Chapter Six: Hank, the Hybrid

“Where’s Lena?” Ava asked, her voice laced with concern and urgency.

“That pot-bellied guy took her away after locking us up.” Jax replied, his fists clenched in anger.

“Then we should go get her.” Eggsy declared.

Just as he spoke, the door creaked open, and Eggsy swiftly gestured for everyone to stay behind him. A lady, one of the restaurant workers, entered the room, and Eggsy lunged at her, grabbing her neck to prevent her from escaping. While the door was carefully shut by the others.

During the struggle, her gun had fell down, but Jane had immediately picked it up.

“Where is your boss?” Eggsy demanded, his grip tightening as he pressed his sword against her throat. The woman's eyes widened in fear, causing her to surrender.

“Please, don't kill me.” she begged, her voice trembling. “We were forced to do it. The manager is not what you think he is.”

“We all know he’s a cold hearted bastard who‘s got us all locked up in here.” Jax snarled disgustingly. “So don’t get all pity so we could spare your life. You’re all going down, including him!”

Ava intervened, placing a calming hand on Jax's arm. “Hold on Jax. Let’s hear what she has to say.” She then turn to face the lady. “What do you mean he’s not what we think he is?” she asked with her arms folded.

The lady hesitated, glancing around the room before pointing to a CCTV camera in the corner. “Hank can see us right now.” She revealed.

Everyone was shocked by this revelation. Due to the situation they were in, they hadn’t even noticed the camera, though it was a bit hideous, and a large shelf was placed close to it, preventing it from being easily spotted by anyone.

Eggsy was also surprised, he guessed there would have been one in the room they were locked in as well. His eyes narrowed as he imagined what Hank might be planning now. Then with a swift motion, he destroyed the camera with his sword. “He won’t be seeing us anymore.”

The door opened again, and two workers entered with gun. But as they saw one of their own being captured with a sword to her throat, and with Jane, pointing a gun at them, they had immediately surrendered.

They had been sent by Hank to find out what was going on. However, the situation of things had made them surrender.

“Please, don’t hurt her. We’re not your enemies.” The ladies pleaded.

“First thing’s first. Put down your weapons and kick them towards me.” Marcus said with a firm voice, he’s now with Eggsy’s second blade which had been used to destroy the camera.

Almost immediately as Marcus said this, the two ladies had complied as they dropped their guns and kicked it towards him.

Instantly, Ava and Jax had taken them from the ground, leaving only Ryder without a weapon.

Once the majority of the group were armed with weapons, they had turned to look at the girls.

“Tell us, where is he?” Ava asked, facing the two girls.

“He’s on the second floor of the main restaurant hall. But you guys need to know this, we’re not your enemies, we were forced to do this.” One of the ladies explained, she seem to be more braver than the other girl, who kept on shaking with fear. In fact, from a quick glance, they could tell she was a young kid, about the age of thirteen to fifteen.

The lady who had decided to speak, wasn’t much older either, she’s just Eighteen and had came to work at the restaurant only for a few months before she leave for college.

But to ensure the safety of herself and her sister, she had decided to explain everything to the group. “Those zombies you killed at the kitchen, Hank turned them into what they are. Some of them used to be workers here, the rest are customers who were here when the apocalypse started. I know it may sound absurd but Hank is a zombie.”

With the way the room was silent as she explained, you would’ve thought they believed her words, but instead, everyone had started laughing while exchanging skeptical gazes. They didn’t believe a single word she said because of how made-up it sounds.

“So you mean that pot-bellied man who speaks well and walks around like a normal person is a mindless zombie that eats people around?” Jax was the first person to speak up. “This is the most craziest shit I’ve ever heard today.”

“You guys should believe us.” The girl under Eggsy’s grip said. “Before you came, we all witnessed him eating a human’s brain. It was from the group that came before you. He killed all of them. He is something called a hybrid. He may appear intelligent like a normal human being, but he still eats flesh like every other zombie. He’s a half human, half zombie.”

Just as the girls were busy revealing the secrets, Eggsy had received a notification from the system.

[Hank Goonwit identified: Hybrid (half human, half zombie) ]

[New Quest: Kill the Hybrid!]

[Reward: 200 Exp]

Eggsy’s eyes scanned the notification, his mind racing.

‘This sure has a lot of rewards compared to the ones I’ve received before. Which means this Quest is quite a difficult one.’ Eggsy thought.

Turning away from the screen, he turned to look at the two girls. “I believe you guys.” Eggsy said, causing Ava and the rest to look at him.

“Eggsy, but these girls tried to kill us! Why would you believe the nonsense they’re spilling?” Marcus said, raising an eyebrow.

”One of the reasons I said this is because I believe Hybrids can exist in this world, since zombies also exist. Secondly, she had no reason to tell us what Hank was, or the fact that he was watching us through a camera. None of us even noticed the camera, but she did and even risked her life by informing us so we could know what we’re up against. She could have just told us where he is without revealing what he was.” As he made this point, everyone had started thinking as they realised what he said to be true.

He released his grip from the girl’s neck and then turned to face the others.

“Now it’s up to us to decide whether to believe them or not. As for me, I believe these girls, and I’m stopping at nothing to defeat that Hybrid, with or without you!” Eggsy had made his point clear, in fact, he was hoping to fight the Hybrid all alone without anyone’s help.

Ava nodded in agreement as she turned to face the others. “Eggsy’s right. These girls have no reason to lie to us, we should all focus on getting out of here. Lena’s somewhere out there, we have to save her from that man! I don’t care if he’s an hybrid or not, all I know is that he’s going down!”

Ava then stepped forward, as she stood beside Eggsy, then Jane, Marcus and Jax had also followed after, forming a united front.

As Jax walked forward, he placed his hands on Eggsy’s shoulders and said to him. “We’re in this together man, we have to save Lena and teach that pot-bellied man… er, hybrid, a lesson he’ll never forget. Or should I use ‘it’ since he’s an hybrid? I think a hybrid is considered a non-living thing too.”

Everyone had laughed at this, leaving only one person left.

“Heck, why do I always end up last with everything.” Ryder said, before exposing the group to more laughter. “Do you guys need an ass-kicking man, cause I’m sure you’re going to need me.”

Now that everyone had agreed, they were all ready to go fight Hank. They were sure he’s already preparing ways to challenge the group after seeing them set loose from their bindings. That was if he wasn’t at the door right now.

Marcus had offered to open the door, but as he carefully opened a little part of it, he had immediately shut it back, his face growing pale.

“Guys, we’re f’cked!”