HYBRID

CHAPTER 9

"Hello.. Nate?"

"Hi Doctor James, sorry to disturb you at this hour but I just need to ask you something," he said, feeling uneasy.

"Go ahead, what is it?"

"Will Eli transform if she drinks blood?".

Then there was silence...

"Nate, I'll get back to you. Give me sometime."

"But.. what do I have to do now?"

Nate was instructed to stay with Eli at all times. He sat down on the couch, then put both his hands on his face. He doesn't want to over think, but.. Eli's appearance is starting to change.

When she looked at him earlier, he saw that there were visible veins on her face. And she didn't look like herself, she didn't even respond when he called her.

Eli can't believe that she just drank fresh blood! Though its smell when she was searching for it was totally different from the smell of a regular blood.

But after drinking it, only did she realize what she was drinking. Now, she feels like puking. She had been in the toilet for almost half an hour already.

Eli doesn't know how to face Tyler who is right now inside her room, waiting for her to finish cleaning herself. Even though she heard that he himself was not a regular human.

But what about her? She was not normal anymore, she thought. She did something that she shouldn't! There were so many thoughts in her mind when..

She heard a knock, ''Eli, do you need help?'' he asked, sounding concern. "Yes, can you please give me my clothes?'' she said in a lower voice.

She opened the door a little bit, enough for her to take the clothes from Tyler. She was about to close it when, suddenly, he held her hand, ''Hey, I'm here. You can talk to me,''.

The warmth coming from Tyler's hands was exactly what she needed, then Eli burst out in tears. Tyler hugs her tightly. He could feel a lot of emotions from her cries, confusion, guilt, and a bit of anger.

He gently patted her back, he just let her cry until she calmed down. Eli took a warm bath, to remove the smell of the blood in her body. After changing into her new sets of clothes, she went outside and asked Tyler.

''Can you stay here until I fall asleep?'' her voice was a little bit shaky, ''I will, don't worry, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere''. he said while putting a blanket on her.

Tyler put Eli to sleep, then went down to talk to Nate. "You're still not going to tell her?" he asked, "Don't start alright? I don't have the right to do that". Tyler walked towards him and said in a louder voice,

''She's already suffering!'' , ''Do you think I didn't hear her crying?" Nate said, controlling his anger. He left Tyler and went back to his room.

During breakfast, Eli was still quiet, ''Do you want me to change your coffee?'' Nate asked, while observing Eli from the time she went down her room.

"No need, I'm finished already,'' she said, emotionless, ''But you haven't eat anything?'' Tyler sounded worried. ''Please, don't force me to eat, I don't have the appetite,'' then she stood up and took her cane.

They just kept quiet and tried to understand Eli. After what happened last night, Tyler and Nate couldn't find the words to cheer her up.

The three of them went to school together. All eyes were on them, Eli felt uneasy. "Ahmm.. guys, I can feel people are looking at us," she said.

"Let them stare, so what?" Nate said while holding Eli's bag. Tyler was walking side by side with Eli, making sure she wouldn't fall. "Don't mind them, just focus on your step." he said.

Cherry saw her friends and quickly rushed to Eli and gave her a tight hug. "Eli! I'm sorry, because of me.. your eyes.." she said, with a sad look on her face.

"Hey, I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me. Everything will be fine, the doctor said its only temporary," Eli said, smiling and trying to show her that she was alright.

Nate butted in the girls' conversation, "Why don't we go inside first, and continue your chat there?" In the hallway they saw Tiffany approaching them. She was smiling and went straight to Tyler.

"Do you have a minute? I wanted to give you something." Tyler just kept on walking and said coldly, "No I don't have."

Tiffany felt so embarrassed, because some of the students heard what Tyler said and she especially knew that Eli was listening!

She was boiling in anger, she threw the chocolate she was holding out at the window. She was breathing heavily, she was so mad she felt like smashing everything around her. "What ate you looking at?!" she shouted to the group of girls staring at her.

During their P.E. class, the teacher announced that their camping was next weekend. She asked them to prepare the things they needed. After the class, Cherry faced Eli, who was sitting behind her.

"Eli, are you excited about the school camping?" she sounded like a little child who's about to experience her first school trip.

"Well, not much, since I wouldn't be able to see the place. I was actually thinking about not going?," she said hesitantly, thinking Cherry might be upset.

''Sorry, I shouldn't have asked,'' , ''Oh no! I didn't mean to say it in that way, I just wanted.. to rest.. actually.'' Eli said, trying to explain her side.

"Really? Then I'll make sure that you won't feel tired! You don't have to do anything, I'll do everything. Please... say you're going.. please?"Eli could feel her friend's eagerness to go.

Actually she really wanted to, but she didn't want to be a burden to them, because of her situation. "Alright, you won." she smiled, surrendering to her. "Yes!", Cherry was about to go and hug her friend.

But Tiffany stopped her and pushed her back to her chair, "Sit!". "What do you want?" Cherry was annoyed, "Who said you can talk back!" Tiffany raised her hand and was about to slap Cherry when, suddenly..

Eli caught her arm and held her wrist tightly. "Let go." Tiffany said in between her teeth, leaning closer to her.

"I think it's becoming a hobby of yours, hitting people whenever you want," said Eli, who had a serious look on her face.

"I heard you can't see, guess its all an act?" she said, then smirked.

Eli felt something boiling inside her, so she was trying to control her anger. She could feel that something bad might happen if she didn't. Tiffany was surprised.

She was not expecting Eli to be this strong, though she was not using her wolf strength. She still had to be stronger than a regular human like her.

When she saw Tyler coming, she acted as if Eli pushed her. "What's wrong with you? I was just talking to Cherry. You didn't have to push me," she said, sobbing to make her act more convincing.

But Tyler just ignored her, and went straight to Eli. "Are you girls alright?", he asked. "Yes we're fine," Cherry answered, looking at her friend who was still quiet.

Then Tyler saw Eli's eyes were starting to change, veins on her forehead were starting to bulge. He quickly got to her side to block Cherry from seeing it.

"Let's go outside, you need to relax." he put his arms around her shoulder, to guide her out. Tiffany stood up and blocked them, "Tyler, I'm the one who's hurt, not her!" she shouted.

Tyler was quick to hide Eli's face. He put his hand on her head and pulled it towards him to hide her eyes. It would be a big problem if Tiffany saw it.

Everyone was already looking in their direction. He could feel her arms were shaking, then saw that she clenched her fist.

Not a good sign, he thought maybe Eli was trying to hold her anger in. He glared at Tiffany "Move!",

Tiffany was stunned to meet Tyler's eyes. His gaze was so scary, her body started to shudder. She was left there standing, shocked and trembling. She clenched her fist, she was humiliated twice today!

Nate saw Tyler and Eli on the opposite side of the hallway. He was coming from an afternoon task. He ran after them. "Where are you going?".

Tyler turned and talked to him through mind link, "Look", pointing at Eli. Nate quickly went in front of them to see what Tyler was talking about. "I need to take her away from here, make sure Cherry won't follow."

He didn't argue with him since it was an emergency situation. So he let them go and went to see Cherry. He saw she was about to go out of the classroom, so he ran towards her.

"What happened? I saw Tyler and Eli on the way here?" Cherry didn't say anything, she just looked at Tiffany who was still standing.

Nate already understood what had happened, "Come, let's go buy some sweets, my treat," he said, trying to divert her attention.

He knew Cherry wouldn't say no to food.

"No, I want to see Eli first, she doesn't look fine." she insisted, ''It's alright, she's with Tyler, she'll be fine." Nate said, convincing her so she wouldn't follow them. Cherry gave in, and just did what he said.

"Feeling better now?" asked Tyler, "Yes, a lot better, thanks". They were sitting on a bench under a huge old tree. Tyler took Eli for a walk to the park a few blocks away from their campus.

"What exactly did you feel back there? You look tense?" he asked, "Oh, that.. I feel like my insides are getting all heated up. I feel like I'm about to burst." Eli explained.

Tyler was just staring at Eli, thinking what he should say or ask next. All he knows is that he needs Eli to be away from Tiffany.

And forget what happened last night at least for a while.

"Did you know that we're blocks away from the school?" he told her, "Really? Then we should go back. I'm alright now, " she said, and was about to turn.

"Well, I'm actually thinking about something else," Tyler said,hesitantly, "What is it?'' she asked, curiously. ''Remember, I asked you out? Can we.. have our date today?''

''You mean right now?'' , ''Yes''' Eli didn't expect to go out on her first date unplanned. But it still makes her so excited.. ''Alright, but I might become a burden to you, you know, my situation!'' she said, remembering she was still unable to see.

''Of course not! It makes me happy to guide and support you in everything you do.'' he said, leaning forward to Eli. Suddenly, Eli's heart started beating fast, as she could smell his cologne.

Tyler could hear her heart beating faster and louder, so, he quickly held her hands. He smiled when he saw Eli didn't object. "So, where are we going?'' Eli asked, blushing.

"First let's head to the subway station, then decide where to go.''. Eli liked the thought, "Alright, let's do that,'' she said, smiling. Inside the train there were a lot of passengers.

Eli was leaning back at the door while Tyler was in front of her, blocking the other passengers not to squeeze her. Eli put her head down, she didn't want Tyler to see her face right now, because for sure it was as red as a tomato.

The position they are in makes her think that she's like in a movie scene. They reached the place they agreed on, ''Wow! so cold!'' Eli said, embracing herself.

They went to an ice skating rink, ''You sure about this?'' Tyler said smiling, seeing how Eli looked so excited. ''Of course!''. They put on their skates, Tyler held Eli's hand and started pulling her slowly.

After a few minutes of teaching, he released her hand and told her to apply what he thought. He is so proud to see her gliding on her own, plus the fact that she has no visions yet.

Eli was glad to be back at the rink. She closed her eyes and just let her body feel the cold air. Remembering her childhood, when she was together with her parents.

Tears started to flow into her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them. She thought she had already forgotten the basics. Tyler saw her crying, but chose not to ask anything.

''You're a fast learner!'' he said, proudly. Eli smiled and said ''Actually.. its not my first time,''. He saw her teary-eyed, ''I thought I already forgot everything my father thought.'' she continued,

"Do you miss them?" he asked, looking at her. "So much! Everyday.", she said with a cracked voice. "Are you mad at them? for not coming back?''

''No!, I know there is a reason, so I will still wait for them until they come back, and explain everything to me.'' then she let a deep sigh.

''Come on, let's go have some hot drinks,'' Tyler said. He reached for her hand and helped her stand. They went to a coffee shop and ordered hot chocolate and muffins for both of them.

Tyler receives a call from Sam, ''Eli, excuse me, I need to take this call,''. He went outside but still facing Eli. Their orders came, ''Here is your order, Hi Eli,'' a familiar voice said to her, ''Erick?''.

''Glad that you still remember me,'' he smiled. But he noticed that there was something wrong with her, ''What happened to your eyes?'' he asked, ''I had a minor accident, but I'll be alright after some treatment.'' she said, assuring Erick

''Are you working here?'' , ''Nope, this is my uncles' store, they're short on staff. That's why I came and helped.'' he explained. ''Anyway, Eli, about the last time I apologized if I surprised you, I know I shouldn't have done that...''

''Its alright.. I mean no.. but its alright now, just don't do it again,'' said Eli, feeling awkward. ''Of course! without your permission, I wont,'', they both laugh at his silly joke.

''We found him Sir,'' said Sam ''Good, make sure he won't escape!'' Tyler instructed. "Yes, Noah has his eyes on him,'' said Sam. ''Alright, I'll meet you tonight,'' Tyler saw Eli talking to a male staff member.

He looked closely and recognised him. He was the guy who asked Eli where the art room was! So he rushed inside, to prevent the guy spending more time with her.

''I see that the orders have been served,'' he said, looking at Erick. The latter just ignored him and said to Eli ''I'll see you at school,'' Tyler glared at him, ''You stay away from her,'' he whispered.

''Are you his boyfriend?'' he asked, glaring back at him, then left. He wanted to grab the guy but didn't want to stress Eli, so he chooses to let it go.

''You look close to him?'' Tyler said, annoyed, "He helped me and Cherry once, when Tiffany was throwing tantrums''.

''I see, speaking of Tiffany, make sure to be away from her from now on,'' He told her.

''You know she's the one who always approaches us.'' she said, crossing her arm, ''I know that, just always be alert whenever she's around.'' ''Alright, I will.''

Eli's phone rang, ''Hello?'' ''Where are you?'' It was Nate who sounded so worried, ''I'm in a cafe, with Tyler,'' she heard a deep sigh from the other line, ''Hey, I'm alright. I just needed to breathe.'' , ''I understand, I'll see you at home.''

Tyler called Danny to pick them up. On their way home, he told Eli that he needed to go home, saying he had some matters that he needed to attend to. But promise to come back as soon as it finishes, ''Don't worry about me, Nate is with me,''

It was already dark when they reached home. When the car entered, they saw Nate was already waiting outside. Tyler stepped out and assisted Eli from coming out.

''What took you so long?'' Nate sounded irritated, so Eli answered him instead. "We waited for Danny to pick us up,'' she did that so they wouldn't have any arguments because of her.

''I'll be going. Make sure to rest up early'' he told her, ''I will, Tyler... thank you for today,'' she gave him a sweet smile that made his heart flutter.

Eli couldn't stop smiling, because she could hear his heart beat like a drum. After Tyler leaves, Nate asks Eli if she has already had her dinner.

"Not yet,'' though that was the truth, she's not hungry. But since Nate prepared something for her, she would still eat so he wouldn't get upset. ''I'll just reheat the food, be right back,''

Tyler reached into one of his family villas, ''Where is he?'' he asked Sam, who was waiting for him at the main gate. ''He's at the back, but still refuses to talk.'' he said, informing him.

''Is that so? Then we need to show him proof that he was involved. Did you bring the video?'' Tyler asked. ''I have it prepared,'' Sam told him with confidence.

"Remove the cover from his eyes,'' he ordered one of his men. The guy whose hands were tied up kept on blinking, after his eyes were closed for several hours.

He couldn't see anything, it was so dark. But he could feel the chills that were sent to his body coming from behind him.

"I heard you don't want to give the information I need,'' Tyler said, in a deep cold voice.

''After watching this video, I'll give you the choice to decide whether you'll keep quiet or you will cooperate.'' he whispered to him.

While the video was playing, Tyler saw that the guy was trembling. He paused the video and zoomed into Tiffany's face, ''Do you know her?''. ''No'', he said while shaking his head.

''In this video you gave something to her, what is it?'' he continued questioning him.'' ''It's... for the toilet. She said it was locked. That's why she asked me to get the spare key,'' he explained.

'I knew it! It was her! Tyler told himself, ''Did you see her going inside the toilet?'' he asked, controlling his anger. "No, I just gave it to her and then I left,'' he said, his voice was shaking, thinking what would happen to him now that he answered their question.

Tyler instructed Sam to release him, and send him back where they took him. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.Though he doesn't have any proof that Tifanny caused the fire, he knows that she is the one who locked Eli in the toilet!

He wanted to grab Tiffany's neck until she told him why she harmed Eli!