Shaking the wandering thoughts away...he closed his eyes, and raised his head.

Would Matthew even been better if none of this happened? And still human?

Howl sighed.

Probably not.

But at least, he would be human, if not a monster.

But not all monsters have to be creatures.

He was though...not a monster...but a creature. A freak!

Back then, before the first curse even started, he would see shapeshifters and witches and even WOLVES as the monsters...the humans were only the victims.

Stolen novel; please report.

He could understand in his father's eyes how he felt about him.

He's been taught about the dangers in the woods....and it was true. If you stay in the woods for more than a couple of hours...you're no longer a human. You're nothing but a curse and a threat now.

And he was...but after Shadow broke the curse...everyone was freed....even him and his buddies were back.

But they weren't human anymore...and the Village proved that....

Even his own father.....

The pain stung him. Howl could immediately feel the intensity of the situation Max and his father and brother were in. He could feel his world crumbling. The anger, the resentment, the confusion.

His own father...his OWN. FATHER!

How could he?

Does this prove that Howl's humanity died a long time ago? Did it die after he got cursed the first time.

Were him and the rest of his friends just a bunch of FREAKS now? Misfits? Outcasts?

He looked at Hunter once more, before making his way toward Shadow.

He couldn't keep doing this anymore...at least for the next little while.

He needed time to think...to get this shit out of his head!