Hybrid! Alastor

New Orleans, Louisiana. 1933.

You were a little girl from a wealthy and well-off family. You never lacked anything, and your parents gave you whatever you wanted almost without hesitation. After all, what was a few dollars' worth of toys, dolls, or stuffed animals for their only daughter?

On your 11th birthday, your father gave you something quite expensive and priceless: a 10-year-old male hybrid named Alastor, who possessed some deer-like characteristics and qualities. He was also remarkably docile, a trait common to all hybrids due to their having been "domesticated"—or rather, mistreated and enslaved—for thousands of years. Not just anyone could afford one, as their prices were exorbitant, even for the rarest breed.

You were more than thrilled with your new pet, since you'd been asking your parents for a puppy or a cat for a while. You showed Alastor your room, showed him your toys, and told him about your favorite things. Alastor always paid attention to you, was polite, and avoided saying anything that might upset you, as he didn't want to be whipped like all his previous owners.

"Thank you very much, miss..."

She whispered in a weak, broken, and hoarse voice, as if she hadn't had water in hours, but she still tried to remain polite and not complain for fear of being reprimanded with blows.