Hybrids

Chapter 1

Nomadic, that is what they were. Nyx and Mila traveled from place to place, never staying anywhere for too long. Nyx would work any small gig she could to make money while Mila stayed hidden. They had no particular destination, though Nyx was fascinated with the sea, they just wanted to be safe. Months have passed. Nyx's hair has grown significantly, it helps her cover some of the spots that had been shaven before. Her thick and curly hair did exactly what she wanted, to cover her features, and pass as invisible as she could around others. Her sectoral heterochromia would already be noticeable enough.

It's early morning. The rays of light start permeating through the small spaces within the windows. Small birds chirp as they nest above the front door, and the sound of the water running through the rocks keeps them company. Nyx is getting ready to go to a temp job that she got in the area.

-I'm ready. How do I look?

Mila asked. She's a teen. Naturally, she wants to be able to express herself through her styling choices. She wore a blue jumper with green plaid patches on the knees and a long crop sleeve top with her hair in a french braid. Her hair was straight, but thick, a dark ash blond that was a hassle for her to maintain, so she preferred to have it up. Mila looks at Nyx excitedly. It's the first time that she'll go outside on her own after being indoors, with the exception of the surroundings of their home. Being fifteen, she felt capable enough to do so, while simultaneously keeping her presence as hidden as possible to not draw attention.

Nyx looks at her and puts her hands across Mila's face. With her index finger, she pulls some hairstrands out of the braid to have some long bangs tucked behind Mila's ears.

-Now you look perfect.

Said Nyx. Mila loved her eyes. She hates hiding them. Those blue eyes with a green hue in the center. While she hates the bangs, she knows why they're there. To keep the frame of her face hidden. To cover the mark that she so much despises. A mark that will haunt them forever. 022 is her number, and Nyx, 015.

They've been in this location for a few weeks now. Once Nyx got her temporary position, they started looking around for a place to stay. An inn would mean daily fees, plus food and clothing. As they walked around the town, a small but thriving town, they took in their surroundings. There were multiple stores, a train station, buses for public transportation, a hospital, and not only humans, but other creatures as well, just like them, all surrounded by a beautiful forest. The forest was filled with trees, flowers bloomed and flowed along with the wind. The area that excited Nyx the most was the river. The sound of the water gave her a sense of peace. This was a great and well rounded place for them to lay low for a while.

One night, they decided to stretch their legs and relieve some energy. They went to the forest and there it was, a small cottage. It didn't look like someone lived it. Made out of wood with wooden casement windows and covered with vines, it laid perfectly in between large trees. The cottage was beside the river, while that created some humidity, it still provided some fresh air and it cooled the place at night.

The door was unlocked, basically off its hinges. But it was livable and fixable. It was right there that they decided that this would be their temporary home. A place for tranquility that also allowed them, especially Mila, to shift and run freely.