The tale of a loved one

Chapter one

Nothing but a lab rat

Hello everyone and thank you for clicking on my story. This is my first story for Beauty and the beast. I first started when I was sixteen and am now nineteen. I hope that my writing has improved since then. I thank you for opening this and hope that you enjoy.

Just for reference, all flames will be thrown into my oven and used to bake cakes. All cakes baked with those harsh flames, shall be given, graciously to those who are kind, thoughtful and all around helpful. ^_^ All of you who threw flames at me get…. NOTHING! Muahahahah! XD

I do not own beauty and the beast. Only this title, characters that are derived from my imagination and anything else I may legally claim. All other claims go to those whom they rightfully belong to. (The poem belongs to Lord Alfred Tennyson. All other poems will be credited to those who own them.)

Now that that's over… ON WITH THE… STORY! ^_^

~OoO~

'Unworthy and unloved…Unfit to be loved. A scientific phenomenon, a freak of nature, a monster… A beast.'

These are all the things I have been called since the moment I came into this world. I have never known happiness or love. Never known what it was like to be part of a family. Never had friends... Or even, just anyone who could look at me and smile.
My name is Amanda March ... Strange isn't it? Amanda means, fit to be loved, or loveable. So why do I feel so unfit for such affection? Why was I given such a name?

This is the tale of my life. The journey I went on to find who I am. A self exploration… A self discovery. The time that I left all that I knew… The time I rejected who I was told I was supposed to be. The time I rejected their reality, in order to substitute my own.

This is my story.
My life has been one, full of pain and suffering.
All I have ever wanted from anyone, was love and affection. Though no one has ever been willing to bestow such necessities upon me, not even my own mother.
I have memories from early childhood, of my mother, asking... not sure who... but asking, why she was saddled with a monster child. She asked, what had she done to deserve something so horrible. What sin had she committed?

And now, I find myself asking similar questions.

'What did I ever do, to deserve such a fate?'

At 19 years old, I now ask these questions. I did not understand what was wrong with me at three years of age. As I grew older and wiser… I began to see what made me so different.

I learned early on, that silence is golden… but duct tape is silver.

Perhaps I should have been silent the first time she threatened to tape my mouth shut.

I am not sure if the fur on my face will ever grow back the way it used to be.

Yes, that's right. I said fur.

You see. I am not normal, in the conventional sense. I am some strange mix between girl and beast. I resemble, in most ways, a large cat. My features are most consistent with those of a lion. The only difference seems to be that I walk on two legs, plus I have no tail.

I have a cat like nose and a cleft lip. My whole body is covered in light golden fur. My hair is a mix between golden blonde and many other shades of blonde with a slightly reddish tint when the sun hits it. My hair flows down in soft waves to slightly past my hips. I have always liked to keep it long.

My body is lithe, thin and athletic. Though I have very distinct womanly curves.

My eyes are the most human thing about me. They are a deep sky blue with lightning bolts of ice blue running through them and golden lines around the edges.

All in all, I am not unattractive… or so I have been told by my "body guards".

They make sure I get to where I need to be, whether it's the lab, my bedroom/ holding cell, or if it's to the large enclosed garden where I get my "play time". They also make for good conversation… Sort of. They are mostly pleasant. Though sometimes they seem more like baby sitters.

The garden is like a giant green house. The sides are made of what seems to be two way glass. I can see out of them, but no one can see in. The top is plexiglass. The garden holds many different and exotic plants from around the world. It's where the professor keeps his plant specimens for his botany experiments. I enjoy it, though I wish beyond anything that I could feel the sun on my face without several layers of glass between us.

Professor Andrew Dewitt is a botanist… as you may have guessed. He is also a biologist and chemist. He and my mother have known each other since high school. So, when she gave birth to a "monster child", he was the first one she called. My Father died before I was born. He was a marine. His ship went down during battle.

Since then, I have been nothing but Professor Dewitt's lab rat. He has deemed me his missing link. He has been trying, in vain, to discover the cause of my "mutation", as he calls it. Though, in 19 years, he has come up with no theory which could be proven through science. Another name he has given me, is "scientific phenomenon". He says I am a God sent for all scientists. He and his team have taken blood and performed many different tests, attempting to find the mystery behind the monster. Though, without any other test subjects with the same mutation, they can neither confirm nor deny the truth behind their theories. Though, when my blood is put under a microscope, it seems to be far from anything human.

If only there was another like me. Though, honestly… I would never wish this kind of existence on another. It is simply terrible. Every day I feel as if my soul is being sucked dry. I am merely a shell of my former self, even now.

As I grew older and they grew more desperate for answers. Their test sessions with me grew longer and much more nerve racking.

I can only wish for even a hint of normalcy in my life. A wish which I know will never be granted.

Though… If there were another like me. That would be incredible. Perhaps then I would not constantly find myself singing the tigger song when I'm alone in the silence of my room..

"The most wonderful thing about tiggers, is that I'm the only one…. I'm the only one."

I'm sure that's not healthy.

Professor Dewitt says that my capacity for learning and my ability to retain information, far surpasses that of any normal human… Does that mean I'm smarter than him?

Perhaps he did not consider that when he told me that I possessed "superior intelligence".

I think I'll keep that one to myself. Otherwise he may withdraw his statement.

That is the only thing I have to hold onto that I am actually proud of. My brain… my mental capacity. The only reason a creature like me can beat a star chess champion at his own game!

In that knowledge… for a few split seconds… I actually… dare I say it? I feel, special.

Mother says a freak should never feel special… Though, if she hates me so much, why does she come to visit? Sometimes I wish she would just stay away. Though, when she is gone… I miss her, even though she is unkind toward me.

Professor Dewitt once told me that I am special… in my…own "special" way? Oh well, at least it's something.

My mental capacity allows for many talents as well, including artistic ability and musical ability. I can draw, paint and play several different instruments. My favorite being the piano and violin. However, I do enjoy playing drums.

Anyway, enough about my back story. I am sure you've heard enough.

This tale really starts here… With me sitting in my cell… I mean bed room. I was looking out the window. There was a full moon, big and bright.

~OoO~

"Someday, I will escape from this life of captivity. Then, I will really be free." I whispered to myself.

"What are you going on about Mandy?" Ms. Jane Marks… My caretaker asked. She was a plump old woman, with graying hair and a voice that always seemed too loud for the room she was in.

"Oh nothing Janey. Just talking to myself over here." I said with a fake smile and a role of my tired eyes.

"Now don't give me that young lady. You know how much I hate back talk." Ms. Marks said as she waved her plump and calloused finger at me.

I turned back toward the window. "You hate everything. Especially about me." I mumbled.

"What was that?" She asked, irritated.

I gave a heavy sigh. "Nothing. Just forget it."

"Fine. You can stay in that dull mood all you want. I will have no part in it." Jane left the room, slamming the door. My keen ears picked up the sound of the lock clicking into place.

"And my name is Amanda!" I yelled at the closed door.

I sighed again.

"I will escape someday. That's a promise."

I glanced around my room. There was no color. Just white and gray. The walls, the furniture, the bedding, EVERYTHING! I wanted some color in my life. Some joy and happiness. I was never going to find any of that here. I couldn't even have posters. Even my clothes were dull. I was wearing a plain white dress that had no shape and hung to my knees. A gray half vest graced my thin shoulders, my arms were bare. My feet... well, I didn't own any shoes. My hair hung loose around my body.

Another deep sigh.

I slid off the window sill and moved sullenly over to my book shelf. I had accumulated many books over the years. Reading was the only thing that could take me away from this awful place. I loved using my imagination.

I picked out my favorite.

'Ahhh…. Poetry.' I thought to myself with a smile. Poetry always relaxes me.

"Oh, Lord Alfred; sometimes it seems you're the only one who understands me."

I flipped to my favorite poem and began reading out loud.

"Be near me when my light is low,
When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick
And tingle; and the heart is sick,
And all the wheels of Being slow.

Be near me when the sensuous frame
Is rack'd with pangs that conquer trust;
And Time, a maniac scattering dust,
And Life, a Fury slinging flame.

Be near me when my faith is dry,
And men the flies of latter spring,
That lay their eggs, and sting and sing
And weave their petty cells and die.

Be near me when I fade away,
To point the term of human strife,
And on the low dark verge of life
The twilight of eternal day."

"Oh yes, Tennyson… You understand me so well. " This poem matched my mood exactly.

I set the book in my lap and glanced back out the window. The moon was now high in the night sky. Stars glittered all around, winking at me.

I closed my eyes and made a silent wish.

'I wish I could find someone who will understand me and accept me for who and what I am.'

I then opened my eyes and worked out my plans for escape.

A/N: So, what do you think? Be honest now. I want everyone to keep an open mind. I know that the first chapter is always the most painful. I had to lead in somehow.

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. If you think I should change anything or add anything. If there is something you want to happen, I will work it in any way I can. Tell me what should be next if you have any ideas.

Thanks so much ^_^

Angelic~Reader

Trying my best to spark imagination ;3