#r0lan writes

[a-notebook-of-stories]

5th Story: Painted Skin

This is a story about the time I worked at a servo - uh, what us Aussies call a “petrol station” - in a quiet little town during my youth.

You see, back then I was a naive 21 year old young adult who took people for granted. I got a job because I wanted more money as I studied my youth away. I wanted to prove to my ancestors wrong that I, as a half Chinese-Australian, am capable of doing what I aspired to be - an artist, instead of being a typical doctor or accountant.

It was a rainy night, quite late in the evening too, when I met this person for the first time.

I was busy stocking up products when I heard the door open, the little buzz of the automated door rang. I minded my business as one would since hey! It’s like 11pm you know.

But this person needed my help it seemed. She tapped me on the shoulder to grab my attention, and I heard a small “um” and “excuse me.”

I turned to the small voice and saw what beauty laid in front. She had silky smooth black hair, her complexion was fair yet she had some sort of glow to it. Her eyes were a pale grey… or was it blue? Contacts most likely. And she smelled sweet - like the roses of the Botanical Gardens on a cool Spring afternoon, with a small after scent of something I can’t put my head around.

In short, a beautiful young lady who smelled absolutely divine tapped my shoulder because she needed help so yes! Hello! I am here to assist you!

“How can I help?” I asked, swallowing my nervousness.

The lady fumbled clumsily on her clothing, and I could see her eyes dart left and right like she was standing in front of a crowd about to give a presentation for final grading.

I could see she felt a little uncomfortable; maybe she needed sanitary products?

I was about to inform her that if she needed them it would be in the small section near the confectionery, however she somewhat managed to speak.

“Sorry… I’m looking to see if you got any… red meat… or something,” she managed to squeak out.

Red meat? Like what? Steak?

I looked at the lady dumbfounded. She looked back and realised I was just staring at her like she was crazy.

“Um…” she began to say.

I instantly snapped back into reality and tore my gaze away from being an absolute asshole and managed to mumble,

“We have some beef jerky if that’s good enough.”

The lady didn’t look too thrilled, but nodded in response.

So I walked over to the isle where the beef jerky was located and grabbed a packet. As I turned, I didn’t seem to realise the lady had too, followed me.

“Here,” I said. “Next time, if you want some red meat but can’t find any, you can always grab a packet like this that says ‘beef jerky’ to buy. They’re an instant snack!”

The lady took the packet in her hand, smiled and nodded.

“Thank you,” she said.

I smiled back.

“No worries. Now is that it? If it is, I can check it out for you right now.”

The lady nodded again, handing back the beef jerky packet. I walked over to the counter and scanned the item.

“$5.50 thanks,” I said.

The lady took out some coins and handed it to me. Exact change. Wow.

After handing the item back to her, the lady quickly shuffled out into the dead of night.

Hope she enjoys her beef jerky… lol

Anyway, to fast forward a little, I thought that exchange that night was pretty normal. A little odd, but normal per se. I didn’t really think of it too much too be honest.

Even when the same lady came back the next night… and the following night… and the following nights after that.

Hell, this lady became a regular customer all right!

So I thought, she’s becoming a regular of ours… I made it my mission to make sure the beef jerky was always in stock during my shift. I made that extra effort to make sure this beautiful, divine smelling lady, always have her beef jerky!!

However suddenly, one night she didn’t turn up. Here I am waiting for her. Like I spent the past few weeks mustering up this courage to engage in a decent and different conversation with her! But why hasn’t she turned up today?! No!!!

I was as hell disappointed at myself. It felt like the heavens didn’t want me to fall in love with some beautiful random chick who likes beef jerky.

I continued to do more night shifts just to see if she would turn up… but nope. Nadda. She stopped coming altogether.

So heck, I gave up on her. I went back to some morning shifts and afternoons… a few night shifts too.

And just when I thought I got over this chick after 2 months… I met another.

To be HONEST, I thought this was the same lady! But it wasn’t.

I don’t usually pay attention to what customers buy mind you, but the only reason why this particular customer got my attention was because she bought some beef jerky.

As I scanned the item I reluctantly joked,

“You don’t by chance have a sister, do you? One who also really likes beef jerky?”

This lady looked up at me and I think… I saw a faint smile.

“You must mean Mei,” she said.

Mei… so that was her name. To think I would have found out like this.

“Uh… yeah, I guess that’s her name,” I replied back, shrugging shamelessly with a small laugh. “I haven’t seen her in a while, how is she?”

The lady looked at me with eyes that could pierce your soul into the heavens. God she is as beautiful as Mei herself.

“Hm?” she piped.

“Uh, I mean, Mei has always come around this time for some beef jerky, but I haven’t seen her lately. I’m just wondering if everything is alright… ya know?”

I shrugged as I tried to explain terribly to her about Mei, since well… she was a regular customer of ours.

She gave a smile and bowed slightly. Then, as quiet and quickly as the autumn leaves in the breeze, walked away without saying another word.

Okay then. Are all beautiful ladies like Mei and her… friend? Sister? - all this weird?

I didn’t take it to heart. I feel like I can sort of relate having some Asian ancestry and all that. I figured chicks like them were just naturally shy with little to say.

I pipped my interest though, seeing Mei’s friend? Sister? I ended up swapping more of my shifts for nights again, just to be able to grab another glimpse of her.

Thankfully it paid off alright. It didn’t take long till I saw her again! Hallelujah!

Having these beautiful wonders turn up nightly made my nights, but also, made me want to talk to her more. I was intrigued by their beauty.

So I’ve decided.

Since it has been 2 weeks now, I plan to talk to Mei’s friend/sister more. I will ask for her name. And perhaps ask her out for dinner… or lunch.

Game on!

With all the courage I have mustered up since the downfall of Mei, I waited for 11pm. God, the hours felt forever.

My prayers paid off all right tonight! Yes! As I head the buzz of the automatic door open, my full attention went straight towards the entrance.

There! She! Is!

She’s here!!

Holding back all the excitement, I gave a small wave at her from behind the counter. She saw the wave and nodded back. And she smiled too!

Oh my god, she’s gorgeous…

Watching her walk towards the aisle with the beef jerky I made sure my hair was fine and shook out all worms in my hands and body.

I could see her approach me, and disastrous thought flew into my head like a crashing paper plane. I took a deep breath and smiled wearily.

“Heya, a good evening to you!” I managed to stammer.

Mei’s friend/sister smiled in response.

A quiet one indeed, I thought.

I cleared my throat as I took the first packet of beef jerky to scan.

“So um…” I began to say, “How’s everything been?”

She looked up and I could see her eyes glisten.

“Everything is alright,” she began. “Could be better though.”

Oh? I wonder what’s wrong?

“Is… everything okay?” I asked, treading lightly. I wanted to know more but I didn’t want it to sound like I’m sticky-beaking you know.

She looked at me and smiled again faintly.

“Just some… family issues,” she said. “Mei… you seem to know her right? Mei well, she’s been acting out of sorts.”

Oho!! Well then. This was something unexpected that I never thought would happen. As I continued to scan the items, I casually inquired,

“Acting out? Did she like… go into some rebellious phase of something?”

“Haha…” she laughed dryly. “I wish that was the case. It’s a bit hard to explain…”

THIS IS IT! MY OPPORTUNITY HAS COME!!

“Um, if you don’t mind,” I started to say, “If you don’t really mind, I could listen to your troubles another day.”

Fuck, my heart felt like its at the back of my throat. I swallowed hard; chest, pounding!

She looked back up at me and I think I saw another faint smile.

“… I don’t even know your name,” she whispered.

“M-my name!” I clumsily fumbled, a little too loud. “You can call me Charlie!”

“Charlie huh,” she chimed. I could see her complexion regain its colour, as her cheeks seemed to warm up. “You gave yourself a western name huh? You don’t like using your birth name?”

Ouch! She really knows where to throw her daggers.

I gave a dry laugh and awkwardly said,

“Yeah, my Chinese name… people here butcher it all the time. I feel like you might get me haha.”

She laughed.

“Yeah, I do.”

I looked at her like I’m seeing a goddess. God, she’s stunning!

“My name is Sun Yi. But you can call me Sunny.”

Sun… Yi. Huh. So that’s her name. Sunny… the western derivation of her name I guess. Pretty cute.

Sunny looked at me and combed her hair back behind her ears. I think she was blushing!

“Mei…” she began to say, “Mei is my cousin. Her full name is Mei Ling Li.”

I nodded and hmm’d in response.

“You both got nice names,” I said.

“Thank you,” Sunny replied back somewhat shyly.

I could see her fumbling again over the beef jerky packets, her face slightly reddish in colour.

“So um,” she began to say. “Your offer about wanting to listen…”

“Oh yes!” I exclaimed. “I’m available whenever you feel most comfortable!”

I let out an awkward laugh, as a looked away from her feeling embarrassed.

“Then that’s good,” Sunny chimed. “I was thinking maybe this Friday? If you want to grab dinner or something.”

Oh my god. Dinner. Yes. Sounds… PERFECT.

“Yes, this Friday sounds good to me for dinner,” I replied back. “Let’s exchange numbers or something.”

Sunny took out her phone and fumbled through some apps.

“If you have LINE or WECHAT we can swap IDs.”

My heart felt like it was about to burst… a second time.

“I have LINE,” said Sunny. “What’s your ID?”

So that night, we managed to swap LINE IDs. And now she’s in my contacts. And I can… legit message her whenever I want now!

Holy shit. I must be dreaming! I did it! Now the wait till Friday can’t come any faster!

Ha ha ha… I was dreadful working non-stop till Friday. I kept getting distracted, knowing I have a date after work later that evening.

So Friday finally rolled in. I was so nervous about this date that my stomach was in knots. And I’m not even in a boat. I’ve waited for this day for so long! I can’t let today slip!!

I got to the restaurant early and took my place at the reserved table. The waiter offered me some fancy drink, probably some expensive wine I will just YOLO!! For tonight.

And so… let the waiting game begin…

10 minutes went by… 20 minutes went by… 30 minutes went by… Where is Sunny? She still hasn’t turned up yet.

The waiter came by again to offer a refill which I declined. I decided to pack my things and head out, in case she was waiting for me at the front of the restaurant.

As I got to the front doors, I saw from the corner of my eye what looked like to be Sunny… or a lady resembling her.

So I followed her.

Gee, where is she going at such a late hour? I thought.

I followed her to what seemed to be an alley, dimly lit and smelly too. As I peeped around the corner, I could see her back, her hair out and straight, and still.

I wanted to call out to her instantly, however I stopped as I heard and faint shrill fill the musky air. Mortified, I just stood there.

There, on the floor in front of her, was a person kneeling. Their arms were limp by their sides, and I could hear faintly their rugged, gagged breath.

What. The. Fuck?

“S-Sunny..?” I managed to croak out.

Sunny stopped and slowly turned around. Her body shifted slightly - just slightly - for the body kneeling in front of her to collapse to the floor. I looked up and saw her dainty face break into a small smile, her eyes full of… death.

“W-what the-?!”

My eyes tore away from her face and now onto the body on the floor. The person… was a woman. Her features said so. However her face… her face?! It was ripped off!

“?!?!?!?!”

I gasped, holding back a shriek.

“Ah. I see you’ve caught me,” Sunny cooed.

“H-her face!” I shrieked. “What… what did you do?!”

“Ah, you mean this?”

Holding up what seemed to be paper was actually a loose flap of skin. It was skin which belonged to the dead lady on the floor. It was that lady’s face.

“Ah, Charlie, you must be shocked, I’m sorry,” Sunny started to say. “But you see…” - she held up the face - “I want this face. It looks so… beautiful. Such perfection… will belong to me.”

With that, Sunny placed the loose flap of the face skin against her face. She smoothed the edges against her own face, and that was when I saw her change.

As the face melded into her own face, Sunny changed; she became… the woman on the floor.

“Y-Yaoguai*!!!” I muttered, stumbling back. “Y-you’re a demon!”

Sunny laughed, her shrill voice echoed in the night.

I ran. I ran and never turned back. Mei… I thought. She was Mei too… God dammit.

-END-

Notes:

Yaoguai [ 妖怪 ] Chinese word meaning monster/demon/devil/strange creature

[a-notebook-of-stories]

1st Story: The Girl

Once upon a time there lived a girl who saw a monster. However, no one believed her as she was blind. She told everyone in her village that a monster lives in the woods. She even told her best friend who laughed at her.

But no one believed her.

Sadden at the reality of the villagers, the girl cried. She cried in her sleep. Softly, she wept.

One night a howl was heard in the distance. The villagers ignored it, thinking it was the wolves. However the girl got scared.

She tried telling her parents. She tried telling the villagers. No one listened to her.

So she fled.

Alone into the woods.

Where the howling grew louder.

The girl ran and ran. Hand brushing against the leaves and trees.

The howling suddenly came to a stop. The girl stopped running. Before she knew what was happening, the howl was heard again. However it felt far. The sound came from the opposite direction. The direction of the village.

She knew.

The monster was close to the village.

But the girl didn’t care. No one in that village cared for her. Her parents paid little attention to her because she was blind. Her best friend was only her best friend because their parents forced them to befriend the girl.

However, what they all didn’t know was that the girl could see, even though she was blind.

You see, her sight didn’t come from her eyes. They came through her mind. Energy based figures form shapes turning them into pictures in her head. Through touch and vibration.

So when the girl said she saw a monster, she did see a monster. Hiding in the woods. Observing the villagers. Their patterns. Their way of life.

But all of this doesn’t matter now to the girl.

The monster is at the village.

The monster wrecking havoc.

The monster - feasting on human flesh and desire.

The girl continued to run. Deeper and deeper into the woods. Until she could not hear the monster and the cries of the villagers in the background.

-The End-

[a-notebook-of-stories]

2nd Story: The Girl Born of Flames

In a place far far away, a girl born of flames was born. The girl born was not named, as those who have witnessed her birth all died. Mysterious deaths they were, each witness died engulfed by flames, unknown whether is was purely by accident or by murder.

Hence the girl born of flames was outcasted and thrown away, left for dead in a shallow grave outside the skirts of the kingdom for the animals to devour.

Surely you would expect the girl born of flames to die by the hand of nature. But she did not.

The girl was saved by an old haggard witch - so so told by the ancient stories of the land.

Lonely was this witch who craved for some companionship, she saved the girl born of flames and raised her. As her own child she carved all her knowledge and power into her.

The girl born of flames who grew up with the witch was not named. Growing up she would be called many things - Girl, My Daughter, My Child - to name a few.

However she did not mind. She knew the witch was not her mother, or anyone related to her by blood. But she was kin. She loved the witch like she was her mother. She cherished all the times with her. The girl was proud to have been raised by such a woman.

It wasn't until the girl born of flames turned 21 when she was given a name.

An unfortunate incident befell the girl and the witch. An incident where the girl born of flames would hate those who have hurt her family. An incident, where she failed to save her beloved mother, the witch.

It was a night of thee full moon on the eve of the girls 21st birthday.

It was a night where the witch promised the girl to give her a name. A name that carried power and strength of the being she will become.

Everything that night was prepared days in advance for the girl. She was ready to be named!

However, as clouds finally started to clear that night, just as the moon peaked overhead, the witch and the girl were attacked. They were ambushed.

The loud yells of men enveloped the surroundings of the witches resident.

Men of all sizes came in groups, carrying pitchforks and torches of flames.

"Tonight is the night the evil witch of the forest dies!"

As one men yells, the others followed suit.

The girl and the witch hidden within the trees, short of lucky to have not have been seen, hid aghast.

"Evil witch?" the girl questioned in a whisper.

"Hush my child," replied the witch.

Moving steathly in the shadow of the moonlight, the girl and the witch tried to flee the scene.

However they were caught before they could even escape!

"I've caught the witch!" one man cried.

"Bring her in!" shouted another.

A wave of triumphs roared over the men.

"There is a girl too!" a third man roared over the cheers.

"Take her in and burn them both at the stake!"

"Ay!!" as the men roared in delight.

The girl, scared out of her wits struggled against the grasps of the men.

"Be still my child!" the witch soothed quietly. "All will be alright."

The girl looked at the witch frightened. Breathing out the cold frost of the night, the girl and the witch were taken and holsted up at the stakes.

Laughter and snickering remarks filled the air of the night, in preperation of their execution.

"Any last word, witch?" a man asked, torch ready in his hand.

"Ay," croaked the witch.

Looking up at the night sky, the moonlight lit dimmer that night as oppose to the previous, making the air feel prickly and eerie as the witch beamed overhead.

"Ah... my child," the witch started to say. "A happy birthday to you."

The girl, without realising, had tears trickle from her eyes. She didn't know what say. She didn't know what to do.

"My child," the witch's voice was hoarse. "Your name..." she took a shallow breathe in. "Your name my child, I will give for you to bear, will be Cyra. Cyra... meaning Born of Light."

The girl born of flames, now has a name. Cyra. It is Cyra!

Cyra looked at the witch behind tears.

"My name..." Cyra whispered. "Cyra... it is lovely. Thank you... I will accept it... Mother."

Gasps echoes through the crowd and whispers then followed.

"Mother?"

"The witch as a daughter?!"

"That is impossible..."

The witch smiled, her face looking as haggard as when she saved Cyra as a baby all those years ago, looked content.

Then flames eruped, slowly engulfing the witch at the stake.

The witch howled.

Unmoving, Cyra looked. Then all suddenly, everything went red.And everything became silent to the girl.

Cyra roared in despair.

"Burn the girl up quick!" yelled one man. "She is a witch too!"

But alas, the men failed.

Unbeknownst of the origin of the girl, they didn't know she was the girl born of flames.

Cyra you see, she was immune to fire. She can control it, however she was still new to fully control it with ease.

Her scream and rage bellowed the air as her mother burned.

But all was quiet to Cyra's ears. Her rage had manifested uncontrollably, setting her free from the stake.

"The girl is fr - "

But the man was cut off. His head... was gone.

Cyra raged that night, clumsily controlling the flames, engulfing all the men that burnt her mother.

Pillers of fire raged the witches house and its surrounding. It was a sea of flames like the flames of hell.

Cyra continued to roar in anguish as everything around her turned to ashes.

"M-m-monster!" the last remaining man cried.

"Nay!" Cyra bellowed above him.

"My name is Cyra! The Girl born of Flames! The Sorceress, of this Forest!"

And so Cyra extinguished the last remaining man, until his ashes laid bare and scattered on the floor.

"Be gone from MY forest!"

-The End-

[a-notebook-of-stories]

4th Story: The Silent Boy

On a cold wintery night, there lived a boy who was mute. The boy wasn't born as a mute; he just chose not to speak. No one knew the reason; the many people who asked him were all told the same answer - the boy just suddenly stopped talking.

The boy grew up in an orphanage from a young age. He was adopted a few times - and was sent back not too long after. Now, the boy is 15 years old. And he currently has a new family - his third adopted family - after the first two gave up on him after 2 weeks of signing the adoption papers.

When the boy was first adopted, his first adopted family insisted he were to go with them. To them, the boy was a love at first sight. They thought they could handle a boy who was only 8 years old, and also a mute.

But that family only lasted about 2 weeks with the boy before sending him back. When they were asked why, the family just fled, leaving the boy alone again at the orphanage.

The second family that adopted the boy, adopted him 3 years later. The boy just turned 11 years old, and he still chose not to speak. This time, the second family thought they could grow, love and accept the boy for being a mute. However, the second family only lasted a week with the boy.

The second family dumped the boy at the front of the orphanage and rode off - never to be heard of again.

So the boy continued to live in the orphanage. Still alone. Still being a mute.

One day, not shy of the boys 15th birthday, a really nice couple came forward wishing to adopt a child after their own son took his life. This couple, settled on the mute boy. The couple chose to accept him, with the intention to love and provide for him. And maybe, get him to speak again.

So the boy settled down with this couple as his third family. The boy was probably expecting to be sent back within 5 days - as his previous 2 adoptions never lasted long.

But alas, 3 months went by in a flash! The boy slowly felt a little something, warm up his chest.

Perhaps this might be love?

Perhaps this might be happiness?

As the boy grew content and comfortable with his new family, the more he didn't realise what was to come.

3 months was a long time. The longest the boy ever had a home for. So the orphanage called weekly to see his condition, in this third family.

The couple did thought it was a little bit odd for an orphanage to call weekly, checking up for a child they had let go. To the couple, how pitiful was it that a boy who is a mute have been dumped twice growing up! It is so sad!!

The couple loved the boy as their own, even if he remained silent. The boy nevertheless has sensed their love and wanted to do something nice in return.

So the family celebrated the 4th month of the boys adoption into their loving circle.

The boy anticipated this day in advance. He was ready to surprise his parents that kept by him for this long; the family that hadn't abandoned him like the previous two.

So the night of the celebration after dinner, the boy swelled up all his courage he had for his surprise, for his parents.

"Thank... you."

His parents suddenly stopped what they were doing and stared.

The boy looked confused so he took another deep breath to repeat himself:

"Thank you."

A sudden horror swept over the parents face. Their smiles turned into a state of shock - face paled.

Now the boy was really confused.

He opened his mouth again, but his parents dropped everything to slam his mouth shut.

The boy soon turned frantic.

Why? he thought.

After all this time... why?

The boy was suddenly held back against his will. His father held him tight in a lock by the back. The boy could see - his father was screaming something to his mother. His eyes were wide, and terrified with fear.

The boy could see his mother momentarily disappear, and when she came back, she came back with an item. The boy saw what looked like a ball of thread in his mothers hand.

The boy struggled in confusion. His father held him tighter, echoes of him yelling something to his wife. The boys mother, through tears and struggle, inched closer and closer to the boy with the thread in her hand.

The boy resumed to struggle.

THWAK!

So the father ended up hitting the boy at the back of his head, knocking him out.

The boy was floating in and out of consciousness.

What was happening?

Why?

WHY???

When the boy finally regained consciousness he found himself lying on the kitchen floor. He was covered in blood. It was not his blood... so whose?!

The boy got up and looked around. It was eerily quiet, and the atmosphere felt denser than before. There he saw seated was his father, his chin rested against his chest. Was he sleeping?

No... he was dead!

But how?

Why?

The boy touched the body and his father slouched onto the table with a thud. There, the boy saw a knife skewered into the side of his fathers neck.

His father was stabbed.

The boy stumbled back, tripping on something, making him fall.

He looked at what tripped him and gasped.

It was his mother.

His poor mother who cared for him layed in a pool of her own blood. Her guts skewered and trailed by her, like a barbeque platter! She had giant lacerations and wounds all over her body, like some wild animals had been gnawing at post mortem.

The boy wanted to scream but he couldn't.

Why?

The boy touched his face. His hands soon fell onto his mouth. There, he felt the threads.

The thread his mother held, were on his face.

The boy scurried awkwardly to the toilet. Tumbling aghast, he needed a mirror. He needed to see.

The boy saw his face.

Sunken eyes.

Blood splats and stains.

And where his mouth was, were threads.

No wonder he couldn't scream!

His mouth were sewn shut!

The boy screamed.

Well, he tried to.

The only sound that managed to come out was a high pitch wail his throat could give.

Why?

Why? he thought.

Why?

Why??

All I said was a 'thank you!'

The boy cried.

He sobbed uncontrollably. Black ooze trickled down his face instead of tear, frightening him further.

The boy fell back, scratching at his own face and his sewn mouth.

But to his horror, instead of hands, there were claws.

Nails long and stricken with blood, the boy shot up. Again, he looked into the mirror. But what he saw reflected back was not his face.

Whose face is this?!

The boy couldn't think. So he fled the toilet.

It was like the night never skipped a beat. The front door was suddenly blown down, with explosive prowess that you could only see from an action movie.

Men in robes came running through. Mysterious men they were indeed.

The boy became frantic once again.

He growled at them; clawed at them. Like a beast, the boy soon became uncontrollable.

The men in robes surrounded the boy. One man then took out a book. An ancient book, its cover was leathered and encarved onto it was an ancient writing not known to man. It was a book that resembled... a grimoire.

All of a sudden, the boy froze. He couldn't move anymore. The men in robes surrounding the boy started to chant. The boy felt his skin crawl. Burning.

"By the Lord of Light, We, the Servants of Heaven who has roamed the Earth for centuries to protect and cast out all evil, banish you back to the depth of hell, Demon!"

The boy muffled out a wail.

Why?

Why? he thought.

Demon? Me??

The floor of the house glowed red, and a devils pentagram appeared.

It was then, all came to a still for the boy.

It was if the boy was watching a movie - flashes of his life appeared like a reel in front of his eyes.

He could see himself slaughter his parents who treated him so well in this life. He could see the tears of his mother, who reluctantly sewed his mouth shut.

Then, the boy saw images of something else.

He saw fire, death and hatred.

It was his life, in the pits of Hell.

It was the life he gave up, because he wanted to be human.

The life he gave up had a price you see. He could live as a human. But for him to do that, he had to pay a price.

That price per se, was his voice.

A voice that should never he heard to human ears.

A voice that should have never been heard in the first place.

The boys voice was a curse.

A curse, when heard would reveal his true identity.

A curse, in which once heard without proper protection, would kill.

But you see, the boy had lived as a human for too long.

The boy was first reborn as a human baby. And as a baby, you won't remember your first thoughts, right? Nevertheless memories of your past life!

The boy had forgotten that if humans heard his voice, his true self would appear. And when humans see his form, they must die.

The boy had forgotten all of that. All of that he forgot, until the night he got sent back to Hell.

The night the mute boy spoke, was when his identity was revealed.

But unlike the last two families that abandoned him, he killed the third.

Regretful as he was, he couldn't remember in the time before the slaughter.

Oh how the boy, who was actually a Demon, regretted.

- The End -

[a-notebook-of-stories]

3rd Story: The Boy with Two Sets of Arms

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a boy with two sets of arms. This boy grew up quite normally with his parents and 2 younger sisters.

The boy knew that his extra pair of arms made him abnormal; a different special typa kid according to his mother.

But her never let it get to him.

The boy learned to love himself. Maybe it was because the boy learned to love himself that he never thought more of what was bound to happen to himself.

The day after the boy turnd 10 years old, he fell sick. He didn't think much of it since symptoms were that of a common cold.

The boy was bedridden for days; his worried mother was constantly by his side.

On the 7th night of his sickness, the boy had a dream. Vivid was the dream, he dreamt that he were normal! The extra pair of arms he had were gone!

He looked at his body - oh how normal did he look!

The boy was ecstatic!

His emotions, filled him up to the brim and he cried; tears swelled up and trickled down his face. The feeling of freedom!!

However, the dream didn't last long. When the boy woke up, the heavy feeling of dismay came back. Looking down at his arms, he could see the extra pair of arms by his side. They were limp, very much not moving to his reaction.

It wasn't until the boy was well enough to carry on his daily life that he realised the extra pair of arms he has weren't moving the way he wanted.

The arms weren't listening to him! How peculiar!

The boy never thought more of it since he just recovered from being sick. Days passed, and the boy realised - these arms felt like they got a mind of its own!

But how is this possible?

So the boy told his mother who brushed it off. He told his father who told him to tell his mother. At the end, he told his sisters who didn't really understand his worries.

Oh so lonely did the boy feel. He never felt so lonesome before! He wanted to cry, but no tears could be wept.

A hushed voice was suddenly heard amongst his heartbreak:

"It's ok. I can make things ok. Just let me out!"

The boy became alarmed. He looked around confusingly.

"Let who out?" he asked.

"Me," the voice whispered.

The boy spun around again. He was alone. He found nobody.

"Hey, let me out and all with be alright," the voice said again.

The boy started to panic. His chest felt tight, and his arms felt numb.

"If... If I do let you out, how will I do that?" the boy asked, his voice quivering slightly.

"Just close your eyes and I can handle the rest," soothed the voice.

So the boy took a deep breath.

"Then what?" he questioned.

"Then..." the voiced started to say. "Then... you get the freedom you so longed wished and deserve."

The boy gasped.

Freedom?

Sounds amazing!

His arms might work again! They might move to his will!

"Alright then," the boy said. "Let's go."

So he closed his eyes.

And he took a deep breath in.

~ squelch ~

~ rip ~

~ stretch ~

Then all went quiet.

The boy opened his eyes.

There he saw an open field. Green grass, a cool breeze. The sun was high up amongst the clear blue sky, birds chirping happily as the flowers danced beneath his feet.

He could see some figures in the distance.

Mother? Father? he thought.

The boy ran towards them, but as he ran, the further the figures appeared to become. Further and further they went.

What was happening?

The boy looked down and saw his hands.

And he gasped.

Two hands!

Just two hands!

The boy rejoiced.

He was normal!

The boy cried tears of joy.

Those tears he cried, were red. Bloody tears there were.

But the boy didn't care. His extra arms were gone! He was a normal kid! Finally!

What the boy didn't realise though, that his normality had a price.

The boy thought that his freedom was well earned. However it never occured to him that those extra arms DID have a mind of its own.

It was those arms that ripped the boy open, devouring him whole and thus, took over the boys identity and became the boy.

Those extra pair of arms became the boy that the boy couldn't become - a normal looking kid with just two arms.

- The End -