The hybrid: Medusa’s eyes

The past.... I was nine, we were moving again, Dad is in the front seat driving, Mom was lying in the back with baby Lorenzo, I didn’t really know if she was asleep or just trying to avoid my questions. I am in the front seat, wide awake and staring at the road ahead though it was dark and I could barely see anything (my head barely saw above the dashboard). I crawled into my seat for a better view and peered at the road ahead. There was a chill in the air but Mommy had forgotten to bring me a sweater, worse, we didn't take anything except important documents. It would slow us down; She said. “ You okay there?” Dad asked. He was breathing heavily from exertion, and since we left immediately he got back from work. “ Why are we moving again, Dad? Is it because of what I did?” I asked. “ What? What did you do, Brittany?” He gripped the steering wheel very hard and sighed. “ I removed my goggles in front of the neighbour and her daughter,” I said solemnly bending my head in shame. “ Good. And what did I say about going against our rules?” “ Always expect consequences.” “ Yes, Britt.” “ I’m sorry, Dad.” He breathed shakily. “ There’s nothing to be sorry about, darling. You’ve learnt your lesson and I am sure you will never do that again.” “ Yes, Dad.” After a minute of silence, I summoned up to ask the question that had me awake most nights. “ Is something wrong with me, Dad?” “ No. Why do you ask?” “ Why do we have to run every time someone sees my eyes?” “ You are special, born to do great things. We do not want anyone getting wind of that yet. Do you understand me?” He held my hand and squeezed tightly. “ I am special. Born to do great things.” I repeated. “ Yes and don’t you ever forget that.” Those were his last words to me before a windy force pushed our car out of the road into a huge tree. There were screams and shouts but that was all there is, before the silence. Cold, Silence. The present... I stood by the bakery door and watched Andre work in the heat with his shirt off and sweat glistening over his rock-hard abs. The eagle tattoo on his back looked surreal at that moment when he flexed those arms, my core tightened dreamily. “ You still remember the delivery spots right? Is there something wrong?” Andre as he looked up at me, I jerked up straight, blushing awkwardly as I quickly walked towards the boxes stacked on the table. My relationship with Andre was complicated, I was betrothed to him shortly before my parents died. I was supposed to go into a shelter in one of the houses in the Streets till I turned 19 and eligible to acknowledge my betrothal but he refused and instead took me in as my guardian. He was also my boss at the pizza spot where he runs singlehandedly without any help, this is mostly because we don’t get many orders even though the pizza was great. “ What am I? 12? I am 19 and you are just 28, not old enough to boss me around.” I yelled back. “ Sounds the same to me, as a matter of fact, 28 is old. And be fast about it, no taking deserted alleys, no talking to crazy old men.” Andre said as I wheeled my bike into the street, securing the boxes at the back. “ Helmet?” “ Check.” I replied. “ Sunglasses?” “ Check.” “Your hat?” “ Yes, Andre. I have the necklace too and your business card in my pocket, why do I need them anyway?" I snorted grudgingly. "Can I go now?” “ Silly girl.” He said as I cycled away. I whistled under my breath as I cycled through the streets of Warwick, spotting a group of cyclists in front and picking up pace until I outraced them, I turned back and did a cheer before turning into the First Street. I had always wondered who named the street according to numbers, it was so easy to remember, apart from the streets being named numerically, there were also placements according to status. The Zero Street ( where I lived) housed outsiders or non-citizens, commonly known as the Reefers, The First Street housed the poorest citizens, commonly known as the Disbanded, The Second Street was home to the traders, who were called the Bourgeois. The third street housed the important citizens, The Auscous. After which we have the Challants, which housed the Soldiers of the city. The last unnamed street was known as Uphill, The castle of the King stood on that hill, looking down at the streets below. “Britt girl, you are looking exceptional today.” Old Josie called as I wheeled near his window, where he sits every morning reading an old copy of The Gracias newspaper. “ And you too, Handsome Old Jo. What’s in the news today?” I humoured him. He beamed at me with youthful exuberance. “ It said the same thing as yesterday, no signs of improvement but....” He turned a page and showed me. “ There are clear skies ahead?” I said his usual words and laughed. He suddenly went rigid and started mumbling words. “ Are you okay, Old Jo?” “ I....it’s time, the time has finally arrived!. When the moon and the sun will converge and two souls will align......” “ Brittany!!” I heard Andre call as he raced towards me. Old Josie was still mumbling his words when I wheeled my bike away to the Second Street, I glanced back in time to see Andre go into Old Josie’s house and shut the window. I dread the scolding I will receive from Andre when I get back after being warned severally about speaking with Old Josie. He had been around since we first got here and it was pretty easy to like him and his innocent ramblings. I made my deliveries and headed home. I stopped halfway and decided to risk being late, I turned in the direction of The farm to check if there were any letters for me. I had been writing to newspapers with every penny I saved just to look for my real parents, I had hope that they were out there in the world somewhere, probably even looking for me. I stopped in front of the farm and watched Silas come towards me with an envelope in his hands, my heart leapt a bit as I rubbed my palms together in euphoria. “ If it isn’t Brittany, Andre’s little jewel. I don’t know how many times you’ve been here for a fruitless cause but I admire your resilience and those two as well.” Silas smiled and waved the envelope in front of my breasts. “ Will you please hand it over?” I pleaded as I shifted my blouse uncomfortably. “ What? Oh, this letter? It’s not for you, pretty. My father says to give this to Andre.” My heart sank as I received the letter from him, it was indeed addressed to Andre. “ Thanks,” I said solemnly as I shove it into my pockets. “ I have a piece of information for you though.” Silas smiled mischievously. I looked at him warily. “ I don’t trust you.” I turned around and started towards my bike. “ I know what happened to your parents!” I stopped right in my tracks and went back to him, grabbing his shirt roughly. “ If this is a lie, I will tell Andre you grabbed me and you know he will cut off your manhood.” “ Hey, calm down, feisty princess.” I dropped his shirt and folded my arms. “ Start talking.” “ It’s not as simple as that.” “ How much do you want?” “ I don't need your money.” He smirked. “ What is it you want then?” I asked. “ I want to see your eyes.” My breath caught at that moment and I inhaled shakily. “ Why? Why would you want to see my eyes?” I asked warily. “ Well, I and the other boys have been wondering what colour it is. Is it blue or green or feisty red like your attitude?” He chuckled. “ That’s all you want?” “ Yes, it’s rather cheap, isn’t it? And easy too. Now show me.” Silas said watching me intently. “ You tell me the information you have first.” “ I know your trick girl, I am not stupid.” “ I give you my word,” I swore. “ Alright, I accept.” He paused and looked around, warily. “ Start talking.” “ I can’t tell if your parents are dead but I know who does, at least four people who know your true story.” He said. “ Who are they?” “ Your foster parents The Saus, Old Josie, Andre and My father. They are all hiding something from you.” I tried to breathe as my brain processed the news. “ Are you sure?” “ Of course, I am sure. I heard Andre and my father talking about it a few days ago. Now remove your sunglasses.” He rubbed his palms in anticipation. “ I don’t think it’s worth the news you just gave me. Thanks anyway.” I turned to go when Silas grabbed me from behind and pushed me to the ground. He held both of my wrists in a hand as I struggled to get up while closing both eyes, he removed my sunglasses and placed it by my side. “ Stop fighting and keep to your word.” He used his fingers to pry open one of my eyelid. “ Oh Help me God, What color is that?” He stared in awe. “ The color of your blood."