Merge

5 - Attack of the Diva

            The world was spinning. Or was that just my vision?

            I just killed someone.

            The world sped past below me as the wind urged me along, pushing tears down my cheeks,

            I just took someone’s life.

            The tears fell through the air like raindrops.

            What monster have I become?

            Why are you so troubled? Caminai’s voice was mocking.

             I just murdered someone!

            So?

            I clenched my fists and refused to listen to her. I was still half-human in appearance and fully human otherwise, as far as I was concerned.  I did not want to become a monster.

            I wiped my face dry and leveled out. I turned to see the glittering silhouette of New York City, now so far away.

            I’m not sure if I can ever go back.

            Don’t be so dramatic. One death is nothing to banish yourself for.

            I wished I could mentally punch her in her scaly snout. She just didn’t understand.

            Things are different here, I thought to her. I then put up a mental wall to block any response.

            I lowered myself to the ground, covered by trees. Only small snatches of moonlight fell between the thick leaves.

            Walking. That was all I could do as renewed tears fell from my eyes. I leaned against a tree as I wondered what I could do, where I could go. I closed my eyes and grabbed my wrist hard enough to leave bruises.

            Of course, there were no bruises.

            A rustle came from behind me, and I froze. Voices.

            I turned just in time to see two men in camouflage. They held a net, and their eyes narrowed as they watched their target - me.

            “Whoa!” I yelled, “Who are you?”

            There was a short pause.

            “We are the special forces of the NSHE, and we have come to take you to our leader,” it was the man on the left. He was big and burly, and the sight of me didn’t seem to faze him one bit.

            “What is the NSHE?” I demanded.

            “The National Society of Hybrid Engineering,” the man came forward and grabbed my arm. I heard Caminai hiss inside my head, but the man seemed to have no intention of harming me. Just dragging me through the woods, keeping my arm in an inhuman vice grip. His partner drifted silently through the trees behind us.

            I yanked my arm away, “I can walk, you know,” I growled.

            This man. Something smells different. Caminai voiced her thoughts to me.

            I know. Did you feel how tight his grip was? I was like being held by a bear.

            True…