Hybrid Hearts

Like Talking To A (Glass) Wall

Through the hazy glass I could see a humanoid figure shrouded in shadows. And despite the glass screen separating us, I approach cautiously. The creature matches my steps and we simultaneously reach either side of the glass barrier.

My eyes widen in wonder as they settle upon the being before me. Human and animal features combined - this is undoubtedly a hybrid. A completely nude hybrid. I could feel my cheeks turning as red as the fur that this creature sported on certain parts of their frame.

"Hello there," I whisper, pressing my hand firmly against the glass. "My name is Wren."

I study him, trying to find any signs of intelligence. I never could have imagined that in the span of a decade the Alpha-Omega project would get as far as cloning a hybrid from the DNA they had collected. He appears young, but certainly not as young as a human 10 year old. If he were human, I would place his age around double that number. Could accelerated growth be a part of his genetics?

The hybrid remains preternaturally still, their expression unreadable. I take the opportunity to gawk some more. I can't help but notice how strikingly beautiful his sharp features make him, whilst the scientist in me wonders what kind of genetic modifications the researchers here discovered that made them able to develop his furred, pointed ears and fluffy tail. Is this how all the hybrids hiding in the rainforest looked like? Images were never released to the public, but I had always imagined them more animalistic than this.

It's difficult to tell with the panel between us, but I don't think I imagine the way he is breathing in shallow gasps, his nostrils flaring with each inhalation. He was still faced in my direction, golden eyes seemingly flickering from one spot to another. Yet his eyes refuse to meet my gaze and he gives no indication that he is interested in me, or even that he is aware of my presence.

"Hello? Can you hear me? Do you understand?" I ask, louder this time. "If you can, do you want tell me your name?"

Still, nothing. Not a squeak from him or even a twitch of his tail.

It hits me then.

The weird film on the glass is because it is a one-way mirror. Anyone stood on the outside can look in, but the hybrid cannot look out. If the hybrid's lack of reaction to my presence is any indication, he probably can't see, hear or smell me.  This cage is clearly sealed off from the outside world entirely. He has no idea I am here. Likely he just came to investigate because he sensed something was off - animals often perceive things us humans are oblivious too. 

Sure enough, instead of responding to me, the hybrid sinks to a crouch, resting himself on all-fours. He turns away and crawls back into the enclosure, fluffy fox-tail hanging down between his bare cheeks.

Suddenly the disappointment overwhelms me. I was so close to interacting with a hybrid. So close and yet so far. If we were able to both see each other, if he could have heard me, would he have understood? Would he have spoken aloud words, or with noises or through body language like animals do? Are there more like him in that enclosure? Did the researchers replicate other hybrids too? What about his -

"Wren!"

The sudden voice startles me and I jump away from the glass. When I spin around it is to see Dr. Adam Matthews marching towards me, his face twisted in anger.

"What are you doing?" he demands, eyes flicking from me to the rest of the room and back again. "You shouldn't be anyway near here," Adam snaps, grabbing my forearm tightly. "Follow me. Right now!"

Adam hauls me away, out of the secret room, out of the lab and to his own private office. His grip remains tight on my arm the entire time, and I can feel his rage simmering.

We sit opposite sides of his desk. There is no decoration that I can see save for a single photograph, turned towards him.

"What the hell were you doing in there, Wren?" His voice sends a cold chill crawling down my spine.

I take a deep breath, trying to think of an excuse to save myself, and my career. "I am so sorry. I was just so curious and I thought if I could see the Alpha-O project for myself, I would be able to convince you to put me on the team," I say finally. "When we were out drinking the other night, I don't know, I think the alcohol got to me and it seemed like a good idea at the time. I should never have come here, I am so, so incredibly apologetic."

Adam shakes his head. "Do you take me for an idiot Wren? You replaced my key card with a duplicate. That was no drunk, spur of the moment decision. You planned this."

For a moment the revelation stuns me silent. He knows. Oh my God he knows. Of course he does. "I...it was...this," I stammer, feeling panicked. "I'm sorry."

He studies me for a moment before leaning forward. "Listen, Wren. I am giving you this one chance to tell me who the hell you are spying for. Lie to me again, and you will regret it."

"Spying? I guess, it might look that way but I was only looking to help myself, no one sent me, this isn't some kind of corporate espionage!" I answer, feeling even more concerned now.

"You think you're special, Wren? Think you are smarter than me? You don't have a fucking clue. I knew the moment you used my key. I have you on CTV. You need to remember who the hell is in charge here. Now. Tell. Me!"

"I promise, no one sent else knows I am here! No one sent me to do this." I cry.

"Wren," Adam states in a low, menacing voice. "You have given me no reason to trust you. Not only did you betray me the other night, but what you did today was unacceptable. You broke protocol and put the entire project in jeopardy. You know the rules, and yet you deliberately ignored them. If not on behalf of someone else, then why?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "I just wanted to see what the Alpha-O team was currently studying, so that I could brush-up on the same stuff and use my insight to impress you. All I have ever wanted is to be responsible for a break-through, something so helpful and incredible, no one could ever forget. I hoped studying hybrids, here, at the very institute responsible for discovering them, could be my chance," she explained. "I went about it completely wrong, but that's all."

"Not good enough," Adam spat. "You could have compromised the entire project. We can't have scientists who are unable to follow the rules. I'm afraid I have no choice but to terminate your employment with us, effective immediately."

I felt a lump form in my throat and a pain in my chest. I had devoted years of my life to getting to this point, and now it was all being taken away. Worst of all, I knew I only had myself to blame.

"Adam- I mean, Dr. Matthews, please," I plead. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I'm dedicated to this Institute. Don't fire me."

Adam leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. For a moment, I thought I saw hesitance in his eyes, but then it was gone.

"My decision is final, Wren," he said coldly. "And remember, you are legally bound to keep your trap shut about all things related to MI. Never tell a soul about what you witnessed here."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I gathered myself onto unsteady legs and left the office. I couldn't believe it was over just like that. I was at a loss for what to do now.