Dayn Hinkle
He was a monster hiding in the dark, and when light flickers upon the window steel bars of his room, he will hide in the shadows of his wardrobe. From there, his vengeful screams and hideous cries are heard, that as if agony is the only thing that makes him fully alive. He has been like that since then, for no one can truly change him. He always pushes people away for he knows that no one really wants to stay. So he told himself that he will just keep on pushing everybody away from his life, and just pretend that he does not care. It continued to be like that until one day: she went into his room unbelievably, and every night she would lull him stories of fiction before he fall asleep. On the first week, she told him about the story of Pinocchio whose nose grows long every time he utters a lie. She told him that he is just like Pinnochio, and he cannot live in denials and lies forever, for even when he makes it so, he will not be less than sad. He then started removing the fake worn accessories from his body—from the too long sleeves sweater, to the bunny beanie, up to the periwig. He is suffering from leukemia. On the second week, she told him about the story of the ugly duckling that became a swan and in the end, had the ability to flap its wings in the river, like a queen. She told him that everyone will have to go through a cycle, just like an ugly duckling, and in time, each and every one of us will be able to flap our wings and transform into a beautiful swan. He was astonished, and at the same time relieved, so he started putting out the make-ups that were ruining the beauty that is naturally given to him. His mole, the prettiest beauty mark he’d ever owned, reigned and glowed even when in dark. On the third week, she told him the about story of the beast who transformed right into a lovely, young prince after being accepted by a maiden whose heart is gold and pure. She told that people were once beasts that are in need to patiently wait for their equivalent and perfect, freespirit maidens who will accept them as who they are and who will love them despite the ugliness of the outside. So his knees stopped trembling as his heart did, and his knees stopped shaking, his tears stopped from falling—and in spite of the darkness, he looked at the woman and hugged her. Eventually, he started lightening up his dark, dismal room: from the replacement of the old broken bulbs to new ones, from removing the murky-colored curtains and changed them into pastel ones, up to opening the chandelier and revamping his old room to a new one. When all’s finished, he held a mirror and tried looking at himself. He wasn’t used to it, but when he saw his face, he realized something he should’ve realized a long time ago: he is beautiful.