The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return

by Vanessa Wester

  ‘I need to have a look at this community of yours. It’s intriguing.’

  ‘Maybe, we’ll see.’

  The hotel was immaculate. It had a country feel, on a grand scale. It did not surprise Steven when they entered the room and found it had a flat screen TV, basket of fruit and a leather sofa. The room was perfect, and very spacious. A large, imposing king-size bed gave him ideas. He did have some catching up to do.

  ‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’

  ‘You know what, thanks but no. I need to shower.’

  He remembered the last time they showered together. It was in her halls of residence a long time ago. ‘I could join you.’

  Caitlin rolled her eyes and smirked. ‘Again, thanks, but no. I need some time to think.’

  Steven gave a small pout and shrugged his shoulders. ‘Fair enough, but don’t take too long. I’m desperate for a shower myself.’

  ‘You could always get another room?’ she teased.

  Steven took a seat on the sofa. ‘Cold, Miss Chance, very cold.’

  ‘Ha!’ Caitlin slammed the door shut. A second later, she peeked out. ‘Just joking, I’ll let you in soon, okay?’

  Steven raised his hands in defeat. ‘Take your time.’

  An hour later, Steven had flicked channels so many times he had memorised the order. He was just dozing on the sofa when the door opened. Caitlin had her hair in a turban and wore a fluffy white bathrobe. Her face was flushed. Her pale skin always turned a shade of red in the heat or after exercise. He remembered she always had the same look after a swimming session. He used to like watching her after swim training at university. Her complexion had a shine to it, a glow.

  She moved her head to the side as the turban dropped and she rubbed her hair with the towel. Her naturally curly red hair fell loosely around her face. ‘Your turn,’ she chirped, as she sat at the dressing table and grabbed the hairdryer. As soon as she took it off the wall it started. Automatic, as you would expect in a room of this calibre.

  ‘I might just stay for a moment.’

  ‘No, you won’t,’ she said, as she pouted and put the hairdryer back as she turned to face him. ‘I want to change in peace. And besides you really do need a shower.’

  ‘Do I?’ He made his way over and put his arms around her.

  ‘Steven! You’re going to get me dirty. Look at your hands!’

  He started to tickle her; she was irresistible when she sounded annoyed.

  As she broke out in laughter, he let her go. ‘I knew I could make you laugh, you are so serious. I’m off. I’ll be back in a couple of hours, if there’s enough hot water that is.’ He raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Ha ha. If you take too long I might have to order room service.’

  ‘Room service? Now, that’s a great idea. Yeah, order room service, especially if it’s full of fat and greasy.’

  ‘In this hotel? Unlikely. I’ll do my best. Or, we could go out?’

  ‘You decide.’ He closed the door to the bathroom and left her to it.

  A second later, the whirring sound of the hairdryer continued.

  ***

  Caitlin stared at her reflection in the mirror as she dried her hair. Did she look different? Did her hair have a shine it did not have before? Were her eyes a brighter shade of blue? Or, did her skin have a glow she could not recall? Had the change done it, or was it the way she had always been? It was so hard to know. She ruffled her hair and removed the clumps of hair that always came off when she washed it. She had so much hair it was never missed.

  Satisfied, she placed the hairdryer back and went to find something to wear. She wished she had a better selection. Then again, if Steven had so much money to throw away she doubted he’d mind if she did a bit of shopping. A girl always needed new clothes.

  She put on her barely black jeans and purple V-necked jumper, and glanced in the mirror. Purple had always been a good colour for her.

  The sound of the door made her turn her head. Steven was already finished. She had not even had time to look at the menu. He had a towel wrapped around his waist. Other than that it was just him. Swimmers build, with broad shoulders and a small waist. His skin was slightly darker than she remembered. His dark, black hair was slicked back and his amber eyes pierced her heart as he smiled at her. She could not believe he was hers. How stupid could she be to even doubt he was the man for her? What an idiot!

  ‘You were quick!’ she said, in a casual manner as she picked up the menu and started to look it over. She did not want to stare at him. Strangely, he made her nervous.

  ‘I don’t need hours to mull. Besides the shower was okay, but once you’ve showered under a waterfall normal showers just don’t stack up.’

  Her jaw dropped. ‘A waterfall? You really are holding out on me. This community does not sound so bad after all. Will you take me there?’

  ‘Maybe. One step at a time.’

  Steven made his way over to the bag and put on some pants. She turned away to give him some privacy. It felt odd to share so much intimacy. She had seen him change many times in the past, but right now it was new. She studied the menu. When he came up alongside her she tried to act as though it didn’t matter. It did. His proximity made her tense. Like static.

  ‘Anything good? Or shall we go out?’

  ‘I think we should…’

  Caitlin did not get the chance to finish as Steven leaned in and kissed her. It was deep and longing and she was swept off her feet. Dizzy, he made her dizzy. As she gave in and responded they held each other and just kissed. She had no idea how long it went on for. Eventually, they paused. She realised she had not had a breath, but she was not out of breath.

  Interesting.

  She liked the fact he needed her as much as she needed him, and yet never acted erratically. Well, until a couple of hours ago. She could not blame him for that one. She could not put the brakes on either.

  ‘I can still get pregnant right?’ she asked, as the thought hit her.

  ‘Yes, you can. Oh, yep I’m with you. We can always go to the pharmacy tomorrow and get the morning after pill, if you prefer?’

  Sensible, as usual. ‘Glad they taught you something at school. That’s a good idea. And maybe, we should get some condoms in the meantime, just in case?’

  He smiled and continued to get dressed. ‘That would be a very good idea, that is, if you don’t mind…’

  His expression grew serious. He was still worried. She must have really freaked him out earlier. ‘I don’t mind. I love you. Believe me. I didn’t just say it in the heat of the moment. I was just, I don’t know, being a woman. I think I doubt a lot more than you do. You never seem to waiver. Is that normal?’

  ‘I guess I’m the loyal type. I promise I will never cheat on you, ever. The only reason I had a one night stand in the community was because I thought I’d never get you back.’

  ‘I know.’ She could not believe he still felt guilty about sleeping with that other woman. She could not hold it against him. She had been with Daniel after all. ‘Anyway, as I was saying before you swept me off my feet.’

  ‘I swept you off your feet? Excellent!’ His face beamed as he moved in closer.

  She held out her hand and shook her head. ‘Yes, yes, anyway. I think we should eat here.’

  ‘Room service?’ Steven gave a cheeky wink.

  ‘No, let’s go downstairs and eat together in a normal environment, just like anyone else.’

  ‘A date then?’

  ‘Yes.’ She felt the heat rise on her face. Why did he make her feel shy all of a sudden?

  Steven gave a slight nod of the head and turned to the door. He opened it and held it as he waited by the side. ‘After you?’

  Back to Table of Contents

  Chapter 47

  Dirty Hands

  Emily rubbed her hands vigorously in the water. She got more soap and lathered for the second time. She felt so dirty. As she rinsed her hands and got some paper towels she hesitated. She could wash t
hem again. She gave a slight shake of the head. There was no point. Nothing would make her feel clean. The dirty deed was done. The woman was gone. Her path was clear now. He would welcome her back with open arms. She would be his shoulder to cry on, his comfort.

  With a cursory glance she looked at the body. It had been so easy to trick her way in. The woman was too trusting. It was lucky Emily had thought to bring the lotion they used to conceal the wound. No-one would be able to tell how the woman had lost so much blood. Either way, she had thrown her down the stairs after she had made her unconscious. With a fractured spine, she would never wake up again.

  Emily flicked her hair to the side. It was starting to get long again. She preferred it that way. She never understood why her twin sister Anna always kept it short. Emily always thought long hair suited them better. It was probably Anna’s way of being different from Emily. Anna was always so different. Emily browsed through the pictures. Paul had a lot of memories with the woman. A few were missing. Her brother, Ian, took all the pictures of Steven.

  It was such a waste.

  If she had known Steven would be like her she would have taken him back to the community. She had missed all of the memories for nothing. Then again, she was not sure it would have made any difference. She doubted she could ever have been a good mother.

  Slowly, she made her way upstairs. The view was amazing, the countryside in all its glory. Paul had done well for himself. This was a great house. Shame for the woman it was so deserted. She eased out of the open window and jumped down. Then she walked away and did not look back.

  She would return.

  First, she would give Paul some time to grieve. He would get quite a shock. If he had taken the car he would have got back sooner. Emily knew he would be another thirty minutes. Paul was a creature of habit. His morning walk for the newspaper provided Emily with the perfect opportunity.

  ***

  Steven could not believe he was back in his home town of Ilfracombe. He never thought he’d see it again, especially not with Caitlin.

  ‘What do you think?’ He parked the car in a lay-by with a view of the coastline. ‘Want to have a look?’ For a change it was not raining and the sun was out.

  ‘Sure,’ Caitlin replied.

  Once outside they walked to the edge.

  ‘It’s amazing. So, this is where you grew up. Not bad. Bet you surf as well then?’

  Steven nodded. ‘I can ride the waves. We’ll have to give it a go.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I did tell you we could breathe under water. How else am I going to show you?’ He put his arm around her.

  ‘We’ll have to get some wetsuits.’

  ‘We don’t need them. I think we can handle the cold.’ At least he thought they could.

  ‘Yes, but if anyone sees us they’ll think we’re strange right?’

  Always one step ahead of him. ‘You’re right.’

  ‘You know last night was great.’ She leant her head on his shoulder. ‘It’s like we’re in a dream. Do we have to face up to reality?’

  He turned to face her. ‘Eventually, it’s only been a day. Lectures start again Monday. We’ll decide what we’re going to do tonight.’

  ‘Okay, well in that case. Let’s go into town, find a pharmacy and then maybe we could go and see your dad. That’s why we’re here right?’

  He was amazed she could always see right through him. ‘Yes, I would like to see my parents.’

  ‘So, let’s go then. Last night was amazing, now we have stuff to do.’

  He laughed aloud. Caitlin was a woman on a mission – always.

  ***

  Caitlin found everything so strange. It was too easy. Since they had fed the day before she did not feel so out of control. She did have a slight inclination to attack but it was not strong enough to take over. At the moment all she wanted was to be with Steven. It was just as well she had thought of contraception. The last thing they needed was a baby.

  She was looking forward to seeing Steven’s father. She wondered what Steven could have looked like when he was older. It was nice to be on his home turf. As the car rounded the bend, a series of huge houses came into view. She knew Steven’s parents had money but this was in a different league. All of the properties were spread out, a series of mansions with a lot of land. She was sure five of her houses could fit on one of the plots.

  ‘So, what’s the plan? What are we going to do?’

  ‘We’ll pretend we got lost and just ask for directions. I just want to see them again, that’s all.’

  ‘What if they’re not in?’

  ‘They’re always in at the weekend. Then again that was when I was around. I don’t know. If they’re not in, we’ll try again later.’

  Caitlin could tell Steven was apprehensive. His finger tapped the steering wheel in a steady beat. All of a sudden it stopped. She looked up to his face and realised he had gone pale. Then she looked ahead and saw some flashing lights.

  Not a good sign.

  Steven pulled over to the other side of the road and sat still. ‘Something’s happened,’ he murmured.

  Caitlin looked across the road and saw a couple of police cars and an ambulance in the massive driveway. A man stood in the doorway with a serious expression, arms folded. A policeman seemed to say something to him. She focused on his lips and rolled down the window. Then his words became clear.

  ‘My stepmother is dead.’ Steven held his head in his hands as he leant into the steering wheel. ‘Shit. This is bad.’

  Caitlin listened in. The man was his dad. ‘Shall we go?’

  ‘Not yet. Give me a minute.’

  Something made Caitlin look around. She felt like she was being watched. It was weird. She did not say anything. Steven lifted his head, started the car and pulled out.

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?’ It felt right to offer.

  ‘No, I’ll be fine.’

  As they drove away Caitlin had a final look at the drive. Steven’s dad had gone back inside. It was going to be hard to live in a house that size alone. She wondered about the fall. Accidents did happen. The timing just sucked. Steven had not even had the chance to say goodbye, and now he never would.

  She reached out with her hand and put it on his. ‘Steven, I’m so sorry. I know she meant a lot to you.’

  ‘If only I had been able to see her one last time. Now…it doesn’t matter. It was wrong to come back here. We shouldn’t have come. I don’t know why I wanted to be here. It was…’ Steven paused, a serious expression on his face as he performed a sharp U-turn and started to drive back very fast.

  ‘Steven, what’s up?’

  ‘A hunch. Trust me.’

  Caitlin kept an eye on Steven and an eye on the road. He was driving very fast. As they got to the house he slowed, then parked and got out. Caitlin did not know whether she should follow. Steven glanced at her and beckoned her out.

  Steven held out his hand, she took it, and they crossed the road. On the road, next to the house he closed his eyes, as though deep in thought. A second later, his eyes snapped open. ‘She’s here.’

  ‘Who?’ Now she was totally confused.

  ‘My real mother, Emily, did this.’

  Caitlin frowned. ‘How can you know that?’

  ‘I just do. I know she’s been here. Her scent, it’s weird. I can smell her. I have to find her alone.’

  Caitlin flinched.

  ‘Take the car, find a place to stay and I’ll call you in a couple of hours. Please, I don’t want her to hurt you. She probably knows I’m here too. Go quickly, before she finds us.’

  ‘Steven I…’

  ‘Go, now. Please.’ His expression softened. ‘Take this.’

  He placed a wad of cash in her hand and then gave her an embrace and kiss. It did little to reassure her; even so she had to do what he asked. Once in the car, she gave him a little wave and drove with no idea of where she was going, on a mission to get far away from there.

/>   ***

  Steven let his instinct guide him as he walked. She was not near the house, but he was sure she was close by. He walked in the direction Caitlin had gone and picked up the pace. The road went into the forested area they had just passed. He took a turn into the forest away from the main road and continued. He could definitely sense her now. In the same way he had sensed her back in Manaus. He stopped and looked up, a pair of amber eyes stared back as she jumped down to face him.

  ‘I knew you were here,’ Steven snarled.

  Emily laughed and paced up in a carefree manner. ‘Aren’t you happy to see me? We can let your father in on the secret and we can play happy families again.’

  ‘A family? You are out of your mind. Did you kill my mother?’

  She stopped pacing and narrowed her eyes. ‘I’m your mother. That woman was nobody.’

  ‘Did you kill her?’ he shouted.

  ‘Lower your voice. What does it matter? She was not important.’

  Steven lunged at Emily. He could not help it. He pushed her against the tree and squeezed her throat between his hands as hard as he could.

  Emily’s face went from a smirk to peace. She closed her eyes as though inviting death. She had no fight in her. Steven could not do it, he had to let go. He struggled to keep it together.

  He saw Emily’s eyes open slowly as she took a deep breath. ‘I knew you would not kill me. You don’t have it in you.’

  ‘I’m not heartless,’ Steven snapped, now pacing up and down.

  As she rubbed her throat, Emily asked, ‘Who is she?’

  ‘Who?’ Steven found it hard to look at her.

  ‘The girl you’re with. Her scent is all over you. How did you get a girl? And what are you doing here anyway? Seems both of us are where we shouldn’t be.’

  Steven got up close. ‘Keep away from my dad and keep away from me.’

  ‘And what if I don’t? You have not answered my question. Who is the girl?’

  Pure hatred and anger surged through Steven. He grabbed Emily by the shoulders and threw her hard against the tree. He heard something snap, it could have been a branch. Emily collapsed on the floor. He picked her up by her throat and held her up with one hand. She choked out a muffled laugh, before she closed her eyes. He threw her on the floor and grimaced in disgust. He did not want to kill her, but if he could make her unconscious it would be a start. There was no way he would let her do anything to his dad and he did not even want to consider the consequences if she found out about Caitlin.