Hybrid

The Huntress

Maria

I stopped in front of my house, looking at it for the wood and paint it was. There was nothing about it that seemed different from any other house, except for the fact that I was supposed to stay there. I was forced to believe that it was a home when it was nothing more than a front.

Marching inside, I knew that if the house were to burn down, there would be nothing I would miss about it. Dylan's house had photos of him, memories of us, something to hold on to. His house was more than wood and paint. His house was my home.

My mother was leaning over dinner, and I stepped up beside her to attempt to help.

"Maria." My mother spun around, pushing her hands behind her back.

"What are you hiding?" I asked, my voice was monotone, but my mind a symphony of thoughts.

"Nothing, you just scared me, that's all," My mother said, not moving from her position in front of the food.

I pushed her aside, seeing a vile of what I assumed to be the cure. The glass was small, but it had obviously been used. Each drop was poison to my body and it was being given to me anyway.

The anger consumed my body, "Do you know what you're doing to me?"

"I'm aware that there are side effects," My mother covered up.

"I'm dying, and you're the reason why."

"Now you're just being overdramatic." My mother narrowed her eyes.

"Why don't you love me?" I asked, deciding that for the first time in my life I deserved an answer.

"You know I do," My mother sighed.

"No, I don't think you do. I think you've always had a problem with me and you've never admit it."

My mother released her arms from behind her, no longer feeling the need to hide things from me. She looked bored as I spoke, not considering how serious I had become.

"Stop assuming things Maria, that's how you get yourself in trouble," My mother chastised me.

If she wouldn't speak, I needed to get her attention.

"My father didn't want anything to do with you until he thought you would be of use in destroying his biggest enemy," I snapped, "He doesn't love you."

My mother's face fell and then became angry.

"What do you know?" My mother spat.

"I know that you may love him, but he doesn't love you back. He always liked me more than you, and you were jealous."

"I was never even supposed to have you!" My mother screamed.

"Don't stop there," I said.

I had a lingering suspicion that my mother was never meant to be a mother. The woman had no capacity for love, and what she could muster up, she forced on my father. I don't even think he wanted to be with her, just to have a baby machine at the ready. 

"Your father always wanted a kid. I thought we were too young for children, but your father was persistent. I ended up having a kid that I wasn't ready for. You immediately loved your father more than me, and you monopolized all his time." My mother said.

"I was a baby. I don't know if you're aware, but they require attention."

"You took the love of my life away from me. The man faded from my life before he was shipped away, and it was your fault. I should've had that time with him. God, I hated you for it," My mother sneered, "I wish every day that you had never been born."