Mark collapsed in the back of Athena's car. She sighed deep and told everybody else to get in. Irene was already on her way to Athena's house. She gave her brother a call so he would know to answer the door for them. The rain was still pouring, slashing at the pavement, yet she drove fast. If anybody saw what happened in the parking lot long enough to get her plate number or take photographs, then it would mean big trouble for all of them. Jaehyun pocked her shoulder and it broke her from her trance. "You okay?" he asked with concern.
"Yeah. I'm just... Mark is a Hybrid. And he... he could have been seen like that in public and if people find out..." she trailed off and shook her head. She didn't want to continue the thought of what could be. But she knew that if people found out, he would be hunted; discriminated at best. But to live like that, knowing that people look at you with fear and disgust, was something she didn't want for Mark, for any of them.
"Thank you for doing this, Athena." Said Johnny with Mark now resting his head on his shoulder. "Of course. Jaehyun is family and since you are his, you are, by extension, family now too. Especially after all of this." She laughed. A sad sound for it lacked the mirth that normally accompanied it. She had half a mind to tell the boys that she too was a Hybrid. Perhaps it was to help Mark cope knowing that he isn't alone. Perhaps it was for her so that she wouldn't have to hide what she is from those closest to her. Whatever reason she had, she chose to keep her peace for now until need be. It would be better to keep it to herself in order to keep them safe, she believed.
Athena pulled up into her driveway and found her brother standing by the door, like a sentry; silent and still. Apollo looked like his sister, more than they would like to admit to each other. He was two years younger yet looked older when he wore glasses and she didn't like today. He was a taller, more masculine version of Athena. His hair was cut like an airman and he stood like one too. His eyes were sharper in shape but the same dark brown, hidden behind the thick rims of his glasses. His were lips slightly fuller than his sisters but had the same rosy tint. Makisig, he was sometimes described by others. Gallant, it meant. He wore a white tank top and orange surfer shorts as he held the door open for them. He helped carry Mark into the living room while Athena stayed by the door for a minute to scan the area. Paranoia had nestled into her head along with worry. She had spent many years hiding her powers, after all. And now a young man comes into her life whose presence may endanger this secret and their lives, albeit unintentionally . When she was satisfied that nobody was following, she stepped in and walked to where the group was. "What happened?" Apollo asked. She explained the events that happened and he shot his hand in the air while exclaiming: "We know another Hybrid! This is so cool!"
This in turn led Athena to smack his shoulder. "He was injured! The fear and pain from all that is what lead him to his powers in the first place." She said sternly.
"I know but now he has powers, bro." Apollo said as he gently tapped Mark's shoulder. Mark grunted in response. "I'm sorry but what do you mean by 'we know another Hybrid'?" Asked Lucas. Apollo darted his eyes to his sister who closed her eyes to sigh and sat down next to Catriona. She hesitated to speak. She brought her hand to rub her temple as she searched for the right words.
"Well." She said as she eyed Mark who groggily opened his eyes and sat straight. "Let's just say we happen to know people who are Hybrids. We won't say who, obviously. But as you can tell, we tend to get pretty involved with the Hybrid community."
Irene watched Athena struggle with the truth. She was cautious, rightfully so. She hadn't spoken a lie but what she had been wanting to say kept trying to push itself out of Athena's mouth. "We're activists for the protection of Hybrids as well as advocates for equal treatment." Added Irene.
