Gray. That was the color of Mary's room. A dull gray.
Laying on the bed, she stared up at the worn roof, deep in thought. It was a new day, and for once, things were different.

Mary smiled. For once, she was excited to wake up.
All because of one boy; One boy who seemed to have an endless amount of things to say. Someone who seemed to not care that the other children would stay away from her.

The usually ghost-like gray of her room seemed bright on this day. She got off her bed and grabbed a set of clothes from her drawer.

The young girl looked into the mirror.

The black spread over her body stuck out on her pale skin.

Mary hated looking at herself because she knew. She knew that the black was not normal.

-

Five Years Ago

Light cascaded into the forest as rays. The forest was quiet, other than the sound of footsteps.

Mary walked through the forest. Theresa had sent her out to collect some berries. Unfortunately for her, she had been very unsuccessful.

That is until she saw glimpses of black in the distance.

'Berries!'

Mary ran towards the fruit when she heard growling. She froze. Mary had heard from some of the other children that there had been sightings of a black beast in their area, but she never believed it. Now, Mary wished she had heeded their warnings.

The blue-haired girl could hear the beast's footsteps coming closer, growls getting louder. Her heart pounded.

Badump. Badump, badump. Badump, badump, badump.

Mary could feel the beast's breath on her back, her hair sticking up in fear. Yet, the beast did not move an inch. It was as if time had stopped and it was just her and the terrifying monster. She slowly turned back. Her rose-colored eyes staring at the beast's golden ones. Seeing that the beast made no move to harm her, Mary's heart rate slowly went back to normal.

Out of impulse, Mary extended her hand toward's the beast's face. The wolf-like beast rubbed its face on it. The young girl let out a breathy laugh.

'He's just like a dog.' She thought.

Mary pet the beast.

"What thick fur you have," Mary said, awestruck. "You must boil during the summer!"

The beast let out a bark. Not seeming to understand what Mary said.

"Haha, you even bark like a dog!" she grinned.

Mary could hear the church bells in the distance. She sighed and sat down next to a nearby tree. The girl propped up her face with her hands.

"Miss T would be appalled if she knew I was hanging out with the rumored monster." She muttered to herself.

Mary had known Sister Theresa all her life. She had no memory of living anywhere other than the monastery. The older woman had told her how she had found Mary as a baby outside the church. She had told the child how it had been snowing heavily, and how little Mary had a serious fever.

Of course, Mary had no recollection of that day, but she had no reason to doubt Theresa.

Mary glanced at the black beast who had lied down to take a nap. She had to admit to herself; she was exhausted. Mary got no sleep yesterday, as she had snuck out to see the visiting circus. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, completely forgetting about the berries.