Medusa Writing - 'cause!

I'm just exploring around, so... Um... have an old story I had on DA? (Well, relatively old for me. I write a story a day.)

No one treats you the same when you look like a monster. All it takes is one potion from some jealous boyfriend, a quick spell, and nothing will ever be the same. I hated thinking about that, though. Not like there were any parents around to tell me to suck it up, either - they were with the mob, last I checked. Angry that they're precious little daughter had scales, no doubt.

I stifled that thought, too, catching my prey ahead. My two legged gait shifted to four as I smashed through the underbrush, chasing after the deer at the speed of a hunter. My blood pounded with the strength that Steven had never meant to give me, my legs pumping faster and faster. The ground tore beneath me, the vines gave way to my dominance, and the entire night held its breath as I came upon my prey. Claws tore through its throat, as my tusks pierced its stomach. It's feeble throes of death slid across my scales, and I felt a flash of pride. I was hunter, I knew, as I bent my head down to gorge, the snakes that were my hair coming with me. I was the huntress of the forest, the goddess of the trees, and my own ex-boyfriend had given it to me. I'd have to thank him for that, if they ever returned him to flesh and blood. The man should have known better than to tinker in the darker side of witchcraft, like that. I'd told him as much when I introduced him to the craft.

For a moment I wondered if I was any better off, but then the hot blood was gushing down my throat and all other thoughts disappeared. I gorged myself like a beast, pieces of hot flesh sliding down my mutated throat. It had been days since I'd eaten - too many animals had looked into my eyes before they died. Not even a gorgon could eat stone.

A whimper brought my thoughts back to the world, as I looked around, growling as I examined the underbrush. Something was out there, I knew, my ears picking up the delicate pad of a footstep. My golden wings, too membranous to fly, stirred the currents of the air. My nose sniffed as I took in the scents of the forest, and let pout another growl. The next whimper let me pinpoint the location, as I prepared to jump, only to freeze. It was a girl, I realized… a little girl. I bent down, averting my gaze as I listened to her come forward. My instincts screamed for movement as I sensed her reaching for the food, and I felt her eyes on me as I pretended to sleep. I could hear her eating my food, unaware of how close I was to snapping. I wouldn't, though - I was not a monster. I never had been, and I wouldn't let that bastard turn me into one now. I listened as she chewed, and waited for the sound of her moving before I began to relax. By the time I realized she was heading in the wrong direction, it was too late, the girl already cuddled in the crook of my arm.

I felt my twisted mouth smile, glad the girl couldn't see my expression The girl must have been desperate to sleep next to me… But I wouldn't hurt her. I'd win this fight, and prove I wasn't a monster - I'd bring the girl back to them.

With a yawn, I allowed myself to fall asleep for real.

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I woke early the next morning, lowering the girls head carefully to the floor before finding one of the longer leaves that grew in the forest. Carefully scraping it with a claw, I thinned it to see-through in the center, before wrapping it around my head. Though it tinted the world green, it should serve to protect the girl if both of us were careful. I mumbled some words under my breath, fixing it in place and strengthening it with a spell, before I grinned and waited for the girl to wake.

She did so, eventually, though I'd half fallen asleep standing by then. She didn't so much as squeak, staring at me with my blindfolded eyes. She must have been six, at least, but she didn't say a word, just staring into my eyes. No one had met my eyes for a long time, even when I tried using methods like this. I didn't know whether to be happy or disconcerted, and I don't think I really cared.

"Come on," I muttered, scooping the girl up and putting her on my shoulders. We had a ways to go, and I wasn't going to let her lag behind along the way, I told myself.

She felt stiff, but held on. Her legs were bony, I noted with worry, and her body riddled with bruises and scars. Too long out in the forest, I assured myself, thinking I'd fix things. Telling myself that I'd fix things for both of us, getting her settled in and proving I could be good. To them or myself, I didn't even want to think about.

Still, every step upon the soft earth was a step closer to my goal. Every branch that brushed against me was one less I'd have to brush aside later. The journey took days, but it was worth it. I had to take the blindfold off to catch my food, but she took my order about not looking without complaint. I tried harder than before, knowing she'd need the food, and we always had enough to share. At least as far as she knew. I wasn't a monster, I reminded myself, and I wasn't going to let anyone prove me wrong.

It was a week before we reached a village, though, and I was glad when we did. The little girl had filled out by then, and I pushed her forward, gently, figuring I'd enter after. She just looked at me with those big brown eyes of her, tucking a lock of black hair away. She stared so long I thought she wouldn't go. She did, eventually, a look of infinite sadness about her that I refused to address. I waited a moment, before putting on a charm to make myself look human.

I don't like using those - the spell on me always wears through, eventually, and it's horrid when they do. The less complex ones work longer, since they take less power to maintain, but they don't cover up the feeling of scales. Still, it was a special occasion, and I needed to be there if I was going to choose the moment for the big reveal. So in I walked, head held high, just another beauty out for a stroll. I reveled in the feel of human hips, and wavy hair, knowing the snakes were just below the surface of the charm. I hated knowing that, but I was still convinced I could prove the truth to them. That it would be easier if I could.

I didn't do a thing as I watched her walk in - until I saw a man kick her. I barely stifled a gasp as a boy threw a rock at her face, laughing about Janette the Jinx. I could barely do more than stare when they told me what a monster she was, for surviving when her family hadn't. I watched her sit there, beaten and bloody but refusing to cry as they asked her how she'd gotten back from where they dumped her.

Then I stopped watching.

I let the charm slide away, as I stood on all fours, growling as my snakes hissed. I averted my eyes and let them all run as they fled for their pitchforks and knives. I shut those eyes completely, as I scooped up the girl and ran. Best of all, I smiled, as I felt her cuddle up against me and cry, at long last.

I didn't need to prove myself to the humans - I didn't need to show them I was no monster. I didn't need to shy from the gorgons to prove my worth… because I knew who the monsters were. There was no going back, I knew, for me and Janette - I would join my new sisters, now, a monster to the monsters. Perhaps Janette would join me, one day… or perhaps not. It was her choice.

From that day forth, it would always be her choice. Because as long as I was her protector, she would always have a place to cry if that choice went bad.

I smiled as we left the human world behind






*Shrugs* i'm told its good! Maybe? is it? Gah!