MONSTER-MANIA 101

To Make Monsters Out Of Girls written by Amanda Lovelace is not exactly a self-help book but,
a poetry book. With it being divided into three parts: monster-boy, monster-girl and sun-heart.
For others they might not consider it as a “helping” book but for those who experienced
traumatizing events with someone they trust or once loved is TOO MUCH, they relate and find a
simple haven inside this.

How do you make a monster?

Easy. First you handle them with care, make them fall in love and then hurt them. Just like how
Frankenstein was made, each and every one of us are composed of different body parts or values
that we get from other people. Let me tell you the story of Sinag, the girl who was made of
sunshine yet, thrived in the dark.

Sinag came from a family who’s known for having prestigious awards, lots of medals and
academic pressure. Her family is smart and diligent, and she felt out of place. Every time they
dine together, you can feel the awkward tension hanging in the air that you could cut it with a
knife. You see, Sinag and her two siblings went to school together. They’re not used to normal
family dynamics that Sinag began to look for other people who can express their feelings wholly,
she wanted appreciation and validation.

She sought for love in other people and approval from boys, which is normal for her age. And
she found some people who loved her for who she is, eventually giving a part of their body to
her. She found heaven in them but, they’re also bound to be broken apart.

Until he happened.

He’s not like the monsters you could see in books or in documentaries.

No. He’s made of art.

He can produce music in just a minute, he can draw bleeding sunsets and immortalize you in just
a piece of paper, has a way with words. Her friends told her not to be swayed with his words or
she will be bound to become one of his trophies. And Sinag having a big heart, gave it to him.

Willingly.

Angelique Nyx B. Salangsang UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

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And guess what? She’s the shiniest trophy of them all. She became his very own monster. Why?
Sinag is a complex person, she have her own ideals, her personality is strong yet weak at the
same time, and she’s a monster already if you think about it but, she has something that he never
had. Compassion.

Which is also her mistake. Thinking that she could save him from his own emotions and
darkness. Love wasn’t like that. You can’t find love inside another person if you can’t love
yourself. Well, Sinag felt death a thousand deaths before so she’s ready to face another one. But,
this kind of death? She was not prepared of this.

There were so many red flags throughout her story.

First, when she decided that enough was enough she “broke up” with him and he threatened her
that he will kill himself if she follow through her plan. She brushed it off and told him to get
some professional help since he’s also affecting her mental health. He showed up in school with
blood in his wrists.

Sinag got scared out of her wits and told her friends about what happened. They told her that
everything will be fine and always goes with her for safety.

Second, she went out and got a haircut. He was there and harassed her, he left a bruise on her
wrist.

He pulled a lot of shenanigans but the last red flag was when he invited all of their friends to
celebrate something. Sinag was reluctant but, she also want to see how he was doing after
everything that he’s done to her. And I’m like…

NO GIRL, DON’T GO!

She went.

Of course when there’s a party there should be some booze or whatnot and when almost
everyone was tipsy, he asked her to talk with him for closure. Alone.

RED FLAG. RED FLAG!

When he begged for another chance she was in her right mind and wanted to leave when he
dragged her down and pulled something from his pocket.

Angelique Nyx B. Salangsang UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

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It was shining and glinting against the dark and I knew exactly what it was in memory.

It was a blade. A sharp and new one.

Sinag started to scream and the tables have turned. She’s now the one begging for him to stop
and that she loves him and is willing to take him back.

He cut her. He drew lines in her wrists that is not that deep to kill her but enough to mark her.
Her screams were heard but they were too late.

They found her bleeding and crying while he’s standing there tears also running down his face.
Sinag remembered being carried into another room but she can’t remember how she got home.

REPORT HIM TO THE AUTHORITIES, you say?

She can’t. He threatened her that he’ll also harm her little brother and older sister if she ever
made a peep.

The End.

The fact that Sinag is still alive should be enough and a relief right? But the nightmares that
came after and the emotional scars were TOO much. So after reading this book made me feel
thankful that there are others who also survived this ordeal. It’s enough for me. The book was
enough help to make me heal the wounds.

Angelique Nyx B. Salangsang UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

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