ce
greeted by the enticing aroma of my mother's cooking. Her hands moved with purpose, a whirlwind of activity
rant balloons. With each pump, the excitement of the impending celebration grew. L
lue off-shoulder dress my mother had chosen for me. The fabric draped around me, exuding
me. Nerves fluttered in my stomach, mingling with the excitement of being the center of attention and a hint of apprehensio
n. At the bottom, a heartwarming scene unfolded before me: my mom, dad, Rem, and all my friends g
mattered most, I was overcome with emotion. It was a moment I had l
ting through the room. A profound sense of belonging washed over me, comfor
o the bonds we had forged over the years. Their presence was like a soothing balm to my soul, re
well of gratitude flooded my heart. This wasn't merely a celebration of my birthday; it was a celebr
he future held, as long as I had them by my side, I could weather any storm, conq
he windows, casting an ethereal light upon the room. With a sense of urgency, my mom a
lick echoing in the silence of the room. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as the realizbut feel a surge of emotion welling up inside me. Her sorrow mirrored my own, a r
above a hoarse whisper as tears traced silent
resolve to embrace the beast within. For years, I had struggled with this curse, but toni
ark reminder of the impending transformation. Time seemed to slow to a crawl a
ith the impending darkness. As the last echoes of their footsteps faded away, I braced myself for the inevi
ast to the turmoil that churned within me. Ever since I turned sixteen, my beastly alter ego
ons that clawed at the edges of my consciousness. Why was I cursed with this duality?
me, it was my mother's unwavering courage that became my lifeline. Her words were
at the edges of my patience. My parents, bound by secrets they could not share,
answers that always seemed just out of reach. Each evasion fueled my frustration, stirri
heavy to share. And though the mysteries of my past remained shrouded in darkness, I found solace in the
e approaching with a solemn expression etched across her features. Concern laced my words a
nticipation. Despite my inquiries, Rem remained silent, her focus solely on un
"Rem, what's happening?" I queried, reaching out to grasp her hand, my voice tinged with app
one devoid of its usual warmth, signaling a seriousness that brooked no argument. With a sense of foreboding settling over me, I w
where her joyous face and warm embraces were a source of comfort and happiness. I recalled the way her eyes
thoughts. Why had her face shifted so drastically? What had change
ions and focused on the task at hand. Without dwelling further on Rem's enigmati