American Monster

<p>Every hero has an origin story where he slays the monsters and gets the girl.</p><p>Mine is a cautionary tale. I am the monster and I watch the woman I love die over and over again.</p><p> </p><p>I was born an orphan and a legend with my first breath. My silver spoon was replaced with an iron blade and my wealth with a bounty on my head. I lived in the shadows lurking amongst the bastards and the beggars with no moral compass to guide me as I stumbled through life carrying the heavy burden of my past in secrecy. The few who dared to speak my name knew me as Justus Beiste - just beast. I was untamable and bowed to no man or God ruled only by my desires. But the one thing I craved most I could never have for fear she too would fall victim to my curse.</p><p> </p><p>This isn't a love story. This is a tragedy played out in endless acts spanning countless lives.</p><p> </p><p>Still I would follow her across centuries my soul tethered to hers protecting her from those who came before us until I succumbed to bloodlust and broke our ties or bonded us together forever.</p>