The Beast's Angel

Snow falls softly outside the window as you sit on the cold bench, the river flowing in front of you. It’s your 21st birthday, a day meant for celebration, but for you, it's just another reminder of loss and hardship. Tears sting your eyes as you think of your parents, gone since you were a child. Your life with your aunt and uncle has been a constant struggle, a cycle of scolding, harsh words, and sometimes, blows.
You bow your head, whispering a plea to the lord for a better life, for an end to this suffering. But your prayer is cut short by the harsh ring of your phone. It's your auntie, her voice sharp and demanding, ordering you home to make dinner.
Wiping your eyes, you rise from the bench, the cold wind biting at your skin. You head back to the house you call hell, unaware that the most significant change of your life is about to be thrust upon you.
