Hybrids: A New Species

Ben watches the forest trees zip past him. He sits in the passenger seat of a black Camaro. Jack is driving and the two have been quiet since leaving the cabin. Jack has tried talking with Ben of few times, making small talk. However, Ben hasn’t said a word. There are only the emitting sounds of the engine.

Images of Cole’s bloodied body flashes in Ben’s head. It makes him feel sick. Is he beginning to regret his decision? He shakes his head, trying to forget about it.

“Are you okay?” Jack asks.

"I’m fine.” Ben mutters, still looking out the window.

Jack sinkers. “Are you regretting your decision?”

“He attacked me. I was just defending myself.” Ben snaps at him.

Jack laughs this time. “Woah don’t take your anger out on me.”

Ben mumbles something under his breath and continues watching the trees.

The road has been clear. Jack has only had to avoid hitting a few of the Fallen so far.

He clears his throat.

“So, when can I have the cure?” He suddenly asks.

Ben gives him a hard look.

“This cure will hurt. You’ll want to be somewhere comfortable.” Ben answers.

“Let’s make it quick then. My wound is infected and this cure could save me.” Jack says, showing him his bandaged arm.

The white gauze is mostly painted dark red. Jack’s wound is getting worse.

“You might not survive the transformation” Ben says.

Jack laughs again. Ben wonders how he’s able to be in good spirits all the time.

“I’ll die either way. This cure is my only way of living now.”

Jack’s bloodied bandaged arm looks painful, and yet, he seems to have no fear what could happen. It’s almost scary how calm he appears.

“Oh good, were here” Jack says.

Up ahead, Ben sees a large mountain lodge. The road begins to open up more as they approach closer. The large mountain home is surrounded by a brick wall and the only entrance is a metal gate with the words “GM” on top.

The black Camaro approaches the gates. To the right of the entrance, there’s a pile of the Fallen. All dead. Jack honks his horn.

“You live here?” Ben asks, amazed by the size of the lodge.

“Temporarily yes.”

“How exactly did you come across a place like this?”

Jack smiles. “I took it from a greedy bastard.”

He honks the horn again. Jack’s starting to become impatient.

“Don’t you have the key?” Ben questions.

“It’s chained from the inside. I need my people to open it up.” Jack answers, honking the horn once more.

Finally, someone comes out the lodge. Ben sees a young woman, who looks no older than twenty years old. She has short black clean hair, piercing in her ears and a black t-shirt. She’s also carrying a short sword with a dark green handle.

“She seems... young?” Ben says.

“Ah yes. That’s Isabella. A loyal companion who’s swore to protect me with her life.” Jack explains.

“Okay… and she has a sword?”

Jack chuckles. “Yes, and she knows how to use it. The girl has killed many with that blade.”

Isabella approaches the gate and begins to unlock it.

“How many people do you have?” Ben continues with his questions.

“I had three. But one turned on me and Isabella put him down.”

“He was bit?”

Jack shakes his head. “Oh no, he tried killing me. So Isabella stabbed him in the heart.”

The metal gate finally opens and Jack begins to slowly move the car forward.

“It seems that other guy made a huge mistake.” Ben comments.

As they drive through the gate, Ben gets a better look at Isabella . He becomes uneasy.

She looked dead inside, as if she had no empathy for the world. Her eyes were cold and dead. Just like Jack.

They pass by Isabella and continue to drive forward. Ben can now see just how huge the area is. The road leads a straight path to an open lot. There are four garage doors on the right side of the house. It appears to be two stories tall with a gray shingle roof. Ben finds it gorgeous. He’s always wanted to live in a place like this but could never afford it.

Jack drives up the pathway and parks into one of the four garages available.

“Welcome Benjamin, to your new home.” He says with a smile.

Ben walks through the front door, following behind Jack. He’s amazed as soon as he steps inside the large mountain home. The place is decorated with old antique paintings, shelves with variable knick-knacks, and trophy heads of deer. Across the room, Ben can see a glass door that leads outside, an open entrance to a kitchen, and a hallway which contains doors to other rooms. Far off right of the entrance are stairs that leads to more rooms. Ben feels this place is too big for just three people.

“Quite a place you have here.” He says, still trying to take in the large space.

“Yes, it is. I call it home for now.” Jack says.

The front door opens and Isabella walks in.

“Ah Isabella , how’s everything here?” Jack asks her.

“Everything here is fine. Nothing to report.” she says.

Her voice is soft, but stern.

“Isabella, this is the man with the cure, and our new companion, Benjamin.” Jack introduces him.

Ben raises his hand to shake her’s.

“Good to meet you.”

Isabella ignores the hand shake, but glares at him.

“So you’re the guy? You don’t seem too impressive.”

Ben lowers his hand.

“A rude child, aren’t you?” he says.

Isabella grips the handle of her sword.

“Child?!” She mutters irritably.

“Friends relax.” Jack interrupts the two. “There will be no petty fights. Understand?”

Isabella stands down. “Understood Jack.”

Ben glares at her. It seems she’s quite short tempered. Something they both have in common.

Ben can tell Isabella is obedient to Jack. She didn’t question his order.

“Now.” Jack continues. “How is Pierce doing?”

Ben remembers Pierce. The last time they met, they fought. A fight Ben easily won.

“He’s doing better. He woke up this morning.” Isabella says.

“Wonderful to hear!” Jack excitedly says.

He looks at Ben. “You damaged him quite well. I’m surprised he lived.” he states.

“He would be dead if you didn’t step in.” Ben says.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps come from the hall.

The three look towards the noise to see Pierce limping his way to them. The tall dark man is covered in bruises, cuts, and bandages.

“Pierce! Glad to see you up.” Jack shouts happily.

“Hey.” He utters.

“You remember Benjamin, don’t you?” Jack asks, chuckling.

Pierce nods his head while glaring angrily at Ben.

“Of course.”

Ben is feeling unwelcome. It seems the only one happy to have him here is Jack.

“My friends, from here on today, Benjamin is our new comrade. He the only man with the cure. He is going to help start the process of mankind’s evolution!” Jack announces. “He is also a friend. So if any of you two attack him, there will be punishment.”

Isabella and Pierce nod in agreement. Ben stays quiet. There’s no need for him to say anything yet.

“Now Benjamin.” Jack looks at him. “Why don’t we get started?”

Ben carefully looks at all three of them. He’s sitting at a large wood desk across Jack who is relaxing in a black office chair. On Jack’s left and right is Isabella and Pierce standing. They’re all in what appears to be a large study. The floors are made of white granite and the walls have expensive looking paintings. Right behind Jack is a large glass window with a gorgeous view of the mountains. When Ben first step in the room, he smelled dry blood. People have died in here before.

“Before we do anything, I need you all to know something.” He announces.

They all listen in.

“Jack knows this already, but you two might not.” Ben says, looking at Pierce and Isabella. “This cure is dangerous. There is a chance you may not survive it.”

The room grows quiet. Nobody says nothing at first, then Isabella clears her throat.

“I trust Jack’s judgement. If he wants me to take this cure, then I shall.” she says.

Pierce says nothing. He seems unsure about his own answer.

Jack smiles creepily, “I expect you two to take this cure. If we want to start humanity’s evolution, we must be willing to accept the sacrifices.”

Ben takes notice of the bleeding wound on Jack’s left arm.

“Out of all three of you. Jack, you might not survive this process.” Ben says.

Jack’s smile fades. “What makes you say that Benjamin?”

“Your wound. Just looking at you. It looks like you’re trying very hard to fight off the pain. Only more pain will come when this cure is given.”

Jack says nothing. Isabella glares at Ben coldly.

She begins to yell at him. “How dare you say Jack won’t survive this! He is strong! He is-”

"It’s okay Isabella .” Jack interrupts her.

Jack finds his smile again. It still creeps Ben out when he does this.

“Like I said. We have to accept these sacrifices, and the way I see it. I’m dead either way. I’d rather die knowing I have another chance at life then die because I bled out.”

Ben feels a bit of respect for Jack. He may be insane, but he’s brave.

Ben smiles back. “Fine Jack. If you understand the risk, then I’ll give you this cure.”

“Thank you.” Jack says smiling.

He looks weak. His injury isn’t getting any better.

Isabella looks worried.

“Jack. Are you sure about this?” she asks.

Jack nods his head.

“I’m ready.”

Ben stands from his chair.

“Okay than. First, I’m going to need an empty cup.” he says. “The way this will work, you’ll need to drink my blood.”

Isabella and Pierce look confused and grossed out.

“That’s the way it works. I don’t know the science behind it, but it works that way.”

Jack opens a drawer and pulls out a dirty glass cup and hands it to Ben. It’s sticky from the previous beverage.

“I’ll go first.” Jack says. “Also, I want to be left alone. Let me fight this myself.”

Isabella shakes her head. “No. Someone should be here to watch you. It’ll be better for us to help you in anyway.”

“There’s no way you’ll be able to help him.” Ben interrupts.

Isabella glares at him.

“Jack will be on his own. The only thing you can do is hope he doesn’t die.” Ben continues.

Jack smiles. “It’s okay Isabella . I’ll live through this.”

Pierce has said nothing the entire time. He places his hand on Isabella’s shoulder.

“Jack will be fine. He always is.” the large man mutters deeply.

“I made my new purpose to protect and serve you. To protect you with my life.” she says, anger in her voice.

Jack chuckles, “Good. Now serve me by getting out of this room. If I’m strong enough, I’ll survive this. From now on, only the strong will live in this new world.”

Isabella looks down. “Fine. As you wish Jack.”

Ben can see that this young woman cares for him. Now he just hopes Jack doesn’t die, or Isabella may try to kill him.

Ben draws his onyx blade. He unwraps the bandage on his right hand. The previous cut he made there has completely healed.

He slices the knife across his palm. Crimson red blood begins to pour out and he squeezes the blood into the dirty glass cup. The cup fills about half way with blood, then Ben wraps the bandage around his hand again.

“Drink all of this, and the cure should begin to enter your system.” he explains.

Jack stares at the dirty cup and smiles.

Pierce and Isabella walk away from him and out the room.

“This pain will be the worse feeling you’ll experience.” Ben says.

Jack chuckles and grasps the warm glass cup of blood.

“I’ve been through many pains. This will just be another.”

“Good luck.”

Ben turns his back on Jack and walks out the room. He closes the large door behind him. The last thing he sees is Jack putting the cup to his mouth and drinking the Hybrid blood.

Jack’s blood curdling screams come from the other side if the door. It’s been ten minutes since he drank the Hybrid blood. Pierce, Isabella and Ben all stand outside the door to the study, waiting for Jack’s transition to end. His screams of agony are disturbing. Not just because it sounds horrid, but Jack sounds like he’s laughing as well.

Is he enjoying the pain? Or is he losing his mind?

Ben can’t tell, but it’s troubling either way.

Isabella is pacing back and forth. She’s becoming anxious as she waits for the screams to stop.

“He isn’t sounding very good.” she mutters.

“Of course not. I said it be painful.” Ben states.

Isabella stops pacing and draws her sword.

“If he dies, I’m cutting you open.” she threatens.

Ben cracks a smile. “Go ahead. You’ll see just how strong this cure makes me.”

Isabella points her sword at him.

“You better hope he lives.”

“Stop it!” Pierce shouts. His deep voice powers over them. “Fighting will solve nothing. Besides, this is what Jack wants. Now put away your weapon and be patient!”

Isabella keeps her glare at Ben, then, she sheathed her sword.

Isabella continues to pace.

Ben leans against the wall and concentrates for a moment. He’s tired. Tired of all the blood. The rage and hostility. If Jack dies, he might have to fight Isabella. Then Pierce may attack as well. If that happens, Ben will be alone again. Thoughts of Cole races through his mind again. He’s beginning to regret his decision. But Cole lost it. He attacked him. Ben just wants everything to be okay. No more deaths.

The screams continue and another ten minutes have passed. Ben is still leaning against the wall, trying to zone out Jack’s shrieks of agony. Pierce sits on a chair with his eyes closed. Isabella has stopped pacing and now stands in front of the doors to the room. She’s tapping her foot, hoping this will end soon.

Ben can see she is worried.

“Hey.” he speaks up.

Isabella says nothing. She keeps her gaze on the door.

“Hey kid.”

“What?” she mutters.

“Why do you care for Jack so much?”

Isabella says nothing.

“What has he done that you seem to be willing to sacrifice yourself for him?” Ben asks.

“He saved me.” she speaks.

“Saved you?”

“Yes. My brother and I… we were alone. Hungry. Because of him, I’m alive today. I owe that man my life.” Isabella explains.

“Hm. He doesn’t seem that way. I feel like Jack is only out for himself.”

She turns around and faces Ben.

“What do you know? Jack could have killed you. He doesn’t need you alive to have the cure. But yet…”

Ben smiles. “I guess you’re right. But still, do you really see him as someone who would sacrifice himself for you? For anyone?”

Isabella smiles now. It’s a bit creepy. “No I don’t. I believe Jack is meant for great things in this new world. I believe he’ll lead humanity to a new age, and I’ll be there by his side and protect him.”

Ben is stunned. It seems like Isabella envisions Jack as a God.

Jack’s screams are still echoing through the house. Still no change.

Ben continues his conversation.

“You said you had a brother. What happen to him?”

Isabella’s smile fades and she turns her back on Ben now. Silence.

“I’ll assume he’s dead. What happen? Did the Fallen get him?” Ben questions.

Still quiet.

“Did Jack kill him?”

“No.” she quickly answers.

Ben can hear the hostility in her voice. Then she speaks again.

“I killed him.”

“You killed your own brother?” he says in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Isabella is silent at first. Then she answers.

“Because he threaten Jack’s plan. It was him or Jack. So I chose.”

Ben is astonished. She chose Jack over her own brother? He can’t believe anyone would do that.

“I don’t understand. He was family, wasn’t he?”

Isabella looks over her shoulder at him.

“Don’t get me wrong, I loved my little brother. His death wasn’t just for Jack. I did it for him as well. He was lost. He feared the world we live in now. It was like his own personal hell. I couldn’t stand to continue watching my brother suffer. So I ended his life.”

Ben has no words. He can understand where she is coming from. He just can’t imagine killing the ones he loves.

Ben looks at Pierce, who’s awake now. He’s been listening to their conversations.

“He stopped.” Pierce mutter deeply.

Ben raises an eyebrow, then he notices.

The area has become silent. Jack’s screaming has stopped.

Isabella takes notice as well.

“Jack?”

She quickly turns to the doors and swings them open. She rushes in. Ben and Pierce follow.

Ben walks in the room. He sees the office desk flipped and some of the paintings has fallen to the ground. Isabella has stopped midway in the room. She stands there, shaking.

Ben walks up to her and looks at what she is seeing.

There’s Jack, sitting on the office chair. His head is looking down, body is limped over, and he appears motionless.

“Jack?” Isabella mutters.

Pierce stands by the door.

“Damn.” He slurs

So, he died. Ben thinks to himself.

The room grows cold. Another victim.

Until a sudden cough comes from Jack.

All three of them perk up.

“Jack!” Isabella shouts, rushing over to him.

Jack is breathing heavily and he coughs again.

He has survived the transformation.

Pierce relieve a sigh and Ben stands from afar. He’s amazed Jack was able to survive.

“Jack are you okay?” Isabella says, kneeling by him.

He begins to chuckle. Isabella suddenly looks pale when she gets a closer look at him.

Jack chuckling turns to laughter and it begins to fill the room.

Ben gets a strange sensation. A nervous sensation.

Jack slowly lifts his head. He reveals his new Hybrid eyes.

Ben feels sweat falling from his head. He gets an uneasy feeling from Jack’s new eyes. Uneasy because they’re not like his. Jack’s eyes are red with black thin pupils. It feels evil. His laughter has stopped and he looks directly at Ben. He smiles menacingly.

“I am reborn.”