It started when she was 10 years old. The woman was crying as if something was hurting her. She was shaking like something horrible would happen to her.
''H-help...he is going to eat me...P-please help m-…''
The beast has come, standing in front of us. But she didn't see anything. She was just standing like a rock. She didn't understand what was happening.
''Don't touch her! She is already cursed!''
''Mother!! How can you leave me like this?''
''Great! I can finally live happily!''
Someone was so disgusted by the woman, and someone was her daughter, crying like she lost her life. But that one man was so happy, as if that woman was a hell for him. The girl's clothes were wet. Yes, it was raining.
Some people were saying, ''The beast has gone!''
She was still wondering, who is that beast? But she realized that this is not the perfect time to wonder. Because Ms. Jane was here. She was her homeroom teacher. So smart and had a soft voice. Nowadays, it's very hard to find someone like her.
''Oh dear! What's happening these days?''
The girl said, ''I also don't know, Ms. Jane.''
''But Ms. Jane, your necklace?''
''Oh! What about my necklace, dear?''
The girl said, ''I mean, is it a picture?''
She said, ''Yes, I really love this place! When I saw it in a store, I quickly bought it. Isn't it pretty?'' ''Uh ... yes …'' The girl says.
The picture was... something… that was… a little bit horrible for me… Because that picture has a house and a garden of red oleander flowers. I dislike that flower. But I suppose Ms. Jane loves these flowers.
But who is that person in that picture?
The curiosity was growing as days passed. But she knew.
''I can't just keep thinking about that necklace.''
She had to think of something else. That something was ... the beast. The beast that she didn't see, but everyone else did. Did Ms. Jane see that too? She had to find everything. She was still standing there. Her body was pure wet from the rain. When she realized that, she started to walk. Finally, she came to her house. Her mother was in her old age. She was lying on the bed, coughing badly. That's why she had to work in a bistro. Where people came to eat European-style foods. When they gave them their salary, everyone started spending it by buying things. But she had to spend the money to buy medicines for her mother. She tried her best to buy medicines as soon as possible. But nothing was working for her mother.
''Mother, here are your medicines. Please take them.''
As days passed, her mother's condition became worse. She couldn't sleep at night. But one day, the girl saw her mother wasn't there.
''Mother? Where are you?'' No sound of her. Like she had vanished. Curiosity started growing inside her.
''Where is she?'' She mumbled because of the growing curiosity. The atmosphere was intense. Slowly, she started going to her mother's bedroom. When she saw that, she froze. It was like a sharp sword in her heart.
''Mother! How can you leave me? Why?'' Yes, it was her mother's dead body. She's gone, gone forever. It felt like she had lost a part of her. After that day, she was like working with a rock in her heart. An expressionless face was always with her. Everything was okay. But something felt strange and slightly weird. It felt like something was always with her.
A ghost? She doesn't know. She can't just think of it all day and all night. She has to think of something else, the beast. When her mother died, she was feeling that her mother died because of that beast. It was strange of her to be feeling like this. But she thought it was okay because every day was the same.
In the newspaper,
they said, ''Most of the people are dying strangely. Some of them don't have their eyes, and some don't have their nails.''
People were saying that people were dying because of that beast.
The girl was still clueless. What is really happening? She thought. When she puts the newspaper on the table, something strange whispers in her ear.
It says, ''Don't you want to find out what's really happening?''
When the girl turns, she sees nothing. ''What was that?'' She says. ''What is really happening to me lately?'' She says, panicking a little bit. She then started checking the house, the rooms. But there was still nothing. Maybe a little bit of rest will help? She thought. When she sits on her bed, she sees a letter on her bedside table. It says, ''Don't you remember me?'' She was clearly confused at that time. Suddenly she saw the mirror that was right in front of her. Something is strange; who is the man standing behind her? Yes, he was the beast that the people are talking about. But he actually doesn't look like a beast that could eat people. A little bit purple, like blue eyes, midnight black hair, pale skin, 6'8" tall, with some clothes that a prince wears. Is he really a beast? But a feeling was with her. It is fear. Yes, she was scared. Actually, there was nothing to fear. But what she has heard from the people is that he is a beast. Her hands were trembling from fear. That's when the beast holds her hands. ''So, you are trembling.'' He said. ''It's okay. I am not going to eat you. Calm down.'' She was a little bit surprised to hear that. But the strangest thing is when she looks at his eyes, some tears suddenly come from her eyes. Why is she crying out of nowhere? Yes, this is the thought that came into her mind. ''So, you remember me, Heida.'' Who is Heida? But why is the beast calling her Heida? She can't understand what was actually happening. ''Apologies for disturbing you, Heida,'' he said. ''Sleep well, my Heida.'' When he leaves, she falls asleep immediately, like the beast did magic to her to make her fall asleep. In the sleep, she saw a dream. A dream where she was holding the hand of the beast. She was smiling when the beast looked at her. They were walking in the garden. But the beast doesn't look like a beast. It was like the beast was in her human form. The beast was wearing something like he was the prince of Germany. When she looks at herself, she sees that she is wearing a dress like she is the princess of Germany. Suddenly, she wakes up. She was wondering, why was the beast wearing something like that? And the main thing is, why was she wearing something like that? But she can't just keep thinking. She has a job. She sits up. After eating, she got ready. When she looked outside by the window, she saw that winter had already arrived. The dogwood tree is still looking stunning even in the coldest winter. She sighs as she wears her coat and red woolen scarf. She steps outside with her handbag. She got a snowflake in her left hand. ''So cold, but still as beautiful as ever.'' Slowly the snowflake melts in her hand as if the snowflake fell in love with her. She sighs as she walks slowly. Finally, she is here in the railway station. Yes, her workplace is far away from her home. That is why she had to take the train every time. Because she lives in the countryside. Where no one hears her if she cries, where no one screams at her if she does anything wrong. No one, but only the wind and the fallen leaves, would watch her. Sometimes, people also need some peace and alone time. But it's only 'sometimes.' That's why, most of the time, she felt really lonely. Sometimes people also need someone's presence, warmth, and comfort whenever they need it. But for her, there is no one who can give her that. Suddenly, a noise came from the side. She snaps out of her thoughts. Yes, she needs to work. She can't just think about her life, right? She got on the train. As she sits, she stares at the window. Everything was feeling a little bit off. How can a little girl like her be normal after all those things happened? She has lost her mother at such a young age, and the most surprising thing is, the beast knows her. But not with her name, but with a name that even she doesn't know. She was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, another noise came. Yes, she has to work. Because she needs money not for her mother's medicine. But for her own needs. She has to eat, live like a normal person. Slowly, she stands and takes her bag. As she leaves the train, a cold wind comes. She shivers a little. As she walks slowly, she starts thinking, How does the beast know her? And why is he calling her with that name? Why was she crying when she saw his face? She doesn't know. But her mind keeps asking her those questions. As she walked, a sudden question came to her mind.
''Isn't the weather too cold?''
The question is a little bit weird, right? Yes, it is. But she starts thinking a little bit deeply. The question is not weird. Winter has just come. Then why is it cold? She knows that the weather will be cold in the winter season. But it's only been 1 day since winter came. So, why is it so cold?