"I'm baaaaack~" I forcibly sing with the little amount of energy I had. Before I could muster up anything more to say, I was met with the lightning-fast appearance of my friends swiping up the bags at my sides and running back to the couch to cuddle up the loot they collected.

A long sigh released from my lips. "Nice to see you too guys..." I say as I hang up my coat on the rack and take off my slippery shoes. The two heads at the white couch were eagerly scrounging for the Chinese takeaway stolen from my hands, juggling their eyes back and forth with the television screen. A mane of untamed curly reddish hair whipped back and I saw Asher's freckled face, ecstatic with something to say to me.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just that we're watching the news...have you heard?!" She exclaimed with a break in pitch as she turned back to the food in her lap.

"Everyone would have heard by now, Ash." Kina piped in monotonously, the brunette started forking at her food before adding another dull-toned comment. "Why is this all cold?"

Although Kina's remarks were harsh sounding, once you got to know Kina, you soon realise that matter-of-fact tone of hers is simply one of her attributes. it does make for good comedic timing in certain situations, but throughout it all, we know Kina doesn't have any ill will in her words. Kina headed up to the kitchen and tied her straight and long dark locks out of her face, getting the microwave ready to heat the absolute hell out of her fried rice.

"Sorry, I got side-tracked... almost missed the train too." I laugh awkwardly, walking around the couch to retrieve my (F/C) dinner discarded on the coffee table. I crash next to Asher, using a pillow to prop up my food.

"Glad you got here in time... then our food would have been really really cold." Asher teases, I try to flick her on the forehead but she immediately blocks my attack with a pillow. She giggles and it makes me smile, as it always does.

"You're such an idiot..." We both took silent nibbles at our food, waiting for the news to come back on after the ad break. Other than the groans of satisfaction Asher made when gorging on her dinner, it was very quiet. "I'm in heaven... You're my new favourite." She says, patting her belly as if it were already full. She always gets something new on the menu while Kina continuously gets the same fried rice.

"How long have you guys been watching the news?..." I ask. Asher swallowed down and looked to Kina...who simply shrugged, and made it known there was no definite answer between the two. "If there haven't been any new developments since the first break, they are just stretching this story out for watch time now..." I say. But I had a feeling my words fell on deaf ears. Asher soon proved my theory right.

"It's crazy... every day when I hear about the situation with the hybrids, It just keeps making me feel like I'm in some kind of movie." I couldn't help but agree with her.

What the public knew about hybrids was probably very little in comparison to what the national scientific agency was hiding. But what we did know is that the Hybrids can change form abnormally and at will, not even science could prove this one yet... and the world has been going crazy with extraordinary theories that truly seem like the logic a sci-fi film would have.

The scary part is that some of these theories can be true... anything can be true now.

"The death toll has reached 8 people..." Kina said on her phone while balancing her takeaway to the couch. "Not too long until the authorities will call it a national crisis."

"You think so?" Asher asked. She made a sound that was reminiscent of a frustrated growl. "All of the deaths so far are from people getting too close to the hybrids, I don't want to say this but these people are just getting themselves killed... who knows what the authorities are going to do? I've seen many people online call for a mass culling already..." Her tone perished with that final thought. 

Asher was an animal lover since birth and was studying to be a veterinary specialist. This evolving situation always had truly gripped that part of her and had great motivation to help understand more of the Hybrids. She had great sympathy for animals, and her passion always drove her decisions, even if they weren't for the best. Her Professor who has close links with the NSA had told her that she may be offered a job over there because of her acclaimed studies on animal nature and behaviour. I'm so proud of her, I just hope it's all she dreams for.

"They won't do that..." Kina added whilst messing around with her food. "It's a complicated situation, one that tests the logic of what we've known for centuries... the government is most likely going to set up research task-forces to get as much information on the situation as possible...so for now...the hybrids should be fine."

Kina was smart, too smart for her own good sometimes. She's a great software engineer at her own start-up company but doesn't brag about it too much. Unlike an energetic Asher, she was quieter and calculated in her decisions. Although between the three of us our opinions may vary, it was safe to assume Kina would be right in situations where we needed an educated guess on an outcome. Asher and I were just university students after all.

Asher was silent when she processed Kina's words, a sigh left her lips. "I just hope the government treats the hybrids as lives... lives connected to ours... not like some kind of science experiment."

"Well... they could have been the bi-product of biological experimenting in the first place..." I add recalling a theory I saw online.

Kina nods her head in thought. "It could be true..." Asher raises her gaze as the smartest person in the room agrees with my statement.

"Anything seems to be probable at this point, only time will tell."

-

As the news played on through the night, there weren't any more developments on everpresent 'Hybrid Epidemic' So after we all finished our meals, I figured that it was too late for Kina and Asher to head home so I let them now sleepover for the night and the two shared the couch.

In settling in for the night with my eye on catching some well-needed rest, I couldn't seem to conclude my thoughts of the hybrid news until I truly had this slither of time to myself. And now, in my restless tossing and turning, the images continue creeping, disturbing any peaceful rest I had set myself on getting.

I wanted to understand more than anything... I wanted to comprehend why and how are these animals can shift into human form and why they have only just been discovered. It was just so uneasy and the curiosity was setting off something within... an augmenting reality that seemed way too personal.

And that awareness, growing stronger through every day, made it a complete impossibility to calm my mind.

As I got ready to head out, tightening the shoelaces on my sneakers, I decided to write a small note for Asher and Kina just in case they heard me leave the apartment.

Going for a jog, can't get to sleep. I shouldn't be too long and yes, I brought the pepper spray.

- (Y/N)

The cold of the night is easily more comforting than cold in the daytime. The soft chilly breeze flowing in from the darkness delivers a nice jolt of energy to the system, perfect for jogging as the temperature cools you as your body heats up. 

I made it down into the streets of our suburban neighbourhood puffing out little clouds in my rhythm. The stellar city of Lonhurst pierced the sky with tall shining masses from the east, acting as a backdrop to the suburban bayside residences.

I jogged along the popular concrete pathways and reached a small shipping port hidden by the greenery of the surrounding parklands. The sound of the shoreline lapping at the port decks seemed to drown out anything else here, and it was so easy to get lost in thought.

This place held cherished memories I've shared with Asher and Kina that were simply blissful to retrace,

These parklands held small festivals filled with markets and music in the summer, I remember being in awe with Asher of the beauty the colourful night lanterns hung from the trees and lined the stone pathway to the shrine hidden within the mountains. Kina was more entertained by the history surrounding the shrine, and the scientific calculations she theorised about how the fire-breathers were able to construct their act without accident.

At the end of the night, everyone at the festival would release glowing paper lotus flowers and send them off across the bay, in hopes of bringing good luck and prosperity to the world.

It was magical. This all made me wonder if my friends would miss living in the suburbs as they would soon move into the city, and if we would still be able to create more memories with their new busy lives.

I slowed, pushing with less energy until I could walk myself to a stop and properly catch my breath. I wiped the sweat from my cupid bow, smiling as I noticed that I was tired and my muscles were relaxed. It would be easy to fall asleep as soon as I got home. I turned around with my hands on my hips, ready to walk back home and get a good sleep before a strenuous day at Lelita's cafe. 

Without much else to think about other than sleep, I immersed myself in the parklands. The gentle sway of the wild forest was calming, yet eerie as the sight of these skeletal shadows looked to be moving in the moonlight. 

Then, prompting me out of a thoughtful state, I see a strange shifting movement down the path... something vague and incomplete but growing more prominent in the distance. I slowed with new trepidation and the quick rise of sudden unease then came to a pause, impatiently waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. 

There was a sound, low and gurgling... an arising volume that shook the entire forest to rumble in an immensely powerful vibration.

"Ngh!" In an instant, The vibration cut through and pulsed my body in pressurized waves that were squeezing me with an invisible crushing force. I caught my ears and pressed them hard but the low sound of this pressure was a complete invasion of my entire self. I cry, fighting this force with every ounce of strength left within me until I fall under the force. I twisted my limbs, pushing against the dirt, trying so desperately to perceive what was coming through the darkness to me into pure peril.

Suddenly, the forest before me was flooded with a bright luminescent white. The blinding sting of this immediate flash corrupted all of my senses, and slowly sinking away was that controlling form of darkness. I gently hold my heart up to my racing heart, searching the thick parkland woods with sharp twists and turns. I found the night was quiet...so normally quiet.

"Hey!" A voice called from where this light came from. I raised my arm to shadow my eyes and saw a red four-wheel motorbike on the pathway, its high-power headlights making my head spin. A male figure pulled himself off of the bike and ran up to my side. The man, who donned the tawny-green polo and shorts I recognised belonged park ranger, placed his firm hands on my shoulders.

"Are you okay? What are you doing here alone?" The ranger asks quite sternly. I rubbed at my brow, still trying to make sense of what just happened to me as everything began to take normal shape again. 

I looked up at the ranger, quite the opposite of someone I expected to work here. He was a handsome young face, with brown locks framing his soft features including hazel green-brown eyes that matched the parklands around us. He seemed to be in his early twenties, and maybe only a few years older than myself. However it was hard to say because his appearance was a stark contrast to his clear and concise voice that reminisced that of a parent.

"Hey...are you okay? can you answer me?" He speaks softly with this demand.

"I...I was jogging..." I say trying to get past my shock.

"At this time of night?" His voice rang through with a tone of discipline. He waved his large hand in front of my eyes, I  blinked in simple confusion. "You seem quite dazed... let me escort you out of here ..it's not safe to be around these places at night."

"Oh..." I bit on my lips realising how dumb I must have sounded just now. The ranger escorted my way to the four-wheeler with a steady supportive arm on my elbow although there wasn't any need too, and I was taken by his genuine concern for me. "Thank you," I say, awkwardly handing onto his shirt for some stability on the vehicle. He looked behind and chuffed into laughter.

"No worries, just don't go night jogging again."

The ranger kicked the motorcycle into gear and we were soon travelling through the forest. Although my heart had settled with my kind rescuer, the hairs on my arms raised and anxious tingles shivered down my spine. I looked into the shadows, trying to reassure me that there was nothing to be seen.

But I sensed something...strong and wicked, something dark was lurking here...