Chapter 2: Deals

"Huh? A-Are you lost?" a young, blue-haired boy stuttered out. The pouring rain nearly drowned out his voice. "D-Do you need help?"

He stepped closer, eyes trembling with fear. The bright yellow raincoat covering him stuck out like a sore thumb in the darkness. It was weird, I thought to myself.

The boy was obviously afraid, but he was still getting closer. Why was that?

I tried to growl and tell him to go away, but all that came out of my dried-out throat was a hoarse cough. How long had I been hiding now? A month? Two?

My stomach growled instead. Damn it all…

"A-Are you hungry?" the boy called out and stepped closer into the dingy bathroom. "I-I have some lunch I didn't eat. W-Well, it was more like I was busy helping people so I didn't have a chance to eat it…"

What was he even talking about? I glanced up and really took a good look at his face. Surprisingly, the two of us could have been mistaken for brothers.

Still… if he was offering, then I'd be a fool to turn down the offer, right? Or could this have been a trap? Did the circus master send out little kids to try and bring me back?

…

I stood up and stretched out my leathery wings and tail. I would scare the boy away and take the food by force! That was the best way!

An angry hiss left my lips and I stalked forward menacingly. The boy shook and took a step back. Great! All I had to do was-

I stumbled and fell on my face. It was my own stupid fault. Going without food for the last couple of days had been a bad idea, but it was still better than being caught.

"Ah!" the boy gasped and then hurried to my side. "I-I think I need to call an ambulance! I'll get an adult, so stay, ok?"

Adult? No!

I reached out and grabbed his arm with as much strength as I could muster. I was so embarrassed when he quickly and easily slipped out of my grip.

"D-Don't…" I managed to eke out. "Don't t-tell anyone…" Who was I kidding? He'd obviously go call someone else. He looked around my age, which meant he was probably just scared and didn't know what to do.

"Ok," the boy said with a nod. "Do you want my food, then?"

I was shocked. Was there really someone who'd listen to me? I looked like a damned freak! And yet-

I gave him a hesitant nod. It was embarrassing to have someone feed me, but I'd have been even angrier If I was caught because I didn't have any energy to run.

"M-My name is Iruma," the young boy said. "What's yours?"

"Lee…"

————————

My eyes snapped open and I let out a yawn. Another dream? I got off my "bed" and stretched out my body.

How differently would things have turned out If I never met Iruma back then? I shook my head, dispelling those thoughts. The past didn't matter. I was in the here and now.

"I guess I'll go check up and see how he's doing," I said with another yawn. Knowing him, he'd probably need help with something.

I looked up at the rich, blue sky and smiled. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and it was a beautiful day.

I had a good feeling about today!

——————

"What the hell do you mean your parents sold you?!" I shouted. It felt like my head was about to explode!

No, seriously! What. The. Fuck?!

My blood boiled at the thought. Distant memories started crawling under my skin and rising to the surface.

Iruma sighed. His eyes were red and puffy.

"They apparently made a deal with some demon or something," he said with a shrug. "I thought they were joking, but he… he really looked the part."

Again. How. The. Fuck?!

I wanted to tell him that was impossible. Demons weren't real, right?

…

Except I was clearly not a normal human. Was that what I was? A demon? No. This had to be some sort of stupid human trafficking thing.

"Let's call the cops," I growled. "I know you love your folks despite everything they've done, but even you have to admit that this is too far."

A weak, almost broken whimper rolled off his lips.

"Maybe… maybe they had a good rea-"

"They didn't!" I roared. "Fuck, If I see their stupid faces again I'll knock them out!"

This wasn't the kind of shit I was expecting when I snuck through his window. He'd looked down, but this was… this was insane.

Iruma's face wilted. He turned to the door, eyes locked onto some impossibly distant scene only he could see. His parents wouldn't be back for a bit- that's what he'd told me. Apparently, they'd gone somewhere with the "demon" to finalize the contract.

"Fine," I bristled. "If you don't want to hurt them, then let's get the hell out of here," I said and held out my hand.

He tore his gaze away from the floor and looked up at my hand.

"I don't know who the hell that guy is, but you know how strong I am!" I could punch a hole through a tree if I tried hard enough. I'd kicked the asses of any bullies I ever met. I didn't know who this "demon" was, but he'd end up meeting a real demon if he came after Iruma.

Iruma gulped and reached out with a trembling hand. Anyone that could make him look so weak and scared wasn't someone I could just ignore. I'd promised not to hurt his parents, but this really was too far.

"I-"

He never got a chance to finish. The door to his room was swung open and the metal lock keeping it shut was blasted off its hinges.

"Oh, dear grandson! I'm here!" a strange man stepped into the room. He was bald and two thick, curved horns were sprouting from his head.

His suit was an eye-catching purple, but that wasn't what drew my attention. No. This man screamed of death. Every fibre of my being told me he was a monster.

We had to run. He would kill us and feast on our bones. The friendly and kind smile on his face was a deception!

At least that's what my instincts told me.

I grabbed Iruma without a second thought and jumped for the window.

And then darkness consumed my vision.

All I knew was oblivion.