The past few months have been increasingly chaotic. A new virus, H5G9, has spread rapidly, and my mother is on the verge of giving birth. It's a girl.
We've been holed up inside, trying to stay safe while the world outside grows more uncertain. Every day, we monitor the news for updates, hoping for some good news amidst the chaos.
[ BREAKING NEWS! ]
A virus called H5G9 has emerged, accompanied by an unusual phenomenon: human babies being born with animal features. These babies are being referred to as Hybrids—half-human, half-animal.
The question is...
What came first? The Hybrids or the Virus?
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"Hey, Mom, what if—" I began to ask, but my father's voice cut through my worries.
"If it is, then we'll love her because she's family," Dad said firmly, his voice laced with reassurance.
"Yes, we'll love her, and you'll be her big brother. You need to take care of her," my mother added, gently running her fingers through my hair, her touch calming me.
"I will. I promise to protect her with everything I have," I vowed, feeling a surge of determination and responsibility.
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Days turned into a tense waiting period. My mother's labor was imminent, and I was left alone at home. They said it was too risky for me to go out, given the escalating situation outside.
Despite the assurances, I couldn't shake my anxiety. I hoped that they would come back safely. To calm myself, I took a walk around the house, reminiscing about the simpler times before the world was turned upside down.
I recalled baking with my mother—Dad had tried to help, but he ended up messing things up by setting the wrong temperature. The bread came out burnt and crispy instead of soft and fluffy. I chuckled as I remembered how Dad had looked, embarrassed but good-natured about his culinary failure.
As I was lost in these memories, a cacophony of noises from outside jolted me. I rushed to the window and peered out at our front yard and the street beyond.
The scene was a disarray of chaos and confusion. I saw our neighbors, an Indian couple, in the midst of the turmoil. My mother had mentioned that the husband was a doctor. If that was the case, why wasn't he at the hospital? Was his wife infected with the virus?
"Poor guy," I muttered to myself, watching with concern as they drove away toward the hospital—likely where he worked.
With them out of sight, I turned away from the window and headed upstairs to my room. I couldn't stop thinking about what my little sister would look like. Would she take after Mom, with her Latina brown hair and warm brown eyes? Or would she resemble Dad, with his tan skin, black hair, and striking green eyes? Maybe she'd look like me—a blend of both, with black hair, brown eyes, and a baby face that would eventually change with time.
*Sigh* I can't wait to meet her.
I entered my room and started preparing for the possibility that we might need to leave at a moment's notice. I grabbed two empty bags and began filling them with essentials: clothes, family photos, books, and a camera. There was a nagging feeling that our stay here might be cut short.
Suddenly, the sound of a car pulling into our driveway caught my attention. I hurried downstairs, my heart pounding with excitement and anxiety. I was eager to see my baby sister and to find out if my parents were safe.
When the front door swung open, I was greeted by the sight of my parents, and my baby sister, who appeared to be perfectly normal. At least, she seemed like a typical newborn.
We all settled on the couch in the living room. My mother carefully held the baby, while my father took a seat beside her.
"So, what's her name?" I asked, curiosity brimming in my voice.
"Well, we decided that you should name her," Mom said, her eyes twinkling as she looked at me with a hopeful smile.
"For real!?" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement.
"Shhh!" Both parents shushed me in unison.
"Oops, sorry," I whispered, suddenly aware of the need for quiet.
"Yup. Would you like to hold her?" Dad asked, his tone gentle.
"Of course! Who wouldn't?" I replied eagerly.
As Mom handed me the baby, I felt a profound sense of hope and joy. Holding my sister for the first time, I marveled at the tiny, peaceful form in my arms.
Hope...
"That's her name—Hope," I said softly, gazing at her with a warm smile.
"That's a beautiful name," Mom said, her voice soothing as Dad nodded in agreement.
After a few minutes, my parents began packing, preparing for whatever lay ahead. They left us alone in the living room with Hope. As I watched her sleep, I noticed something unusual about her appearance. Her body had a more muscular structure, and there was a light layer of hair on her skin. It wasn't excessive, but it was definitely noticeable.
"She's a hybrid..." I whispered, my eyes widening in shock as the realization sank in. My heart pounded as I grappled with the implications of this new reality.