Hybrid - Forced Vengeance Read Free Page A

driveway. Erik stepped out of the car and walked toward his black Monte Carlo SS, followed closely by his ex-wife.
    “Will you come by the house tonight?” Margaret asked hopefully.
    “Thanks, but I just want some time alone. Besides, I don’t think Richard would appreciate my presence there. There’s still too much bad blood between us,” he answered evasively.
    “You really shouldn’t be alone. What happened between you and Richard isn’t important right now. I’m sure he’d agree that hostilities between the two of you should be suspended. Besides, your daughter would feel better if she could spend some time with you.”
    Erik gave Margaret a forced smile. Margaret would bully him until he gave in. And he didn’t really want to be alone; the thought of returning to their apartment behind Madame’s Restaurant was daunting. The space held too many memories, and he wasn’t ready to face that emptiness just yet.
    “All right, I’ll be there in about two hours.”
    “I’ll be waiting,” she replied, hugging him briefly.

    * * * *

    Margaret watched as the modified black coupe sped away from the funeral home. How could her ex-husband endure another shattered relationship?
    “I’m worried about Dad,” Brianna provided. “They were the picture-perfect couple. I don’t know if he’ll bounce back from this loss.”
    Margaret put a comforting arm around her daughter who seemed to share the same somber thought.
    “Hon, your dad is the strongest man I’ve ever known. His strength isn’t just physical; he also has a deep, powerful spirit. It may take a great deal of time but your dad will be okay.” She smiled and sighed heavily. “He’ll need lots of help from all of us. These first few weeks are going to be hell.”
    Brianna sighed. “Shanda was the perfect match for him I’ve never seen him happier than when they were together. I really liked her a lot.”
    Margaret nodded her head slightly. “I did too sweetheart; we all did.” Both mother and daughter entered their waiting limousine and headed home.

    * * * *

    Erik parked his car in the back lot of Madame’s Restaurant and entered the apartment he’d shared with Shanda for the past two years.
    They had planned on purchasing a home within the next year, and starting a family. Erik looked sadly at the scattered baby magazines that littered the coffee table in the living room. More than anything else, Shanda had wanted to be a mother. Erik stared at their wedding picture prominently displayed on the wall separating the living room from the kitchen.
    “Emptiness,” he muttered. “All I have left is this empty apartment and a hole in my mind where your presence used to be.” He took the picture of his wife from the wall. “I would have killed the driver of the truck that hit you, but, hon, he died in the hospital a few days ago. I’ll leave the thrashing for you if he makes it up there.”
    Erik pulled the picture to his chest before replacing it on the wall. He wasn’t ready to be here, by himself, with all their memories. Gathering his keys, he headed out to his office. He was tired, the kind of tired one gets from enduring too much grief and misery. He wanted to escape his pain through sleep and stop the hurt – if only for a few hours.
    Erik unlocked the heavy door, entered his office and flopped on the couch. The noise of customers in Madame’s dining area came through despite the soundproofing he had installed. Since his mutation his senses were ultra sharp and even the slightest noise was as clear as a voice in the same room. He could filter the sounds if he concentrated hard enough, but right now he was unable to marshal a single spark of will power.
    He lay on the couch and allowed the blackness to overcome him, welcoming the temporary reprieve that this oblivion would grant him. It had been only four days since he’d lost Shanda, the four longest days of his life. There was nothing he could do, no latent Esper power he could call