The Hybrid Theory - Subject 306: An Apocalyptic Short Story

by Baileigh Higgins

Safety is an illusion...

When Christine sets free Subject 306, she unleashes far more than she bargained for. Possessed of uncanny abilities, Subject 306, formerly known as Adam, spreads death and destruction throughout the city of his birth. In a world crippled by poverty and war, nobody is prepared for what follows: The end of civilization.

Sam and Katy, two people caught up in the maelstrom of violence, form a reluctant alliance and flee the city. They travel the country looking for a place to hide from the horror that follows, but safety is an illusion and death a constant companion. Can they survive? More importantly, can humanity?

For fans of apocalyptic fiction and horror, Hybrid Theory offers a chilling glance into a world far different from our own. Hold on to your seat and be prepared for a nightmarish journey into the unknown!

Genres: Horror

73 pages, ebook

Published January 20, 2018

About the author

South African writer and coffee addict, Baileigh Higgins, lives in the Free State with hubby and best friend Brendan and loves nothing more than lazing on the couch with pizza and a bad horror movie. Her unhealthy obsession with the end of the world has led to numerous books on the subject and a secret bunker only she knows the location of.
Visit her website at www.baileighhiggins.com for more information on her upcoming projects, new releases, and giveaways. Sign up for her Newsletter and get your Free Ebook, Tales from the Apocalypse, today.

Reviews

[Stjepan Cobets · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating 4.5

The Hybrid Theory - Subject 306: An Apocalyptic Short Story by Baileigh Higgins is a very well-written post-apocalyptic story. I read it in a couple of hours and I like the plot and action, and I expect that the sequel is certainly very good. The story leads us to the world of hybrids that are created to be weapons but it gets rid of control and they become the biggest threat to humanity. Who loves horror stories this could be a great start to the series.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 4.5 star read.

An absolute corker of a read, this novelette shows the story of one corporations greed and lack of morals and how their experimentation brings about the destruction of the human race. A riveting look at the beginnings of a new species, my only complaint is that the book didn't last longer.

I received an ebook copy of this novelette from the author via Instafreebie. I have voluntarily chosen to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.

[Anniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam, or subject 306, has lost everything he ever had. He once was a man with a family until he defended himself during an attack and got one of his attackers killed. He waited a lot of years before he finally had his trial. During these years his wife and daughter already built a life without him. He got sentenced to go to jail and that's when the ISC came to claim him. ISC has been doing experiments on people, making them hybrids. Some of the hybrids are worse than others, but subject 306 seems to respond very well to a young girl, Christine, who works at the facility. How is it that a hybrid, a killing machine, still softens when he sees the face of his Christine?

Christine only knows a life of poverty, but at least she has a roof over her head and is able to drive a car. She gets minimum wage and is a nobody at ISC. If she wouldn't show up to work there will be hundreds of others who would be willing to take her place. Christine is shocked when she finds out that subject 306 can talk to her with his mind. He wants her to be with him and to become like him. Subject 306 isn't like the others. He's different and he'll be the new generation. Will Christine give in to his proposal?

The Hybrid Theory - Subject 306 is a gripping story about experiments going wrong and finding love nonetheless. The world is filled with hybrids who need human blood to stay alive. Once someone is infected this person will turn with every memory erased. The only thing those who are turned still know, is the need to hunt and feed. A group of survivors made it out of town and I couldn't wait to find out if they would be able to stay out of the sharp razor teeth of the hybrids. One girl has been born differently and I liked that intriguing and interesting twist in the story. The Hybrid Theory - Subject 306 is one of my worst nightmares come alive. I'm a big fan of Baileigh Higgins and can't wait to read more of her books.

[Candy Robosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hybrid Theory subject 306 is an interesting look at how corporations can and sometimes do control wars and diseases only to end up being seen as the heroes until someone finally, often too late, reveals what has really been happening. ICS is a corporation that started a war and then ended it leaving people in a horrible state where rich get richer and others slave for what little they can find. Amongst all of this ICS is doing experiments on people. One day one of the workers lets subject 306 out because she wants to be with him. That's when it all happens and hybrids are “born” and few people escape.
Katy and a few others try to save others. Katy knows what happened. Though a very short book it gives the main characters background story for future parts of the series. Higgins does a great job of leaving us wanting more for these characters and trying to figure out how they will end up.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new take on how vampirism was developed and unleashed. But it doesn't play in the medieval past but rather in a post-apocalyptic future world. The characters are good developed for such a short story. It could have easily been written more, making several books out of it. I was actually a bit disappointed when the story was finished and expected more. So I wonder if there will be a sequel as the end leaves space for it (but no cliffhanger, don't worry).

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read grabbing my interest immediately. Definitely written in a way that makes the reader feel as tho the scenario could happen. I will say that as I read it started to feel a lot like Justin Cronin's Passage Trilogy. I also want to know more about Violet.

[Shannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this short story! I didn’t want it to end. I wanna know more about Violet!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wicked good! I'm super bummed it's never a very short story. I would love to read a full novel of Adam, Christine and Violet. Quick end of the world bite.

[Becky Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short story during my lunch hour. The only downside is that the exciting action made my lunch hour go by too fast.

I thought this was a short prequel (though I'm not sure where I got that idea), and after finishing this short, I immediately visited Amazon to buy another book in this series, but I haven't found a sequel yet, so I suppose it's a stand-alone.

This is a fantastic short horror story, and I highly recommend it to fans of horror.

[Livvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Adam known as subject 306 used as a rat in a lab by people who think they can play god. Everything changed and now he's spreading his powers now. We follow Adam and Christian. And a group of humans trying to stay alive with the virus Adam spread around. I feel go bad for violet.
I was okay with it being short read but i didn't like the whole time gap with violet going from newborn to a teen.

[D.J. Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of this author and love her writing style, especially her characters and descriptiveness. This story has a great premise which is full of suspense and I am looking forward to reading the novel that comes after this. Recommended but only for those who want to read what's next...

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story. Christine sets subject 306 free. Turns out to be a bad idea. Another great from this author

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing right from the start. Once the action starts it doesn't let up and we see the beginning of a new race? Superior or feral?

[C.J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good read. I have a feeling the Hybrid Theory: Tainted blood, would be amazing as well. Can't wait to read it.