"You're awake, Mr. Hawk." A deep unfamiliar voice greeted my lazy eyes with a dangerous laugh. "Good morning." His face was old and plain. His mustache was messy. His eyes were as big as the moon. His lips were full and fat. His white hair introduced his age. He was an old man.

.

"Where am I?" My broken voice screamed with anger as chains collected both of my hands with heavy locks. "Who are you?" I yelled, angrily. "What do you want from me?"

.

"You're home, Hawk." He giggled. "Home sweet home." He made fun of my question as he tried to make me feel worse. "Do you know why you're here?" He questioned, amusingly.

"No," I said, impatiently. "You're kidnapping me. I promise you, I don't have anything on me but we can have a deal. I have money, I can help you. Name your price and I'll make sure you have it by tomorrow morning. I won't call the cops. Just let me go." I confronted him with an idea.

"You're a funny man, Hawk Wale." He forced a smile. "But If you think that your money can save your life right now? You're wrong." He made some steps towards me and whisper in my ears with a dark request. "I want your blood." His tone was firm and urgent.

"Why do you want my blood?"I pretended that I didn't know the reason. "Why me?"

"I'll tell you a story about your ancestors." He grabbed a chair and placed it next to me. "In Nineteen fifty-eight, a rumor has spread in Lionland. Lionland is where I'm from, a small village, a beautiful place where lions used to be gods in our eyes. They were our protectors. We used to chop their hair so we can make fire at night. Impossible to believe right?" He chuckled. "Dust and Lion's hair used to make fire. Lions were useful for all of us. Lions were friendly like dogs. They used to love humans, they used to be gentle and protect people but one night, humans chased them away. They killed millions of them. There was a reason behind all that. A secret that was cursed by humanity and by God, himself. A young girl fell in love with a lion and got pregnant by it. A curse if you ask me. An impossible gift in everyone's eyes. They killed most of these lions. Some of them escaped, some of them died from hunger. They all spread one by one."

"What about the girl?" I asked, with a curious tone.

"Her name was Evana. She ran away after she found out that they wanted to kill her unborn baby. Years passed by, she never returned home but her daughter did. Her daughter didn't come to celebrate her return, she came for revenge. She was gorgeous, long black hair, perfect body, A real goddess if you ask me but she was a ."

"What's a ?" My question surprised him.

"Half Human and half Lion." He said. "Her power started to rise and rise when she turned twenty-one. Her power was in her blood. Her eyes started to change occasionally. She started to lose control and kill people one by one. I saved my own life. I ran away. I didn't give her that chance to take my life away from me but my father knew everything about her creature and how to kill it. A lion lifespan is fourteen years but it starts to change your human's blood at twenty-one. You won't have control over it. You'll start to have future visions, past visions, your eyes will give you away. You'll be dangerous to the human world soon or later."

"What are you saying?" I asked, confused.

"You're a , Hawk." He flashed my dark secret. "I know your secret."

"But I don't understand. My father told me that I was a . What about my mother?" My question burned my mind with empty thoughts.

"Here's the truth. Your father was a scientist. He earned his billions by studying creatures. We used to be partners. One night, we found a body across the road. The young girl was still alive but her eyes were turning yellow, she was weak as a tiny pencil. We decided to study it together. A . We used its blood on a female rat. The rat was stronger, she wanted to prey on humans. Massacre human's blood was its goal. Your father was happy, so obsessed, he decided to try something new. Your mother had twins. You had a sister. He took a sample of its blood and contaminated both of you with it. Your sister died the same second but you were still alive. He thought he could protect you from the danger but you were having different episodes. You were different. Your blood was stronger and stronger every day. It was different. I want to create and examine it." He sighed. "I only know half of the story. I'll find out more when I can prove to myself and everyone in the universe what your blood is capable of."

"I'm not giving you my blood." I refused. "You can go to hell."

"You don't really have a choice." He warned. "When you wake up, you won't be here. You'll be in front of your house, unconscious. I'll be taking your blood and you won't be there to stop me. Sleep tight." He used his sting again around my neck. "We'll meet again." His words faded as my eyes disagreed with the light.

****

"Hawk? Hawk?" I jumped as I found myself on my bed with Jack, by my side.

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"Where is he? Where is he, Jack?" I yelled as I tried to get up. My body was weak. "He took my blood. He took it, Jack." Jack's face judged me, silently as I tried to look at my neck on the mirror next to my bed.

"Hawk? There's nobody here." Jack started. "I came this morning and you were in front of your door. You passed out." He sighed. "We need to get you to the hospital, Hawk. You're not okay."

"I'm not okay?" I imitated. "I was with a man. An old man. He was telling me a story about my mother, my father and what happened. Please, you have to believe me, Jack."

"I believe you," Jack stated. "You were just dreaming, Hawk. I was by your side the whole time and nothing happened." He chuckled. "I can see that you didn't even shower."

"I passed out. Someone took me." He laughed, ignoring my words. "You have to believe me."

"Hawk," He called out. "Go shower, we need to go to the hospital. Hazel is fine. Mrs. Maria called on your phone. She was crying but she kept saying that Hazel was fine."

"Is everything okay? Is Hazel okay?" I panicked.

"Yes, she is," Jack replied. "We just need to go over there to find out."

"Okay, let's go then." I rushed. "I have to see Hazel now."

"Not like this, brother." Jack stopped me from leaving. "Shower first. You're dirty, coward." I ran in the bathroom and tried to get myself ready.

Hazel was fine. I had so many things to tell her. I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to share my secret with her. I wanted her to know what happened to me last night. I wanted her to be by my side. I wanted to warm her up with kisses. I wanted to protect her and make sure that she was safe by my side.

****

A few minutes flew by, we were already at the hospital. Hazel's parents were inside with her. The nurse in the front desk informed me as I followed her directions. I ran as I tried to catch the elevator. I was excited to see her. I was happy that she was still alive. I wanted to hold her tight against me and never let go.

.

Hazel was the only thing on my mind. I didn't want to lose her. I wanted her closer than ever.

As I entered the room, Hazel's eyes flashed my view with a dark warning. Mrs. Maria was feeding her on the bed and Mr.Dean was sitting on a chair next to the bed. Jack was behind me. I closed the door after me as I tried to get closer to her.

"Monster!" Hazel caught my attention. "Monster! Monster! Stay away from me!" My heart stopped as her words reminded me of my creature.

, she said.

I didn't care about my secret anymore. I didn't care if the whole world knew who I was. I was hurt by Hazel. Her sharp words were deeper than the ocean, her reaction was my worst tragedy. I realized that she deserved a better life, a better boyfriend. A better future. I was wrong for hiding the truth for her.

Dear Hazel, words can't describe my pain right now. I didn't know how to tell you my secret. I'm dangerous and you're right for pushing me away. I hope that one day...

"Hawk?" Mrs. Maria exclaimed. "Hazel was just asking for you." Hazel smiled at me from afar as she tried her best not to make it obvious. My mind was playing tricks and I really thought that Hazel hated me and she already knew everything. "We need to go home and rest. Dean, let's go." She continued as they kissed Hazel's forehead.

They left the room.

Waffle! Waffle! Waffle!

You're alive, my love.

"Waffle, my darling," I screamed as I kissed her face all over. "I'm so happy you're alive." A smile played on her face as she kissed me on the lips. "I missed you."

"Awe." She laughed. "Who is your friend?" She glanced at Jack.

"Oh, I almost forgot about Jack." I gestured. "This is my best friend, Jack."

"Nice to meet you, Hazel." Jack introduced himself to her. "Hawk told me a lot about you."

"Awe, I know." She blushed. "He really is the type to talk about me." She gave me a gentle push. "Jessica did say something about you. She said that you told her about Hawk's secret and I should ask you for more answers." I squeezed my teeth. My jaw clenched. "I want to know the secret. Jessica is dead, my mother just informed me. Now, I want to know the truth." Hazel glanced at both of us.

"Jack? What is she talking about?" My brows arched as I tried so hard to get answers from him. "What did you tell Jessica?"

.

"I told Jessica the whole story," Jack admitted. "I had to."

"But why?" My eyes begged for answers.

?