Chapter 20: Peterson

Now

Mitch held onto Cliff, checking her pulse and breathing. She was alive, that was for sure. She seemed to have fainted, Jerome mumbled nearly inaudible. Her little cat ears were flopped over, hair draped over Mitch's knee. It was almost the image of two lovers, if I hadn't known Mitch and Cliff at all. Ashley looked around, frightened. Why had she fainted?

"She's alive. Hopefully she'll wake up soon and tell us what that was about," sighed Mitch.

"This is crazy…why did I join this party again?" mumbled Ashley, pulling her knees to her chest.

"You wanted to be a part of the army," I reminded.

"Right…I'll get to meet Sky, right?" grumbled Ashley, glaring at me.

"Yes."

"I won't die, right?"

"I can't promise that in the slightest."

Ashley's eyes widened as she turned away from me. Jerome chuckled, rolling his eyes. I chuckled myself. Jerome reached out, holding up his fist. I completed the fist bump. We chuckled some more. Ashley snarled at us, shoving me. Then she started to laugh.

"Glad you three are enjoying yourself," Mitch sighed, rolling his eyes.

"What would we do otherwise?" I suggested.

"We could talk about you two?" Ashley purred. "About you two and Peterson?"

Mitch rolled his eyes, glancing at Jerome. The bacca shrugged. Mitch smirked, rolling his eyes again and turning to look at us.

"Peterson owned me," Jerome cut in before Mitch could speak.

"Owned you?" perked Ashley.

"You two are city people. You don't know much about hybrids," chuckled Jerome, rolling his eyes.

"Hybrids don't have many rights," Mitch offered.

"Or any rights," Jerome added.

"Some rights," argued Mitch.

"No rights," mouthed Jerome.

"I remember hearing my parents talking about that," I nodded.

"Recently, a fight has been going on for hybrid rights," Mitch explained. "But most hybrids are still without rights."

"None?" Ashley mumbled.

"They can own a house," Mitch offered.

"We can't have jobs," yawned Jerome. "Or internships. Or go to school. Or own a car. Or…"

"Jerome!" shouted Mitch. He sighed, turning back to us. "This is why most hybrids live in the woods."

"Outside of the army, have you ever seen a hybrid?" Jerome added.

I shook my head.

"I was alone. No family. No food. No shelter. I was ready to die when Peterson came down from his…perch to offer me what I didn't have. Unlike humans back when I was kid, that would kill any bacca they saw, Peterson was the closest thing I had to family."

"This was after we ran into each other one day. I fed him half my lunch," Mitch chuckled. "He snuck out my window."

"When we met the second time, I was running from Peterson because I knew there had to be a better life out there. Mitch again fed me, offered me shelter and clothes. Peterson took me back…by force."

"I gave up my life to rescue him," Mitch finished.

"Then what happened?" perked Ashley, deeply involved in the story.

"We beat him," smirked Mitch.

"He didn't like it," chuckled Jerome.

"How did you beat him?" I whispered.

Cliff began to stir on Mitch's lap. We all were silenced, waiting for her eyes to flutter open. She groaned, looking around. First she perked at the sight of Mitch directly above her. She sprang up, leaving the safety of his lap and looked around further. Mitch and Cliff blushed, turning away from each other.

"Are you alright, Cliff?" I asked.

"What…what happened?" she pleaded.

"You passed out," nodded Mitch.

"I…I passed out?" whimpered Cliff.

"You screamed and passed out," added Ashley.

"Screamed," repeated Cliff in a hushed whispered. "A vision…"

"Vision?" perked Jerome. "Like the ones Seto gets? Like future stuff or seeing other people right now stuff?"

"I don't…I'm not sure what I saw. It was quick…blurred. Everything moved so quickly," panted Cliff, holding her head. "I need…I need to think. Seto will be able to help me make sense of it."

"We should all rest," yawned Mitch, stretching. He scooted over toward Jerome, helping him block the door. "Let's rest. Tomorrow is another day…and it will come quick."

Mitch and Jerome remained leaned against the door, snoozing. Ashley and Cliff were huddled up against either side of me. We were warm and comfy. I couldn't sleep right away. Too many thoughts. Too many ideas. Everything was racing. Then everything slowed as my eyes settled on the two across from me. Mitch and Jerome. Who knew these two happy guys could've gone through such hardship. What else was I missing about the others? My eyes grew heavy as I thought. Eventually, I slept.