A/N: I've noticed that many of the stories in have strayed from what Erik really is. Authors often overuse words such as "repulsive," "distorted," or my favorite, "hideous." I feel that these words are sort of like euphemisms for Erik since they add unneeded connotations. Erik only needs one word to describe what he is. Please enjoy this little drabble, and feel free to review and criticize. I'd love to hear from you guys! (:

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. they belong to gaston leroux.

A Sense of Identity

By: Jasmine L. 3/7/11

I have been called many things in my life, and I have been described with many words.

My mother never named me you see.

She had always called me Little Monster or Demon as a child.

And since I have no proper name, people call me whatever they see fit.

Hideous.

Deformed.

Disfigured.

Grotesque.

Beastly.

Monstrous.

Disgusting.

Repulsive.

I am all of these things and yet, I am not.

What I am does not require such eloquent words.

These words, though they sound extremely different from each other, can be reduced to one very simple word.

I am Ugly, and that shall be my name.