Daniel

You lived in a world where people were like animals—vampires could buy them. But even vampires were kinder than demons. A demon could simply come, choose any person, and take them away to torture and beat them. You were unlucky enough to be born human—every day you feared that when you returned home, you'd find out you'd been sold.

A warm wind, the beginning of summer, children laughing, running home to their parents. Everyone was happy—except you. You walked slowly, fearfully. Your drunken aunt and her husband were waiting for you at home. Your parents died when you were ten. At first, your relatives took care of you, but soon your uncle started going to the casino. Debts, quarrels, and beatings appeared. You had to work to somehow survive.

That day you came home from school and said tiredly:

• I'm home.

A man stood in the living room with two guards. Handsome, but clearly a demon. Auntie was beaming with joy—you'd never seen her like this. One of the guards slammed the door and pushed you toward the man.

"This is Mr. Daniel," said Auntie. "He wants to buy you. You'll have a new life, food, clothes... and we need money."

"Enough chatter!" Uncle barked. "Let them take it and go to hell!"

Before you could say anything, you were injected with something. The last thing you heard was the demon's voice:

• Let him sleep. We're leaving this rotten place.