Hybrid

The Right Path

"I knew I shouldn't have left Emma alone. She's so stubborn! I can't protect her when she's on her own. I know she can take care of herself but she's not invincible. No one is."

My father puts his hand on my shoulder. "You did the right thing, son. She would be dead and our future would be over if you hadn't contacted us. We're here. We have control of our planet again. We'll bring her back there where she'll be safe."

"I hope she will forgive me."

"You've proven your loyalty to her and to the universe. It's time for Emma to come to our planet and fulfill her destiny. That is something you cannot control."

"Let me tell her you're here. I'd like to escort her home, if that's okay."

"Do what you think is best. I'm proud of you son. You're a true leader."

Hearing my father say he is proud of me doesn't relieve my feelings of failure. "Father, promise me something."

"Yes?"

"Don't let Emma become you." I turn and leave him alone.

I hesitate for a moment before entering Emma's room - what used to be a teenage girl's safe haven is now surrounded by an army that would die for her. I worry that the innocence I see in Emma's face will soon be gone - smashed into little pieces by political agendas and warring parties.

I sit down on the edge of her bed in awe at the strength she has gathered in such a short time. She's not the same person she was just a week ago. The funny, lighthearted young girl has transformed into a serious, concerned woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders.

I can't help but experience pangs of guilt for pulling apart the safe and secure life she once had. I hope she can find happiness in her future.

She looks so peaceful. I don't want to disturb her but the high council is waiting for us. I touch her soft cheek. I lean over and kiss her gently. She stirs.

"Hi," I say softly.

She squints her eyes and looks up at me. "Hi," she says and winces in pain.

"I'm going to guess, you're hurting all over." I grab a glass of water and a pill from the table next to her. "Here, take some aspirin."

She looks around the room, worry crosses her brow. "What's going on? The last thing I remember is not being able to breathe." She reaches up to her neck, touching the bruise across it. "And then blacking out. My uncle, where is he? Is he okay?"

"He's okay. We're all okay. Your step-brother can't hurt us at the moment," I say.

"But how is that possible?" Unconvinced by my assurances, she tries to get up. I reach out and stop her from jumping off the bed.

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down. I know you want to take care of everyone else. But I need you to think about yourself right now. You've gone through a lot. We almost lost you last night. Let your body heal. We have Xavier where we want him, thanks to you."

"What do you mean?"

"Your bravery, though foolish, allowed us to capture him. Here, I'll show you." I lean over and pick her up in my arms and I walk her to her bedroom window. I pull back the curtain. A bright light takes over the room. Emma gasps and puts her hand to her mouth.

The water in the swimming pool has swirled itself into a fortress - the walls are high waves and inside lies her brother Xavier, floating in a state of unconsciousness.

"How is that possible? Is he alive?" she asks.

"Yes, he's alive."

"But how?"

"I couldn't do it on my own. My powers are no match for your brother's or even yours. I called my father and he brought the army, loyal to us."

"Your father? He's here?"

"I can explain everything but before I do, I want you to know you're not alone. You can trust me." I look deep in her eyes. "I can't help you if you leave me."

I return her to her bed. She leans back and nods. "I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't have just left. I acted without thinking. I do trust you. But I'm fine. You don't have to baby me."

"I'm not babying you. I'm trying to keep us both alive."

"I'm stronger than you think."

"I know you're strong. But you're one person against an entire army. You have no military training and new powers you don't fully understand. Even the mightiest warrior would know the odds are stacked against you ... and us."

Emma grabs my forearm tight and stares me down. "Then teach me everything you know."

"That's just it, I don't know everything. If I did, I would have never left you alone when I did. We can't run forever. It's time to face the future. Commit to a new path. The two of us can't fight alone. Now, let me see your arm. I need to re-bandage it." I grab the bandages resting on the table next to her bed. She places her arm on my leg. I unwrap the bandage to see the wound is healing nicely. Emma notices.

"It healed so quickly..." She lifts her arm up to the light. The skin that had been burned off down to her bone has healed almost completely.

"That is the magic of evolution. Our bodies on our planet have evolved far beyond the human body. And since you also have our genes, you can heal much faster than any human."

"I never noticed - probably because I never broke a bone or had a serious injury growing up."

"Or you healed quickly and never noticed. Let me just bandage it to keep it clean as it heals. You probably won't need a bandage after today."

I wrap what remains of the burn. "It shouldn't leave a scar."

"There's so much for me to learn. I'm serious Joe. Will you train me so I can really know how to defend myself ... and our planet. Oh God, that sounds so weird."

"Yes, you have my promise, I will teach you everything I know."

Emma takes a deep breath. "Thank you."

"It's time Emma. We need to take you back to your new planet."

Emma shivers. "It scares me to death. Do you think I'm ready? I'm afraid ... I'm afraid I will let everyone down."

I take Emma's hand in mine. "I'm not going to pretend that you don't have an immense responsibility ahead of you. I believe in you. The high council believes in you. It's clear you have your father's good heart. Trust it to lead you down the right path."

"My heart says that wherever you go, I should follow."

I feel tears forming. "I don't know how you manage to make me so emotional. Is this what love does to a man?"

"It's what love does to all of us."

"Tell you what, how about I follow wherever you go?" I lean in and kiss her sweet lips. She pulls me down next to her and wraps her arms around my body. This is clearly my destiny. I hold Emma close, understanding her fear. The future scares the hell out of me too.