Prevolution - EN

Scars

Luckily, we arrived at the former German Parliament before nightfall. This is where the heads of our government used to meet. Now it was just a plant-infested, huge building that provided enough space for the organization to manage its shady business. I was relieved as we entered the shelter of the remaining stone walls. Being out in the dark in the wilderness was dangerous.

Our organization wasn't the only one out there waiting to get us hybrids. There were numerous other factions that formed after the collapse of our system. Groups of humans seeking protection with each other and fanatics who believed this was nature's punishment to repay us for destroying her and now saw us hybrids as the salvation of the world.

Last but not least, of course, there were the hybrid groups that had also banded together. Often to experience more security from bounty hunters, but in fact we followed almost animal instincts. Those mutations whose animals liked to live in packs, did so as well. I had often noticed how I was attracted to light or the smell of a plant in full bloom.

My senses had also become a lot more sensitive over the years. At the same time, the whole thing scared me to death, but it also made me feel safer. Just as the improvised gates of the entrance closed behind us, a loud yelp from the distance cut through the eerie silence that still reigned.

Those hybrids were my main concern to spend a night in the open air. The group of so-called "fangs". Even the Organization feared them and dared not to approach them. They consisted of the most dangerous of all mutations, the predators. All the animal species we would fear in the wild were represented, such as wolves, foxes and I had even heard of lions and tigers.

They often possessed increased body speed and razor-sharp teeth. They were well aware of their superiority, with which they dominated the entire city. The children in the organization even told horror stories about their leader. After all, they were only human, not the same as before the outbreak, but still human.

"This time I was really hoping I wouldn't have to go back to that shithole. I'm sure I'll get a stay in the darkroom as punishment," Lilith said and brought me out of my thoughts, back to reality. The darkroom was a completely closed chamber that let only little air through and since Lilith was an insect and therefore also appreciated the light, this was double punishment. I wish I could show her how sorry I was, but she probably wouldn't believe me.

Over the years I had built up a reputation among the hybrids here, unfortunately not a good one. They saw me as a kind of traitor, who supported one of the leaders of the organization to bring back escaped people or just did the dirty work for him.

"Well, you probably should have thought about that before you, once again, took off. You'll get through the one night," I replied as coolly as I could. No matter what I would say, I couldn't gain any sympathy. Once in the core of the building, the previously silent walls became more lively. More people began to walk past us, sizing us up with their appraising glances. No matter how many times people probably looked at us hybrids, they couldn't get used to the sight of us.

A few times we turned into corridors until we finally stood in front of a door. Reluctantly, I knocked on it and waited for an answer. Instead of an answer, the door was just yanked open right in front of us after a few seconds and two protruding eyes gazed into my face. Marco was a truly unaesthetic person. Of course, beauty was always in the eye of the beholder, but he was one of those sorts that you could already see his ugly character from the outside. His curved, long nose didn't make it much better.

"Oh you're back with the runaway, my butterfly. Come in. The others will take care of the dragonfly." he laughed delightedly and gestured with a hand gesture towards two passing men to take Lilith with them. Wistfully I looked after her, which unfortunately she couldn't see anymore. Before I joined Marco in the room, I tensed my muscles once more and ordered my stomach to pull itself together.