my neck, and crashed her lips to mine. I tensed for a second in surprise before I kissed her back.

Pulling away, I looked to my mother who didn't seem to be all there. She was almost translucent, like she was fading away.

"Mother?" I asked.

She sent me a huge smile. "It is complete, you are now human.. I love you son. Live a happy life!" And just like that she was gone.

I felt myself go dizzy for a second and Natalie gasp.

"Austin. You're changing!" She said before everything went black.