HYBRID

CHAPTER 3

Tyler sat on the couch across from his parents. He waited for them to speak. "Since when.. were you aware that you're different?" Tony asked him. Tyler could feel his dad was tense.

"Hmm.. when I was twelve, there was a school activity and they asked me to participate. I was running more than average. I was near the finish line already, but my classmates were just half away from the starting point. But at that time I didn't doubt anything about myself, I just thought I was amazing.'' Tyler smiled.

''Then, a few weeks later, I was with my friends. We met a drunk guy on the road, asking for money. We said we didn't have any. He got mad and he took out a small knife at us. I told my friends that we needed to run.'' he paused.

''Since I ran faster than the others, when I turned, they were far behind me. I saw the guy approaching them. I ran back and saw that one of my friends was about to be caught.'' he continues.

''So I ran faster, planning to push the guy away from him, but I was surprised he turned in my direction and stabbed me. He left after that.''

''Then the next morning, I saw my wound was already healed. That's when I got curious what was happening to my body.. since it's not normal to heal that fast." Tyler told his parents.

"Why didn't you tell us about this?" asked his mom, "Well.. since I thought we're a normal family, I don't want you to freak out, knowing that your son can jump to the other block in one go. And.. that I can lift a car, smell something that is meters away?" Tyler answered.

"Did you know that you have an unusual bloodline?" his dad asked, "No.. I don't have any idea. But since I have abilities that normal humans don't have, it's not hard to accept to find out that I'm actually a werewolf, though it's still shocking," Tyler said, in a sarcastic way.

Tony sighed, "Do you want to visit your parents' tomb?" he asked, "No.. not until I meet that Victor," Tyler said in a firm tone. "And what will you do once you see him?" Tony asked, he was shocked at his son's sudden decision.

"Don't know, maybe I'll have a chat with him? Since he wanted to see me," Tyler smirked. "Do you understand what you're saying? That guy is dangerous!," said his dad, who got angry.

"Tyler! You can't do that please! You must not see him. We hid you from him for so long! He is a thousand-year-old vampire, he is strong!" his mom said, anxiously.

"Wait.. I thought.. he was also a werewolf,.. so he's a vampire, huh, that makes this more exciting. In the movies they were mortal enemies, right?'' Tyler said, looking at his parents' surprised reactions.

"Anyway, what I wanted to see was my twins' tomb. Where is it?'' Tyler looked at his parents, ''We were not able to find his body.'' said his father. ''So he might still be alive.. like us.'' said Tyler.

"Don't find him.'' Tony said, looking at his son with a serious look on his face, ''Why? He is my twin?'' Tyler asked, a bit confused. ''I told you it's dangerous!'', his father insisted. Tyler just ignored him and then turned to his mom,

"Don't worry about him being strong. Like you said, I'm a son of both Alphas." Tyler saw his mom's face become sad. After that, he left the room without finishing their conversation.

Now Tyler knows the reason, why all these years he felt something was missing. He was still trying to absorb everything, from his parents being killed, to his twin brother who is missing, and him being a werewolf!

Tyler went back to the main house to check on Eli. Before going to the room, he went to the kitchen, took a small tray, poured a glass of orange juice and two sandwiches.

Then he went straight to his room. Tyler saw Eli was already awake, sitting on the bed. While Nate was seated on the opposite side, Tyler placed the tray carefully on the side table, and asked Eli.

"Are you feeling better now?" while giving her the glass of juice. "Yes, thank you for helping us... me. " Eli said with a smile.

"We'll leave after she finishes her food," said Nate, looking annoyed. Tyler just ignored him and turned his attention to Eli,

"You can stay here until you feel better," said Tyler. "She's alright now, and didn't you hear me? I said we'd leave after she's done eating," said Nate, who was now standing straight up. Tyler was going to talk back but Eli stopped him and held his arm.

At that moment, he felt a sudden rush of heat from Eli's hands flowing into his arms, then Eli said "Thank you Tyler, but we don't want to trouble you anymore." Tyler clenched his fist while trying to hold back not to touch her.

"Alright, I'll be downstairs." Tyler stepped out of the room and went straight outside the house. He let out a loud sigh. He didn't understand why Eli had this kind of effect on him.

Ever since the first day Tyler saw Eli, he felt like there was this strong feeling that was pulling him into her. And every time he sees Nate with Eli, he feels like punching him!

But Tyler knows he shouldn't do that. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, after a few minutes Tyler decided to go back inside. He saw Eli and Doctor James talking to his parents, while Nate was already at the gate waiting in his car.

"Oh! he's here.. " Tyler's mom said, "Your friends are waiting for you," she continued. Tyler just nodded and showed them outside. When he came back, Tony told Tyler,

"It's strange.. your friend, she doesn't give off any scent." he said, then looked at Tyler. "What do you mean? She has the most fresh fruity scent that I have ever smelled." Tyler answered. He saw his mom and dad looking at each other. He just ignored them and went back to his room.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Are you sure she'll be there?" asked the guy, " Of course, so you had better prepare them." she answered. "Don't worry, they already know what to do,"he told her.

"And how confident are you that they won't betray us? You also know that it is not a good day for us," she said. "I know all their hideouts, so they won't be able to hide her." he said with confidence.

"I just want to make sure, you know I need that" she said with a firm tone, "Yeah, I know that, anyway, what will you do with it?" he asked, "It's none of your business," she said annoyed, "Just get the job done."

Meanwhile, in the orphanage, Sister Amy is busy with the decorations for Jenny's birthday. "Move it a little bit closer to the right," she instructed,

"Yes, that's better. I guess we can stop now. Let's just continue tomorrow, since there is still time. We need to prepare for dinner," Sister Amy told the girls.

"Mila, can you please help them clean here? I need to go to the kitchen now." Sister Amy called Mila, who was at the moment playing with the kids, "Yes Sister, I'll be there in a minute." Mila answered.

ELI'S POV

I'm still thinking about what Nate told me. Still, it's difficult to understand. Of all the people, why did they choose me? Why? I keep asking myself, "Hey, here's your water. What are you thinking?" Nate asked me.

"Oh it's nothing.. I just thought, what if I became a monster?" I asked Nate seriously, "What?! You will not become a monster! Don't think like that, Doctor James said what he found out about the drug is that. It will make your senses more sensitive than ordinary humans," Nate explained,

"Well, of course you can't blame me for not overthinking, it's my body we're talking about," I said. "Anyway, I have to meet Tyler now. Thanks for the water." I told him.

"Can you at least wait until I finish my practice?" Nate asked me. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," I assured him. "Eli.. Do you like him?" Nate suddenly asked me.

"What? Who? Tyler? No! We have a project, remember? That's why I need to see him," I answered. "But you smile a lot whenever you see that guy," Nate said with an unhappy face.

"Well, maybe because.. I feel relaxed around him," I told Nate. "Relax, huh?" then he gave a bitter smile. I moved closer and leaned towards him, then said, "Come on, you're still my one and only best friend, OK?", then I gave him a sweet smile.

I was sitting on a bench waiting for Tyler, when someone asked me "Excuse me?". I looked up and saw a handsome face smiling at me, his green eyes were so attractive. "Uhmm.. excuse me?" he asked again.

I felt embarrassed about staring at him, so I looked away a little bit and said, "Yes? how can I help you?" I asked.

"It's my first day actually, can you please show me where the art room is?" he asked, smiling at me.

"From here you just have to go straight, then turn right. It's the third door on your left." I told him, "Hmm.. Is it ok if you showed me the way? You know I'm just new and I don't have any friends yet, so... maybe we could---"

"No she can't," I heard Tyler's voice. He put his arm around my shoulder and said, "She already told you how to get there, didn't she?" Tyler said, displeased.

"Yes she did. Anyway, my name is Erick, and you are?" he asked, ignoring Tyler, while he extended his hand to me. I took and shook his hand, "Elizabeth, you can also call me Eli." I told him, then I smiled.

"How long are you going to shake her hand?" Tyler said, irritated. I pulled my hand and told Erick, "It's just straight, turn right, then third door on your left." I said before leaving him, then pulled Tyler away. Erick smiled back and nodded at me.

"What was that? You sound like a strict brother?' I asked Tyler, "Well, isn't obvious? He just wants to spend more time with you. That art room was just an excuse," Tyler said. "Now you sounded like Nate," I smiled,

"Can you not mention his name?" Tyler asked, looking straight into my eyes. I looked at him, and didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, I know he's your best friend. But you're with me right now. So.. can you at least stop thinking about him.?" he said.

My heart started beating faster, so I walked ahead of him and said, "I need to meet Cherry for a bit, can you wait for me inside?" I asked, "Sure, just don't go to the old building again." Tyler reminded me.

Then I left. Honestly, I'm not going to meet Cherry, I just need some time to calm my heart that's beating so crazy right now!

***

Eli saw Nate waiting for her outside the main gate, "You ready? Do you have everything?" Nate asked her, "Yes, but actually I need more glue. Could we drop by at the bookstore?" Eli asked.

"Of course, let's go," Nate said. They were on the road when Eli suddenly, "Did you hear that?" she asked, placing her ear on the window. "Hear what?" asked Nate. "Someone's calling for help, can we turn right, here?" Eli told him.

Nate was surprised that Eli could hear it this far. After driving for ten minutes, Eli asked him to stop. She went out of the car and walked a little bit, and found a teenage girl cornered by two huge rottweilers.

Eli looked around to look for a stick. She then moved slowly, trying to get near to the girl. When Nate suddenly called her. Now she had got the attention of the dogs, so she walked back slowly trying to lure them out of the corner.

Nate, who's behind her, pulls her slowly to his back and glares at the dogs. As Nate made a move forward, the dogs also started to tremble and cry. After a few seconds, they started running away.

Then Eli went to check on the girl. The latter said that she was alright, so they accompanied the girl to her house, which was near the area. As they went back to the car, Nate asked Eli, "How did you do that? I mean how did you hear her?"

"I don't know, I'm not sure, I just... heard someone crying for help. Then I followed her voice. Don't you think it's awesome?" Eli said, smiling.

"It is.. but next time don't just go to places just because you hear something, you're not a super hero, OK? And make sure to call me.'' Nate told Eli, and she nodded.

"But you know what? I'm not the only one who did a good job today. You did as well. How did you scare those dogs?" Eli asked. "It's not a big deal, you just have to show them that you are not afraid." Nate said with confidence.

"Do you think I can do that as well?" Eli asked. "Of course, just don't get intimidated, for sure you will be able to scare them away." Nate told her, being full support to his friend, and then they both laughed.

They reached the orphanage before it started to get dark. Everyone was busy on their assigned task for Jenny's birthday. "Eli, can you come here for a second? Should I put it here?" Nate called her.

"That's right, you placed it here and two more on each side", Eli instructed him, "Has anyone seen Mila?" Sister Amy asked.

"I saw her in the backyard," a boy said.

"What is she doing there? She's supposed to help us here?" Sister Amy left the kids with Nate and Eli. A few moments later, Nate tells Eli that he will check on Sister Amy and Mila. When he couldn't find them, he went back inside and saw Eli running towards him.

"Nate! I was looking for you!" Eli said, frightened. "Why, what's wrong?" he asked, "I hear so many footsteps going in our direction.! And they're coming so fast!" Eli told Nate.

"What? How did I not feel that---" Nate paused and ran outside. He looked up, then saw it was a lunar eclipse! A very dangerous time for them.. werewolves.

After all the things that have happened these past few days, he forgot this very important day, since his focus was always on Eli! Nate ran back inside and told Eli to take all the kids to the underground room.

"Can you tell how many they are?" Nate asked her, "I can't, they're too many to count!" Eli said. Nate was trying to weigh the situation, so many things are happening right now.

He couldn't find Sister Amy, and if only Mila was here she could at least help him. "Stay here with the kids," Nate told Eli, then he ran off there in the hallway.

Nate saw Mila. "Finally you're here! Wait, where are you going?" he asked, "Where else? to the kids." Mila answered, Nate was a little bit confused. It's Mila but she sounded not like Mila.

While Nate was busy with his thoughts, the door suddenly opens and a group of vampires appear in front of them! Nate took out two silver knives, and handed over the other one to Mila.

Mila took it, then turned around and walked away. Nate didn't ask, he knew she was going to stay with the kids to protect them. 'But she is too calm for a situation like this', Nate thought.

Nate waited for his opponents to charge at him, since his body is like a human right now, he needed to save his energy as much as possible. Though he knew that he wouldn't match them, he still would do his best to protect Eli.

But the enemy is not attacking him! Then the guy in the front said, "Confused? Why were not attacking you? " then smirked. "Well, simply because right now you're just like a fly to us. And.. it's not you that we want. It's HER!" he said, with an evil smile, looking behind him.

Nate turned around and saw Mila carrying Eli, unconscious. "You traitor! Where are you taking her?!" Nate got furious, so he ran towards her. But he was subdued by the vampires in an instant.

They tied him up, and put him in the room together with Sister Amy. Nate saw both her hands and feet were tied up and a cloth covered her mouth.

Outside the orphanage, a pair of eyes were observing everything cautiously. "Hmm.. should I help her.. or not? Let me think.... OK, since you are a good girl."

Eli was taken into an abandoned house in the middle of the woods, far away from the orphanage. She woke up lying on a stretcher with her arms and feet tied up.

She saw a container filling up with blood, and was shocked to see it was coming from her! "How much blood do you need?" It's a man's voice, "All of it, " a familiar voice answered.

"All of it? Are you crazy? I need her alive!" the man shouted. "Then leave a few drops, enough for her to stay breathing." the girl answered. Eli could hear footsteps coming near, so she kept her eyes closed, then Mila said.

"Don't pretend to be asleep. I know you're awake, open your eyes and look at me." Mila ordered. And so Eli did and asked "Why are you doing this to me? I thought we were friends?"

"Friends? What makes you think that we are?" Mila said sarcastically. "Mila, please stop this, let me go and I'll forget this happened." Eli pleaded. "It's too late, Nate knew what I did, so there's no going back now." she said with a bitter tone.

"I will talk to Nate, I will tell him to forget everything, that you were sorry," Eli said, trying to convince Mila. Then the latter leaned towards Eli and said,

"You know why I'm doing this? Because I HATE YOU!, Because Nate only listens to you! And it's because of YOU... he never pays attention to me. So no, I won't let you go!" Mila shouted.

"You're doing all of this, just to get Nate's attention?" Eli asked with a cracked voice. Mila lose her temper and grabbed Eli's face, "YOU! know nothing about me." she looked at Eli furiously.

Outside Mila's hideout.. "I guess this much blood is enough to lure them," the mystery person scattered the blood, and it only took a minute before the awaited guests came.

One by one, the number of vampires guarding the area where Eli is held captive has been decreasing. "Now who should I play with first, him or her? or should I just take Eli with me? Hmm.. But my Eli has lost so much blood already, it would be a shame if I did not get revenge on her behalf.. OK, it's decided then."

In less than a minute, the mystery person infiltrated the place. Mila was surprised to see an unfamiliar face, without sensing its presence. "Oh! Hi! Not expecting a visitor, are we?", waiving at Mila.

"Wh o are you?" Mila asked, angrily. "Wait.. before I answer your question, let me put my Eli to sleep first, since I don't want her to see me, RIPPING YOU APART." the smile that Mila saw a second ago now becomes a terrifying face that gave her chills.

"Now.. shall we?"