H I S  B E A S T 

"There was a monster that lives in my head. 

It controlled me and forced me to do as it said.

I am friends with it now, and we tend to play well.

But sometimes we fight, and I am the victim

When day turns to night . . . "

        -  Josephine August 

_ 

   When we met, we always knew it'd end this way. 

It wasn't hard to rise up from the bed. Talking to Jean was the hard part.

I listened to the rhythmic sound of my sneakers pounding on the sidewalk, my eyes following the patterns of cracks and blemishes. I did everything in my power to ignore the awkwardness between Simon and I.

Biting the inside of my cheek, my gaze flickered toward Simon, to be inside his own little universe as he walked ahead of me. My stomach flipped around in discomfort. I had never been at such a loss for words. But I wasn't freaking out either. It was as if my soul had already made up its mind whether or not I wanted Jean. Believing in soulmates was not something a guy like me does. But I did.

 I do.

Something inside of me changed, and I wasn't sure if I liked it.

Sexuality was one issue I had with Simon. I wasn't gay. Never had I looked at a man and became infatuated as I have with females. Even so, there would still be the issue of the tattoo. My job doesn't allow those kind of things. If they saw it, I'd be fired and that's less money for my bills.

What would my family thing if they knew I was bound to a man?

"John?"

I jumped, startled by Simon's soothing voice. He stood a couple yards away near an old bench. Beyond the that was a tree filled park with little nature paths. I guess he wanted to talk to here.

I slid past Simon, sitting on the bench with my knees pressed to my chest, hoping to just shrink and disappear so I didn't have to have some awkward conversation about feelings with a guy, no less.

 Guys like me don't talk about their feelings. We deal with it alone, and do what we need too. I would never admit it above a mere thought, but I was fucking terrified.

I didn't want to marry some guy who didn't even know me a day prior. He hadn't a clue I existed. 'Effing prick.

"I'm glad you're not screaming and running," Simon whispered, breaking the awful silence. 

My gaze flashed to him, taking in his slumped figure and grim expression. Dark circles lined the underside of his eyes.

"Why would I?" I asked.

Simon let out a bitter chuckle, surprising me. He seemed so happy go lucky and cheerful I didn't think anything could take his smile away. But then I saw the sadness in his eyes and I knew he was about to tell me something that would probably change my mind.

"My dad didn't tell you the entire story of Kunoi," he said barely above a whisper. "She wasn't just a princess — she was a prisoner."

"What?"

Simon glared at the ground. "Kunoi protected the village, so in turn her beast was held at bay by the goddess she worshiped. The reason soulmates began was to soothe the monster inside of us, Hants. Because I am a direct descendant of the princess, I am an ugly beast."

The silence was deafening. I wasn't sure how to respond to Simon.

As if moving of its own accord, my fingers slid into his open palm. He seemed surprised, but as soon as our flesh met, I was astounded by its effect. A calm was settled over me and him as well. It seemed I could almost feel his heartbeat stutter inside of my own chest. As our stares locked it seemed an eternity passed. I wasn't sure I liked this connection, but my body enjoyed it. Simon looked away and pulled his hand back, drenching me in a cold unlike any other.

A bone chilling emptiness that nestled itself in the cracks of my heart.

"I don't think you're a monster."

Simon's faced me angrily. "You wouldn't. You haven't seen me change. The village was cursed by a witch who was jealous of Kuoni's beauty. Because of this curse, every couple days I'm forced into being Kitso."

Without looking at him, I replied. "I want to see it."

His eyes flashed in anger. He stood up abruptly, and gripped my upper arm with strength I didn't know he possessed. Without warning I was dragged deeper into the woodland area, pleasing with Jean to fucking let go of me. As I stumbled deeper and deeper, I could hear him growling, and I could truly see a monster behind his cheerful façade.

I hated it.

As we reached a clearing, Simon let go of me and traveled to the center of the clearing. I could see the loathsome grimace on his features and my heart twisted painfully.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he hissed.

And then it began. 

He  was bent over, his shoulders heaving up and down as if in great pain. I was struck with true fear as I hear a gurgling noise come out from his throat. His head was thrown back showcasing sharper, longer canines. My legs feel weak and I gripped a nearby tree in my horror. It seemed as if Simon's skin slid off his back like cheese on a pizza slice. 

I couldn't watch. I shut my eyes tightly and hid my face in my hoodie.

Don't kill me, I begged. It didn't matter who was listening.

My eyes slowly rose up meeting the stare of what I could only describe as a creature. It towered over me with midnight fur. It wasn't anything I knew of, or maybe it was a mixture of a bear, a dog, and some other large animal. Its maw dripped saliva, dead, yellow eyes trained on me as it growled and circled me like prey. I couldn't breathe, nor move.  Simon was right! He was a beast!

Gaining courage, I stepped towards the creature. It didn't move as I inched toward it. We watched each other with keen eyes, as his snarl deepened and my heart clenched. I flinched at the howl that left his lips, and I stumbled backwards, hands shaking for dear life.

And then, it was gone. 

When I blinked, Simon was standing in a pile of matted fur, eyes still glowing horrible yellow. I dared not look at his naked body as he strut towards me.

His eyes faded back to their original color, digging into my own spheres.

"See," he growled. "I'm damned."

_ 

This book is coming to an end soon. What stories should I write as a commemoration? We need something spectacular, I think. I love you. If you want to contribute to this book, i suggest PMing me a letter or short story around 500 words to be put in. All entries will be included and will most likely be posted on Christmas. 

Love you AGAIN!!