If you saw the boy, you'd scream. He's stuck, you see, between bird and human, with one wing and feathers covering his face and torso. One arm makes him look unbalanced and where he's attempted to rip the feathers out there are scars and dried blood.

Now, he doesn't know what he is. He's always known that he's different. He has no idea what he might be.

He definitely doesn't know who he is. He knows he's alive. He has no name.

And what does one do when you're like that?

You hide, of course.

…

Jacob sighed, as his mom told him off for the billionth time about running about on the streets. God, she was such a drag, as his friend Con might say. Con was American, and a breath of fresh air to the previously quiet Jacob.

"Jacob Grace! Are you even listening to me?" Miriam Grace glared down at her son and he rolled his eyes, like Con might.

"Sure. I have to go; I'm meeting up with Con." He dashed out of the door as Jared was walking into the living room of their apartment. He frowned.

"That was our son, wasn't it?" he asked Miriam, a little confused. She nodded, collapsing into the nearest chair.

"He's been impossible since he met that American child. Yes, I know that you're an American, but I honestly think you are better mannered than the pair of them. He's been dreadful ever since he learnt to act as he thinks Americans act. The child only made friends with him because he's half American. He's not a good friend for our son!" She looked up, and Jared hugged her.

"Miriam, just give this friendship a chance. He'll learn from it, if nothing else."

Meanwhile, Con had opened the door to his half-English friend. "Hey."

"Hey," said Jacob with an air of nonchalance, "you said you had something interesting, so I figured I'd come on over."

Con laughed out loud. "Man, you have to be more patient. Relax, will you?"

A higher voice called something from inside and Con swore, which was something Jacob always deeply admired. Jacob's family never really swore around him but when Con swore it made Con sound tough.

"What is it? What do you want now? Brat…" He waved for Jacob to follow him. Con's sister was standing in their living room.

"I just was wondering who it was… I'm not a brat!" Tears welled in the girl's eyes. Con shook his head, smiling.

"Even Jacob thinks you're a brat, right, Jacob?" A glare followed this. Obviously Con wanted him to agree with him. He didn't think Liberty was a brat, even if she did wear weird dresses all the time. Her big harlequin green eyes looked up at him but he turned his head to the side.

"Yeah…"

The green eyes filled with tears and Liberty rushed upstairs. He felt bad, but Con patted his shoulder. "Thanks, man. I wanted her to shove off so that I could show you this."

He produced a feather from his jacket and passed it to Jacob, grinning. "I know this bird, and let me tell you feathers are usually pea size."

Jacob frowned. This feather was as long as his arm and he measured it to make sure. "Are you saying that there's a giant bird out there?" he asked Con, brown eyes widening as he thought about such a thing.

"I'm saying that if we catch it, we could make big bucks." He laughed at his own joke and uncertainly Jacob joined in. It was only a bird, right? It wouldn't matter. And it would be an adventure in itself to track and find this creature.

…

Mallory was cradling her baby daughter when the phone rang. She laid Helena down in her cot and made sure the salt surrounded it before getting the phone.

"Hey, Miriam!" she greeted her sister-in-law, a smile crossing her face. "How is everybody?" She frowned as she listened.

"American kid? What's wrong with that?" She listened for a little longer and then pulled a face.

"Ugh. He sounds awful. Don't worry, Mimi, Jacob will grow out of this. They all do this unsuitable friends thing."

She smiled a little. "Yeah, Helena is fine. She's been for her check-up this week and she should be going for another in two weeks' time. Don't worry about Jacob; he can take care of himself."

She sighed as soon as the other line went dead. She was actually worried, because from what Miriam had said, this other boy was interested in the supernatural. Jacob had somehow got the sight (probably from that damn hobgoblin being at his christening) and if they ran into anything there would be trouble. She went and started to cradle her daughter, who woke up, mewling and snuffling.

"Your cousin might be in a bit of trouble. Thank God they let me teach him to fence…" Her eyes fell upon a picture in which she had one arm wrapped around her nephew as he held up a silver fencing trophy, a gap-toothed grin splashed across his face. He may have only gotten second place, but he had a lot of talent, much to Jared's secret horror.

She shook herself, concentrating on her daughter. Oh well, Jacob would just have to sort it out himself.

…

Liberty was opening the window quietly. Her fluffy blonde hair brushed her shoulders as she leaned forwards and she called a little note like an owl might. A fluttering, crashing sound came from the bins and she leant over.

"Hello?" she called. She'd heard this sound every evening without fail for eight days now. The alleyway behind their house fell silent and Liberty made the noise again and then saw a large wing poking out of the dustbins. A tousled head followed it of curling angelic brown hair, startled yellow eyes looking into shocked green ones. She waved and whatever it was hauled itself out of the dustbin to stumble off into the deeper backstreets. She wanted it to wait but it was gone already.

Her brother opened the door to her room. "Will you quit your stupid bird noises already?"

She immediately fell silent, and her brother nodded. Jacob felt a little uncomfortable seeing as Con was showing off in front of him by being mean to her, but Liberty just watched them as they walked back out of her room, her mind racing with what she had just seen.