Page 22 of Into the Heartless Wood
I would call you Seren. Star.
I have never had a name.
But I desire one.
The desire consumes me.
How can I have a name?
I am nothing
but
a
monster.
Still I watch, through the long night and on into morning.
The sun rises, red as blood.
His door opens.
For a heartbeat I see him: slim form, dark hair.
I jerk back into the trees.
I am terrified
that he will not remember me.
I am terrified
that
he
will.
Seren.
Star.
Chapter Fifteen
MONSTER
IAM DREAMING WHEN THE PAIN COMES.
Searing agony, under my skin.
I open my eyes.
My mother.
Here,
in this quiet glade I chose