Hybrid

PART TWO

⫷ TAYLOR ⫸

"Any news?" The question echoes down the cavern-like room. Through the small hole of a window, the moon's threatening light spills through, shedding a silver glow to all who need it.

"No." The reply is said in a threatening growl. Knowing looks are shared throughout the room, all in silent agreement not to anger him any further. He stands underneath the pooling light, sucking it all up for himself.

A tentative girl flanks him, fidgeting with the material of her shirt. "D-do you need me to patrol?" Silence causes the girl to shiver. "S-sir?"

"You don't leave, Taylor," he speaks her name menacingly low. Turning around, Taylor gazes into the lifeless eyes before her. "You don't ever leave. Not yet."

Taylor's eyes flicker down to her own two bloodied and bruised feet. She was the second to find her magic. The first managed to escape him. Carlos. Only those brave enough whisper his name, and even that is dangerous. Taylor keeps her lips pressed together. Because of Carlos, security amped up, making it impossible for anyone to leave.

Some would die from exhaustion before getting their magic. Taylor was lucky. Victor Cage gifted her with a power she didn't even know she possessed.

Taylor blinks away memories of her parents. They are faint, despite the fact that it wasn't so long ago she saw them. Liars. They're liars. Victor said so. Otherwise, Taylor would have known she was a hybrid. They lied to her. Now, they rot in hell.

It isn't simply Carlos alone that boils rage through Taylor's veins. Because of him and another, the scientists became harsher on the remaining survivors. More training. More suffering. She didn't blame Victor; he was just trying to help.

Taylor blames Carlos Tapia and Aria Parker. Her hate for the both of them curls her fingers into a clenched fist. She can't remember much before she got her magic, though vague images of Aria come now and then. She assumes she was once close with the girl.

Not anymore. Taylor wants to kill her with every fibre in her being.

A shuffling of feet tells her that everyone else is leaving the room. Taylor flinches, not liking being alone with Victor. He's her saviour, but still scary as hell. She scuffs her feet on the concrete floors in distraction from meeting his stare.

"C-can I go to my room, sir?"

He pauses a moment. "You have training," he informs flatly.

A tremble ran over her skin. Training meant brutal harm inflicted on the body. It was a way to make her stronger; to make her immune to pain. "But I... had that yes-yesterday."

His growling sent a shot of fear to travel through Taylor's veins. She felt a firm hand grip on her red hair and he yanks it upward, causing her to look up into his menacing eyes. "Are you afraid, little Taylor? You know how I feel about people who are afraid. Can you tell me?"

"They're weak," she replies in a hushed voice.

"That's right." He shoves her forward so that her pale body slams against the cold ground. "Now, go."

She nods once and scurries out of the room. The hallways are narrow and damp. Taylor trails her pinky finger along the uneven bricks as she quietly hums to herself. She knows that she's making her way to sudden pain and turmoil, however, it is starting to get easier. The pain isn't as immense as when she first was taken by them.

Soon, she'll be strong. Then, she can help Victor kill all who has wronged him. Maybe, if she's lucky, she will be able to kill those who have wronged her. Carlos Tapia and Aria Parker. Carlos Tapia and Aria Parker.

Taylor smirks.