I walked through the forest with a basket in search of a beautyberry bush. Liam said he wanted to make a jam out of the berries and asked for me to pick them. We had seen them before on our runs so I knew more or less where they were. I happily obliged as I needed time away from him. Not like I wanted to be away from him just that knowing he could detect all of my emotions made me uneasy. He also mentioned someone coming over and I didn’t want to be a bother to them so I decided it’d be best for me to leave.

A vibrant purple color caught my eyes and I made my way towards the bush. It didn’t take long to pick enough for the jam and a bit more for eating though they didn’t hold that much flavor. After a few more moments of eating berries from the bush, I stood up and started making my way back to the cabin. When it came into view I saw a black sports car parked near the entrance. 

I passed it walking up the stairs to the porch and saw that the windows were tinted so you couldn’t see inside. I opened the door and quietly began making my way upstairs as I heard Liam and the mystery person speaking in the kitchen. “Sir, with all due respect don’t you think you’re being a bit stubborn right now? Especially with the ties, you have to my father?”

I paused in my tracks out of curiosity. “And with all due respect, I hold my views very close to me so if that hybrid isn’t getting his chip removed by request of the government or chairpeople I’m not doing the job.” I held my breath at the man’s statement. He sounded like an older person, maybe 50 or so. He also held a thick southern American accent. However, it was what he said that was jarring.

Chips were placed in hybrids to keep track of their health, physical progress, emotions, and ensure that their whereabouts were known 24/7. Some hybrids were able to get them removed with permission from the government though that was only if they were considered to be upper class and had the means to pay for surgery. There were also the very few hybrids who had chips forcefully removed so that the government didn’t have any records of below-average hybrids. Basically anyone who wasn't as perfect or "useful" as the others. 

“He’s been doing great in every aspect. I assure you that with some convincing from my father and me, you doing the surgery will be approved of.” “I just don’t think I’m the right person you should be asking.” There was a long pause. At first, I thought I had been found out until I heard a deep sigh. “Look, he’s only going to be here till the end of the month before he’s taken away and slapped into the military or given some other low paying job position. They won’t want him in the system. They'll unchip him then, won’t they?”

I never understood heartbreak until that moment. The breath in my lungs was squeezed out of me. Tears stung my swelling eyes. My whole face felt hot as streams of water fell down my cheeks. My nose became stuffy and most definitely red; and the urge to scream arose accompanied by a lump in my throat. I hung my head and slowly began making my way upstairs, tuning out the man’s response but not missing when he agreed.

I locked the door behind me and set the basket down. After kicking off my shoes, I collapsed onto the bed letting my tears soak the pillow. I was just his charity case after all. The little rich boy felt bad and had nothing better to do but get a new toy. 

I stayed in bed even when I heard the car start up and speed off. “Nickel!” I heard Liam shout after about 30 minutes. “Can you please bring the berries?” he shouted again. I picked up the basket that felt heavier than before and solemnly made my way downstairs. I set them down on the island in the kitchen and turned around to leave without a word. Suddenly, I was pulled back by the wrist. “Nickel, what’s wrong?” he said, sounding concerned. I held angered tears back and yanked my wrist away from him. “Don’t touch me,” I growled. When I tried to walk away Liam stepped in front of me with his arms crossed. “I’m not sure what’s wrong but if you want to talk to me about it you can. I’m here for you, ok?” Why did he have to lie again? If he really didn’t care for me why did he feel the need to pretend?

“No you aren’t,” I whispered. “You don’t care about me.” Tears welled in my eyes against my will and I tried my best to hide them from him. “Why would you ever say that? Of course, I care about you.” He cupped my face to tilt my head up as I started to sob. “Please let me go,” I said sniffling. One of his arms wrapped around my waist to bring us closer while the other stayed against my cheek. “I’m not doing that until you tell me what’s wrong. You were fine this morning.” I shoved him as hard as I could to escape his hold. “You! You’re the problem!” I shouted angrily. He looked hurt. “What did I do?” he asked.

“You said that you were going to send me back and that I was going to get unchipped anyways!” I screamed through tears. Before he could say anything, I bolted upstairs. “Nickel, there’s a misunderstanding please let me explain,” he called behind me. I didn’t stop running until I got to my room and locked the door behind me. I pressed my back to it and balled my hands into tight fists.

There was a knock on the door a few seconds later but I refused to open it. “Nickel, please,” Liam said desperately. I slid down and curled up into a ball. “I’ll stand here all day if I have to,” he said. “I don’t want to fucking talk to you,” I said as the anger rose again, pushing my sadness to the side.

“Kitten, whatever you heard earlier–”

“Oh will you shut up! There’s nothing to clarify I heard what you said! You think you can just tell me anything and it’ll make it ok! Don’t you?!” I screamed angrily. “I’m not your little toy, half hybrid bastard! Stop thinking you know or even care about what I’ve gone through,” I cried.

“Half hybrid bastard, huh?” It came out as barely a whisper. There was no other response after that, only silence. I heard Liam walking away. That’s when the tears really started. I liked him so much, how could he?

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