Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The riots in San Antonio have been occurring more frequently in the last month. The masses protested against the presence of Hybrids and aliens in the communities. The rise in aggression towards them was largely due to the Karen Wagner High School incident. A student, a Hybrid, accidentally caused the collapse of the gymnasium where their prom was being held. It was an accident. The boy was scared and was being bullied when his powers awakened. Nobody was severely injured. However, many parents called for his expulsion to keep other students safe. Anti-Hybrid activists used this to help propagate their cause. Needless to say, the boy is now in some undisclosed location after being picked up by a shiny black car with men in black suits. Jaehyun's worry wasn't misplaced. He knew Athena lived one neighborhood too close to where the last riot happened. Some of these "activists" just use the cause as a front to desecrate other people's property or cause a ruckus to conduct petty theft while all were distracted. They can get more violent than the people they protest against at times. Jaehyun worried that if they were to suspect Athena or her family to be Hybrids or aliens, they wouldn't hesitate to hurt them. But she can take care of herself, right? She sleeps with a sword next to her bed. He mused and smiled at the idea of her holding a sword as she slept. "She's so strange, that girl." He said aloud as he shook his head. "Who're you talking about?" Asked Johnny. He sat on his bed parallel to Jaehyun's. "My friend, Athena." He said. "You mean the one you bumped into earlier? Why?"
"She sleeps next to a sword." He replied with a laugh. "Oh," said Johnny, "That is strange. Is she scared of burglars or something?" he added. "Yeah, something like that." He said as he climbed into his own bed. "We should probably get something like that too, or like, a knife. People are wilding these days. Did you see the news?" said Johnny followed by a yawn. "Which one?"
"The one where they attacked this old man's house because his daughter was a Hybrid. She wasn't even living there anymore. She in Idaho." Johnny shook his head. "Yeah. That's close to where Athena lives. I was texting her and she's okay but still." Said Jaehyun. Johnny nodded in understanding and turned out the lights. "No wonder she sleeps with a sword. Don't be surprised if you find a stash of knives under her pillow." He added before saying "Night, bro." Jaehyun said the same and closed his eyes as he fell to sleep.
Irene woke up early the next day from the sound of her alarm clock. She contemplated whether to throw it across the room but decided against it. It would take more effort to clean up the mess later. She stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before getting out of bed to shower. It was Sunday, therefore she and her family would be attending worship service. After her shower, she sat in front of her vanity and brushed through her curly, black hair. She hated the maintenance of it all but loved the way it looked after. She proceeded with her usual makeup routine and wore a blue sundress and sandals. She dressed for formally for church but not so much so that she couldn't wear the same thing later when she would meet Athena's friends. She packed her bag and made sure she didn't forget anything and looked at herself in the mirror once more. Her hair framed an oval face, fair skinned and flushed along her cheeks. Her freckles were sprinkled across her nose bridge and cheeks and remained uncovered when she did her makeup. She liked the way they looked so she wore as little makeup as she could. Her brows were done suited to her face shape. Her dark brown eyes were lined thinly to accentuate their slightly upturned shape. She wore mascara and a bit of eyeshadow to deepen her eyes. Her lips were rounder and fuller at the bottom but had a natural rosy pigment. She decided to leave them be for now and brush her teeth first before deciding. "Anak, I made coffee already. Just get some if you want." Said her dad as she made her way to the restroom. "Okay po. Thanks, Pa!" she replied. The wafting smell of the coffee made its way to Irene as she walked down the stairs. She poured some in a travel mug, added creamer and sugar, and headed out the door. She sat in her car for a bit as she replied to messages in their group chat before heading to church.
