HYBRID

Angela's Point of View

It only takes a single moment to destroy someone's entire world. One minute, I was so happy, living life to the fullest, my heart light and my smile always bright. Then, in the blink of an eye, all that joy slipped away, leaving me in a darkness so thick I could hardly breathe. Sadness wrapped itself around me, filling every part of me with endless tears and silent cries that I couldn't stop.

I stood there, staring at the house, my heart breaking as tears streamed down my face. That place had been my everything, and in mere moments, everything within me had shifted.

"Mom, where did you put the board? I can't find it," I called out as I searched the storage room, hoping for a response. But silence answered me, and a sense of unease began creeping in.

"Mom!" I called out again, louder this time, straining to hear any sound. But there was nothing. I turned my head, trying to catch any sound, any hint of movement. Something felt wrong.

Then, like a whisper in my mind, I heard her voice. "Don't come out of the storage," she warned, her words echoing in my thoughts.

"What? Why?" I asked, confusion and worry settling in.

"Stay put. I'll be there soon," she said, her voice tight. My chest tightened in response as anxiety crept in. I took a deep breath, catching a familiar scent that made my heart race-the blocking powder we used during hunts to mask our scent-it was already in the air.

Then, the storage door creaked open, and there she was, my mom, standing there with wide eyes, her breath quick and shallow. She looked like she had seen something terrible, something haunting.

"What's happening, Mom?" I tried to ask, my voice unsteady, but before I could finish, she raised a finger to her lips, silencing me.

"Not now," she whispered.

"Baby girl, you have to do me a favor, okay? You have to stay here, quiet. Quiet! Don't say a word, okay?" she said in a rush, her gaze constantly flicking toward the door.

"What's going on? At least tell me what's happening. The atmosphere is so tense, and why is the powder here? Do we have uninvited guests?" I asked non-stop, anxiety lacing my voice.

"My love, this isn't the time for questions. Keep your curiosity to yourself, or you'll end up where you don't want to be," she said quickly, her tone firm but filled with fear.

"What's wrong with wanting to know what's going on?" I asked, trying to hide my frustration.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything right now," she said quickly. She glanced over her shoulder before turning back to me with urgency.

"Use this on yourself to hide your scent. I need to go back before they start looking for me. I don't want them to find you," she said, glancing anxiously toward the door. She shoved a small tube into my hands and rushed out, securing the door behind her.

Who were they? I moved quietly toward the door but before I could reach it, it opened suddenly. I gasped, then sighed in relief when I saw it was only my mom.

"I told you to stay put, didn't I?" she said angrily.

"I was just worried about you, I don't..." I tried to explain, but she suddenly grabbed the tube from my hand and poured the contents over me.

"Don't worry about me, worry about yourself," she said calmly, caressing my face gently. She pushed me into the corner.

"Sit here and stay calm, wait for me or make yourself safe," she said softly before kissing my forehead and hugging me tightly.

"Be safe. Stay alive," she whispered before walking out again, shutting the door behind her.

I sat in silence, trying to tune in on the sounds outside. There were so many mixed scents in the air-powder, blood, sweat, and something else I couldn't quite place. Were my parents out there? The maids? Our guards? They were struggling, their voices faint and desperate, talking to someone terrifying.

I crawled from my corner and moved to the door, pushing it open slightly. Almost instantly, regret hit me. My mom was being held by the throat by a large thug, her legs dangling in the air.

I counted five figures in total-one holding my mom, three standing by someone I couldn't fully see. Where was my dad? I gasped when I finally saw him, kneeling at the feet of a man sitting in my father's favorite chair.

A scent hit me, and I turned just in time to see a massive reddish-brown wolf approaching me, blood smeared across its mouth.

I quickly shut the door, crawling back into my hiding place and grabbing a bear costume to cover myself. I waited until the coast seemed clear before venturing out again.

They were still talking, voices low and indistinct. My mom and dad were pleading. Then, suddenly, the man in the chair grabbed my dad by the neck, his nails digging into his skin.

I gasped, covering my mouth to stifle the sob that escaped me. My mom's eyes met mine briefly, and for a moment, we held each other's gaze before she turned away, quiet as a whisper.

"...love you so much, sorry... sorry I failed you... but you mustn't fail yourself," I heard him whisper faintly before he collapsed, dead, his eyes wide open and staring straight at me.

"Please..." I heard my mom's voice tremble.

"...I got blood on me..." the voice brushed past my ear. That voice...!

Thud! Without warning, my mom's body fell limp, blood covering her face. I shuddered in terror as I watched her fight for her life.

"We're sorry, baby! We love you. I'm sorry our time together is cut short. You have to live, you must survive. You're the only one left. But please, try to forget this image... I'm sorry..." she pleaded as I screamed silently in my mind.

I reached for the door knob, about to rush to my parents' lifeless bodies, when the man suddenly turned, locking eyes with me. Oh no!

I remembered my mom's words, "Be safe, stay alive. You have to live, you must survive, you're the only one left. We love you." I had to survive!

"Go get her!" he shouted.

Devin's Point of View

The distant noise unsettled me, breaking through my attempts to sleep. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't drift off. Tossing and turning, I felt frustration creeping in. Why couldn't I just enjoy one peaceful night without interruption?

I pressed my hands over my ears, trying to block out the incessant sounds, but it was futile. My attempts at mastering i-sensys, the technique to filter unwanted noise, had been a complete failure so far. My mom always said I needed to be more patient and focused, but right now, all I wanted was to sleep.

Determined to complain to her about this later, I rolled over again. The noise, however, was growing louder and more erratic. It wasn't just the usual hum of the night-it was sharper, like an echo of something unnatural. My instincts prickled, and I couldn't ignore them any longer. I reluctantly sat up, blinking away the haze of sleep.

A knock sounded on my door just as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. James entered, his expression stern and his posture rigid. He wasn't one to visit unannounced unless it was important.

"You can't go out," James said, his voice firm.

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

"It's dangerous. Your mom's kind are here," he replied, his tone sharp and urgent.

"Werewolves?" I repeated, my heart skipping a beat. Excitement bubbled in my chest. This was it-the moment I'd been waiting for. Mom always refused to take me to her colony, always shielding me from her world. But now, werewolves were here, close enough for me to see them.

"Yes," James answered, but there was no joy in his voice.

"Then I need to go," I said, my excitement growing.

"You can't. Like I said, it's dangerous. Your mom's kind are here, but your kind isn't welcome among them," he explained, his words loaded with tension.

"My kind?" I asked, confused.

"Well, you're a two-in-one creature-both a mystic and a wolf. Unlike them, you're something they see as unnatural. They're bitter about it," James said, his gaze serious.

"That's ridiculous!" I snapped. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that nonsense?" I challenged, folding my arms.

"My prince, you must believe me. The situation is serious, and I've been ordered by both your Lord and Lady to keep you in this room," James said, almost pleading now.

"Wow, they really said that?" I asked, my tone dripping with skepticism.

"Yes, they did. They-" James was cut off mid-sentence, his voice cracking as he let out a sharp cry of pain. He stared at me, shocked.

"Then let me out!" I demanded, anger boiling inside me.

"No! Even if I have to endure more pain, I won't let you go," he said resolutely, though I could see the strain in his expression.

"Really?" I smirked and activated my mystic power, silencing his voice mid-sentence. His words choked into gasps as I watched him struggle against the invisible force.

"I guess we'll see about that," I said, holding the power over him.

James clawed at his throat, his face twisted in agony. "You...can't..." he stammered weakly, his voice barely audible.

"This is pointless!" I yelled in frustration, slamming my fist against the wall. With a huff, I released him from my power.

James doubled over, gasping for breath. "Thank you...for listening to reason," he managed to say between labored breaths.

"Listening to you? Don't flatter yourself. I've never been less interested in taking orders," I snapped, pacing the room.

The noises outside continued, a haunting melody of chaos. They swelled and receded in waves, like a cruel game of tension and release. My instincts screamed that something was horribly wrong.

"What if the danger comes to us here? What then? We're just supposed to sit and wait for death?" I argued, glaring at James.

"There are guards stationed all around. If anything happens, we'll know," he replied, his confidence unwavering.

"And what's the plan when danger gets here? To 'cross the bridge' when we're already dead?" I shot back, my frustration mounting.

James said nothing, his silence speaking volumes.

"I won't sit here and wait for the worst. I'll cross my own bridge now and take control of my fate!" I declared.

Before James could react, I bolted toward the window. His protests fell on deaf ears as I threw it open and leapt out, the cool night air rushing past me. I landed smoothly on my feet, crouching low behind a cluster of shrubs.

Looking back, I saw James at the window, gesturing wildly and yelling something I couldn't hear. I waved at him, a smug grin on my face, before creeping toward the front of the building.

The sight that greeted me made my blood run cold. Guards-our guards-lay motionless, their bodies lifeless and drenched in crimson. Among them were others, unfamiliar figures dressed in matching uniforms but bearing a different royal crest.

James wasn't lying-danger was everywhere.

I moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows as I approached the main entrance. Inside, the tension was suffocating. The hallway was littered with more bodies, and strange guards patrolled with grim efficiency.

A faint noise caught my attention-a voice. No, two voices. My parents' voices. I strained to hear them over the chaos, following the sound to a room further down the hall.

"If this isn't about the prophecy, then what is it about?" Dad's voice was firm but tinged with desperation.

"Like I said, it's not just about the prophecy, but it plays a part," an unfamiliar male voice replied coldly.

"Please, we have nothing to do with your colony. There hasn't been trouble between us in years," Mom said, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and anger.

"You should have thought of that before marrying into this colony," the man sneered.

"I'm not the first, and I won't be the last," Mom retorted, her defiance cutting through her fear.

"Perhaps," the man said with a cruel laugh, "but I'll decide that."

My stomach twisted as I crept closer, peeking into the room. My parents stood surrounded by strangers, their faces pale but determined. A sharp noise made me turn-a young woman bolted from a nearby room, only to be caught and mercilessly beaten by the guards. Their laughter echoed in my ears as they struck her down.

I clenched my fists, anger and helplessness surging through me. But I forced myself to stay hidden. I couldn't afford to act recklessly-not now.

Suddenly, the doors to the room burst open, and two figures stepped out. A man and a boy, both wearing matching smirks. The boy couldn't have been older than me.

Angela's Point of View

"Mother!" I screamed, thrashing in my bed. My voice echoed in the room, raw with desperation.

"Hey! Wake up! It's okay!" Someone's hands shook me firmly, pulling me from the clutches of my nightmare. My eyes flew open, wild and searching, until I locked eyes with her-a familiar, comforting face.

"It's me! You're safe now. You're safe!" she whispered, her voice filled with urgency as she wrapped me in a tight hug. My face pressed against her chest, and she stroked my back soothingly. "He can't get to you here, Angela. None of them can."

Her words were a lifeline, and I clung to her as my sobs wracked my body.

"It's fine, baby girl. I'm here for you, just like always. You can cry all you need-I'll hold you," she said softly, her voice steady.

"He... he smirked harder than before," I choked out between sobs. The vision of his cruel face flashed vividly in my mind.

"Her face was black... burnt beyond recognition," I added, my voice trembling as tears streamed down my face.

I could barely breathe as I continued. "He couldn't even lift a finger after what they did to him."

"Shh," she whispered, holding me tighter. "It's okay. You're just shaken, Angela. You've been through so much. It's normal to feel like this. But you're safe now, just like always. You're going to be okay."

"But they don't look okay," I whispered, my voice cracking as I clung to the horrifying images burned into my mind.

"They're fine, Angela," she insisted, her voice unwavering. "They're resting in perfect peace, and they're watching over you. They're proud of you-proud of how far you've come. Don't doubt that."

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice small and fragile, like a child seeking comfort.

"Of course, I'm sure," she said firmly. "Don't let what you saw convince you otherwise. They're fine, and so are you."

She gently pulled away, cupping my tear-streaked face in her hands. "Look at me, Angela. You don't need to explain what you saw. It's in the past, far away. You're here, safe, and nothing can change that."

"But he was smirking," I said, my voice trembling as fresh tears welled up. "He looked so happy, like what he did was some grand accomplishment. And all I felt was my heart shattering. It's my fault. I caused this. And now... now, I'll never be happy. Not ever."

"Stop that!" she snapped, her voice sharp but filled with concern. "Don't blame yourself, Angela. She told you not to!"

"I'll carry this guilt forever," I whispered, the weight of it crushing me.

"Angela, please," she pleaded, her tone softening. "Get a hold of yourself. You can't let him win. Remember what she told you. She wouldn't want this for you."

"I wish I could forget, but I can't. It's like it's etched into my soul," I said, my voice breaking.

"He's not worth these tears," she said, her eyes blazing with determination. "Don't let him disorient you. You're stronger than this, Angela. You have to push past it. For your own good."

"Must you always cuss in every situation?" I asked, a weak smile tugging at my lips despite the pain.

"Yes, I must," she said with a shrug. "Where's the fun without a little spice?"

Her humor broke through my despair, and I managed a small laugh.

"Now listen to me," she continued. "The next time he tries to haunt you, shut him down. Don't let him take your peace. Promise me you'll try."

"I'll do my best," I replied softly.

"Good. Now, back to bed. You need rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day with your gigs," she said, gently guiding me back under the covers.

Devin's Point of View

I tossed and turned in bed, the weight of an invisible burden pressing down on me. My body was drenched in sweat, and my mind raced with images of pursuit and danger. I was running, running for my life, my legs aching but refusing to stop.

With a gasp, I sat up abruptly, panting like I had been sprinting for miles. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. The fear clung to me, suffocating and relentless.

Stumbling out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom. I turned the shower on full blast, letting the cold water pour over me. It wasn't soothing-it was jarring, shocking me further. My head pounded, and my body felt like it was on fire despite the icy cascade.

After a few minutes, I turned off the water and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my trembling frame. I made my way to the closet, pulling on a pair of shorts and a long satin coat. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, haunted and disheveled.

In the kitchen, I reached for a nerve-calming pill, swallowing it with difficulty. It felt stuck in my throat, though I knew it wasn't.

"Are you okay, sir?" Miss Donna's voice startled me, and I turned to see her standing nearby.

"Yeah. I'm fine," I replied gruffly, my voice hoarse.

I didn't wait for her response. I left the kitchen and made my way to the living area, pouring myself a stiff drink.

"Sir!" Jordan's voice cut through the silence as he rushed in with two others. "We caught them. They're locked in."

"Good," I said curtly, waving them away.

Inside, my excitement burned. The miserable creatures were finally within my grasp. Changing into something more fitting, I headed to the judgment quarter.

There they were-chained and shivering in bowls of icy water. My satisfaction grew, but it wasn't enough. His face still loomed in my mind, and my anger demanded more.

"Add more ice," I ordered.

Their protests and mumbled pleas fell on deaf ears.

"For how long have they been there?" I asked Jordan.

"An hour, sir," he replied.

"Why wasn't I informed earlier?" I snapped, anger flaring.

"You were asleep, sir. We didn't want to disturb you," he explained hesitantly.

"Damn it!" I roared, picking up a hammer and throwing it in frustration.

As I stalked closer, I noticed they were still clothed.

"Why are they still dressed?" I bellowed, grabbing Jordan by the collar.

"There's a lady among them," he stammered.

"And? Do you want to take her place?" I snarled.

"No, sir!" he cried, shaking his head fervently.

"Then strip them and throw them back in!" I ordered.

Their screams and protests blurred into the background as my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and answered immediately.

"Are you okay?" the voice on the other end asked.

"What?" I snapped, still on edge.

"I know it's been rough. Should I come over?"

"No," I said, my voice cold.

"You don't sound fine."

"I'm going out for a drink," I said, ending the call.