"My name is Ikarus Vhalnich and. . ."

. . .I've been cursed by a demon."

I lifted my head, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

I was the son of a merchant, and I would sell this story the best I could.

"What in hell-" He started to lift the cudgel, and I threw myself to the ground, pitching my voice high; to carry and to sweeten the tune.

"Please, sir! I haven't eaten in days!" I cried out, wincing with all the skill I could manage. I lunged forwards and grabbed a double-handful of his pants, both to complete the image and to soften any blow he might throw. "Please, just a mouthful of bread and I'll leave your family to its peace. I don't mean no harm to nobody. Please, I'm not a demon, I've been cursed. I've been cursed."

"Let go of me!" He kicked me off and I let the blow throw me even farther than it would have. I rolled in the dirt and let out a yelp. He kicked me in the stomach, and my acting became reality as I screamed. My muscles clenched and my hands flexed. One claw-like hand dragged in the dirt and I felt the **** in my eyes, colored red with rage. The next time he got close I was going to disembowel the fucker, consequences be damned.

A shadow fell over me.

"Dear!" a woman's voice rang out, and I risked a glance to the side. She was the older woman, probably in her late thirties. Her eyes were wild and her face concerned, an expression that quickly bled to compassion when she caught sight of me laying on the ground. She wasn't particularly tall or beautiful, I'd call her plain and pleasant looking, but she had a generous rack and hips to match. She was a bit on the plump side, but I find most women pleasing to look at; what man is picky at eighteen?

I let out a theatric groan and grasped my aching stomach as hunger pangs flared up, they were even worse than before.

"May, it's a demon. Look, he has horns and evil eyes."

I heard a gasp, and I felt fear shoot through me. I was about to die. "Please, mercy. I'm human! I'm human!"

"Everyone knows demons are liars, May." The shadow fell over me again. I closed my eyes, I didn't want to see the club fall.

"Donnie, stop." I heard the rustle of cloth and opened my eyes. A hand touched my shoulders, tilting my head up. I looked into kind brown eyes, a curtain of brown hair separating us from the rest of the world. Her eyes scanned my face, a myriad of emotions flowing through us both. "You're just a kid."

"He's a demon."

"Donnie. Look at him, filthy and skinny and young. I ain't never seen a demon, but I doubt they look like this." She angled her body, putting herself subtly between me and her husband. The posture was clear, she was willing to protect me. If her Donnie wanted to kill me, he'd have to strike her first.

I felt tears welling in my eyes, and curled into a ball around my aching stomach.

". . .Fine." Donnie spat, a volcanic temper to match my own, "Give him some bread, throw him in barn. Then let him be on his way before surprise. BOY!"

"Yeah, pa?"

"Get some bread for the demon-boy, and get the good lock for the barn. Make sure he ain't got no sticky fingers."

It was the last thing I heard before my body gave in to pain, hunger, and exhaustion.