The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return

by Vanessa Wester

  Ian hummed.

  ‘Perhaps, we’re not the monsters we always thought we were. Maybe there is another way.’

  A grunt.

  ‘Talk to me. I know you’re seething. Don’t go thinking of doing anything stupid. You know Mum wouldn’t want that.’

  Ian banged the steering wheel with his hand. ‘So, she would want more people to die? Really?’ There was true venom in Ian’s tone.

  ‘You don’t know if more people will die. This is another step in our evolution. Maybe we got it wrong. Maybe we should have thought of a way to fit in, rather than a way to get out,’ Catherine said. She was worried. Ian had a tendency to go crazy if he lost his temper, she did not want to incite him.

  ‘Easier said than done, anyway Steven doesn’t know anything. He is an infant for goodness sakes. Is he to be our first guinea pig?’ He was gritting his teeth now.

  Catherine took a deep breath and waited before she replied. ‘He is the first to be born half human.’

  ‘And that changes things, does it?’ Ian was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel – he’d leave dents soon.

  She tried not to sound condescending. ‘Yes, you know it does. If Mum wanted Dad to help Steven, we must not interfere. It is not our place to interfere. Dad knows what he’s doing.’

  Ian turned to face her, his cheeks aflame. ‘A husband following his wife’s dying wish does not know what he is doing. It’s like the blind leading the blind.’

  Catherine closed her eyes. After a minute had passed and she could hear a change in Ian’s breathing, she slowly said, ‘Ian. Stop. Let it go. We must not follow Steven. We’ll talk to Dad in a few days. For now, let Steven go.’

  ‘I guess I have to.’ Ian sounded deflated now. ‘Just like I had to let go of Emily…you know, everyone’s going to want the same freedom back home. You know this is the worst thing that could happen for our community.’

  ‘You don’t know that. No-one does. Fate is allowed to have a hand in our destiny. Fate brought the bats to us. Fate allowed Emily to conceive Steven. Fate allowed Mum to die. We have no right to interfere. We are not God.’

  That shut him up.

  ***

  The sound of the bleeping clock got louder and louder as it drilled its way steadily into Caitlin’s head.

  ‘Ahhh, shut up,’ she shouted, as she hurled a pillow in its direction. But, the noise was relentless – it would not give up. In submission, Caitlin rubbed her eyes and looked at the time. ‘Oh no, I’m so dead. I am sooo late.’

  In a split second the covers were hurled off as she run towards the bathroom, sat on the toilet seat and willed her pee to hurry up. Then she turned on the taps to run a shower. As she placed her fingers along the trickle she flinched, the water was freezing. After a painstaking few minutes, it became lukewarm. She cursed again as she washed quickly.

  Once out of the bathroom, still dripping with suds, she browsed quickly through her cupboard and picked out an outfit. She caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror and scowled. Make up was a luxury item she had no time for. In a last attempt to remain decent, she grabbed the makeup bag, stuffed it in her rucksack and then made her way down to raid the larder.

  A cereal bar would have to do.

  She opened the fridge and took a quick swig of orange juice direct from the carton. If her flatmate found out there would be trouble.

  Only fifteen minutes had passed. She might just get there on time.

  A light drizzle welcomed her when she slammed the door shut. Before she could think of getting an umbrella she saw the bus cruising into the stop so she made a sprint for it, whilst yelling, ‘Hold it, please.’

  As luck would have it there was a queue so she managed to get on before it started to move. With a sigh of relief, she took a deep breath and stared out of the window. The sky was grey and overcast. It was a miserable day.

  ‘Having a bad start already?’ a voice asked from behind.

  ‘Every morning is bad where I’m concerned,’ she blurted out, as she turned to face the voice.

  ‘Things can’t be that bad?’ he asked, a quizzical expression plastered on his perfect features.

  Dark hair, thick eyelashes, amber irises. She knew him from somewhere. Perplexed, she stared. The face reminded her of Steven, the one from her dreams. Yet, she couldn’t be sure? ‘No, I guess not,’ she replied. She lacked conviction.

  As the bus stopped, she was pushed forward so she turned to face the front again. Those pesky butterflies were swirling in her stomach in a state of frenzy. Nervous, she turned around to face him again to check whether it was him. But, he was gone. She blinked, looked around, went on tiptoes to look over some shoulders and then did a three sixty degree turn.

  Nothing.

  Had her imagination finally got the better of her?

  ***

  As the bus pulled away Steven paused. He had made the first move, he had established contact. He was sure from the look on her face she remembered him. That was good news. Now all he had to do was come up with the next course of action. In fairness, he had acted impulsively. He just wanted to do this alone. It had to be feasible. His grandfather could not help him in his current state and he did not want Catherine or Ian poking their noses in his business.

  The question was how?

  It was all well and good to drop everything and get here. It was another to live on his own in the full knowledge of what he was capable of. Unless he was prepared to go back to the house he would have to use the art of persuasion to survive. For now, until he got a job. If he tried to use his vampire powers once no-one could blame him. Could they? He rationalised the argument in his head and ploughed ahead.

  He knew the bank opened in half an hour’s time so he went for a walk around campus first. He would just pretend he belonged.

  An hour later, he made his way towards the main street in Portswood. He had no problem imitating students with an old pair of jeans and moth-eaten sweater. Not a trendy one at that. Under this guise he was invisible, just another body. It surprised him. When he was smartly dressed a lot more heads turned in his direction. He had always considered his features to be the main attraction, now he reconsidered.

  The imposing stone entrance to the bank made him gulp. He took a deep breath and walked in, it was now or never. The queue was not too long so he waited and tried to keep calm. Nerves were starting to get the better of him. At last it was his turn. A middle aged woman with a short frumpy haircut sat behind the glass panel.

  He gave his best gleaming smile. ‘I’d like to open a student account please.’

  ‘Certainly,’ the lady responded. ‘If you wait there someone will come to help you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ he replied, and stepped back.

  After a few minutes, a slightly flustered lady appeared. She was in her twenties – the perfect age range. She was wearing a smart standard bank uniform and a pair of trendy glasses. She gave a fake smile in his direction and held out her hand, more as an afterthought. He doubted she was impressed by what she saw.

  When his hand made contact, she blurted out in a slightly edgy voice, ‘Nice to meet you.’

  ‘The pleasure is all mine.’

  She gazed into his eyes, stopped and then gave a coquettish laugh. Her cheeks blushed. ‘Right, Mr, erm,’ she paused.

  His looks still factored after all.

  ‘Mr Thorn.’

  ‘Mr Thorn, these are the forms you have to fill in,’ she said, as she handed them over.

  ‘Can we talk in a private room?’ he asked. He hoped the piercing stare was enough. Her eyes seemed in awe.

  ‘I-I was just about to suggest it, of course,’ she stuttered. She signalled for him to follow and led the way down the corridor to a small room at the back.

  Once the door was closed she made her way around the table and sat down. He sat down on the chair opposite, fixed his eyes on hers and calmly stated, ‘You will give me two thousand pound in cash.’

  Transfixed by his voice,
she repeated in a robotic manner, ‘Of course.’ She fiddled with the screen in front of her for a few minutes. ‘How do you want the money?’

  ‘Mixed notes, no fifties please.’

  He could not help being polite.

  ‘You will forget me, this transaction and how it came about. Thank you for helping me,’ he added.

  ‘Of course, please wait here.’

  As she walked out his internal alarm bells rang as he panicked that his powers of persuasion would fail. That was way too easy. It couldn’t be that easy. Could it?

  After ten painstaking minutes she walked back in smiling.

  In her hand she held a huge brown envelope. ‘Two thousand pounds as requested. We look forward to doing business with you in the future.’

  ‘You will wait here until I am gone.’ His eyes instructed.

  ‘Of course.’ She stood still, just like a robot. He was not proud of himself.

  He tucked the envelope under his waistband and covered it with his sweater. He strolled out, at ease. The truth was he wanted to run. He nearly laughed out loud.

  It was so easy.

  ***

  The phone rang a couple of times before Jeff managed to pick it up. ‘Catherine, did you find him?’

  ‘Yes, I did. It’s just like Ian suspected he’s tracking Caitlin down.’

  Jeff did not really want to act as a vigilante, but he knew he had to make sure Steven did not fail. ‘Well, we’ll have to help him. Can you keep an eye on him until we get down there?’

  ‘Of course, but, he’s already figured out how to use his hypnotic powers. He just walked out of a bank with a grin that would challenge a Cheshire cat.’

  ‘Really,’ he laughed. ‘He’s a natural, just like his mother. Okay, well in that case just follow him and see what he does. I’d like to stay here to prepare your mother’s grave. She must have a proper burial. You know that’s what she always wanted.’

  ‘I know,’ Catherine paused. ‘I’ll be back tonight. Don’t worry. I know what I have to do.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Jeff put the phone down and removed the lone tear running down his cheek. It still felt like a dream. He wondered what Steven had on his mind.

  Back to Table of Contents

  Chapter 18

  Reconnaissance

  After Caitlin’s usual nightmare start of the day the brief encounter, or whatever it was, with that guy had doubled the impact. Unfortunately, things had gone from bad to worse. When she had got off the bus and started to make her way towards the faculty building a car swung closer and cruised on top of a huge puddle. She had been drenched from head to toe, the youths in the back of the car had cheered and laughed. She still couldn’t believe that anyone would be that mean.

  She leaned against the radiator for a moment.

  Everything had become harder this year, both academically and socially. She had to admit that the thought of going home was actually a good one for once. Her little sister had grown up a lot recently so she didn’t dread holidays anymore. It was fun to take her out shopping and to the movies. A year earlier it would have been likened to the prospect of hell.

  A lot of eyes stared and smirked at her ruffled and chaotic appearance.

  A few girls walked past and laughed. She could have sworn she heard one of them say, ‘If only I’d feel comfortable looking like that.’

  Annoyed, she stormed down the hall to the lecture theatre and took a place at the back. With great care, she laid out her coat to dry and shook out her hair. At least her bag was dry; it had been shielded by her body.

  Whilst in the process of removing her pen and notepad she saw her best friend making her way towards her. Gemma made her laugh, she was such a flirt. It was accentuated by what she wore. Her latest outfit was a blue, elbow length tight top, black fishnet tights, an electric blue rara skirt and high heeled black leather boots. Her spiky jet black hair, heavily black outlined eye makeup and nose piercing completed the look. She was a big softie really. Caitlin did not know how she would have coped at the end of the last year without her. Gemma had become her rock.

  ‘You look terrible!’ Gemma exclaimed. Her Welsh accent always made anything she said sound good.

  ‘Thanks.’

  Gemma plonked her stuff next to her and sat down. ‘Seriously, what happened? I nearly knocked on your door this morning but I wanted to get an early start so I left you to it. Should I have woken you?’

  ‘Nah, I made it in the end, as you can see.’ Caitlin took out her makeup bag and quickly and expertly applied some mascara and lipstick. ‘Better?’

  ‘Yeah, you look more human. Oh, well, here we go again,’ she sighed.

  The lecturer was making his grand entrance. If only.

  ‘Can’t wait.’ Caitlin’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

  The lecture started so Gemma took her cue and whispered. ‘I saw Mark again last night. I am soooo in love. His friend might be interesting for you. Shall I set up a double date?’

  Caitlin harrumphed. ‘No thanks, I’m not in the mood to make idle chit chat with someone who only wants to manhandle me.’

  ‘Hey, you might actually enjoy it,’ Gemma giggled. ‘Mark can manhandle me anytime he wants.’

  ‘Spare me the details. Honestly, all students want is to do it. Sorry, if I want more,’ Caitlin said, as she tapped her pen on her folder.

  Gemma rolled her eyes. ‘Trust me, if you wanted someone you wouldn’t say that. Hormones woman, where are yours?’

  Caitlin scrunched her nose. ‘Buried, deep down. My libido is lost in the abyss. Now let me listen.’

  ‘You got to dust those cobwebs or you’ll become an old woman prematurely. Saying that they probably get more action than you,’ Gemma scoffed, her laugh twisted. A few students gawped at her.

  Caitlin glared. ‘Keep your voice down. Jeez, how is it possible for anyone to be such a pervert? And more to the point, why do I put up with it?’

  Gemma leant back. ‘It’s a gift. Anyway, I’m trying to listen here.’

  ‘Whatever,’ Caitlin sighed, she focused on the notes on the interactive whiteboard. ‘You do your thing, I’ll do mine, okay.’

  ‘Okay,’ Gemma said.

  Caitlin scribbled furiously. ‘Let’s take notes or we’re going to fail.’

  ‘Fine.’

  After ninety minutes the lecture hall had a subdued, stuffy atmosphere. A proportion of the students seemed to have reached a comatose state, others looked totally lost, and only a few seemed to have understood what they had actually been taught. Caitlin and Gemma had diligently taken notes but were nevertheless, firmly, in the confused section. It was a huge relief when the lecture was finally over.

  ‘Remind me again why we chose to take maths as a degree option?’ Gemma asked, sullen and depressed.

  ‘We are sadists, naturally, but we can make mumbo jumbo make sense, right?’ Caitlin always attempted to be the eternal optimist.

  Gemma finished packing away her things. ‘Whatever you say, thank God for tutorials, that’s all I say.’

  ‘Definitely, talking of which, have you done the assignment yet? It’s due in tomorrow.’ Caitlin stood up, ready to go.

  ‘Really, tomorrow? I thought it wasn’t due until the end of the week. Will you help me? Pretty please?’ Gemma pleaded, her puppy dog face on full display.

  ‘You know I will, but are you sure you can keep away from Mark for one night?’

  ‘I have the night. We’ll get it sorted before then,’ she replied, all coy.

  ‘How silly of me,’ Caitlin replied. Gemma was exasperating. In a motherly tone, she added. ‘I hope you use protection.’

  ‘Duh, I’m on the pill.’

  ‘Fine, just remember, until you know Mark better I suggest you use something else. Haven’t you heard of S.T.D.’s?’

  Gemma’s jaw dropped. ‘Caitlin! You are worse than my mother. I promise I’ll be careful. So will you help me even though I’m a disgrace to the female race?’

&
nbsp; ‘You are so melodramatic; just get back quickly today okay, I don’t want to be working late. I have training tomorrow morning.’

  Gemma had a dig as they started to make their way out of the lecture hall. ‘It’s true. I forget that the swimming pool is the love of your life.’

  Caitlin nudged her in the ribs. ‘You are so funny. I guess you keep fit your way, I’ll do it in mine.’

  ‘It’s no substitute for sex, I can guarantee that,’ Gemma replied, with a pout. ‘Apparently, you can lose a lot of calories after a night’s workout.’

  ‘I wouldn’t know,’ Caitlin sighed.

  ‘Seriously…’ Gemma lowered her voice further. ‘If you’ve never been with anyone you have not lived. I need to get you some action. Sure I can’t convince you about the double date, he’s really hunky.’

  ‘Thanks, but I don’t think I’m missing out,’ Caitlin replied. Now she was seriously unimpressed. Her nymphomaniac flatmate was not going to give her lessons on sex education.

  ‘Right, well, you can keep on deluding yourself, but someday you’ll know what I’m talking about. Anyway, I’ll see you later. I’ve got some financial accounting to look forward to. Enjoy your Spanish.’ Gemma picked up her things and hurried off.’

  Caitlin watched her go amazed she could talk about that stuff with her. It was annoying Gemma had found another boyfriend. She was fun to hang out with when she wasn’t loved up. In fairness, it was not very often they actually got to hang out.

  At the exit, her mood darkened. It was raining really hard outside and she was about to get wet again. Bracing herself for the onslaught, she raced out the door and grimaced as she splashed across the open ground.

  ***

  The manager of the Bed and Breakfast looked Steven over as he walked in the door. With his dishevelled and soaking attire he was not exactly selling himself as a good tenant.

  ‘Are you planning to stay long?’ the woman asked.

  ‘I’m not sure yet,’ he answered.

  After filling in the paperwork he handed over the cash payment. It seemed to make her happier. Real cash always compensated for any doubts.