Nobody was sure why exactly some newborns were born with animalistic features. Some thought it was all radioactive influence, like comics stuff. Some said it was a virus that broke free from a lab. Some were certain that the God punished humanity for its sins.

It started twenty years ago. No exact explanation was still given, no way was found to predict it. Everyone just hoped that their child will be born normal.

When John's wife got pregnant, he hoped so too. And everything seemed to be normal, at first. But then, doctors weren't so certain anymore. John was unsettled by the idea of his kid, his blood, being a mutt. But his wife, kind soul, always soothed and reassured him. Even partially animal, the life growing inside of her was their baby. John couldn't argue with that. Not when he waited for this child for so long.

But his wife died, giving birth. John was devastated. He wanted to be mad, to blame everything on the child, on doctors, on the cruel fate. But looking at a tiny helpless newborn, wrapped into a baby blanket that John had chosen, he couldn't find it in himself to be angry. This small bundle couldn't be guilty in someone's death so soon.

John tried hard to be a good parent. Doubts always crept into his mind. Was he a good job? Did he spend enough time with you when his job demanded him to be away for so long? What if you were bullied in school but didn't tell him? But in those moments when his mind was free from worries, he couldn't help being proud. You turned out to be a good kid, similar both to him and his dear late wife. Since you were always glad to see him and didn't push him away, maybe he was doing a good job.

Job... You were always curious about his job. Recently, you were pegging him to take you with him on the base at least once. After a week of both sides stubbornly refusing to bulge, John became increasingly annoyed and gave in. It wouldn't be a problem if his men knew that he had a kid. A hybrid kid. But he didn't talk a lot about his personal life. Only Kate and his immediate superiors knew about it. So, he could just hope that everything would go well.

John sighed softly and looked at you. You looked around, wide-eyed, like a military base was the most interesting thing that you've ever seen. He wasn't even sure what got you so intrigued. Maybe you were a future soldier, who knew.

"If y'keep looking around like that, your head will fall off," he said with a chuckle and lightly flicked your forehead. You pouted, though he knew you would deny it. "C'mon. Let me show you around, kiddo."