Chapter 2

Why?

Why?

Why was it always him? He stifled a sob as he lifted himself on trembling limbs before they were knocked out from under him.

"Look!" one of the older kids jeered as he stepped harshly on the boy's arm, "I slew the demon! Didn't I?"

It was a clear question that had a clear answer and was directed towards him. He knew what the bully wanted to hear, but he couldn't seem to make the words. The bully's eyes narrowed in anger and he applied pressure to his arm, "Sorry I couldn't hear that, what did you say?" he hissed, glaring.

His jaw clenched, he wasn't going to be bullied around any longer, "My name, is Jace," he spoke, jerking his arm away and making the bully stumble back in surprise before his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I don't recall ever asking," he snarled, leg darting out to kick the boy harshly in the side. Jace hissed as he was thrown to the ground once more. The elder boy snorted, giving him a swift kick to the stomach before strolling away, his goons following his every step, "Oh, and next time," he called over his shoulder, "don't talk back if you want to live."

Jace got up shakily, hand pressed to his ribs as he listened to the sound of fading laughter. When they were out of sight, he broke down, curling into a ball. Why? Why was he different? Why did this happen?

He pushed himself up, stumbling as he leaned heavily on a tree, gasping for breath. When he regained his breath, and his courage, he reluctantly headed back to the village, not his home, never his home.

"...Offspring of a demon..."

"...He'll bring ruin to us all..."

"...Cull the threat before it has time to grow..."

Why? He stumbled through the streets; eyes pressed shut to push back the tears threatening to fall. Why me? He didn't realize how far he'd gone until he collapsed next to the river, staring at his reflection. His blood streaked black demon hair. Jace stifled a sob as he brought a dirt covered hand up. His eyes narrowed, contemplating, before he ran it through his hair, smearing the midnight black into muddy brown.

The boy heaved himself up and trudged back to the only place he ever felt safe, his cave, not noticing the three men tailing him.

He staggered into the cave, collapsing in a heap against the wall and closing his eyes to fall into a light doze.

Jace woke up to a sharp, stabbing pain in his arm. His eyes snapped open and he panicked. All he could see was white spots in his vision and all he could hear was the loud ringing in his ears. The pain intensified tenfold and he couldn't hold back the scream of agony and the tears that welled up in his eyes.

After several seconds of blinking, he opened his blurry eyes to the sight of three men sneering cruelly down at him.

"Well, well, well," one of them drawled, "looks like the demon's finally awake."

Another snickered, "you should thank us, demon. We'll end your torment now."

The last one laughed, picking him up by his collar, or what was left of it, and tossing him into the center of the cave. Jace yelped as he turned, landing painfully on his good arm. He struggled to sit up and glared at the three. If this was where he died, he would do it defiant to his last breath.

The first one sneered, strolling up towards him, "What's that look for, demon?" He let his foot fall on the kid's broken arm and Jace sunk his teeth into his lip to try and bite back the scream of pain.

His lip curled as his chest heaved to draw breath. He was sick and tired of always being pushed around. "I'm not the real demon," he hissed, an undertone of venom coloring his words. He felt a slight curl of satisfaction in his chest as the man's face flushed in anger. But he couldn't help the fear that bubbled up as he saw the sword flashing, and the next thing he knew, a burning pain exploded in his stomach and he looked down numbly to see the sword buried inside.

His vision blurred and he slumped down, eyes half closed as he prepared for the end. Confusion and something else stirred inside him as he watched the darkness suddenly surge forward. But it wasn't fear, no he wasn't afraid, he could... feel the protective fury that radiated from the shadowy mass.

But being on the receiving end of that fury, Jace could tell the adults were very, very afraid. He couldn't help but feel smug, as if their terror was caused by him and not the legendary being creeping towards them. The shadowy mist parted slowly, revealing a monstrous wolf that towered over the cowering men. His vision was hazy, and he couldn't tell what was happening, all he could hear was the bloodcurdling screams of the adults as he curled up, hands pressed to the wound to try and stem the bleeding.

Jace didn't know how long had passed before he could feel a cold, wet nose prodding his hands. He allowed the creature to brush his hands away, though he knew he couldn't do anything to stop him anyway.

He lifted his head slightly, and maybe he had grown numb to the idea of death, because there was no fear in him when he saw the crimson eyes surrounded by a black shadowy mist locked on him. Or perhaps he did have a death wish, he mused as he watched the pale hand land on the creature's fur. But the creature didn't seem angry, he seemed almost... pleased.

Jace gave a slow blink and as his eyes opened, he heard a deep, soothing rumble echo in his head, 'Tell me boy, would you like to live?'

He took a shaky breath, live? Of course he wanted to live, he wanted to experience what other kids experienced, he wanted to have fun, walk through streets as a normal kid that nobody looked twice at, run through the fields and dive into water without a care in the world. But, was that even possible? It wouldn't hurt to trust this being, he was already on the verge of death, he decided as he drew in the air necessary to make his decision.

"Yes..."