LATIFAH'S POVI got to my room that night wondering my heart out. Fear and terror gripped me. I sat on my bed unable to join the other maids for dinner. I was literally expecting hell to let loose on me tonight, or perhaps the heavens to fall, or better, the earth to cleave asunder and swallow me up. What would she tell Madam Lorretta about me?. What action was Madam Lorretta going to take against me?. I can understand why Eva hates me now. Oh my god.. I could literally see the disgust for me as she spoke those terrible words to me. Tearing off my dress, I quickly changed into my underclothes and collapsed on my bed. Multiple emotions swirl in around me - Fear, anger, sadness, pain. Moments later, a knock sounds on my door. My heart skipped in fright. Surely, it's the guards. 'Oh good heavens.. Save me now.. They have come to take me for another round of punishment'. I thought, fidgeting upon my bed. The knock came on again. ''Come in". I said mildly, with my voice small and sti

Latifah's POVRain droplets trickled down the glass panels of the palace's wide arched top windows, tickling and teasing the transparent material as they slid down. Intricately large designs framed the large pieces, a quiet reminder of the palace's wealth and exquisite taste. Outside the tall solid walls, the rain poured in torrents. And so, a soft melody gently welcomed the new day into the city.A new day had dawn, and not even the nimbus clouds could delay the routine of the sun as it had begun to shine into every household unapologetically.Loud pounding on my door jerks me from a restless sleep. "Lady Latifah.. The King request your presence in the dining hall". The servant said in a rather husky and gruff voice, and then left. I immediately took a quick but deep breath, and got dressed. My old servant dress seemingly drav next to the rainbow of gowns I see daily in the castle. I then put my locket on, the only piece of jewelry I'm allowed to wear. Inside is a picture of myself

I woke up days later to a muffled chatter around my room. Mother's worried voice was the first I heard. Obviously, fatigue was written all over me."How is she doing?". I took a slow but quick glance around the room. Diana was nowhere to be found. The castle physician, the delectable Lady Irisha was seated by my bedside. A weak smile crept up her face as she gazed upon my pale looking face."How are you feeling now?". She asked mildly.Suddenly, a splitting headache forms between my eyes and I winced, a slight groan escaping my lips. I requested for the cup of water beside my bed, and Irisha reached for it and handed it over to me to drink. Drinking, I felt my sore throat relaxed a bit making allowance for me to speak freely."Where's Diana?.. Is... Is she okay?". I asked as the words spilled out of my mouth.Mom regally walked over to us and took a seat opposite Irisha, and gazing at me with eyes of affection, grabbed my gently, squeezing them gently as she grinned mildly."Diana is

After the painful transformation, the look on my parents' face said it all. They were scared of me.I was a monster and Gabriella only confirmed it."Monster!" She screamed as she threw her teddy at me and rushed out. My parents were frozen to the spot until my mother fainted.'Mom!" I had meant to say, but instead an animalistic sound came out of me. My dad looked at my mom then back at me. 'Get out!" he screamed at me"Dad?" I meant to say but again, words failed me.He made a quick grab for the baseball bat I kept near my wardrobe and swung it at me.He actually tried to hit me with it. My own baseball bat.The one he'd gotten me. All in fear of what had happened to me.I couldn't handle it so I jumped out of my window and ran, and ran, on all fours, out of civilization and into the thick forest, as far away from home as possible, afraid of the monster I had become.But just like trying to run away from your shadow, there was no way to escape this, unless I plunged myself into comp

'Pssst, Latifah? Are you awake?" Mavis said whilst poking my ribs, stirring me awake from my short and uncomfortable nap"I am now." I said groggily while sitting up, the ground cold and hard underneath me."Good." She smiled at me. It was amazing how she still found it in her to actually smile."What is it?" I asked her once I noticed her expectant expression."I'm bored." she pouted.I gave her a blank look. "And?"She shrugged and just repeated her statement that she was bored."Gee May" I said as I rubbed my left eye, "I had no idea you were interested in entertainment before execution."She frowned at me.'There isn't much to do as a prisoner, so you're gonna have to suck it up and wait till they end our lives." I said. No need for any sorta sugar coating.'Wow, Latifah, always looking at the positive side of things." Mavis said, sarcasm lacing each word.Well, there was nothing remotely positive about this situation and I wasn't about to convince myself otherwise, just to be let