The screams inside the room subsided. Everyone waiting outside held their breaths. Waited.

The young woman lying on the bed was panting, was sweating, clothes all rumpled. She turned to the figure that stood silhouetted against the light of the window, and gave a weary smile. It was over, at long last.

The old woman lifted her arms, raised the bundle in her wrinkled hands to the feeble evening light. She blinked, willing her ancient, tired eyes to focus on the bundle that was just starting to wriggle. Before she could nod her head in approval--it was complete, there were no deformities-- her eyes widened in alarm, and she gave a horrified croak. She spun around, eyes half-wild with fear.

"The Mark..." She pointed one shaking, gnarled finger at the infant in her arms, that was just starting to make mewling, sobbing noises. In the dim glow of the dying sun, the pink marking on her belly was just visible. The old woman took a shuddering brearth and turned the accusing finger on the mother lying on the bed, exhausted.

"What is it?" The woman's voice was defeated, and her smile waned, struggling to keep itself intact on her face. As if smiling would keep her safe from misfortune. Her eyes shifted from the old woman, to her newborn, crying in the elder's arms.

"...Mark.." The old woman's shrivelled lips moved silently, unintelligibly, and only that one fearful, whispered word made it's way to the young woman's ears. The young woman shifted on the bed, so that she was now turned to face the ancient female. It looked as if she was contemplating jumping out of bed and getting on her knees and begging the old woman. Perhaps, to tell her that it wasn't her child that was doomed--the baby in her arms belonged to someone else. Perhaps she was going to beg the woman to get rid of the Mark. As if anything she did would cure her child.

Fate is heartless.

I am the child who'd toddled up to the door when the woman stopped screaming. I am the child who'd stared wide-eyed across the blood-scented room at the baby in the horrified woman's arms, listening to the adults talk about the Mark, and the curse that came with it,

I, am Kai.