OC Origins: Curtis

Chapter 1: The Hovel

London, England. 1789

It was midnight in the St.Giles slums.

It was a dirty, generally shabby place, that had the stink of despair and hopelessness. Normally, you would find this place awash with life, the hordes of dirty children playing in the streets, the women talking or doing the wash, the men heading to or from their jobs at the factories or the mines, and the general bustle of human activity.

But at night it was a much different place. The streets were almost entirely empty, save for the few unfortunates that had no place to sleep or the occasional stray cat that wandered through the street.

Yes, it was a peaceful sight.

But wait? Who was that at this hour?

A cloaked figure, carrying a bundle in its arms moved down the street, mainly sticking to the shadows.

If you were awake at this hour, you might have seen a pair of amber eyes glinting in the dim moonlight.

The figure clutched the bundle to itself, as if there were something very precious inside......

Not too far away, a cop walked by, whistling as he went by. The bundle seemed to stir, and the figure seemed to try and quiet it.

Then, when the coast was clear, it took off at a run for the nearest flight of stairs.

Inside.

A sharp knock at the door roused Margret Jackson from her sleep.

Who could it be at this hour? : She wondered as she lit a candle and crept from her husband, Peter from his sleep. She knew how he hated to be disturbed, it wouldn't do her any good to get caught up this late due to his "temper".....

The knocks were coming from the door.....

Who was that? They had paid their taxes, and most of their neghbors would have been asleep at this late hour, so who was it.

She went over to the door and opened it up.

A cloaked figure stood, holding something. Then, the figure drew back its hood, revealing a young woman.

She had warm brown skin, long curly dark hair, and big beautiful amber eyes. She was wearing a gold necklace underneath the cloak and a simple white dress.

But her eyes were wide with fright and she seemed to be breathing hard, as if she had came a long way........

"Emily, what are you doing here at this hour? It's much too late for another visit....." It was her sister Emily, but what was she doing here? And with the most trouble expression too........

The woman spoke. "Please Margret, I didn't think that I had anyplace else to go......"

Margaret was confused. "What are you doing back from that manor so early? Did they decide to let you go early this year?" Did the lord let her go to see her family? But why did she look so troubled? And what was that in her arms?

Then, the two women heard noise from inside. "Damn it Margret, what are you doing up so late? You better not be up to anything or so help me....."

Peter barged into the room. He was a tall man, very heavy-set with dark skin like Margret and Emily, angry eyes, and what appeared to be a perpetual scowl set onto his face.

Then, he saw Emily at the door. "So the progdial girl returns home at last. What were you doing up at that god-forsaken manor that you couldn't even see your own family? Well, if you're here that heathen lord must have fired you at least....."

Emily looked nervous. "Well not exactly...."

Then Margaret noticed the small bundle in Emily's arms. "What's that?"

Peter scoffed. "Stolen objects is what it is, no doubt, now give it here girl!"

Emily reluctantly gave it over.

When Peter held the bundle, he unwrapped it slightly, no doubt to see what was inside....

Then his expression turned to horror.

"No, it couldn't be........ You had a child, with HIM?" The last part was said in a shout, and the child in the wrappings woke up and started fussing.

"How could you have a child with that demon!"

He handed the baby back to her.

"Alright, come in, and explain everything or so help me, I'll throw you and that devil's-child out on the streets."

an hour or so later

"So you ran away?" Margaret asked.

It was typical of women to do that when they found themselves with child in such extreme circumstances.

"Yes I did! What other choice did I have?" Emily practically shouted the words, her anger was so great.

Margaret expressed in a quiet voice. "You could have stayed, and the father would help you raise the child, you'd be married to a lord...."

"He wanted my baby, to-to..."

"I'll tell you what he wanted! To make a monster out of that devil-spawn! Mark my words girl, that child is a demon, just like the lord who parented him, and he'll turn out just like him mark my words...." The man said this angrily, and with a touch of....

Fear?

"I've seen it myself don't you forget, the rituals they practiced in the basement, the changing of the shape, THE HUNGER TO EAT THE FLESH OF GOOD CHRISTIANS......."

"Peter, that's enough!" Margaret rebuked rather sharply. She winced at her own harsh words.

She turned to her sister. "So, what's his name?"

"Curtis, I named him after Father, he was a good man, and I hope the name will do him justice."

Peter sat in thought for a while. "The brat can stay." He said finally.

"Really?" Emily couldn't believe her ears.

"Yes, he'll be safe around good Christian folk like us, maybe the monster will be driven out of him by the time he's old enough. Maybe he'll have a chance at a normal, HUMAN, life without that demon as a father. But mark my words, if he does turn out to be a demon, don't think I'll take whatever measures are necessary to stop him..." He said the last part in a barely audible whisper.

Emily gazed down at her sleeping baby. How much trouble she had gotten herself into from bringing one tiny life into the world!

She marveled at her son's sleeping form. It struck her for a moment how perfect he was. His skin was lighter brown, partially due to his father, and he had a tiny bit of black hair on his head.

And his eyes......

His beautiful emerald eyes, they were the eyes of the man she had fallen in love with.

Right there, she made a promise to her son.

"I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to protect you my son."

And she would keep that promise, even if it meant she had to give up her own life to protect him, her son Curtis.

How's that for a first chapter? There's a lot that you're probably wondering, and I don't blame you! I tried to have as many details of Curtis's birth shrouded in mystery, but they'll come to light eventually........

What's his uncle going on about demons and calling his own nephew a devil-child? You'll see, because it's not just because his uncle is an asswipe.

I'll see you soon, where we'll continue the next chapter of our story, where a pivotal even in Curtis's young life will really set the stage for our story.....