The Life I Live

My Past Is My Future

*16 Years Ago*

        "…Every morning you greet me

        Small and white, clean and bright

        You look happy to meet me!"

        The children sang as they ran around the edge of the forest. They were smartly dressed, just come out of church. Most of them carried small flowers or wore them in their hair in the girls' case. They laughed as they sang, chasing each other in happy circles.

        One of the boys stopped and messed up his brown hair. He kneeled down and rubbed dirt all over his face. He stood up and roared loudly.

        "Roooaaarrrr! I'm the scary monster girl! I'm gonna eat you!" The children shrieked with laughter, running away from the small boy in mock fear. He chased them with clawed hands, roaring as loud as he could.

        He caught one of the girls and tackled her onto the grass. "I'm gonna eat you! You're gonna die!" He shouted as he tickled her. She cried in laughter, squirming on the ground in her pale blue dress and pigtails.

        Another little girl, this one much dirtier than the rest stood silently behind a nearby tree. She watched with one wide eye as she hid behind the great oak. The game they played made her sad, but she didn't have anyone to play with. They looked like they were having fun.

        'I'm scared…' She thought as she watched the others play. She looked behind her at the dark forest.

        '…but I'm lonely.' Working up her courage, she pushed away from the tree and stepped out into the clearing.

        The kids didn't notice her at first. They were too busy laughing as the younger boy chased them and her approach was so quiet.

        "U-um…hello." She said weakly. They others stopped playing at the noise and turned to look at her. The silence was thick, and the girl shifted nervously from foot to foot, her arms held behind her as she looked at her feet.

        The children's' minds took in her tattered brown dress and dirty bare feet. Her blonde hair was tangled and unwashed. Large violet eyes reflected sadness and hope when she looked up at them.

        "U-um…can I play too?" Her small voice asked.

        That was when the screaming started.

        "Aah! It's the real monster!"

        "Run away!"

        "She's gonna eat us!"

        The girl's eyes widened as the others ran away in fear. She took a step forwards, reaching out to them.

        "W-wait! Please!" The screams grew louder and the noise began to attract other people to the scene. Adults began to run towards them, but stopped when they saw her tiny figure. Their anger was plainly visible.

        "Demon child! Go back to the woods where you belong!" A farmer with his pitchfork said. He slowly approached her, pointing the sharp prongs at her. She trembled in fear and stumbled backwards. The children's parents were now there, holding their young to them.

        "I-I j-just wanted…to play…" She answered weakly.

        "Don't lay a hand on my son, you evil creature!" One of the mothers shouted.

        "I'm not a monster!" She defended weakly.

        "Kill her!"

        "Burn her like she burned her parents!"