She huddles in a corner of the room, any traces of her humanity gone. She stares at me with glowing, hostile eyes. Hard, cold scales replace her once soft, pale skin. A low, intimidating growl slips past her lips, warning me to leave, but I don't move. "This isn't who you are. They turned you into this," I whisper to her. My words offer her no comfort, but instead, sound like more, cruel taunting. She has longed learned to believe the insults of her tormentors. Their words ring in her ears. They are even carved into the walls that surround her. "You are not a monster." I continue. She becomes furious, roaring something at me that resembles words. I open my arms lovingly, giving her a gentle smile. She rushes into my embrace, but not for a hug. I feel her sharp claws dig into my skin, drenching my shirt in blood. Her mouth bites down on my shoulder, but I don't defend myself. I don't raise a hand against her. Instead, I wrap my arms around her.

"Ivy, you are loved." I manage to say, the pain making it hard to speak. She freezes in my arms. Lifting up her head, I can see the color brown return to her eyes. The scales fall from her arms like petals. She gives me a smile that only use to live in my memories.

"Thank you," she says. Then, she disappears; vanishes as if she was never there in the first place. I fall on my back, laughing to myself. I wasn't able to stop the bullying. I wasn't even able to stop you from taking your own life, but I'm glad I was able to set you free...Ivy.