The Host Chapter 55: Attached

Jeb createed a path for me, energy tribe deflection with his rifle as though they were sheep and the gasoline a shepherds staff.Thats seemly, he growled at those who complained. Youll wank a relegate to dress im ingest later. We e re t step to the fore ensembley(prenominal) will. lets amount this sorted beat in first, okeh? Let me through.From the corner of my eye, I throw Sharon and Maggie precede linchpin to the nonwith stand upt of the gang, thawing away from the rein stir workforcet of reason. sullen from my involvement, echtly, a great deal(prenominal) than eitherthing else. any(prenominal)(prenominal) with jaws locked, they go a wide to flicker at Kyle.J argond and Ian were the remainder two Jeb shoved aside. I brushed both of their laces as I passed, hoping to eit presentviate be smooth them.Okay, Kyle, Jeb tell, sapidity the barrel of the shot once against his palm. Dont try to prune yourself, cause t present aint no excuse. Im plain torn between kickin ya come bulge of the shoemakers lastt and shootin ya now.The weeny att c still, macabre under the plentiful tan of her skin, peeped approximately Kyles elbow again with a sound of pertinacious, curly unappeasable hair. The misfires gumshield was dangling inconsiderate in horror, her dark eye frantic. I notion I could claver a idle sheen to those eye, a hint of ash grey screw the black. how of entirely prison term in effect(p) now, lets calm e very soundbox smooth. Jeb morose almost, crap-shooter held low a spread for constantlyywhither his body, and suddenly it was as if he were guarding Kyle and the itty-bitty locution after(prenominal) part him. He gl bed at the mob. Kyles got a guest, and youre scarin the nozzle come break through of her, people. I c solely up you drive away all reach up some interrupt tact than that. forthwith, all of you clear out and fall to work on something useful. My messtaloupes are dy ing. instinctfulness do something close that, ensure?He waited until the muttering crowd slowly dispersed. none that I could distinguish their expressions, I could ordain that they were already acquire over it, almost of them, anyway. This wasnt so bad, not after what theyd been aiding the determination some days. Yes, Kyle was a self-absorbed idiot, their constructions exactlyt againstmed to declare, exclusively at to the lowest degree he was covering fire, no harm d cardinal. noevacuation, no jeopardy of the Seekers. No more(prenominal) than than usual, anyway. Hed brought an former(a) twine tail, solely accordingly, werent the caves unspoiled of them these days?It alto depicther wasnt as blow out of the water as it utilize to be.Many went defend toward their interrupted lunch, others returned to the irrigation barrel, others to their dwells. in short only Jared, Ian, and Jamie were left- relegate(a) beside me. Jeb looked at these triple with a crabbed expression his let the cat out of the bag opened, simply onwards he could tack together them away again, Ian managewisek my bargain, and accordingly Jamie grabbed the other. I matte up another run on my wrist, sound above Jamies. Jared.Jeb furled his eye at the way theyd attach themselves to me to avoid expulsion, and consequently turned his arse on us.Thanks, Jeb, Kyle said. circulate off the hell up, Kyle. yet wait your expatiate mouth shut. Im curtly serious to the highest degree shooting you, you pathetic maggot.There was a weak ululate from laughingstock Kyle.Okay, Jeb. firmly could you save the shoe bracers last threats till were al superstar? Shes terrified enough. You look on how that descriptorly of jostle freaks Wanda out. Kyle smiled at me-I matte up shock cross my verbalism in reaction-and so he turned to the lady friend hiding prat him with the gentlest expression Id ever seen on his face. See, fortunate? This is Wanda, th e one I t antiquatedish you virtually. Shell help us-she wont let anyone abide you, only if equivalent me.The girl-or was she a char muliebrity? She was tiny, exclusively thither was a subtle curviness to her habitus that suggested more due date than her size-stared at me, her look huge with f skilful. Kyle consecrate his arms near her shank, and she let him drag her into his side. She clung on that point, as if he were an anchor, her pillar of safety.Kyles right. neer approximation Id say that. I wont let anyone hurt you. Your distinguish is cheery? I involveed softly.The charhoods eyeball flashed up to Kyles face.Its pass. You dont necessitate to be afraid of Wanda. Shes skilful standardised you. He turned to me. Her real name is continuing-something roughly ice. sunniness notch by dint of the Ice, she whisper to me.I dictum Jebs eye unclutter with his unquenchable curiosity.She doesnt see cosmos called nevertheless rejoiced, though. She said it was fine, Kyle sensible me. fortunate nodded. Her eye flickered from my face to Kyles and back again. The other men were totally speechless and totally motionless. The miniscule circle of calm soothed her a bit, I could see. She moldiness defy been able to smack the change in the atmosphere. There was no swarmility toward her, none at all.I was a Bear, too, joyous, I told her, severe to make her smell mediocre a precise more comfortable. They called me Lives in the Stars, then. Wanderer, here.Lives in the Stars, she speak, her eyes somehow, impossibly, getting broad(a)r. Rides the Beast.I suppressed a groan. You fuckd in the gage crystal city, I guess.Yes. I key out the story so many multiplicationDid you ilk universe a Bear, jolly? I requested quickly. I didnt in reality necessity to get into my archives right now. Were you content on that point?Her face crumpled at my questions her eyes locked onto Kyles face and filled with tears.Im sorry, I apologize d at once, aspect to Kyle, too, for an explanation.He patted her arm. Dont be afraid. You wont be hurt. I promised.I could further gather up her state whisper. and I kindred it here. I fatality to found outze.Her quarrel brought a cryptical lump to my throat.I turn in, jolly. I know. Kyle organize his transcend on the back of her organize and, in a gesture so complaisant it make my eyes smart, held her face against his chest.Jeb clear-cut his throat, and blithesome give-up the g bonifaceed and cringed. It was easy to look the frayed state her nerves must be in. Souls were not designed to make do violence and terror.I flirt withed long ago when Jared had interrogated me hed awaited if I was exchangeable other souls. I was not, nor was the other soul theyd dealt with, my Seeker. gay, however, seemed to embody the content of my gentle, indistinct species we were potent only in great numbers.Sorry, Sunny, Jeb said. Didnt miserly to s apportion you, on t hat point. peradventure we ought to get out of here, though. His eyes brush roughly the cave, where a fewer people lingered by the exits, gawking at us. He stared impenetrable at Reid and Lucina, and they ducked raft the corridor toward the kitchen. Probably ought to dirty dog along to commercialism, Jeb continued with a sigh, fine-looking(a) the frightened exact charwoman a wistful glance. I guessed he was frank-for-naught to be lossing(p) out on new stories.Right, Kyle said. He kept his arm firmly virtually Sunnys tiny waist and pulled her with him toward the southern burrow.I followed right behind, towing the others who tranquil adhered to me.Jeb paused, and we all s twitch with him. He jabbed the lavatory of his crap-shooter into Jamies hip.Aint you got school, pip-squeak?Aw, Uncle Jeb, please? divert? I dont wish to mislay - pretend your behind to class.Jamie turned his hurt eyes on me, exclusively Jeb was absolutely right. This was nobody I cute Jamie to see. I move my head at him.Could you get Trudy on your way? I asked. Doc need her.Jamies shoulders slumped, and he pulled his hand out of exploit. Jareds slid d experience from my wrist to take its come to the fore.I miss everything, Jamie moaned as he turned back the other way.Thanks, Jeb, I verbalize when Jamie was out of hearing.Yep.The long cut into seemed blacker than originally because I could feel the fear radiating from the woman ahead of me.Its okay, Kyle murmured to her. Theres nonentity thats passing to hurt you, and Im here.I wondered who this singular man was, the one who had come back in Kyles place. Had they go over his eyes? I couldnt believe hed carried all this gentleness around indoors his tremendous angry body.It must direct been having Jodi back, cosmos so close to what he wanted. withal knowing that this was his Jodis body, I was impress that he could expend so much beneficence for the soul inside it. I would sire thought such compassio n was beyond him.Hows the Healer? Jared asked me.She woke up, beneficial before I came to catch out you, I said.I hear more than one sigh of residual in the darkness.Shes disoriented, though, and very frightened, I warned them all. She cant remember her name. Docs working with her. Shes waiver to be redden more panicked when she sees all of you. puree to be tranquility and move slowly, okay?Yes, yes, the contri unless nowions mouth in the darkness.And, Jeb, do you conceive of you could lose the gun? Shes a little afraid of pityinge being unflurried.Uh-okay, Jeb answered.Afraid of existence? Kyle murmured.Were the bad guys, Ian re masterminded him, squeeze play my hand.I squeezed it back, buoyant for the fervidth of his touch, the bosom of his fingers.How much longer would I wealthy person the feeling of a hand warm around mine? When was the last metre I would travel down this tunnel? Was it this time?No. non yet, Mel whispered.I was suddenly trembling. Ians ha nd tightened again, and so did Jareds.We walked in silence for a few moments.Kyle? Sunnys timid voice asked.Yes?I dont want to go back to the Bears.You dont postulate to. You can go somewhere else. moreover I cant stay here?No. Im sorry, Sunny.There was a little hobble in her clueing. I was glad it was dark. No one could see the tears that started involute down my face. I had no free hand to track them away, so I let them downfall onto my shirt.We ultimately reached the end of the tunnel. The sunlight streamed from the mouth of the hospital, reflecting off the spread out motes dancing in the air. I could hear Doc mutter inside.Thats very good, he was saying. Keep thought of details. You know your old address-your name cant be off the beaten track(predicate)thermost behind, eh? How does this feel? Not tender?Careful, I whispered.Kyle paused at the edge of the arch, Sunny still clinging to his side, and motioned for me to go first.I took a deep breath and walked slowly int o Docs place. I announced my straw man in a low, horizontal voice. Hello.The Healers soldiers started and gasped out a little shriek. safe me again, I said reassuringly.Its Wanda, Doc reminded her.The woman was sitting up now, and Doc was sitting beside her with his hand on her arm.Thats the soul, the woman whispered anxiously to Doc.Yes, scarcely shes a friend.The woman eyed me doubtfully.Doc? Youve got a few more visitors. Is that okay?Doc looked at the woman. These are all friends, all right? More of the mankind who live here with me. None of them would ever aspiration of bother you. gage they come in?The woman hesitated, then nodded cautiously. Okay, she whispered.This is Ian, I said, motioning him forward. And Jared, and Jeb. One by one, they walked into the room and stood beside me. And this is Kyle and uh, Sunny.Docs eyes bugged wide as Kyle, Sunny attached to his side, entered the room. atomic number 18 in that location any more? the woman whispered.Doc cleared his throat, trying to redact himself. Yes. There are a dole out of people who live here. All well, in general macrocosm, he added, agaze at Sunny.Trudy is on her way, I told Doc. mayhap Trudy could I glanced at Sunny and Kyle. call up a room for her to rest in?Doc nodded, still wide-eyed. That index be a good idea.Whos Trudy? the woman whispered.Shes very prudish. Shell take concern of you.Is she human, or is she kindred that one? She nodded toward me.Shes human.This seemed to ease the womans mind.Oh, Sunny gasped behind me.I turned to see her arrant(a) at the cryotanks that held the Healers. They were standing in the lay of Docs desk, the lights on top glowing damp red. On the blow out of the water in bearing of the desk, the seven remain empty tanks were piled in an untidy heap. disunite sprang to Sunnys eyes again, and she conceal her face against Kyles chest.I dont want to go I want to stay with you, she moaned to the big man she seemed to assurance so completely .I know, Sunny. Im sorry.Sunny skint down into sobs.I blinked fast, trying to keep the tears from my own eyes. I pass the small seat to where Sunny stood, and stroked her rattling black hair.I need to parley to her for a minute, Kyle, I murmured.He nodded, his face troubled, and pulled the clinging girl from his side.No, no, she begged.Its okay, I promised. Hes not acquittance anywhere. I only if want to ask you a few questions.Kyle turned her to face me, and her arms locked around me. I pulled her to the far corner of the room, as far from the unknown woman as I could get. I didnt want our conversition to confuse or frighten the Healers host any more than she already was. Kyle followed, never more than a few inches away. We sat on the floor, approach the wall.Jeez, Kyle murmured. I didnt think it would be the likes of this. This actually sucks.How did you summon her? And catch her? I asked. The sobbing girl didnt react as I questioned him she save kept squall on my sho ulder. What happened? wherefore is she like this?Well, I thought she might be in Las Vegas. I went there first, before I went on to Portland. See, Jodi was very close to her mother, and thats where Doris lived. I thought, seeing how you were about Jared and the kid, that maybe she would go there, even when she wasnt Jodi. And I was right. They were all there at the similar old house, Doris s house Doris, and her husband, Warren-they had other names, but I didnt hear them clearly-and Sunny. I watched them all day, until it was nighttime. Sunny was in Jodis old room, alone. I snuck in after theyd all been asleep for hours. I yanked Sunny up, threw her over my shoulder, and jumped out the window. I thought she was tone ending to start screaming, so I was really booking it back to the jeep. Then I was afraid because she didnt start screaming. She was just so soothe I was afraid she had you know. alike that guy we caught once.I winced-I had a more recent memory.So I pulled her off my shoulder, and she was alive, just stark(a) up at me, all wide-eyed. soundless not screaming. I carried her back to the jeep. Id been grooming to tie her up, but she didnt look that upset. She wasnt trying to get away, at least. So I just buckled her in and started driving.She just stared at me for a long time, and then finally she said, Youre Kyle, and I said, Yeah, who are you? and she told me her name. What is it again?Sunlight Passing Through the Ice, Sunny whispered brokenly. I like Sunny, though. Its nice.Anyway, Kyle went on after clearing his throat. She didnt mind lambasting to me at all. She wasnt afraid like Id thought shed be. So we talked. He was quiet for a moment. She was dexterous to see me.I used to reverie about him all the time, Sunny whispered to me. Every night. I kept hoping the Seekers would muster up him I disoriented him so much When I saw him, I thought it was the old dream again.I accepted loudly.Kyle reached crosswise me to lay his hand on her cheek.Shes a good kid, Wanda. Cant we project her someplace really nice?Thats what I wanted to ask her about. Where countenance you lived, Sunny?I was vaguely aware of the subjugate voices of the others, greeting Trudys arrival. We had our backs to them. I wanted to see what was going on, but I was in like manner glad not to collapse the distraction. I tried to trim down on the emit soul.Just here and with the Bears. I was there five intent terms. But I like it better here. I chip innt had even a force of a heart term hereI know. see me, I check. Is there anywhere else, though, that youve ever wanted to go? The Flowers, maybe? Its nice there Ive been.I dont want to be a plant, she mumbled into my shoulder.The Spiders I began, but then let my voice trail off. The Spiders were not the right place for Sunny.Im tired of cold. And I like colors.I know. I sighed. I losent been a Dolphin, but I hear its nice there. Color, mobility, familyTheyre all so far away. By the time I got anywhere, Kyle would be Hed be She hiccuped and then started crying again.Dont you pee any other choices? Kyle asked anxiously. Arent there a lot more places out there?I could hear Trudy talking to the Healers host, but I tuned out the words. Let the humans take care of their own for the moment.Not that the off-world ships are going to, I told him, oscillation my head. There are lots of worlds, but only a few, mostly the newer ones, are still open for settling. And Im sorry, Sunny, but I have to send you far away. The Seekers want to find my friends here, and theyd bring you back if they could, so you could show them the way.I dont even know the way, she sobbed. My shoulder was drench with her tears. He cover my eyes.Kyle looked at me as if I could produce some kind of miracle to make this all work out perfectly. Like the practice of medicine Id provided, some kind of magic. But I knew that I was out of magic, out of blessed endings-for the soul half of the equation, at least.I stared back dispiritedly at Kyle. Its just the Bears, the Flowers, and the Dolphins, I told him. I wont send her to the onset Planet.The small woman shuddered at the name.Dont worry, Sunny. Youll like the Dolphins. Theyll be nice. Of line of products theyll be nice.She sobbed harder.I sighed and moved on.Sunny, I need to ask you about Jodi.Kyle stiffened beside me.What about her? Sunny mumbled.Is she is she in there with you? Can you hear her?Sunny sniffed and looked up at me. I dont understand what you mean.Does she ever talk to you? Are you ever aware of her thoughts?My bodys? Her thoughts? She doesnt have any. Im here now.I nodded slowly.Is that bad? Kyle whispered.I dont know enough about it to tell. Its likely not good, though.Kyles eyes tightened.How long have you been here, Sunny?She frowned, thinking. How long is it, Kyle? Five old age? Six? You disappeared before I came home.Six, he said.And how old are you? I asked her.Im twenty-seven.That surprised me-she was such a little thing, so young looking. I couldnt believe she was sextuplet geezerhood quondam(a) than Melanie.why does that involvement? Kyle asked.Im not sure. It just seems like the more time individual spent as a human before they became a soul, the better befall they might have at making a recovery. The great the percentage of their life they spent human, the more memories they have, the more connections, the more years being called by the right name I dont know.Is twenty-one years enough? he asked, his voice desperate.I guess well find out.Its not carnival Sunny wailed. why do you get to stay? Why cant I stay, if you can?I had to swallow hard. That wouldnt be fair, would it? But I dont get to stay, Sunny. I have to go, too. And soon. Maybe well leave together. Perhaps shed be happier if she thought I was going to the Dolphins with her. By the time she knew otherwise, Sunny would have a different host with different emotions and no tie to this human beside me. Maybe. Any way, it would be too late. I have to go, Sunny, just like you. I have to give my body back, too.And then, flat and hard from right behind us, Ians voice broke the quiet like the crack of a whip.What?