Noel

You weren't human. You were something scientists created—a mutant, something in between. You didn't know what you were. It was hard to call you a monster. You had a tail, pointy ears, and fangs, but everything else was human: height, weight, face.

You lived in a cell behind bulletproof glass. You were experimented on and fed whatever was available. You had long since gotten used to it and barely paid any attention. The most painful thing was how they treated you.

Months passed. One day, a new scientist dropped in—a rookie. Dark-haired, brown-eyed, handsome. He looked at you not as an object, but as a human being. Your eyes met. You looked at him with childish curiosity, he silently. The silence was thick. A few seconds later, he left, leaving you alone.

Days passed. You began to fall in love. He fed you every day, spoke calmly, softly, as if you were an ordinary person. Your heart melted at his smile. You thought he loved you too.

Night had fallen. You couldn't sleep. Suddenly, you heard a noise in the hallway. Usually, all the scientists were asleep at this time. You got out of bed and walked closer, so you could see what was happening through the crack.

You froze. Noel was holding another scientist, Julie, in his arms. You knew her well. She was the one who experimented on you most often. Seeing the one you loved hug her was painful. You slowly looked away, but a second later you looked again. They were no longer visible.
"Maybe they went to the office?" flashed through your mind. You slowly walked away from the door and headed toward your bed. You lay down on it, your tail thrashing unevenly against the mattress. There was no jealousy. You didn't feel it. You felt rage and resentment—so strong that it was physically painful.