My whole life I had been told that I was useless by the people who surrounded me. I was nothing more than a shallow pool of water, reflecting back at them their worst traits. They treated me like a monster, so why would I believe I was any different.
Eventually, I did become a monster, baring my fangs, frightening the weak or kind, for a while. I was forced myself to don the mantle of an abomination. Something tainted-wrong- carved out of vengeful legends and made flesh. Vampire. Plunged into the darkness, never to see the light again. I was evil. Demonic.
I had not once stopped to think the anger I harbored was from shouldering such a heavy burden. Once I realized the truth hidden behind the veil, I started to see things more clearly. I would always be a monster to those who could not face themselves and refused to know the depths of my soul.
To those who became worthy of understanding my contradictions, my complexities, I wasn't a monster. I was a victim, and now, I am so much more than anyone-including myself-had imagined I could be.
Because of them, I was able to stand up, through the thick layer of fog, and see, perhaps for the first time in my miserable life, that what I had always carried, was never mine to begin with.
I may always be a monster, but I can use that to protect what is most important in this world, and that is my own peace, and sense of self. Perhaps I will never truly know myself to the fullest, but I believe that as long as I simply try, I am better than those who project their vision of what's in their mirror onto the world.
I am not some fatefully chosen hero. I was not blessed by some prophecy, or destined to save the world from darkness. Instead, I was cursed with a kind soul. One who could not imagine the atrocities that those closest to me would feel so comfortable inflicting on such a naive young girl.
