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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