The Perfect Hybrid

CHAPTER VIII

Hunter

When I was a kid, my father would always bring me to the forest near our house. We would wander around for a few minutes before he would blindfold me and lead me somewhere. Of course, I was just a kid who trusted my father whole-heartedly and just let him lead me with a question. And every time he took my blindfold off, I would always be surrounded by puppies. And a whole bunch of them.

Honestly, those memories were a little bit bleak to me when I try to look back. There are bits and pieces that I remember but none of them actually make sense. Like the time I saw my dad smiling lovingly at a beautiful woman, or when the woman would mirror that same expression. There were also fleeting moments when the woman would look at me with sadness or longing before smiling again.

Growing up, my visit to forest become gradual. Although my father still goes to the forest, I no longer accompany him. As much as I wanted to play with the puppies there, my father was insistent on giving me good education.

Little did we know that sending me to school would be our doom.

For months, I simply went to school with my new friends. It was weird at first, being surrounded by people my age. Socializing and playing with other children instead of puppies. But I got used to it eventually. Slowly, I warmed up to them and before I knew it, I had a lot of fun with a lot of friends.

As it turns out, having a lot of friends attracts a lot of enemies. And some of them were hidden among friends.

I remember it well. Morning came on my birthday, my father and I did our routine before going to school, except for the special breakfast my father made. He wished me a happy birthday and promised to take me back to the forest to play with the puppies after school. It has been quite awhile since I last visited and hearing that made me so happy.

I was brimming with excitement on my way to school. And by recess, I can no longer contain myself. I became the center of attention when they learned that it was my birthday.

Of course, I was one of those kids. The kids who have no filter when they talk; who always gets into trouble when they say too much; who were too young and too happy to know that what they will say would be dangerous.

I was young. I was innocent and too excited. I told them that I would be visiting the forest I used to go with my dad where I get to play with the puppies. I managed to tell them how my dad would cover my eyes with a hanky so that he's the only one who knows the exact location of the place.

When school finally lets out, I ran all the way to the school bus, eager to go home while enthusiastically waving goodbye at my friends. I wanted to get home as soon as possible because as a kid, I was worried my dad would leave me and go to the puppies alone, although I know my dad wouldn't do that. Arriving at my stop, I saw that my father was not there. It's not a surprise, really. My dad usually waits for me at the bus stop but there are times I walk home alone. I figured that my dad must either be waiting at the house or he ventured to the forest for a short visit. I immediately dismissed my latter thought because I expect dad would take me with him and play with the puppies as my birthday gift.

When I arrived at my house, I called out to my dad. When no one answered, it was then I realized that the house was empty. Again, it's not really a surprise. My father would usually leave to pay the forest a visit. Unlike me, he never really stopped his visits. I was just a bit disappointed because he was supposed to take me with him right after school.

I moped around the house and after a few minutes, an idea popped into my head that maybe if I was a good boy and finished my homework first, my dad will come immediately and get me. So, I took my bag out the front porch and pulled out my first task. I decided to do my homework here so when my dad came home, I will be able to see him immediately.