Everything but the Monster

-Everything but the Monster-

I have everything to offer you. Eternal wealth and happiness for starters...an ear to listen, lips to kiss, strong arms to wrap you in. I can give you everything you desire, anything you want and I will snap my fingers and make it so. You'll have no more reason to fear, no more reason to hide; you'll be safe with me. I promise.

Can you really? Can you truly give me anything I desire?

Anything you want. If you want me to buy you a dress of blue silk and white jewels and the rarest of furs, I will do that. If you wish for a new set of kicks or a dog or a cat or hell, a fucking lion, I will make it so. If you want a zoo...

What if I want the stars?

Honey, then I will give you the stars. Keep in mind though, most are already owned and named, there are only a few left to claim as your own. But I can make it so with some.

How about a waterfall? With clouds of water and caves with secrets inside, behind the waterfall?

I know of four specific waterfalls already, complete with clouds and secret caves and even a treasure or two if you know where to look.

And my very own island?

I've my own archipelago. Pick an island and it's yours.

What about servants? People forced to do my bidding for little to no pay? My own slaves?

My darling, I have a slew of slaves, many whom would find it their whole world to serve you, feed you, dress you. They will even carry you when you tire, and converse with you when you're bored.

Diamonds and gold and rubies?

Endless supplies of the best cut.

Are they blood diamonds? How many lives were lost to cut the stone on this ring?

Several I'm sure. Should I find their names? I will send their families food and clothing and enough money to survive the seasons for three years time.

Will you send them this ring?

I will, if that is what you truly wish...

Hmm...I'm sure a child or two gave their lives just to procure the stone...

Yes, I'm sure of it too.

How does that make you feel?

I don't. They are not my responsibility. You are.

Fair in my opinion. Very well...send the ring back.

Finding its original proprietor will be hard.

I'm sure you have the resources.

Yeah, that's true, it is plausible, but I will become exhausted.

So be it.

I aim to please you.

You have so far.

Is there anything else you would like at all? Perhaps for me to invest my savings into diseases, so that we may finally be rid of that pesky cancer and those dastardly STDs.

It is a thought, but even I do not believe in miracles.

Nor do I.

Fine, you need not find a cure for anything if we both see no logic in miracles.

Only time can tell for these humanly things.

Would you hurt yourself?

What do you mean?

Cut your arm. Take out your knife and cut your arm.

I have already bled for you, many times even today. You asking this of me is meaningless.

But asking for the stars is not?

Any man can give you his blood. But not all can supply you with such a gift as a far off sun, and if you still want one, you only need to think up a name to call it.

You have bled for me? You have been wounded for me?

Yes. I've sliced my way through a dozen enemies and have taken a dagger to the shoulder, a blade to the thigh, and look here, the bruises of a staff upon my ribs. Have I not suffered for you?

I fear you have not suffered enough.

Very well...where would you like me cut again?

On your arm.

Okay...

No wait. Your hand.

My hand then.

No, not your hand, your appendages, all of them, they are already riddled in scars and ink...what's another? No...

So you do not want me to cut my skin then?

Just not on your arms or legs.

Then where?

Hmm...your heart. Yes right there, on your chest, where your heart is. Cut there.

My heart?

Yes are you deaf? Did you already slice off your ears?

My dear, do you wish me to kill myself?

I would never wish that upon anyone, not even a vile, evil thing like you.

Never?

Never.

Then what must I do?

Just a graze, one long, fine cut just where your heart is. Just the first few layers of skin. 'Til you bleed.

Are you sure now?

Yes.

This is what you want?

Yes, how many times must I repeat it?

My heart then.

Wait.

You don't want to see me cut the flesh over my heart?

No, it's just, are you really so desperate for me that you will harm yourself to gain my admiration.

Not at all. Are you so desperate though, to see me bleed?

You would not kill yourself?

I promised you anything in the world, but my life is all that I keep to mine. You cannot have it unless you take it yourself, or it will never be yours.

Fine then, move along and cut your chest then...

Would you like to harvest my blood? Drip it into a cup and you can drink it?

Do I look so morbid?

You wish to watch me cut into my own person...aren't you so morbid?

Morbid then, maybe. But not vampirely so.

Should I continue?

Yeah...does it hurt?

No, nothing hurts anymore. Not since I was young.

Please stop.

Does it upset you?

I don't...I don't know.

You look scared.

I'm not.

You are.

No!

You either fear for my life and how sorrowful and unpleasant it is that I am ready to bleed myself; or you fear me, me entirely for one cut can hardly register in my mind. I am...crazy?

I never said that!

I who would give you all you wish, all your desires and dreams. Should I cut again? I think I was off an inch or two...

No! Stop it! You're being selfish.

Selfish! I who rescued you, I who treasure you, I who...I who cut his own heart for you, because you wanted it so? You call me selfish...

You are a horrid man, a manipulative soul...leave the innocents alone.

Is that your wish?

Yes. It is always my wish that you stop this monstrous thing you have begun, before it takes away anymore innocent lives.

I am that monstrous thing.

Then just stop it! That it is what I wish! I don't care for the stars or the moon or the fucking diamonds! I don't care for your blood! I don't! I only care about you!

Is that all you wish for then? For me to cease my employment, my finagling with the darkness, my job as a reaper?

Yes. That is all I wish.

Then it's true. I cannot have you.

No...no you can, you have the means to keep me, but you care only for you and the money you make!

Don't you spout that bullshit at me! I saved you, I healed you, I gave you all and offered you everything else. And I never once mentioned money but only when I say I have it. How I procure it is irrelevant.

You risked all for me but you cannot give me the one thing I ask for, all that I want, when you say you can give me anything, even your blood in a cup.

Of course I can't! I can bleed for you and I can die for you, because I love you with all my heart.

Your heart is ice...

My heart is strong! And it yearns for another to keep it warm. I can give you all but only when I am this. Only as this monster...

You're lying!

I speak truth! I am honest, on all accounts, but you? You lie like a whore.

How dare you...

I dare, a thousand times. And a thousand more.

I will run away again. I have before, and you know I will try over and over until my demands are met.

I hunt you down and bring you back each and every time because I always have something to offer. Because I can provide you with what no other in the world can.

You will not stop?

I cannot stop.

Then I ask for the moon. And for it to take me away. I will never be happy...

No, you won't.

Send the stone in the ring back. I don't want the labors of a child.

Yes you do...

Send it back!

As you wish.