HYBRIDS (l.p.)

Chapter 20 // Boundaries

I instantly sense a presence, carefully toeing about the kitchen.

"Don't be scared." I hear his voice grasp.

"I'm not."

He laughs. "You tend to forget that I know everything you feel whether you know it or not."

I stand my ground, not faltering in emotion. "What are you doing here, Liam?"

He gets up from the couch looking rather rugged with his face perfectly trimmed with hair. His structure seems stronger, his physique a bit bigger. His hair is well kept and that enduring smile shines brightly.

"I just came by to see how my girl was doing."

"As if you care."

"I do or I wouldn't be here."

"It's been how long? A month and a half. So quit lying and tell me why you are really here."

"God, you are still as stubborn as you were a month ago." He laughs. "I'm here to see you."

I glare at him.

"But I didn't expect you in a towel." He says quietly running the back of his fingers down my arm.

"Don't." I growl.

He holds his hands up, surrendering. "Well then can you please go get dressed."

I roll my eyes and pad into my room. I quickly get dress, tossing both towels from my body. I meet Liam back in the living room, sitting on the couch next to him.

"You look good." I sheepishly say.

He huffs out a laugh. "Thank you."

An awkward moment of silence stills between us before Liam speaks up again.

"So tell me about this Corporal."

"What about him?"

"That's all you've been thinking about since you realized I was here. Pretty disappointing shower thoughts as well."

I smack his arm.

"Stop doing that and the corporal is nothing."

"Oh?" He pushes.

I sigh deeply. "He knows."

"Knows what?"

"That I'm a hybrid."

A strangled gasp falls quietly from his lips as he pauses.

"And does he know of me?"

"I don't think so." I inform.

He exhales, sighing in relief. "You need to be careful. You can't just trust anyone."

"I know that." I huff. "I've tried--tried getting into his head and I can't."

He looks at me.

"It's like he has some block on him, but I know he's human."

"Are you sure?" He questions.

"I think so." I shrug. "What else could he be? We can sense our own kind."

He nods.

"So." I speak up. "How's the barista?"

He glares at me before smiling. "We are good. She's on the west side of town helping with another cafe opening."

"Oh." I nod. "So, she's kind of a big deal."

He shrugs. "Sure."

"What is her name anyway?" I ask, keeping up the conversation.

"Estelle. But she goes by Essie." 

I nod. "Cute."

"She makes me happy." He speaks gently.

"And that's all that matters." I smirk.

A crack of lightning separates the sky illuminating the dark room.

"Does she know?"

"No, absolutely not." He scorns.

I throw my hands up, surrendering. "Just asking."

"She's the only bit of normal I have."

Ouch.

I nod my head again. "You're right."

"What about you? Shacking up with those Australian lads yet?"

"No Liam!" I growl. "They are like little brothers to me."

He laughs. "Ok, but Luke?" He questions.

"No." I blatantly say. "Stop it."

"Fine." He pauses. "The Corporal then?"

"Liam." I whine. "There is no one in my life ok? It's just me and I'm fine with that."

He laughs again, nodding his head. "Sure."

"Why can't you just believe me?" I sternly ask.

"I do. Relax, relax." He stresses.

A knock at the door interrupts our semi intense conversation as I proceed it cautiously.

"Who the hell?" I ask myself turning the knob.

I open the door, presented with Corporal Hedlund standing at attention.

"Ma'am."

"Corporal, please I asked you--"

But before I could finish my sentence, electricity paralyzes my body sending me to the floor with a hard thud. I'm quickly turns over, hands bound behind my back with a chain of silver.

I search the room, eager for Liam's whereabouts finding him in the shadows of a corner. He places his finger against his lip hushing me before looking in the general direction of voices talking. I'm lifted from the room, and spun around to face the Corporal. Two other men stand by his side, disapproving looks upon their faces. The harsh taste of blood fills my mouth as I spit towards the floor.

"No hard feelings huh, Sam?" Garrett speaks. "It's just this city is meant for mundanes, not for you. And quite frankly the reason there are attacks by Trek is because of you. We can not risk these people's lives anymore."

Two guards hold either one of my arms, prompting me to stand up straight. I let my head fall back, angrily amused at Garrett's obvious backstabbing.

"I saved countless people's lives and this is how you treat me?" I spit.

"You said it yourself Sam, it's impossible to defeat Trek. So why go to war? When you can win a small battle?"

Garrett moves from the door presenting a dark figure. It doesn't take long before I realize the appearance of the man.

Vincent Trek.

"Corporal, no." I beg. "You don't know what you are doing."

"Yes I do. I'm protecting my citizens."

I try to pull away from the guards but the silver chains burn me to place.

"Ahh, Sam. We meet again." Trek hisses. "This time rather, my hospitality will not be as civil." He smirks. "Let's go." He motions to the guards as they drag me out of the apartment.

I fill my head with pleas to Liam only to receive utter blankness. If only I had gone back with Philip.

I spend the next few hours, bounced around in the back of a service van. Abruptly the ride ends and I'm once again manhandled out into the open.

"Take her to the cellar. Complete darkness will do her good." Trek orders and the guards do just that.

The chains are released from my hands, just prior to my demise in the dark and damp chamber. I back into a corner and slide down the jagged wall, feeling my skin rip from its canvas. The feeling of abandonment quickly settles in and I soon feel the warmth of my tears hit my face.

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Garrett is a TRAITOR! But seriously how dreamy is he?! and hmmmm, what shall happen to Essie?