“Why must I be the hated one?” He paced back and forth in his so-called “castle...” not a castle anymore, although twas once a glorious source of pride for the kingdom. Now this place was a ramshackle, torn apart, horror chamber of sorts. More to the point twas a prison for him. As the days passed he raged more and more...becoming more beast than human. And in fact this was what those in the kingdom now called him. The Beast. This actually was the nicest term they used. Other words included “freak,” “manic,” and the most painful “hideous monster.” 1
He had always been unattractive and born into a royal family of beautiful people who were loved and adored he stood out and was held apart. His parents at best claimed that he was a changling, not really their child at all. At worst...he heard the whispered accusatory arguments between his father, the king, and his mother.2
“Are you certain that you have never lain with another... for surely that...thing...tis not of my royal blood!” 3
“Oh perhaps I coupled with the devil himself!” his mother would retort.4
“That would be explaining a great deal then.” 5
As Beast, which he was called even by his own family rather than his chosen name was the only son borne to his parents, the situation was indeed a dire one. For this hideous monster to one day inherit the throne was more than they could bear! He was sent away to a boarding school when he was old enough and the problem avoided at least for a time.6
The worst occurred while Beast was away. A terrible epidemic claimed his entire family and they all perished. Beast was in the library of the school, his refuge from the other children and his unwanted but impossible to control urges to hurt and bully them whenever they were near. He had lost himself in a book ironically about a man who overcame all odds to become the leader of oppressed people and led them toward overthrowing those who persecuted them. 7
“Sire, you are required at the castle straight away!” He turned to find Morris who was a messenger from the kingdom. 8
“Surely you jest.” he turned back to his book. 9
“Indeed not, for your parents have died and you are to take over the throne straight away!” 10
“I...what?” He half spoke, half snarled the words. It could not be possible! The thoughts of pleasure at his parents... long reviled by him... being gone, were pushed aside by his fear at being expected to take their place. He was a mere lad, only 12 years old, and as he had often been reminded... a hideous one at that. How was he supposed to run a kingdom?11
But indeed twas what they expected of him. He returned home and soon found that all of the business of running a kingdom was laid at his feet. With no prior training or innate sense of what to do in this situation he faltered terribly. He sent soldiers off to fight wars that the kingdom had no business being involved in. He let go the servants, one by one when they displeased him in the slightest. He alienated everyone in the kingdom with his angry and hostile manner but more importantly with his ignorance of what was expected of him. Nobody offered to help him for they feared him simply because of his looks alone. Everyone hated him from the lowest peasant to the most distinguished gallantry and beyond. Slowly he grew older... and more quickly both his castle and his entire kingdom fell into disrepair...and despair. 12
This very day the citizens had declared that they planned to build a new castle and “elect” a new leader. Changes were in the air and Beast found himself looking out the window at the dried up grasses and dead trees that surrounded his castle, the long-droughted mote and rusted, unused drawbridge...and further beyond to the village that bustled with people who all hated and despised him. 13
“Not one of them has offered me a hand.” he lamented. “They expected me to do it all and when I failed...they turned against me.” 14
Sighing he turned from the window and walked into his library, the only room in the whole bloody castle that he really cared about. Sometimes he even slept in this room in the comfortable easy chair with a glass of whiskey in one hand and a beloved book in the other.15
Ah his books! His only friends really. Besides the bottles of whiskey that he stockpiled whenever he was forced to go into the village and buy his essentials. His books, and his whiskey, all that he needed in this world. They soothed and comforted him and most importantly...never turned him away or called him names.
Author notes
Here is a link to the rest of the story (what I have thus far):
The Beast
In a list
A contest entry
- Calling All Novelists by Forgotten Anomaly.
1400 points, ended April 4, 2009, 42 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Gimme Gimme Gimme by Luckyk.
228 points, ended April 8, 2009, 29 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Constructive Critiques by tallblondie.
550 points, ends March 30, 42 entries
• next story in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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i like it, i love it *gives a Oprah scream...or shout* hehe :3
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Wow, it was good. Had me hooked. Let's read the next one, shall we? (You'll be commented by me again.)
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I feel for him. Forced to take on a great responsibility and no one to teach him. They didn't even care to show him how it was to be done all because he was unattractive. Never thought that if they'd done that they'd be in a better place than they are now. I'm glad he finds refuge in his books although I would have been glad had he found one that read 'Basics to running a kingdom'.
You did a wonderful job and I loved the insight that you gave us for this 'beast'. I cannot wait to see where this goes especially with such a start as this one. Wonderful Job again.
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This is amazing, T. You did such a good job of not only detailing and description (which I know you have been focusing on improving in your stories) but in letting us inside the "Beast's" head and making us feel his emotions. Personally I want to give the Beast a HUGE HUG!!!
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Strawberry fantasy
I`m not a very socialing person and i totally dig my head in books to avoid it.
But that was great, I felt the emotion. I almost wanted to cry for him. And then beat up his parents for being so creul.
I should calm myself down
...
I`m alright now.
THAT WAS GREAT!
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Oh, got to love those books. Tis a great thing to bring forth a beast like this.. but, tis a child at heart.. that was force to grow up to soon, and at the worse of times.
to thee, me Brother
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This is very origional and quite well writen. I like the backstory your told and the character you have created here. Thank you for entering the contest and good luck.
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this was an amazing story...very well written, very much like Poe himself...can't wait to read what happens to Beast...
this is very publishable, by the way...you are amazing, love...
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This is a terrific story so far, but it doesn't seem finished. I especially loved the last paragraph about Beast's only friends being his books and whiskey...gah I feel sorry for him I'm not sure what I would do in his situation, and a part of me is glad that his family's dead so they can no longer make fun of him. Can't wait to read more.
~ Ink
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Well darlin' tis not finished. Neither this part, which I am going to flesh out more...or the story itself...yet.
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Love, i see so much of who You were in this introduction to Your character. Tis written wonderfully and i look forward to reading it as You continue in the Beast's reformation.
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This is really kind of different from anything else I've seen of your writing. Sort of makes one feel a little lonely, passed over when you try to put yourself into his shoes.
I kind of wonder why you chose there to be an emphasis on the main character being unattractive. I mean, I doubt that would be a comparison to yourself, as you're actually very attractive (at least from the few pictures I've come across).. Anyways, not to hit on you haha, just saying that you usually write stuff with strong sexual undertones, to say the least lol.
Anyways, an interesting start, looking forward to seeing where you go with this.
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Ha...do not worry mate. The sexual undertones are coming...I just needed to set the stage.
As well I have always felt very ugly and my own family made sure to tell me so on a regular basis. I also have experienced being called all of these names and more...so I actually do relate to this Beast in many ways. Have never felt attractive and always felt more than a bit mean.
I really do appreciate you reading what I have written thus far...stay tuned. -
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you are NOT ugly...quite the opposite, actually...you have very pretty eyes and i've always thought you were pretty hot...
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