Hybrid: The Awakening

Chapter 19-Asher

Date on Earth: Sunday, October 8

Doing nothing felt...strange.

For what had seemed like forever, I had been on an adrenaline rush. Every second I expected something dangerous to pop up out of nowhere. But for the first time since this whole thing started, I finally could relax.

The weird thing was, my body felt like it had forgotten how to calm down. I couldn't stop my foot from tapping or my fingers from twirling the walking stick in my hand. Which was normal for me, but the feeling of restlessness at the moment was on a whole new level.

I flinched as another cramp crawled up my leg. Call me insane, but the pain actually brought me some sort of pleasure. For years, I had only imagined what it would be like. And now I could feel it.

Sitting down on the ground, I tried straightening my leg, something I'd seen Dion do every time he'd start to cramp up.

With the action came a sudden feeling of loneliness. I shouldn't have been; I had Tristen, Diana, and Tesha with me. And already they felt like close friends.

But they still weren't family.

I hadn't grown up with them or lived with them my entire life. I had grown up with Mrs. Nancy, Dion, Sadie, and all the other kids that were in the foster home. Come to think of it, now was the longest I'd ever been away from them.

What did they think? I had just disappeared without a trace on my first day of school. Did they assume I had died in the fire? That I ran(or rolled) away?

Were they hurting?

I shook my head. I couldn't let myself think about those things. Right now I had one mission and one mission only: to get to the only spot the Jh'ai would be safe.

And also to find something to eat, because I was starving.

A breeze that went by carried a scent that made my stomach growl. Using my stick, I got up and searched for the source of the smell.

Situated next to the stage was a stand with smoke coming from behind it. A big lady moved around, carrying steaming pans. She placed them on the counter and took out a few plates. With one last pinch of spice, the lady poured whatever was in the pans onto each plate.

And it looked so good.

On each of the plates was a large piece of steak cooked medium-well, with its juiciness clearly visible. On the side was mashed potatoes with gravy drizzled over it and more seasoned veggies next to it.

My mouth watered, and before I knew it, I was in front of the stand, sniffing in the amazing aroma.

"Can I help ya, kid?" A rough voice said, and I quickly looked up. It was the big lady, frowning deeply.

"Ma'am, what seasonings do you put in this?" I said, "It smells incredible."

"Secret ingredient," the lady responded gruffly.

"You know, cooking's one of my hobbies. I have this awesome mac and cheese recipe my caretaker taught me. Maybe we can trade information; my mac and cheese for your steak?"

She glared at me. "There's a reason I said secret recipe."

I sighed. "Alright, I get it. Gotta make sure your food stays the best in town, am I right?" I winked. The lady glared harder.

"Geez, it's a compliment, not a death threat," I mumbled to myself, before smiling at the big lady again. "So...could I try one of your courses please?"

"You got money?"

"Well, not with me, but-"

"Then scram!" She waved me off before turning around.