Hybrids: A New Species

Sunrise. The bright sun paints the sky orange, and sunlight shines over the mountains. Light from the sun hits Ben’s cabin. Inside, Cole sleeps on a brown couch, his clothes still fully on. He immediately fell asleep when Ben and he arrived. He was exhausted from their trip.

Suddenly a loud roar wakes Cole up. He quickly sits up and looks around, still half asleep. He hears the roar once more. It’s loud. This time Cole can identify it. It sounds like a car. He quickly stands up and reaches for his gun. His heart suddenly stops. His gun is missing!

“Where is-” Cole’s sentence is interrupted from the loud engine roar.

He curses and runs to the window. He peeks through, to see if he can spot anything. At first, nothing. Then he sees a black Camaro pull up onto the front of the cabin.

Who is that? He thinks.

He steps away from window and looks for his gun. He looks under the couch. Pulls the cushions out and vigorously looks for it. He’s panicking.

Ben walks in, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

“Morning.” Ben mutters.

“Ben! Someone’s here!” Cole shouts, freaking out.

Ben walks over to the window. He doesn’t seem to worry that some random person is here. It’s almost like he was expecting somebody to come. He looks out the window, moistening his mouth as well.

“Oh. He’s here.” Ben says.

He?

Cole quickly goes to the window. Suddenly everything gets cold. His eyes widen and his body is shaking. He can’t believe it. It can’t be him.

“Jack.” Cole mutters.

Jack stretches when he steps out the car. He’s shining that creepy smile of his. Then he looks to the cabin.

Cole looks at Ben, fear in his eyes.

“It’s Jack! What the hell is here doing here?!” he says in a panic.

That’s when he suddenly remembers the conversation him and Ben had the other day. Jack made a deal with Ben to meet him at his cabin. After everything that happen yesterday, he’s completely forgotten about it.

Cole steps away from the window and begins looking for his gun again. The sight of Jack has struck fear into him.

“Ben where is my gun?!” Cole asks.

Ben has a stern expression. He steps away from window. He doesn’t answer his question.

“Ben!” Cole calls out again. “Where is my gun?!”

Ben reaches into the back of his jeans and takes out a black handgun.

“I took it.” He mutters.

Cole has a confused expression. “What? Why?”

“So you don’t do anything stupid.” Ben says. His gaze cold.

“Ben what fuck are you talking about?! Jack is out there right now! Now please give me-” Cole’s sentence is cut short from a knocking at the door.

They both look to the door. There is more knocking.

“Hellooooooooo? Is anybody home?” Jack’s smooth voice comes from the other side.

Cole is sweating. He looks at Ben again. Terror in his eyes.

“I know someone’s here. This door wasn’t locked yesterday.” Jack says, knocking again.

Ben begins to walk over to the door. Cole quickly grabs him by the arm.

“Don’t.” he begs.

Ben looks at him coldly.

“Sorry.”

He pulls away from Cole and continues to the door.

Cole watches Ben. He can’t understand why he’s doing this. Jack will kill them. He’s dangerous.

Ben opens it.

“Benjamin!” Jack shouts. “I’m so happy to see you!”

Ben slowly walks to the front door. He opens it. The first thing he sees is Jack, and his Desert Eagle pointing towards him.

“Benjamin!” Jack says happily. “I’m so happy to see you!”

Jack lowers his gun.

“Hello.” Ben says sternly.

Jack smiles. “May I come in?”

Ben steps back, gesturing for him to come in.

“I came yesterday but you weren’t home. So glad to see you’re here now.” Jack talks as he walks in.

Ben closes the door behind him. He then notices Cole on the other side of the room with his knife drawn.

He’s shaking in fear and has hatred in his eyes.

Jack notices Cole and shines his smile.

“Well hello! So nice to see you again Cole.”

“Fuck you!” Cole angrily mutters. His blade is shaking in his hand.

Jack chuckles.

“Oh, you’re still not mad at me are you? Thought we let that whole ‘I tortured you thing’ be water under the bridge.”

Ben steps in between the two.

He looks at Jack.

“Just stop talking and stay there.”

He looks at Cole.

“Put the knife down.”

Cole shakes his head.

“Why?! We need to kill him!”

Ben relieves a sigh. “No, we can’t.”

Cole gives Ben a confused and betrayed look.

“What? Why?!”

He closes his eyes and rubs his temple.

“Because we need him.” Ben mutters.

Cole shakes his head in disbelief.

“What the hell are you talking about?!”

Cole points his knife at Jack.

“We do NOT need that man!” He shouts.

“Aww that hurts.” Jack says jokingly.

“Shut up!” Ben interrupts.

Everyone is silent. He continues.

“You don’t understand Cole. We DO need him. Jack has resources. Supplies, weapons, and a wall to protect us. We have nothing!”

“What about Colorado Springs? Dr. Mori’s hidden lab?! Did you forget all that?” Cole argues.

Ben raises his voice. “No! I didn’t! You have you understand that your plan for that long of a trip will be impossible. We have no car. No supplies. Nothing! But with Jack’s help, we have a fighting chance. A chance to cure people and save humanity. We have to go with the better option.”

“I’d rather die than work with that monster!” Cole says, pointing at Jack.

“We can make that happen.” Jack snickers, placing a hand on his gun.

Ben draws his gun and points it at Jack.

“Don’t you dare. Let me handle this.” he orders.

“Fine.” Jack mutters, moving his hand away now.

Ben lowers his gun. He turns his attention back to Cole, who’s in a defensive stance.

“Cole. Please try to understand. I know you hate Jack, but he can help us. This cure can save people, and we all have to start working together if we want to save humanity.”

“You know it’s dangerous. A person might not survive. We can’t put people through that.” Cole says.

Ben looks down at the ground. “Maybe that’s the way it has to be.”

Cole has a confused expression. “What?!”

Ben looks to Jack, who’s creepily smiling but remaining quiet. Then he looks at Cole.

“Maybe this is a way to rid the people who are weak. Like Rick.” He says.

Cole remembers Rick. He was close to death and the cure was too much for him to handle. He died, but never turned.

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This isn’t you Ben. Why would you say that?” Cole says, astonished by Ben’s cold words.

“Those who are strong survive in this world. Those who can handle it. This cure will be the same way. Only the strong will survive the transformation.” Ben explains, echoing what Jack told him.

“What about your daughter?”

Ben’s heart sinks to his stomach. He furrows his brows.

“What about her?” He mutters.

Cole has a serious expression. “Would you have given your daughter the cure? Knowing how dangerous it is?” Cole asks.

Ben remembers pondering over this with himself. He’s still not sure what he would do.

“I… that’s different.” He says.

“Is it? Would you risk her life!?” Cole shouts.

“No. But-”

“How about your wife? Huh? Would you risk her life?!”

“Shut up!” Ben yells.

The room is silent. It feels cold from the tension.

“They’re dead. Nothing I do now will fix that.” Ben says, breaking the silence. “But, If I could have avoided their deaths. I would have done anything. Even risk whatever life they had.”

Cole blankly stares at him.

“I might not know you too well Ben. But I know you wouldn’t have given them the cure unless you knew it was safe.” Cole states.

Ben grits his teeth.

“You know nothing about me! The pain of losing my family was horrible. My only fear was losing them, and it came to life.” he says.

“That’s why you cannot do this. Working with Jack will not save people, it will only hurt them. He doesn’t care what happens. So please, let’s do it my way. Let me make this cure perfect. To where it won’t be dangerous and we can truly save humanity.” Cole pleads.

Ben has a stern look. He’s thinking.

Jack looks nervous. Was Cole able to convince him?

Ben clears his throat.

“I’m sorry. My mind is made up.” He mutters. “I’m going with Jack.”

Jack smiles, satisfied with his answer.

Ben has decided. Cole may think he has a plan, but Ben doesn’t think so. Cole’s plan isn’t full proof, and with that he has decided to go with Jack. He may be insane, but to Ben, it seems like insanity may be his best option, and the new world.

Cole becomes furious. His words couldn’t reach him.

“Damn you Ben! I thought you were different!”

Ben shakes his head.

“You have two choices Cole.” he says, raising two fingers up.

“One. You drop your hatred for Jack, come with us and we work together. We can still make your trip, but only with Jack’s help.”

“Or?” Cole says, disgust in his voice.

“You go on your own. We depart our separate ways. You have the cure in you too, so you don’t need me anymore. I’ll even let you use my cabin to stay in.”

Cole glares coldly at him. Not saying anything.

Ben turns his back on Cole.

“The choice is yours. But I’m leaving now. With or without you.” He says.

Ben opens the wooden door leading outside.

“Let’s go” he says, talking to Jack.

Jack nods his head and follows Ben outside.

Cole stays in the cabin. He’s shaking with rage.

Then, his eyes transition to their Hybrid state.

Cole watches Ben walk out with Jack. He feels betrayal, anger, and sorrow all at once.

No! This can’t be. Why Ben? Cole thinks to himself.

Thoughts of Jack’s face and sinister laugh echoes in his mind.

That man can’t be trusted. He doesn’t deserve to live!

That’s when Cole feels it. He feels his Hybrid cells burning within his body. His eyes change.

Their brown color transition to yellow and the pupils thin out.

Ben doesn’t deserve to live either!

Cole grips the handle of his knife and rushes outside. The sun is bright, keeping the air and trees of the mountains warm.

He sees Jack and Ben, walking to the black Camaro parked up ahead on the dirt.

“Ben!!” Cole shouts. His voice echoes through the mountains.

Ben and Jack stop in their tracks and turn around to see Cole. Fury in his Hybrid eyes.

Jack smiles. The Hybrid state excites him.

“You gave me two options. But you forgot a third one.” Cole says.

Ben looks confused. “There was no third option. You either come with us or leave.”

Cole shakes his head.

“That’s where you’re wrong. The third option is I kill both of you here today!” He says pointing his knife at them.

Jack laughs at Cole. “The boy has balls I’ll give him that. Let me just shoot him.”

Jack begins to grab his Desert Eagle gun until Ben puts his hand out in front of him.

“No. This is my fight.” he says.

Cole stands there, a furious fire burning inside him.

“Don’t be an idiot Cole!” Ben says. “You know you can’t beat me.”

“I can’t let you and Jack continue to live. You’re threat to the surviving people of this world and Dr. Mori’s legacy!” He yells.

“I warn you now. If you come after me, I will defend myself and kill you.”

Cole glares at Ben. This man has saved him multiple times now. He considers him a friend. But now he’s become a threat.

“I’m sorry.”

Cole charges full force.

“I warned you” Ben mutters. His eyes change to their Hybrid state.

Within seconds Cole has reached Ben, his speed was incredible. Too slow to use his gun, Ben has drawn his onyx blade instead, quickly parrying Cole’s attack.

The two have clashed blades.

Jack quickly steps back and watches. He’s astounded by the two’s speed.

Cole throws an uppercut but Ben quickly dodges, stepping back and releasing the tension between their knives. Cole rushes onward again and thrusts his knife forward. Ben barely dodges the attack. The knife slices his side. Blood covers the blade. Cole’s anger is making him stronger, keeping Ben on his toes.

Ben ignores the pain, he gets close to Cole and knees him in the stomach. The attack takes Cole’s breath away. Then, Ben grabs him by the arm and swings him. Cole goes flying and hits the wood cabin. The cabin wall cracks. Without a thought, Ben is already rushing towards Cole. He begins to regain his senses and notices Ben rushing forward. Ben strikes with his fist, but Cole quickly jumps off to the left. Ben’s fist breaks into the wall cabin. Splinters of wood fly everywhere. Their Hybrid strength is far superior to human strength.

Cole quickly stands and swings his knife. Ben parries it. He goes for another swing, but this time Ben grabs Cole’s wrist. His grip is tight and Cole begins to feel his bone cracking. Ben takes advantage of the situation and swings his knife towards Cole’s chest. But he catches Ben’s arm, stopping the attack.

The two have each other stopped now.

“Last chance. Stop this and I’ll let you live.” Ben says.

“Never!” Cole barks.

He’s starting to lose strength. Ben is overpowering him. Cole tries to think of something. He must be quick, as Ben’s knife gets closer to his heart. Cole’s sweating, this might be it!

Then suddenly, Cole bites into Ben’s arm.

Ben screams in pain. Cole bit into his left arm.

Ben’s grip on his knife comes loose and it falls to the dirt.

Cole rips out a piece of Ben’s flesh. His mouth is covered with dark red blood. His hasty plan works and now he’s able to push his weapon forward. But Ben is still strong. He keeps the blade away from him. Now the two struggle over the one knife. Ben’s arm is bleeding and the pain is beginning to make him weak. The two men make eye contact, their Hybrid eyes stare ferociously at each other. Cole feels he’s going to win!

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Silence.

The world has gone quiet. The only noises emitting is the sounds of nature and heavy breathing.

It’s coming from Ben and Cole.

The two have suddenly stopped moving. They’ve moved closer to each other, as if they’re embracing one another.

Jack has been watching the entire time. His eyes widen in disbelief.

Cole’s mind is racing.

He feels something wet on his stomach. Then, a sharp terrible pain.

Fear begins to fill in. He looks down. There, he sees his own knife buried into his stomach.

Ben backs up, taking the knife out of Cole’s stomach. He gasps with pain as the knife is coming out. Dark red blood paints the knife and Ben’s hands.

Cole coughs out blood and drops to his knees. Ben has won.

The pain gets worse as he feels his insides begin to flow out. His thick blood pours out onto himself and the dirt.

Cole covers his wound, trying not bleed to death.

Ben drops the bloody knife.

“I told you!!” Ben shouts. “It didn’t have to be this way!”

Cole’s eyes transition back to normal. He’s in terrible pain. He falls over on his side. He can feel his body getting colder. Death is coming for him.

“Ben….” Cole mumbles.

Ben stands closer to him to hear his final words.

Cole looks up at him, and smiles.

“I don’t’…. I don’t regret my decision…” he says.

Ben’s yellow eyes looks down on the dying young man.

“You should have left Cole.” Ben says, grief in his voice.

Even when dying, Cole finds a way to chuckle.

“I hope… you don’t regret…. your decision.” he softly speaks.

Ben has a stern expression. His eyes shift back to normal.

“Goodbye Cole.” Ben says.

Cole slowly turns his body over, watching Ben walk away.

Jack is smiling menacingly as Ben approaches.

“Well that was something.” he says.

“Let’s just go.” Ben mutters, not making any eye contact with him.

Cole watches them as they begin to get in the Camaro. His vision is beginning to become blurry, and his hearing begins to fade. The once loud roaring engine now sounds muffled, and he watches as the blurred image of the Camaro drives away. Cole looks up at the blue sky. It’s beautiful, barely a cloud in the sky.

Cole smiles and tears begin to fall from his eyes.

“Dr. Mori…. I tried. But I was too weak…too stupid….” He utters to himself.

His light brown skin is going pale, and he begins to close his eyes. He allows the darkness fill in. He’s ready for death to take him.