The Perfect Hybrid

CHAPTER XVIII

Hunter

I have a very few recollections of my past, being a kid and all when I was separated from my dad.

When I was running through the tunnels, every step and move I made were all based on instincts, just like what my father said.

When I reached the end of the tunnel, there was this huge silver dog... wolf that was waiting for me. It was sitting on its hinds and was simply staring into my eyes as if looking into my soul. Before I knew it, I was venturing into the forest with the wolf on the lead. I followed it because something tells me that this wolf will lead me somewhere safe.

It would have taken us days to get to the orphanage in Arcanus if it weren't for the wolf's insistence to have me ride it on its back. And when I say that it insisted, I meant it. The wolf would purr and bump its snout on my leg before lowering itself in front of me.

I was grateful for that because we've been running and walking through the forest for hours. I was already emotionally drained at what happened the night before. By the time we reached the orphanage, I was too weak to stand on my own so I just let my body collapse on the ground.

Even back then, there was this part of me that knows I will never see my father again. And that somehow, it's connected to me telling my friends about the puppies that I used to play with in the forest. So, when the head councilor asked me where I came from, I simply said that I followed a silver dog instead of a wolf.

Fearing that someone will get hurt again, I decided to distance myself from everyone. It was unlike when I first got to be with the other kids my age. Every day, I would either be doing my chores and keep to myself the rest of the day. At night, I would get a visit from the creature who guided me.

Of all the people at the orphanage, I decided to befriend a wolf. Every night, I would sneak out to play with it for hours. But we don't always play though, there are some nights when I would simply talk to her. Even though I wasn't sure that it was a her, I simply followed my gut telling me that it was too beautiful, kind and gentle not to be. I would fall asleep on her fur. Every time I wake up, I would find myself tucked on the designated bed in my room, making it feel like everything is just a dream.

I wanted so bad to tell the other kids about the wolf who visits me every night for them to be the witnesses just so I could prove to myself that it was not a dream. But the fear for the life of the only one who understands me keep me from doing so.

Until Skylar.

Every week, there is a couple who would visit the orphanage to personally give their donations, whether it was money to help our needs, or things that would help us learn and have fun.

And then, they brought their daughter with them.

I remember her being a slight little thing with the bright ball of sunlight surrounding her. She was lighting up the dark hallways of the orphanage with her happy disposition, smiling and greeting every person in her path and sharing the joy she feels.

I remember staring at her, waiting giddily for my turn to be greeted by her; waiting and wondering what it would feel like to be smiled at by someone like her. So, when she turned her head to face me, I was excited and at the same time afraid for the first time in my life. But when she reached her hand out to greet me, fear consumed me, not of her but for her. I was afraid that with what happened, a simple touch on her will extinguish the light she casts on others.

When I didn't take her hand, her smile faltered before it faded. And right there and then, I regretted being the first person to remove the smile on her face.

I was about to correct the mistake I made until someone else took her attention and told her that I was just a loser who don't have any friends. She glanced at me and gave me a look that I hate seeing. Pity.