The Hybrid's Assassin

Fifteen

It was on the news. Yet another American shooting, they called it. We listened in complete silence as the car drove.

The radio helped to fill in the space where a conversation could have been, but wasn't, and the anti-gun debates and police reports helped to keep my mind focused on something else. Anything else.

Domitius had been searching for me on foot, slept only once in the entire time I had been gone and had apparently not ate anything since my leave. The blood underneath his fingernails suggested that he had been keeping his hunger at bay through other sources. I had not yet seen the other side of him, but it would do me well to remember that he wasn't just a shapeshifter.

Hybrid.

I swallowed nervously. How twisted my fate must be if I've been forced towards monsters when everything in my own life has collapsed. My life was really scraping the bottom of the metaphorical bucket.

"Pull over here." Domitius' voice broke through the silence. The cab driver began to slow down, sceptical.

"Are you sure?" He asked with confusion drenching his voice. We were in the middle of nowhere, forest pressing in on both sides of the road. If I had been in his position, I too would have been baffled.

Domitius closed his eyes momentarily, straining to hear something. "Yes. Here's the spot." He handed over a pile of money from the pits of his jacket pockets and opened his door, grabbing my hand and pulling me out with him. He flashed a charismatic smile towards the driver. "Thank you, keep the change."

The door was closed and the cab sped off down the road, disappearing and taking with it all remaining links I had left to normality and humanity.

We stood in silence for a few seconds before Domitius turned around, pushing through the tree line with one hand, holding me tightly with the other. Something told me that he wouldn't be letting go for quite a while.

After a few minutes of walking in silence we came to a clearing in the trees, he abruptly stopped and whistled, calling out Luca's name. What would Luca think of me? I had ruined any trust he had had in me. I had burned so many bridges, if I at any point in time needed to escape it wouldn't be as easy as it had been this time.

Luca came cutting through the trees, his skin golden with the sun and his hair a dark brown mess. "You've found her?" His eyes landed on me. They looked so pained. "Long time no see."

I laughed nervously. The sound was awkward and almost seemed to pollute the air around us. This was going to be interesting.

His gaze was cold as it flickered over to Domitius. His nose twitched. "You fed?"

Domitius slowly but surely smiled, something dark emerging in his eyes. "No one innocent, don't worry, and recently only wildlife."

Luca nodded. "In control?"

Domitius nodded. "In control."

I stared at the two as they seemed to continue their conversation with each other without words, or at least none that I was capable of hearing.

Luca turned, the conversation terminated. "The next destination?"

Domitius cracked his knuckles as he looked up at the sky. "Home."

><><><

I didn't leave the room for a week.

I spoke no words and picked at food occasionally, unresponsive to anybody who touched me or tried to hold a conversation with me. By the seventh day, Domitius had left to work with tears of frustration in his eyes. The garden outside the window kept my interest for a great many hours.

From above, the colours of the flowers blended together with such beautiful vibrant shades. It was such a shame that the winter months were slowly creeping closer with every passing day.

Another week passed and snow began to fall. Such a startling white, it blanketed the grounds and peppered the trees for as far as my mortal eyes could see. My thoughts were relentless, but my mind remained empty as I watched innocent children creating snowballs and laughing without a care in the world from my window.

My lifespan now seemed so long, especially without any purpose.

><><><

It was the 24th of December, a cold morning like every other I had recently endured. The bed was empty, and had been for the past two weeks.

Everything was blissfully silent, yet something was different. The familiar walls that had housed me no longer exuded calm, the white walls only served to remind me of a mental institution. My mind no longer felt tired, but restless. No longer did the endless snow outside of the bedroom window appear fascinating, and no longer could I bear to sit by myself in a room that wasn't even my own.

Something in me had had enough. Some part of me felt like the stale air I had been exposed to was bruising my lungs.

In the closet there were clothes, and I bundled myself up in the warmest coat I could find and shakily strolled towards the door. My knees ached with every step I took and the true fragility of my body begun to register in my mind. I had done this to myself. I had restricted my food and movement. I had only myself to blame for the state of my body, there was no one else I could point a finger at.

The hallways were silent, the people I encountered not daring to look me in the eye, let alone mutter a greeting. Perhaps it was better that way, since I had no intention of offering a response. I had been pushing people away for weeks, and it had been just as long since I had last spoke. Regardless, my thirst for fresh air was the only thing on my mind, as the endless hallways appeared to close in and claustrophobia overwhelmingly drove me onwards with the assistance of Adrenalin. I needed to feel the wind against my face. Sitting and doing nothing was driving me insane.

The men standing in the foyer cautiously watched as I strode past, and I knew that word of my behaviour would reach Domitius practically instantaneously. However it had been weeks since I had attempted to escape, so if someone tried to tell me I wasn't allowed to go outside, I would honestly start swinging.

I began to grind my teeth together, reaching for the doorknob. To my surprise, no one made a move or even muttered a word. Without any further hesitation, I opened the door.

Icy wind hit my face and my breath exited my lungs in shock. I stood for a moment, regathering myself. Winter. It was now winter. Sighing, I stepped out onto the veranda. This house was infinitely large, and I wasn't yet familiar with this entrance. Perhaps in my spare time I should have been exploring, taking notice of my surroundings.

Without further adieu, I proceeded to step off of the veranda and onto the snow, only to discover that the snow was three feet deep and far colder than I had originally anticipated.

<><><>

Thank you.

Thank you for those of you who have remained regardless of my lack of updates and chaotic life.

Thank you for those of you who have supported me, encouraged me and even have thought to message me, you guys are truly inspirational. I made sure to answer you all because you're honestly the most beautiful people, thank you.

I'm sorry.

The quality of this is a bad standard, and I'm afraid that you deserve so, so much more.

Thank you. Xx