The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return

by Vanessa Wester

  A spark of life resurfaced when he met Judith, he only had eyes for her – no-one else stood a chance. From that first glance, he wanted to settle down and have a family with her. She was the woman he wanted to marry. It had happened at a dance. He had so much choice, so many single ladies for so few men. That was the war. Men were few and far between. When he saw Judith he knew.

  He did not approach her that night. He did not dare. His parents arranged it instead.

  The next day the match was made. Her reaction had amused him. Her cheeks bright crimson as she maintained eye contact. Her amber eyes dotted with gold were almost magical. They only sought to capture his heart further. They had talked under the watchful eye of their families and the pact was made. Everyone realised the inevitable.

  They were married six months later.

  The phones incessant ring tone continued so Jeff cursed and got up. He could not ignore it anymore. Reluctant, he returned to the present with an aching heart and picked up the receiver.

  ‘Jeff, I need your help.’ It was Steven. ‘I’m very close to breaking point. What do I do?’

  ‘Calm down. What do you mean, close to breaking point?’

  ‘I nearly attacked someone. The need, it’s growing within me. I fed from a deer and it’s done nothing to satiate my thirst. It repelled me. What do I do?’

  ‘You have to abstain. You promised me that you could. We told you the risk. We explained that no-one had ever been able to resist humans. If you can’t overcome it, you’ll have to come back here until we figure out a way.’

  ‘Okay, I get it, but you know what I want. What do you suggest?’

  ‘Come home. We need to talk.’

  The line went silent. A minute later, he heard Steven barely reply. He sounded crushed. ‘I’ll be there in an hour.’

  The line went dead.

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  Chapter 25

  Jeff’s Story

  Steven gazed up at the house, a relic of the past. He was the youngest descendant of the Roberts family, Jeff the oldest. In theory the young had much to learn from the old. He needed Jeff’s guidance. He got his key out, opened the door and made his way in. A pungent, stale smell lingered. With Judith gone, he doubted anyone had bothered to clean.

  ‘Jeff, are you here?’

  The lounge floor was covered in newspapers. Old photographs lay on every work surface. The house was a mess. Worse than that, it looked like Jeff had been wallowing in self-pity. He did not blame him.

  ‘Welcome back.’ Jeff shuffled into the room, a shadow of his former self. He wore a moth-eaten, striped, dressing gown over his pyjamas. His frame had withered, it was obvious he had not fed, and he looked older, much older.

  Steven was consumed with guilt. It was his fault. ‘You’re not doing so well. I’m sorry I have not called sooner.’

  Jeff shrugged his shoulders and made his way to the sofa. ‘You’ve been keeping well? You look okay, a bit paler than usual, but better than me, as you can see.’

  Steven could not return the smile. He did not find it funny.

  ‘Hungry right?’ Jeff raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Famished.’ Steven was torn. He needed help, but then again so did Jeff. ‘I can always try to figure it out for myself. You look like you need help to.’

  Jeff waved off the suggestion with his hand, ‘Nonsense! I know what I need and you know what you need. But, I’ve thought about our situation a lot and I’ve come up with a theory. Now, hear me out, see what you think.’ He pressed his hands together and rubbed them gently.

  Steven wondered if he was cold. Was his resistance breaking down? He focused on what Jeff was saying.

  ‘I think the reason we survived out in the Amazon was because we fed off monkeys. Genetically, they are our closest ancestors.’

  That was not was Steven was expecting him to say, ‘Monkeys? I never even thought of genetics.’

  ‘I wonder if that might help if you don’t want to kill anyone. There is a problem, as you can imagine. There are less monkeys here than people. Not exactly mainstream at university, unless you include those that act like monkeys.’

  Steven allowed himself to chuckle. His old friend Adam would have qualified. ‘Yes. I know what you mean. There is a Zoo close by; I could get one from there. Is it worth a try?’

  ‘Risky again. All monkeys are accounted for, probably even more than people.’ Jeff paused, and looked Steven in the eye. ‘Is the girl worth it? Tell me the truth, has she moved on? Should you leave her alone?’

  Steven did not want to lie, but he had to. He knew full well she had moved on and got herself a new boyfriend. He should just leave her alone. But, then people don’t always do what they should. Without further hesitation, he replied, ‘Caitlin is worth it, I’ll do anything you suggest.’

  ‘Right well, in that case, you’d better get ready to scale some walls. And Steven, don’t get caught.’

  ‘I won’t,’ he reassured, exuding a confidence he did not have. ‘You could come with me?’

  ‘In my current state I don’t think I’m up to the job. I’ll go out in a minute and get something. Two missing monkeys would also give cause for concern.’

  ‘Can I get you anything? You don’t look so good.’ He did feel responsible.

  ‘No, I’ll be fine. I’m just biding my time. Let me know how you get on.’

  ‘I’ll come back.’ When he got to the door, he glanced back to see Jeff grasping a picture firmly within his hands. His eyes now closed. He didn’t look well, at all.

  ***

  As soon as the door slammed, Jeff made his way over to the entrance window. There was no sign of Steven. He mulled over the situation. He hoped he was right. Steven’s future was still so uncertain. Judith always had a way of putting a spanner in the works. Why had she been so certain he could be trusted? Was it the guilt she had lived with in denying Emily what she wanted? He could not help wondering if it was right to keep his promise. Steven showed all the signs of failure. Surely, it was not right to endorse murder.

  The dry cough that had been plaguing him for a few days started again and he leaned over as it subsided. His limbs felt achy and sore. It was an unfamiliar sensation to feel old. He was sure he was ageing five years a day. The only way to delay it would be to feed again. The problem was animal blood was not helping. He could have gone with Steven. He just did not want to interfere. Steven had to do this on his own.

  The dilemma weighed upon his mind. On the one hand, he wondered whether Judith would want him to kill another human on the grounds of helping Steven. On the other, what was the point of killing someone again to extend his life? Just like she had, he embraced death now, welcomed it. His thoughts were jumbled. They bordered on grey; no decision was ever black or white. For the community, he should recover and take Steven back, just to be sure. It was the premise he had foundered. None of them were meant to live outside. And yet, he had made his wife a promise. It was difficult. Nothing was ever easy, not in the long run.

  ***

  Steven started to run. Hidden within the foliage, he followed the route he had taken the previous year when he went to Marwell Zoo with Caitlin. It had been a good day. Under the cover of night, he moved stealthily, just like a ghost. After hardly any time had passed, he scaled the huge walls of the zoo and jumped over the fence. He made it look effortless. Taking a deep breath he let his senses take over as he tracked his prey. At the enclosure, he surveyed the security. It was going to be tricky.

  Eyes peeled, ears focused, he kept out of the line of sight of the surveillance cameras. They made a very slight, clicking sound that no ordinary human would have been able to hear. The change had some advantages. Minutes went by before he found the location for the chimpanzees.

  He held the lock in his hand, relieved it did not need a key. As he twisted the dial he listened for the click. Each time the click occurred he changed direction. Finally, the lock gave way. He slipped it off and loosened the catch. Quick as a fla
sh, he grabbed the nearest animal, broke its neck and eased out. As he locked the door he felt sorry for the family left behind. They would miss their companion.

  Desperate, he hid in the corner, one of the few blind spots on offer. Without hesitation, he sank his extended fangs into his kill. The taste was different to deer. It was richer, deeper, more filling. Jeff might have been right. This could have been the reason why the Amazon offered them such a fulfilling diet. The burning sensation that had been driving him crazy eased and he made his way out of the area with the dead body. He did not want to leave any evidence behind. He watched and listened. He could not let his guard down now.

  Once he was a few miles from the zoo he stopped and checked the dead animal. It looked peaceful – that was the only consolation. A building site came into view so he picked up a shovel that had been left in the corner and took it with him to bury the animal in the dense undergrowth of the nearby forest. He dug a deep hole, laid the animal inside, and covered it up. He added some loose bark and leaves on top as a finishing touch. He had done as much as he could.

  On his way back to the house, he tried to put what he had done behind him. His grandfather had been right to question him. He should leave Caitlin alone and go back to the Amazon, to his new life. She had moved on. Steven was too stubborn. He did not want to lose his humanity. He was naïve enough to believe that his determination and will power could overcome his nature.

  *

  The sight of Jeff on the couch startled Steven. In the few hours he had been gone, Jeff had got worse. He looked skeletal, practically a corpse. And he was not moving.

  ‘Jeff, are you alright?’

  Jeff groaned as his eyes blinked. He barely managed to get them open.

  ‘Jeff, you look terrible, you should be in bed.’ Steven picked him up and carried him to the bedroom. Regardless of his strength, he knew Jeff was too light. He was dying.

  ‘Why are you carrying me?’ he whispered.

  ‘You are weak,’ Steven replied.

  What he said next startled Steven. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t want to live anymore. Not without Judith.’

  ‘I’m sorry too. This is my fault. Okay, look, let’s get you comfortable.’

  The bedroom was dishevelled to say the least. Steven placed Jeff on the bed and tried to fluff the covers to make him comfortable. Judith had been in the same position not that long ago.

  Jeff opened his eyes again and patted the bed. When Steven sat down, Jeff held his hand like a vice. ‘I have something to tell you. I promised Judith I would tell you. It’s time for the truth.’

  ‘What truth?’ Steven had no idea what he was talking about.

  Jeff blinked slowly, his eyes sad. ‘No-one knows what I’m about to tell you. Well, except Emily, Judith always thought she suspected the truth. That’s why Emily was so angry with us. We could have helped her – and we didn’t. We just lied to her, told her it was not possible.’

  ‘Slow down, you’re not well. Can I get you something first? Water?’

  ‘No, no. Listen. I don’t have much time. After you hear this, you can decide whether to let the others know. I have kept the secret for a long time.’

  Steven wondered what he could possibly have to say. There was no way he could have prepared himself for what he was about to hear.

  ‘Judith was not infected by the bats, I created her.’

  Steven leant back and let go of Jeff’s hand. The revelation whirled in his head. It was not possible. Was it? ‘How? And why would you keep something like that a secret?’

  ‘Why do you think?’ Jeff started to cough.

  ‘I’ll get some water.’ Steven needed a few minutes to digest it. He went downstairs and got the glass of water. All the time he wondered if it could possibly be true. It was no surprise it had been kept a secret – it was too big a deal.

  Back in the room, he passed Jeff the glass and propped his head up to help him take a sip.

  When the glass was safely on the bedside table, Steven repeated the question. ‘So, why didn’t you tell the others? Didn’t you trust them?’

  ‘It was not a question of trust. I didn’t want them to see Judith differently. I didn’t want them to see us as fictional vampires? It could have got out of hand. That was why I alienated the community and imposed restrictions. I could not let others do what I had done. It was hard for Judith to keep the secret from Emily. When she saw how you suffered she knew there had to be another way. Like I had done all those years earlier, she wanted you to have the choice. That was why she made me promise to stay with you.’

  ‘To help me change Caitlin?’ he asked, as the penny dropped.

  ‘Exactly,’ he croaked. ‘You are so sharp, just like your mother. From the first day I met you and you called us vampires I knew you wouldn’t be fooled. I knew you’d discover the truth somehow. And here we are. I don’t have much time. You need to listen. Hopefully, it will work again. Just promise me something. Make sure she is willing. Judith was not given the choice – it just happened. You must give Caitlin the choice.’

  As Jeff continued, Steven listened in awe. He had never considered the possibility of making Caitlin like him. It was impossible, and yet a major result. It had taken a lot of effort for Jeff to tell the tale. Steven noticed him relax after he got the last words out. Now Steven knew everything he needed to know.

  Near the end Jeff appeared at ease, he invited death to take him to his beloved wife. Steven watched as his breathing became light and random, his eyes closed. Jeff had saved the last of his energy to fulfil Judith’s request. He gave a final gasp, convulsed and became still. It was over. He could rest in peace.

  He could not believe what he had just been told – it was a lifeline.

  He picked up a blanket and covered the body. There would be plenty of time to deal with the burial. He would make sure his grandfather’s wishes were followed and bury him next to Judith. He could not tell the others yet. It would rock the community further. Their father and mentor had died. He had to keep it from them. He needed more time. He gave the blanket a last glance, walked into the corridor and made his way downstairs. As he did, he considered his next course of action.

  Could he really do what Jeff had proposed?

  Was it selfish to change the life of the person he loved? It did not feel selfish if she was willing.

  That was the crux of the issue.

  Would Caitlin ever be willing?

  In time, he would be able to win her affections. The thing was time was not something he had a lot of. There had to be a way to get Caitlin back. There had to be a way for her to see him like she used to. She had also fallen in love with him, of that he was sure. And in the recesses of her mind her subconscious would have to find a way to bring it all back.

  Steven would have to find a way.

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  Chapter 26

  Water Polo

  Caitlin ran down the stairs and hoisted her bag over her back at the sound of the doorbell, water polo beckoned. Without a second thought, she opened the door. With her hand on the handle her eyes jumped out of their sockets as she saw who it was. Daniel smiled and held out an impressive selection of flowers. His jeans and black leather jacket hung perfectly off his frame.

  She gawped and focused on the flowers. Orange and yellow freesias drowned within gypsaphelia, wrapped in clear cellophane and a huge pink bow. She looked up at his face. His perfectly groomed, shoulder length chestnut hair surrounded a tanned complexion. It made him look Mediterranean, even though he was born in the outskirts of London and had never ventured further than Scotland. It was the twinkle in his chestnut eyes and the dimples in his cheeks that brought her back to reality.

  ‘Ahhh…,’ Caitlin screamed, the bag now discarded on the floor. She flung herself at him and they hugged. She leant her head back and found his lips. The kiss was the hungry sort. Before it got out of hand she pulled back and slapped him lightly on the chest. ‘What are you doing here? You nearly gave m
e a heart attack!’

  ‘I can go back if you like?’ he teased, a cheeky grin pasted on his face.

  ‘No, you can’t. Come in here, I’ve missed you.’ She grabbed his hand and pulled him in the house. She could not help kissing him again, before a familiar loud cough interrupted them.

  Caitlin pulled away and pouted at Gemma who was standing on the staircase with her arms folded, eyes alight, mouth in a half smile.

  ‘Don’t mean to interrupt. It’s just that the doorbell sounded again. It’s a busy night by the looks of it. Shall I get it?’

  Caitlin blushed and quickly added, ‘No, it’s for me.’

  Daniel held her hand fast, but she still managed to slip out of his grasp. She had no idea how she was going to concentrate on the match now.

  ***

  Gemma unfolded her arms. ‘You must be Daniel then?’

  ‘Yes, nice to meet you.’ He did not turn to face her, eyes glued on Caitlin.

  The signs were loud and clear, he was totally besotted. Gemma did a head to toe analysis. Nice clothes, cute features, tight butt. Impressive, Caitlin had come good at last.

  Caitlin turned back and gave Daniel a pleading, lost puppy, kind of look, ‘I have to go for a water polo match. Do you want to come and watch?’

  Gemma could have laughed aloud. There was no chance he would let up on the opportunity to spot girls in swimsuits, especially when one of them was Caitlin.

  No surprise that Daniel replied, ‘I’d love to see you play. Do I need to drive?’

  Gemma grinned. All men were the same.

  ‘No, there’s room for you in the car. Come on, let’s go or we’ll be late,’ Caitlin said, as she reached out for his hand.

  Gemma stood in the doorway and watched them dash out, scramble into the car and whizz off. Now you see them, now you don’t. The sound of footsteps made her look in the other direction. She could not believe her luck when she saw who was passing by. Regardless of the slippers, she shuffled out in pursuit. ‘Simon, is that you?’