For now, I will just add a short description. If a longer one is needed, contact me by viewing my profile, or request for me to ask this question again, with more detail. I would be more than happy to oblige.

There is a story going on with three main characters. (There are other main characters, but they are not actually other people. Nearly all the other characters are myself, playing multiple roles--I know, I'm conceited--but just go with the idea for now.)

Quite recently, they have met a young girl (one of mine) whom at least two of them came to care about (though I do believe that the third one cared as well, just didn't show it). She left to be helpful to the main characters, and, of course, something went wrong.

Now the three characters are talking to yet another person (one of mine), who tells them that the five-year-old is either dead or a monster.

The question I present to you is, should she have died, or should she have become one of the monsters?

To be honest, I'm a little pro-dying and a little con-dying.

The reason I want her to die is because it would just be a very good, easy, tragic way for her to go; also, nearly none of my characters have actually "died" to the point of not coming back. Additionally, being a monster (who has a chance of being turned back into a person) just seems a little cliche and happy-ended to me. (When I say happy-ended, I do not mean that this is the end of the story. Believe me, it goes on much farther than that.) Plus, if she does not die, either another little girl (who turns out to be the three main characters' sister) or their mother will have to die. (There are only two monsters, one of them stayed as they were and was eaten alive.)

On the other hand, I want her to be a monster to show the power of the main bad-guy (not as cliche as it sounds, and yes, it is also one of mine) while at the same time give the main characters a little bit of hope, especially since they have faced so much tragedy. On the opposite end of the good-bad spectrum, I could always make her a monster and then have her killed. And, I'll admit, I enjoyed being the little girl. So far, she has been my favorite good character.

I want all fellow writers'/manipulators'/schizophrenics' (or even just random people's) opinions. And explain why you would pick whichever one you chose. Or, if you even have other options for me to choose, explain them and tell me which you think would be good to use. Thank you for taking the time to read and perhaps answer, and happy Answering to you all!