HYBRID TYGER 22

Emily Gordon

I bite my lip, watching closely everything Creek shows me. the domain is a very large place that looks more like a small town, she told me that HybridFalls is even more like one and has more humans who live and work there.

The weather is changing, I'm aware of it as a cold wind blows past me sending shivers down my spine. My hair is a little wet from washing it before going out. Looks like someone got an outfit in my size and I'm wearing it now, it's jeans and a white long sleeve shirt.

I look to the right and see a group of "human" workers working with cement and blocks, my curiosity piques because they seem to be in full swing.

“What are they building? I ask.

“We will extend the walls further, for everyone's safety.

"Wouldn't hybrids be faster working with these men?"

— Yes, we have some who are interested in construction but most are not, here we only do what we like.

- This is cool.

— Yes, after so long being forced to do what we didn't want to, it's good to have the freedom to choose.

“I'm so happy that you're free now, and to think that you were held captive by such a famous industry and nobody knew.

— Today we are stronger and little by little we capture those who did us wrong one by one.

"I hope they get what they deserve."

- You bet. she winks.

"What about this heat thing, huh?" I find it so strange that you can feel almost anything. — I change the subject.

“We just might. Good thing you put on the scented tampon, otherwise it would be impossible to walk with you without males prowling around. she says as we walk.

"It's a little annoying, but that's okay. I hate wearing them when I'm on my period, I get a little burned out.

"Did Tyger teach you that you need to clean yourself with a wet wipe every hour?"

- No. I shake my head in shock. Do you really need this?

"Yes, since he didn't tell you that, we have to get back before an hour has passed since we left."

"I hope it's not a bad smell." I make a face.

“Not bad, males love the smell and taste of a female in heat. — I smile because I will never get tired of finding that term funny — The bar I told you about is right over there.

"Is there food there?"

- Are you hungry?

- Yea.

"Great, we can have lunch."

I walk contentedly beside her until we're through the doors. The place is spacious and not very bright, it has a dance floor, the bar, two doors at the very back and some tables in the corners.

"Do you want something to drink?" I know humans enjoy alcohol but we hate it, yet we have it here for the guests.

"I would love some wine." I answer.

"Fine, let's sit at the bar."

"Hello, what would you like?" A male Hybrid greets us with a smile.

— Hello Tree, Wine for her and soda for me.

Our orders are quickly on the counter. I pick up the glass and take a sip of the purple drink, the sweet fruity taste slightly bitter at the bottom down my throat.

— We want to eat something, what do you have today?

— Steak with vegetables.

- You like? she asks me.

— I like everything and I'm starving, I'd eat a stone. — Tree frowns as if looking at a madwoman — It's just a human saying we use to say. I give an amused smile.

“Humans are weird. - laughs.

"I don't eat rocks, okay?" I joke and he nods.

"We'll have it, and hers is well done."

- OK.

- Thanks. Thank you, smiling at both of you.

"So Emily, do you feel better after going out?"

“I am. But I still don't think I should have accepted my calling Tyger, he got mad. Did you hear what he said? "I can't take care of you twenty-four hours a day." - I imitate his voice - He wants to stay with me for two hours straight.

"You're feeling like a nuisance again and you miss him, don't you?"

- Exactly. On the first day he was so affectionate that I was touched that he was being so kind.

"Did he sleep with you in his arms?"

“Yes, I told him about my fear of thunder and it was raining, so he stayed with me until I fell asleep.

“You're in love with him. - I look at his face a little embarrassed for being so transparent my feelings.

“Falling in love sucks, it hurts. I wanted to be like you who don't get attached to any male.

— You need to distract yourself and the point here is not to talk about Tyger, I don't want to see you sad.

- You are a great friend. I get up from the bench and hug her.

“You're a beauty, Emily. We are very welcoming, do you have any idea how many females have gone through what you are going through now? We take care of them without complaining because we like it, I love making friends with humans, it's not uncomfortable for me, never feel that way in our lands.

“Thanks, you're so nice. You all are. - I pause - Look, I don't want him to call him if there's a problem with me again, I don't want him to stop what he's doing to come to me and then get mad at me.

"I don't promise anything, but let's talk." r about other things now.

For the next few minutes I listen to Creek tell me about HybridFalls, about her friends there, and the possibility of someday introducing me to a female who's mated with a male hybrid. Without realizing it, I ate all lunch and drank a few too many glasses of wine.

— After lunch I only want one thing. I say with a little blurry vision. Maybe I've had too much to drink and my alcohol resistance is zero, even wine.

"Lie down and sleep?"

- Nailed it.

"Then let's go, I'm dying to do this too."

I get up too quickly and end up feeling dizzy, Creek helps me to my feet and smiles.

"Was I wrong to let you drink?"

- No, no. I needed.

"Should I call Tyger?" Are you really feeling well?

- No way! The less I need him the better, not that I'm ungrateful, far be it from me. I just don't want to bother you.

She leads me outside helping me to walk.

"Wait here and I'll get the jeep, all right?"

- Yea. I answer and she leaves.

I wait leaning against the bar wall feeling still a little dizzy.

"Hello, excuse me, could you come with me for a moment?" — I am startled to see a middle-aged man, tall with few muscles beside me.

- You scared me. — I put my hand on my heart and again I feel dizzy.

"I'm sorry, but I need help holding something, could you help me?"

I hesitate a little suspiciously, life has taught me to distrust everything, but what harm exists within the domain? He's in builders' work uniform and can't be a bad guy since he works for the Hybrids.

— I just need to wait for my friend to come back, maybe the two of us can help him? His faux-friendly expression turns to ire.

“You come with me and don't you dare ask for help. — points a sharp blade at me — If you scream it will be worse.

My heart races and panic seizes my entire being as the man walks over and grabs my arm pulling me behind a car. I try to get rid of him but I feel something sharp pierce a little bit of my skin.

"Don't draw attention or I'll stick the knife in you."

Fear floods my mind as a cloth is placed over my mouth with a very strong and agonizing smell, it's desperate, I try to breathe but I can't, my eyes roll back and in a last attempt to let go of him I dig my nails into his arm.

“You whore! - he curses and then a blow to my head makes me lose all senses.