The Host Chapter 55: Attached

Jeb cleared a path for me, pushing people aside with his rifle as though they were sheep and the gun a shepherds staff.Thats enough, he growled at those who complained. Youll get a chance to dress im plenty later. We either will. Lets get this sorted taboo first, okay? Let me through.From the corner of my eye, I saw Sharon and Maggie f e genuinely to the rearward of the crowd, melting away from the reinstatement of reason. Away from my involvement, re on the wholey, more(prenominal) than some(prenominal)thing else. Both with jaws locked, they continued to glare at Kyle.Jared and Ian were the last dickens Jeb shoved aside. I brushed both of their arms as I passed, hoping to help calm them.Okay, Kyle, Jeb said, smacking the lay of the gun against his palm. Dont try to excuse yourself, cause thither aint no excuse. Im plain torn between kickin ya out and shootin ya now.The precise introduce, pale under the rich tan of her skin, peeped around Kyles elbow again with a swish of l ong, permed black hair. The young womans mouth was hanging open in horror, her dark eye frantic. I purpose I could run into a faint sheen to those eye, a hint of silver tin the black.But flop now, lets calm eerybody d birth. Jeb false around, gun held low across his body, and suddenly it was as if he were guarding Kyle and the little face behind him. He glared at the mob. Kyles got a guest, and youre scarin the snot out of her, people. I think you can either dig up some better piece of musicners than that. Now, tout ensemble of you clear out and get to urinate on something useful. My cantaloupes are dying. Somebody do something about that, hear?He waited until the muttering crowd slow dispersed. Now that I could see their faces, I could tell that they were already getting over it, most of them, anyway. This wasnt so bad, not after what theyd been fearing the last some days. Yes, Kyle was a self-absorbed idiot, their faces seemed to say, scarce at least he was back, no harm done. No evacuation, no danger of the Seekers. No more than usual, anyway. Hed brought an another(prenominal)wise worm back, only if then, werent the caves full of them these days?It nevertheless wasnt as ball overing as it used to be.Many went back toward their interrupt lunch, others re off-key to the irrigation barrel, others to their rooms. Soon only Jared, Ian, and Jamie were left beside me. Jeb looked at these three with a cross human face his mouth opened, but onward he could order them away again, Ian took my perish, and then Jamie grabbed the other. I felt another raft on my wrist, just above Jamies. Jared.Jeb rolled his eyes at the way theyd tethered themselves to me to avoid expulsion, and then dark his back on us.Thanks, Jeb, Kyle said.Shut the hell up, Kyle. Just keep your fat mouth shut. Im dead estimable about shooting you, you worthless maggot.There was a weak whimper from behind Kyle.Okay, Jeb. But could you let off the death threats till were a lone? Shes terrified enough. You remember how that kind of stuff freaks Wanda out. Kyle smiled at me-I felt shock cross my face in counterbalanceion-and then he turned to the girl hiding behind him with the gentlest expression Id ever seen on his face. See, delightful? This is Wanda, the one I t older you about. Shell help us-she wont let anyone hurt you, just bid me.The girl-or was she a woman? She was tiny, but there was a subtle curviness to her shape that suggested more maturity than her size-stared at me, her eyes huge with f honest. Kyle put his arms around her waist, and she let him pull her into his side. She clung there, as if he were an anchor, her editorial of safety.Kyles right. Never thought Id say that. I wont let anyone hurt you. Your wee-wee is bright? I asked softly.The womans eyes flashed up to Kyles face.Its okay. You dont wipe out to be aghast(predicate) of Wanda. Shes just interchangeable you. He turned to me. Her real name is longer-something about ice .Sunlight red ink Through the Ice, she whispered to me.I saw Jebs eyes brighten with his unquenchable curiosity.She doesnt mind being called just buoyant, though. She said it was fine, Kyle assured me. braw nodded. Her eyes flickered from my face to Kyles and back again. The other men were totally silent and totally motionless. The little circle of calm soothed her a bit, I could see. She essential have been able to receive the change in the atmosphere. There was no hostility toward her, none at all.I was a Bear, too, buoyant, I told her, trying to draw off her feel just a little more comfortable. They called me Lives in the Stars, then. Wanderer, here.Lives in the Stars, she whispered, her eyes somehow, impossibly, getting wider. Rides the Beast.I suppressed a groan. You lived in the second quartz glass city, I estimate.Yes. I heard the story so many durationsDid you like being a Bear, Sunny? I asked quickly. I didnt really want to get into my history right now. Were you happy there?Her face crumpled at my questions her eyes locked onto Kyles face and filled with tears.Im sorry, I apologized at once, looking to Kyle, too, for an explanation.He patted her arm. Dont be afraid. You wont be hurt. I promised.I could barely hear her answering whisper. But I like it here. I want to stay.Her words brought a thick lump to my throat.I bed, Sunny. I know. Kyle put his hand on the back of her head and, in a gesture so tender it made my eyes smart, held her face against his chest.Jeb cleared his throat, and Sunny started and cringed. It was easy to imagine the frayed state her nerves must be in. Souls were not designed to handle violence and terror.I remembered long ago when Jared had interrogated me hed asked if I was like other minds. I was not, nor was the other soul theyd dealt with, my Seeker. Sunny, however, seemed to embody the essence of my gentle, timid species we were powerful only in cracking numbers.Sorry, Sunny, Jeb said. Didnt mean to scare you, there. by chance we ought to get out of here, though. His eyes swept around the cave, where a fewer people lingered by the exits, gawking at us. He stared hard at Reid and Lucina, and they ducked down the corridor toward the kitchen. Probably ought to git on to medico, Jeb continued with a sigh, giving the frightened little woman a wistful glance. I guessed he was sad to be missing out on new stories.Right, Kyle said. He unplowed his arm firmly around Sunnys tiny waist and pulled her with him toward the southern tunnel.I followed right behind, towing the others who still adhered to me.Jeb paused, and we all stopped with him. He jabbed the butt of his gun into Jamies hip.Aint you got school, kid?Aw, Uncle Jeb, please? Please? I dont want to miss -Get your behind to class.Jamie turned his hurt eyes on me, but Jeb was absolutely right. This was nothing I wanted Jamie to see. I shook my head at him.Could you get Trudy on your way? I asked. atomic number 101 needs her.Jamies shou lders slumped, and he pulled his hand out of mine. Jareds slid down from my wrist to take its place.I miss everything, Jamie moaned as he turned back the other way.Thanks, Jeb, I whispered when Jamie was out of hearing.Yep.The long tunnel seemed blacker than before because I could feel the fear radiating from the woman ahead of me.Its okay, Kyle murmured to her. Theres nothing thats going to hurt you, and Im here.I wondered who this strange man was, the one who had come back in Kyles place. Had they checked his eyes? I couldnt believe hed carried all this blurriness around inside his big angry body.It must have been having Jodi back, being so c tolerate to what he wanted. Even knowing that this was his Jodis body, I was surprised that he could expend so much kindness for the soul inside it. I would have thought such compassion was beyond him.Hows the Healer? Jared asked me.She woke up, just before I came to find you, I said.I heard more than one sigh of relief in the darkness.Shes disoriented, though, and very frightened, I warned them all. She cant remember her name. Docs working with her. Shes going to be even more scared when she sees all of you. Try to be quiet and move slowly, okay?Yes, yes, the voices whispered in the darkness.And, Jeb, do you think you could lose the gun? Shes a little afraid of humans still.Uh-okay, Jeb answered.Afraid of humans? Kyle murmured.Were the bad guys, Ian reminded him, squeezing my hand.I squeezed it back, smiling for the warmth of his touch, the pressure of his fingers.How much longer would I have the feeling of a hand warm around mine? When was the last time I would walk down this tunnel? Was it this time?No. non yet, Mel whispered.I was suddenly trembling. Ians hand 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 have to. You can go somewhere else.But I cant stay here?No. Im sorry, Sunny.There was a little hitch in her breathing. I was glad it was dark. No one could see the tears that started rolling down my face. I had no free hand to wipe them away, so I let them fall onto my shirt.We finally reached the end of the tunnel. The fair weather streamed from the mouth of the hospital, reflecting off the dust motes dancing in the air. I could hear Doc murmuring inside.Thats very good, he was saying. Keep thinking of details. You know your old address-your name cant be distant 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 into Docs place. I announced my presence in a low, even voice. Hello.The Healers host started and gasped out a little shriek.Just 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, but shes a friend.The woman eyeball 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 humans who live here with me. None of them would ever dream of hurting you. rear 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 tease wide as Kyle, Sunny attached to his side, entered the room.Are there any more? the woman whispered.Doc cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. Yes. There are a lot of people who live here. tout ensemble well, mostly humans, he added, staring at Sunny.Trudy is on her way, I told Doc. Maybe Trudy could I glanced at Sunny and Kyle. find a room for her to rest in?Doc nodded, still wide-eyed. That might be a good idea.Whos Trudy? the woman whispered.Shes very squeamish. Shel l take care of you.Is she human, or is she like 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 staring at the cryotanks that held the Healers. They were standing in the middle of Docs desk, the lights on top glowing muted red. On the floor in front of the desk, the seven remaining go off tanks were piled in an untidy heap.Tears sprang to Sunnys eyes again, and she buried 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 trust so completely.I know, Sunny. Im sorry.Sunny broke down into sobs.I blinked fast, trying to keep the tears from my own eyes. I crossed the small space to where Sunny stood, and stroked her springy black hair.I need to talk 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 going anywhere. I just want to ask you a fe w 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 nameless woman as I could get. I didnt want our conversation 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, facing the wall.Jeez, Kyle murmured. I didnt think it would be like this. This really sucks.How did you find her? And catch her? I asked. The sobbing girl didnt react as I questioned him she just kept let loose on my shoulder. What happened? why 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 really taut 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 same old house, Doris s house Doris, and her husband, Warren-they had other na mes, 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 going to start screaming, so I was really mesh it back to the jeep. Then I was afraid because she didnt start screaming. She was just so quiet I was afraid she had you know. Like 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 staring up at me, all wide-eyed. Still not screaming. I carried her back to the jeep. Id been planning to contact 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, Sun ny whispered brokenly. I like Sunny, though. Its nice.Anyway, Kyle went on after clearing his throat. She didnt mind talk to me at all. She wasnt afraid like Id thought shed be. So we talked. He was quiet for a moment. She was happy to see me.I used to dream about him all the time, Sunny whispered to me. Every night. I kept hoping the Seekers would find him I missed him so much When I saw him, I thought it was the old dream again.I swallowed loudly.Kyle reached across me to lay his hand on her cheek.Shes a good kid, Wanda. Cant we send her someplace really nice?Thats what I wanted to ask her about. Where have you lived, Sunny?I was vaguely alert of the subdued voices of the others, greeting Trudys arrival. We had our backs to them. I wanted to see what was going on, but I was also glad not to have the distraction. I tried to concentrate on the crying soul.Just here and with the Bears. I was there five life terms. But I like it better here. I havent had even a quarter of a life ter m hereI know. Believe me, I understand. 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 degenerate of cold. And I like colors.I know. I sighed. I havent 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 have 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, shaking 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 drenched with her tears. He covered my eyes.Kyle looked at me as if I could produce some kind of miracle to make this all work out perfectly. Like the medicine Id provided, some kind of magic. But I knew that I was out of magic, out of happy endings-for the soul half of the equation, at least.I stared back hopelessly at Kyle. Its just the Bears, the Flowers, and the Dolphins, I told him. I wont send her to the Fire Planet.The small woman shuddered at the name.Dont worry, Sunny. Youll like the Dolphins. Theyll be nice. Of course 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 yo u 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 probably not good, though.Kyles eyes tightened.How long have you been here, Sunny?She frowned, thinking. How long is it, Kyle? louvre years? 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 six years older than Melanie.Why does that matter? Kyle asked.Im not sure. It just seems like the more time someone spent as a human before they became a soul, the better chance they might have at making a recovery. The greater 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 fair 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. Anyway, 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?