Lily

Editor: Imranpd

Lily had always seen the world differently. To her, people walked around with animal heads perched on their shoulders. Mrs. Granger, her teacher, had the head of an owl, wise and watchful. Her classmates had heads of cats, dogs, and even rabbits. No one knew Lily’s secret. She kept it tucked away like a forbidden storybook.

This odd perception began after the accident, when Lily was five. Her parents' faces had been the last human ones she saw before they disappeared forever. The trauma seared into her mind, replacing their comforting features with blank, untrustworthy masks. Her mind filled the void with animals, whose expressions seemed simpler and more honest.

Years passed, and Lily adapted. She learned to recognise people by their unique animal heads. She navigated school and life with this peculiar vision, never revealing the truth. Her heart ached with the longing to see a real human face again, but she accepted that it was an impossible wish.

One spring afternoon, while wandering through the park, Lily spotted someone unusual. Among the familiar animal-headed people was a woman with a human head. Lily blinked and rubbed her eyes, but the woman’s face remained clear and human. She felt a strange pull, so she approached her.

"Hi," Lily said hesitantly.

The woman looked at her with kind eyes. "Hello, dear. What's your name?"

"Lily," she replied, studying the woman's features intently. Her heart raced with a mix of hope and fear.

"I'm Maya," the woman said, her smile warm and genuine. "It's nice to meet you, Lily."

For weeks, Lily visited Maya in the park. They talked about everything and nothing. Maya’s human face was a comfort, a beacon in Lily’s animal-headed world. One day, Lily mustered the courage to confide in Maya about her strange vision.

Maya listened quietly, then held Lily’s hand. "You know, Lily, sometimes our minds protect us in unusual ways. But it’s okay to face what scares us."

Lily nodded, tears in her eyes. As she gazed at Maya, something remarkable happened. The other people in the park, who usually had animal heads, started to shift. The owl became a gentle-faced Mrs. Granger, and the cat-headed classmate turned into a freckled boy named Sam.

Lily gasped. "I can see them! They’re... human."

Maya smiled softly. "Healing comes in many forms, Lily. You’re ready now."

Lily hugged Maya tightly. When she pulled back, she saw something that made her heart skip a beat. Maya’s face had changed. It was now her mother’s, looking back at her with love and pride.

"M-Mom?" Lily whispered, trembling.

Maya, or her mother, nodded. "You’ve grown so strong, my sweet Lily."

At that moment, Lily understood. Maya had been a manifestation of her inner strength, guiding her towards healing. As the vision faded, Lily knew she’d never see Maya again, but her mother’s spirit would always be with her.

From that day on, Lily saw the world as it was—beautifully human, with all its flaws and wonders. And she walked forward, never forgetting the woman who helped her find her way back.

Illustrator: Kou