She didn’t deserve the kindness that people had shown to her over the past four years, so she was trying to repay it in little gestures. She could never offer anyone a place to stay, but she could accompany them on the mundane tasks that life had started to require. So when Eric mentioned that he had to go grocery shopping for the week, she offered to accompany him. Her own list consisted of sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, but she didn’t mind wandering the aisles for an extra half hour while he filled the cart with things for Vasya. In Cardiff they had barely said more than a word to each other, but tragedy made for an unshakable bond. Not one that could be discussed over asking about milk, but it was worth remembering all the same. “Do you need bread?” She glanced down the empty aisle, as everything tended to be in this town. There was something comforting about it too, not having to worry about any problems expect for whether to pick white or wheat. “Bagels? I’ve always liked English Muffins.” ( @halfbreederic )
There was an enormous amount of comfort in doing such a mundane thing. Between being a single father again, to dealing with Council issues, the stress of everyday life was digging deep and the simple act of going out to grab groceries with a friend was a much needed break. Ashton was playing babysitter for the short time Eric would be gone, with Vasya finally warming up to the vampire enough to not throw a fit when left alone with him. It was a shame it had taken a war to bring Ophelia into his life. Now that he knew her, he regretted not giving her proper time and attention back in Altolusso. She was a calming presence in his life, and he could never get enough of that. With fingers tapping lightly on the card, Eric’s eyes glanced down the aisle. “Bread is good. Kid’s got an addiction to french toast these days.” There was a light, genuine laugh as he recalled the sheer amount of food the pre-teen girl ingested these days. He underestimated how much a growing hybrid could eat in one sitting. “Oh yeah, grab some bagels too,” he confirmed, calling the request out over his shoulder as he reached for a loaf of wheat bread. Carrying the bread back to the cart, Eric gave it a gentle toss into the bottom before examining some raisin bread. “Hey--thanks for coming out tonight. I know it’s not the most exciting excursion but--thanks.” By the end of his words, his eyes were on the blonde and a gentle smile had found its way onto his face. “It’s kinda nice to just--be normal.”
It’s been almost four years. No words no letter no nothing other than the obligational council meetings and information on their whereabouts. It’s been almost four years, and Ashton still isn’t sure if he could face Eric. All those times in Paris, Marg was the one that yelled and screamed at him, hating Ashton for what he had done to Eric, because she was worried for his safety. And now it was hers he should’ve been worried about. He was supposed to train Marg, from the very beginning of the truce she asked him for help. She asked to train her and he agreed. He tried at least. With her gone now it’s like he failed them both all over again. Except Marg isn’t here to scream at him for it. He couldn’t look Eric in the eye, not even at the funeral, silently wearing the one suit Marg bought for him, paying his respects.
But now, Ashton stood in front of Eric’s door, hesitant to ring the bell. He went with Astor over to the US, for the first time after he left with NASA, after he got bit. Most of the trip was in Seattle and a little time in Vancouver and then to Florida hoping to plea to NASA. But in between before Florida, he took a quick trip to Chicago, like the whole trip wasn’t already made of spontaneity, and ended up here alone, ringing the door bell. He can’t believe he was doing this, but there was a need and urge to talk to his close friend once more, four years without talking was four years too many.
Time had done wonders to heal a man who had hit rock bottom four years ago. After Paris, and the loss of Margaret, Eric’s retreat to Chicago was more of a self-help decision than anything else. With a child lycan to take care of, and the weight of loss heavy on his heart, family was what he needed most—and family was what he returned to. The return hadn’t been a walk in the part, with his parents being hit with the terrifying truth of what Eric was, and what he was a part of. In time, they would accept this new life, and even come to help him take care of the supernaturals who huddled in the roughly built underground shelter put together beneath the old family cabin. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, but it was safe—and that was good enough for most.
With the doorbell echoing off the wooden walls, Eric was caught off guard as he finished brushing his teeth in the bathroom. Nobody was expected to arrive for at least another day. Who the hell was bothering him at this hour? Before he could make it out of the bathroom, the door was opened by a normally shy hybrid. The girl was no more than ten or eleven who opened the door and stared up wide eyed at the guest. She had seen his face before as she sorted through old pictures in Eric’s scrapbooks, and though she knew his name from her father’s stories, her quiet nature kept her from speaking. Within moments, Eric was out of the bathroom, rushing toward the door the moment he realized his daughter had tugged it open. Not knowing who the cause of the sudden visit was, the hybrid’s nails had already begun to extend and darken—a clear sign he was ready to maul anyone who dare threaten the new home he had created. Alas, the man he saw when he entered the small living room had Eric’s heavy brow softening. “Go to your room.” The words were whispered in quiet Russian, and the young girl didn’t hesitate to turn and bolt to her room with the door shutting behind her.
Though Eric was more than happy to see a familiar face, worry and surprise took over, forcing the hybrid to give a welcome that wasn’t quite as warm as he wished it was. He stopped short of the door as he spoke. “Ashton—what are you doing here?”
One human among a legion of bloodsuckers. Seems like the beginning of any horror movie. But you chose a life of darkness for one of the purest human emotions: love. In the end that love would nearly be the death of you.
THEN
Eric’s childhood was nothing short of normal. Born into a Catholic family in Chicago, little Eric was up every Sunday for church with his parents, went to a nice little private school where he excelled, and always wanted to be a police officer like half of his friends did at the time. Puberty came around with middle school and the real introduction to girls that smelled too nice to ignore and notes with hearts being passed back and forth. High school, however, was a little messier for Eric than most.
There was never an issue with his behavior in school. He never missed class and was always on time—something he was always rather proud of. He did, however, end up a father at the age of seventeen. It wasn’t supposed to happen like that. He was supposed to wait until he was married to a good Catholic girl before anything of that nature was involved. But as with a lot of teenagers, hormones got the best of him and golden boy Eric Daniels found himself a single teenage father after the mother refused to help raise the child. Eric was never one to run from his responsibilities, thus the reason for him wrapping his welcoming arms around the little girl the first chance he could. Despite the disappointment he saw in his parents’ eyes, the teen never regretted what had happened. How could he regret the most beautiful little baby he had ever seen? Her big brown eyes and mop of dark curls were more than enough for Eric to cherish her with every ounce of his being.
Even with a child, Eric stayed on track in school. His parents were kind enough to help out with their grandchild, who Eric named Bella, while their son graduated high school. The help was even more appreciated when Eric began working on his degree at college. For four years, the Daniels family worked together to ensure Bella had a wonderful life while Eric studied hard to ensure a quality future for his daughter. Eventually, at the age of twenty-two, Eric graduated while five year old Bella cheerfully clapped for her daddy in the audience.
The single father soon found himself employed as a police officer in the city. It was hard, stressful work, but it was worth it. Not long after employment, Eric moved out of his parents’ house and into a small two-bedroom apartment perfect for his little family. The happiness that he was experiencing was short lived as some of the most horrific news he could imagine was given to him. At only six years old, Bella was diagnosed withleukemia. For the next three years, the little girl fought hard with her father at her side. Every day, no matter how long his shift was, Eric was there to hold her hand and read her stories. Every night, he was there to pray over her sleeping form and beg that she be healed. His prayers went unanswered. At the age of nine, Bella Daniels passed away.
Eric was shattered. His entire world, and faith, fell apart the day he lost his daughter. It took months of leave before he could even return to work, and even then, his superiors were often questioning him on how he was doing to ensure his mind was in the right place. It was a year after the death of his daughter that his life spiraled downward once more. It was a messy situation to be in, with his gun pointed at the man who matched the description of someone who assaulted a woman shortly before. When the man reached—Eric shot. While the shot turned up justifiable ( as the suspect was reaching for a gun ), Officer Daniels couldn’t shake the feeling of nausea every time he remembered he had ended someone’s life. His friends and parents tried to reassure him that everything was fine…that he had done what he was supposed to do. Despite the support, the trauma was too much for Eric. Within days of being cleared of taking a bad shot, Eric Daniels left his badge and gun on the desk and never returned.
For the next three years, depression took over and simply making it through the day became difficult. Insomnia latched on and many nights were spent lying awake in the dark of his hauntingly quiet apartment. Nothing seemed to be able to pull him out of his seemingly endless sadness, not even the piles of prescribed pills he took to try and pull him out of the darkness. There were no smiles or laughter from him—Not until he met The Outsider. He didn’t know, at first, what they were…All he knew was that they were the single spark of warmth in the world that had grown to be so bitter and cold around him. They made him smile—A smile that hadn’t graced his face in many, many months. They made him laugh—A laugh that his parents thought they’d never hear again. The Outsider was the medicine he needed to enjoy life again but it was a life he wanted to spend only with them. His growing love for The Outsider continued even after finding out what they were. It made no difference to him. If it was a vampire that would bring him the happiness he craved, he would take it.
Months passed and Eric’s life was nothing short of wonderful. Even after the move to Vita Et Morte with The Outsider, and his request to eventually be changed given ( after much thought ), life is continuing to get a little brighter with each day. The other vampires and lycans lurking the halls terrify him—but this is his life now…a life that he wouldn’t change for anything.
NOW
The loss of his lover in Paris sent Eric into mourning for the first year. Retreating back to his home of Chicago with the child hybrid Vasya ( whose sister had perished alongside Margaret ) in arms, the councilman returned to his parents. The comfort of home helped sooth his broken heart, and spilling the truth about his new life to his parents eased some of it as well. They were scared, but accepted their son, and his foster daughter, with open arms. The renovation of the old family cabin an hour outside of the city acted as a new home for Eric and Vasya, and in later years would prove to be a temporary safe house for supernaturals on the run.
After finally getting his mind, and heart, together enough to go back to work as a councilman, Eric became a key player in the modern day underground railroad that sprung up in the United States. From coast to coast, there were people working to ensure those who were being hunted had places to go—places that would keep them safe. With his faith reclaimed once more, Eric’s identity was kept secret, with Priest being the code name those he helped seemed to give him. He fought it off at first, claiming he was in no way worthy of that title. Alas, those who he had helped said otherwise, and the name stuck.
When word of the council reuniting came his way, Eric was quick to begin preparation for the journey. While Eric had tried to pass off the role as safe house keeper to another supernatural, it was his parents who insisted they take over. With their love split between both the human world, and the supernatural one their son was in, they vowed to assist in any way they could to keep both sides safe regardless of the danger involved. With the safe house in good hands, Eric and eleven year old Vasya ( who is now his legal daughter, or as legal as an adopted hybrid orphan could be ) have only just arrived in Norway to begin the reformation of the old group.
Connections
THE REBEL: You really shouldn’t be surprised that being the only human among a coven of vampires could lead to some problems. Where others made serious threats against you, they only made jokes; jokes that still made you pretty damn nervous. In time you grew more confident that they posed no real danger to you. You began to notice that they stood between you and the others when things grew heated; That they sent silent warnings to those who eyed you like a meal.
Mourning the loss of his lover in Paris, Eric returned to Chicago with Vasya, the young child hybrid who was left without a family after the attack, to spend time with his parents.
He spent the first year basically just chilling, recovering, and bonding once more with his parents who were scared, yet accepting, of the truth Eric revealed.
Year two was the start of Eric’s key involvement in the ushering of supernaturals in the Midwest to Jude’s safe house.
Those he helped dubbed him Priest as a code name to keep his identity secret, largely due to his strongly reclaimed Catholic faith.
Vasya is his legal child now, or as legal as one can get in this tricky situation. Yay fake papers.
Eric’s parents have taken over the safe house in his absence, despite the dangers involved.
Eric and Vasya have recently arrived in Norway for the reformation of the Council.
Leaving the estate was something Eric hesitated on doing. For much of the battle, he had been inside. A few of the hybrids had remained behind with him, acting as a sort of last line of defense should the fight end up on their doorstep. It wasn’t the only reason he lingered close by. Margaret was in the med bay, assisting the injured and staying out of the fight--as far away from the chaos as she could get. It was exactly where she needed to be, but the wait for the battle was making Eric antsy, and the hybrid could only wait so long before he was venturing out of the estate.
The city was ablaze, and chaos was overwhelming the once beautiful Paris. He could hear the battle coming close, and he only dared to move a few blocks away from the estate. But it was enough. The brunt of the fight was approaching as he slipped alongside a partially burning building. The gun in his hand still felt strange, but no longer did he quake when he held it. Dark eyes tore away from the weapon at the flash of movement a few yards ahead. It took but a moment for him to aim--but he stopped when he saw who had drawn his attention. There was a short burst of relief at the sight of the blonde, and Eric was quick to ensure the coast was clear before he moved. “Ashton!” He called out, ducking down into a dark alleyway as a shot ricocheted off of the building behind him. Snipers. Great. @ashtonfinryder
Margaret crossed her arms, a frown creasing her brow. She couldn’t say she agreed with him. Romulus and Aaliyah looked out for their power. Not only was Marlowe still wandering the estate, but the leaders were willing to shove two of their children — their heirs — in a loveless arranged marriage, as if a millennia of war and hatred could be solved with bitterness. Granted, she knew neither of them, but to be sworn to another for eternity and be given little choice in the matter? Margaret couldn’t imagine that made any marriage very happy. After all, Margaret cared for Eric so much it ached, burned, and yet she cowered near the door as if she expectedhim to hurt her. She looked up to him sharply, surprised at his suggestion. “You ask this of me now?” Margaret was here in Paris, she’d given her word. Whether war was something she wanted to or not, she couldn’t abandon him.
The fact that he would ask — plea — for something different …Margaret took in a breath. Before she could think of what she was about to do, she nudged away from the wall and walked closer to where he sat, drawing close to his warmth burning hotter than ever before. “I’m staying. Right here,” she replied, slow as she lowered to a kneel with a hard swallow. Lycan — he smelled of it. But Margaret needed to try. “I love you more than anyone I’ve ever known before,” she said. “I love you today more than yesterday, and I will love you more tomorrow than today. If I left you now, I would never forgive myself for it. And I could never ask you to, either.” Earnest, she hesitated only a moment before resting a hand atop his. “I haven’t been fair to you these past few weeks, I know; but I’ll get through this, I know I can. You stayed with me for two years, putting yourself in more danger than anyone should ever be in. Don’t ask me to choose different. Don’t ask me to leave.”
It was strange how the roles had been reversed. Only months ago, it was Margaret begging Eric to leave--to flee for safety far away from the chaotic world they were living in. But there they were now, with Eric pleading for his lover’s safety in the form of distance. As the vampire pushed herself away from the wall, the hybrid tensed. The approach was unexpected, forcing the male to instinctively lean back a little as he sat on the bed. But it was her words that made him soften, his shoulders relaxing as she reassured him that there would be no fleeing from this fight. Sweet words spilled from the brunette, the touch to his hand causing an immediate jolt in his stomach. Weeks without more than the slightest touch was torture, and the simple skin on skin contact had Eric’s hand turning to allow his fingers to curl around Margaret’s dainty one.
“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” The was a level of vulnerability in his voice as his eyes drifted away from their joined hands to settle on the face of the woman who was the very reason he was alive. Losing her was the very definition of a nightmare, one he never wished to face. “I know everything is so crazy right now--and I know you’re scared,” he started, lifting his hand only to bring Margaret’s to his lips. A light kiss was pressed to her knuckles, lips lingering on cool skin for a few moments longer than he probably should have. “--but we can do this.” The words were more of a whisper as he lowered her hand onto his knee, but didn’t dare let go. “I love you too much to ever let you go. Whatever it takes--we’ll get through it.” A hint of a smile found its way to his lips, forced, but there. Slowly reaching out with his free ( as to not startle the poor woman ), Eric let his index finger rest just under her chin, while his thumb brushed tenderly along her jaw. “Just promise me that you’ll stay out of the fight. I don’t care if you have to lock yourself in a bathroom--just stay safe, okay?”
Vines, roots, and branches covered most of the cave opening that was no more than a few feet wide.
The news was unsettling as it spread around the mansion. Phone calls were quick to be made, emails were suddenly sent out, and every ounce of help the Altolusso group could get was being scrounged for. Viktor was bad news—and the army he had amassed only added to the trouble. With the numbers they had in Paris now, there would be hardly a fight to give. Recruitment was necessary, and everyone was out doing just that. The call to action had come.
The hybrid’s rented SUV was slow as it moved along the rugged dirt road. He had long dreamed of visiting the Black Forest of Germany—but he never thought this would be how he wound up in the dense woodlands. It was whispers and rumors that had forced him onto the plane to make the trip, mentions of a small band of hybrids hiding out far away from the chaos of war. Part of Eric felt guilty about coming to them to ask them to join in a fight that they had tried so desperately to stay out of, but it wasn’t enough to make him turn the vehicle around and go back to Paris empty handed. Lives were at stake, and he’d play every card he had to ensure Viktor’s army wouldn’t obliterate them.
The moon hung high in the sky, specks of silver managing to penetrate the canopy above as the black SUV came to a stop. The road had ended, and he’d have to make the rest of the trek on foot. Slipping out into the cool, night air, the hybrid zipped up his jacket and descended into the forest. The rugged map he had tucked into his jacket was rough, but eventually ( after a couple hours of searching in the dark ), his destination came into view. If he hadn’t know what to look for, the opening would have never been seen. Vines, roots, and branches covered most of the cave opening that was no more than a few feet around. He had to give them credit—it was a good hideout.
The approach was cautious, footsteps light as he pushed his way through the entrance. The cave opened up larger than Eric originally imagined it would. Immediately, he noticed there were signs that people had been there for a while as he shown his flashlight around. A handful of old cushions were pressed up against the wall with blankets messily piled on top. Water bottles, some still full, were scattered around the floor. Books were spread around on an old coffee table with pieces of paper sticking out from beneath them. Moving slowly to the table, Eric crouched down, fingers tugging one of the pages out from under the books. It was a child’s drawing made of red and blue crayon depicting what looked like a massive family linked by entwined hands. A smile began to creep onto his face, mind recalling how many similar drawings he use to have plastered on his refrigerator back in Chicago.
A scuffling sound from the back of the cave had Eric’s eyes raising immediately, flashlight shining toward the noise as the drawing was left on the table. Carefully, the hybrid rose to his feet, light staying focused on the part of the cave that seemed to branch off. For a moment, he didn’t move and simply listened for a few seconds. Nothing. With a brow furrowed in curiosity, he approached slowly to peer around the protruding cave wall that blocked his line of vision. There, tucked away in another section that branched off from the main room, were nearly two dozen people tucked in the back. A handful of women, men, and even a young girl stared back at him with wide eyes and fear etched on their faces. One of the women held a gun, firmly aimed at Eric. “Go—we don’t want any trouble here,” she called out, her accent thick with her demand.
Immediately, Eric’s hands were up and he gave his head a shake. “I’m not here to hurt you—I just want to talk.” He was quiet as he spoke, taking another small step out from behind the rocks. Briefly, his eyes tore away from the woman who was seemingly in charge, and they settled upon the faces of those behind him. Some looked scared, others angry, and he could only begin to wonder who they thought Eric was. “That’s what the last one said.” The words had Eric looking back to their leader. There were so many questions he could have asked—so many things he wanted to understand about the hybrids who were huddled together. But this was not the time for that. Eric shook his head gently, brow softening as he lowered his flashlight a little. “Look. I’ve come a long way to find you—people like me...” Eric’s words had silence lingering in the air for longer than he liked, but finally, the woman’s gun lowered slightly, and she spoke words that had Eric letting out a soft breath. “You’re one of us?”
The next few minutes were tense, but crucial. Eric shared with them who he was, what he was, and where he had come from. It seemed, for now, they had lowered their guard just enough for Eric not to get mauled. But the mention of Altolusso—and the current standing of the truce—had many of the other hybrids looking at each other with concern, and intrigue. With too many eyes watching, and one too many young ears listening, the talk between the hybrid leader, Akimana, and Eric was moved out of the back room and just outside of the cave entrance.
“What I’m going to ask you—I’m not doing it lightly. If we didn’t need your help, I wouldn’t be here.” Eric’s words already had the woman tensing, but he wouldn’t let up. The more hybrids they had on their side, the better. “An army is coming—and Viktor is leading it. He was to exterminate all lycans—and all the vampires who were part of the truce. He has numbers—we don’t. That’s why we need you.” Eric shut up, giving the woman a moment to let everything settle in. The other hybrid was visibly shaken, hands running over her thick hair as she began to pace back and forth. “So Viktor has risen?”
Eric frowned, head dipping into a nod. “He has—and he’s holding on to everything this truce has tried to stop. All we want is peace, and that’s the furthest thing from his mind. If we don’t stop him, everything will be destroyed. Lycans, some vampires—even us.” The woman was no longer looking at Eric as his words fell, her own gaze settled on the ground that she paced on. It was clear she was deep in thought, weighing the options, and figuring out what would be best for those she was trying so hard to protect. “We have wanted no part in this war for years. Why else do you think we’ve resorted to living in rags in a cave? Viktor’s fight is not with us—” There was a bite to Akimana’s words, a fire being lit that hadn’t been present before.
The former police officer wouldn’t even begin to try and pretend he understood what they had been through. He didn’t know what it was like to have to hide who he was, to have to live in seclusion without running water just to stay safe. This life he had, this hybrid life, was one he had only been living for a matter of weeks. A lifetime of being called abominations was what the others had endured. Eric was quiet for a moment, hands slipping deep into the pockets of his jacket before he finally spoke. “You might be safe now, but you know Viktor will find you. If I found you—he’ll be close behind the moment he finishes with Altolusso. The fight may not be on your doorstep now--but it will be in time. You’re sitting ducks if you stay. Don’t you see? You don’t have to hide anymore and force yourselves to live like this. That kid in there can’t grow up in a cave. There’s a place for you—a home for all of you. But it won’t be there much longer unless we have your help.”
The woman was quiet, her eyes finally lifting to stare at Eric as he reminded her of the inevitable. She knew he was right. Viktor would come for them regardless of whether or not they stood by those in Altolusso. “—I can’t risk their lives for something that might happen. What if we lose? What if we all die for nothing?” It was clear in the way her voice nearly cracked that the woman cared deeply for each of the others huddled in that cave. She was a devoted leader, and Eric couldn’t help but to already have a certain amount of respect forming for her. The male took a step close to her, hands slipping from within his jacket. “There’s no way I can promise that all of you will survive—but trust me when I say it won’t be for nothing. Viktor is out there right now planning to destroy an entire species. It’s genocide. And when he’s finished with the lycans, we’re next. We either fight now to defend ourselves, or we sit back and let Viktor walk all over us. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather die trying to make the world better for everyone, than die cowering in the back of a cave.” It was a low blow perhaps, and for a moment, the tensing of the woman’s jaw had Eric expecting a solid punch to the face.
Genocide. The single word had Akimana’s anger rising, mind flashing to all the unsettling images in her mind. It was an act she was too familiar with. It had ravaged her Rwandan home, and corrupted the new one she had claimed in Germany many years before. The memory of bodies stacked upon each other had her jaw relaxing after a moment, and her face softening. Instead of lashing out at Eric, the leader lifted her chin up a little, and gave him a single nod. “—I’ll talk with the others. Stay here.” The order was followed without a fuss, and Eric settled himself on a fallen tree not far from the entrance. Thumbs were nervously rubbing at the palms of his hands, as his worries about the group deciding not to join were running high. A few minutes turned into an hour, but eventually, the leader returned and slipped her way out of the cave. But she wasn’t alone. Another hybrid followed, and another…and another. There was a chill creeping over Eric’s skin as they all emerged, even the little girl clinging to the hand of one of the women.
The leader stepped to Eric, hesitating a moment as she looked at the hybrid group before her eyes settled on him. “You’ve come a long way to talk to us. Your determination is respected.” She paused—a pause that had the hybrid feeling as if he already knew the disappointing answer. He was ready for it—to be told that he would have to fight without them—that there would be no more hybrids aiding them. But she spoke again, and Eric held his breath. “You and I both know the world will never accept our kind—there’s no way it’ll ever happen. We’ve held on for a long time—centuries for some of us lucky ones. If there’s one thing we’ve learned to do—it’s survive, even if it means we hide in a cave.”
Eric’s lips parted to protest, but he was cut off when the leader rose a hand to hush his rebuttal. “But—there will be a time when we can’t hold on anymore. Viktor isn’t going to be the cause of that. We’ll help you—we’ll fight with you if it means there’s a chance to end this war. I’ll do what I can to get in contact with some old friends who can help. Come morning, we’ll be ready to go. You can stay with us tonight.” The words left the leader’s mouth with a hint of a smile, and Eric’s own was quick to form. Extending a hand out, there was a firm grasp shared with the other hybrid. “Thank you. We’ll make Viktor regret ever waking.”
The group dismissed, but a few lingered to talk with Eric. A man came to pat him on the back, and question him on current events. A woman stuck around to ask how many other hybrids he had found, and if there were any more from where he came. It was in the midst of speaking with the woman that he felt a tug on his left hand. Looking down, small fingers were wrapped around it, and the youngest hybrid was seeking his attention. The conversation with the woman was halted as Eric turned to crouch down to eye level. “Hey there,” he welcomed as he beamed. The little girl didn’t speak, but let a sheepish grin form as she handed him a sheet of paper. Taking it in his free hand, Eric’s eyes fell upon the drawing that he had found earlier—only this time, there was a new figure added to the end of the long chain.
For a moment, he could feel a stinging in his eyes as he looked from the drawing to the little girl. “You’re quite the artist, huh? Can I keep it?” The girl’s nod was fast, and her smile seemed to widen at his approval. Before he could even fold the paper up, the child was tugging at his hand again, this time pulling him toward the cave. The woman whom he had previously been speaking with was heard chuckling behind him. “She likes you,” she pointed out, and Eric couldn’t help but to let his own little laugh out. “Yeah—I’ve always been pretty good with kids.” Another tug came, and Eric wouldn’t keep his new friend waiting too long. He let her lead him back inside to spend the night in the cave the hybrids had called their home, and prepare for the journey back.
Come morning, there would be more hybrids on their way to Paris.
[ Rank addition: 20 adult hybrids + 10 more contacted by Akimana ]
origamiaround
gummygunk
stormborns
romaincrisis
baratheonpilled
blakekathryn
andulkaphoto
theartofmadeline
