The Wounded Hybrid

Every time Aria Lane looked back, she saw no one. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone, or something, had been following her. As she walked, the sensation only intensified. Still, she saw nothing. She hadn't expected the streets to be this empty at that hour, which is why she had overstayed at the hospital.

She glanced back one more time. Still no one. Her pace quickened. The faster she walked, the more convinced she became that whatever was following her was matching her speed.

This time, she was too afraid to turn around. She could hear the footsteps now heavy and deliberate behind her. Every instinct screamed for her to look back, but fear held her captive. If ghosts or vampires were real, was she the first to be ambushed? The thought only heightened her terror.

The footsteps grew louder and closer. With trembling hands, she unzipped her handbag, struggling to retrieve her phone. Normally it would take her a second. Now it felt like a lifetime. Her hands, slick with sweat, fumbled with the lock screen. The fingerprint wouldn't work, and her trembling made typing impossible. After several failed attempts, the screen finally unlocked.

She dialed 999.

But before she could hit "call," she was shoved from behind. Her phone flew from her hand and skidded several meters away. She cried out as she hit the ground. Groaning, she looked up and froze.

The man standing over her wore a black mask. His eyes were the only visible part of his face-cold, taunting. A dagger glinted in his hand.

"H-Hey... if you want money, I'll give you everything I have, I swear. Just don't hurt me... You can even take my phone-it's expensive," she stammered, inching backward on her hands.

The man advanced slowly, laughing, the blade teasing her cheek. "You're worth more than money, pretty girl," he sneered, squatting in front of her. "Bad idea to walk alone at night. But lucky for me."

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her up, his grip so tight it hurt.

"Where are you taking me? Please let me go!" Aria cried, struggling to free herself.

He didn't respond. He just kept dragging her, ignoring her pleas. Panic gripped her. She had to do something-anything. Her only option... was to bite him.

The idea disgusted her, but desperation overruled everything. She whispered a shaky prayer, closed her eyes, and sank her teeth into his hand with all the strength she could muster.

The man cried out and released her.

She ran.

Her first thought was to retrieve her phone, but when she picked it up, it had shut off. Behind her, she heard footsteps again. She looked back-the man was charging toward her. Her knee, injured during the earlier fall, made running harder. She didn't get far before he caught up.

"Come here, little brat!" he snapped, grabbing her braids and yanking hard.

"You think you can get away? I'll catch you every time," he snarled, dragging her back.

"Please, sir... please let go," she whimpered through tears. "I promise to give you everything..."

The man didn't care. He crossed the road, pulling her toward an abandoned building. Aria trembled harder. She felt hopeless until headlights cut through the night.

A car.

The man tried to rush her across the street, but she planted her feet, refusing to move. Either the driver would save her or hit her; anything was better than what awaited her in that building.

To her dismay, the car swerved and passed them.

Hope shattered. She let him drag her again, her eyes fixed on the ground. But then-suddenly-his grip vanished.

"Hey... are you okay?"