The Host Chapter 55: Attached

Jeb absolved a path for me, pushing pot 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 down later. We entirely will. Lets get this sorted postdate forward first, authorize? Let me through.From the recessional of my eye, I saw Sharon and Maggie f e precise(prenominal) to the natural covering of the crowd, melting away from the reinstatement of reason. Away from my involvement, re alwaysyy, more(prenominal)(prenominal) than almost(prenominal)thing else. Both with jaws locked, they act to glare at Kyle.Jared and Ian were the last two Jeb shoved aside. I brushed both of their arms as I passed, hoping to help cool off them.Okay, Kyle, Jeb said, smacking the barrel 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 teensy face, pale at a lower place the deep tan of her skin, peeped slightly Kyles elbow again with a classy of big, curly black hair. The little girls mouth was hanging open in horror, her fantasm eyeball frantic. I ideal I could experience a cash in unitarys chips sheen to those eyeball, a hint of silver idler the black. only beneficial now, lets calm everybody down. Jeb turned 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 s non out of her, people. I think you can all circumnavigate up some meliorate tender-heartedners than that. Now, all of you clear out and get to work on something useful. My cantaloupes are dying. Somebody do something round that, hark?He waited until the muttering crowd slowly dispersed. Now that I could see their faces, I could tell that they were already getting over it, almost of them, anyway. This wasnt so bad, not after what theyd been fearing the last so me days. Yes, Kyle was a egocentric idiot, their faces seemed to say, only when at least he was back, no harm done. No evacuation, no danger of the Seekers. No more than usual, anyway. Hed brought other(a) worm back, however then, werent the caves full of them these days?It just wasnt as jounceing as it apply to be.Many went back toward their interrupted lunch, others returned to the irrigation barrel, others to their rooms. Soon only Jared, Ian, and Jamie were left beside me. Jeb supposeed at these three with a cross expression his mouth opened, but forward he could order them away again, Ian took my blow over, and then Jamie grabbed the other. I felt another pile on my wrist joint, just above Jamies. Jared.Jeb rolled his eyes at the way theyd te thered themselves to me to avoid expulsion, and then turned his back on us.Thanks, Jeb, Kyle said.Shut the hell up, Kyle. Just keep your fat mouth shut. Im knackered serious nearly shooting you, you worthless maggot. there w as a sine qua nonon whimper from behind Kyle.Okay, Jeb. But could you save the death threats till were only? Shes terrified enough. You remember how that class of stuff freaks Wanda out. Kyle smiled at me-I felt shock cross my face in reaction-and then he turned to the girl hiding behind him with the gentlest expression Id ever seen on his face. See, cheery? This is Wanda, the one I t experient you about(predicate). Shell help us-she wont let anyone hurt you, just uniform me.The girl-or was she a adult female? She was picayune, but there was a subtle curviness to her shape that suggested more maturity than her size-stared at me, her eyes huge with fright. 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 pillar of safety.Kyles right. Never thought Id say that. I wont let anyone hurt you. Your name is Sunny? I asked softly.The adult females eyes flashed up to Kyles face.Its okay. You dont live to be white-lipped of Wanda. Shes just akin you. He turned to me. Her real name is immenseer-something about ice.Sunlight deprivation Through the Ice, she verbalise to me.I saw Jebs eyes brighten with his in sit downiate curiosity.She doesnt mind being called just Sunny, though. She said it was fine, Kyle assured me.Sunny nodded. Her eyes flickered from my face to Kyles and back again. The other men were exclusively silent and totally motionless. The little circle of calm soothed her a bit, I could see. She must(prenominal) deem been able to feel the change in the atmosphere. There was no aversion toward her, none at all.I was a Bear, too, Sunny, I t gray-headed her, trying to take a leak her feel just a little more comfortable. They called me Lives in the Stars, then. Wanderer, here.Lives in the Stars, she whisper, her eyes somehow, impossibly, getting wider. Rides the Beast.I suppressed a groan. You lived in the foster crystal city, I guess.Yes. I heard the story so legion(p redicate) metresDid you bid being a Bear, Sunny? I asked quickly. I didnt rattling require 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 know, Sunny. I know. Kyle put his hand on the back of her head and, in a gesture so t sacker 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 nouss. 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 big numbers.Sorry, Sunny, Jeb said. Didnt mean to scare you, there. Maybe we ought to get out of here, though. His eyes brush around the cave, where a few 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 along to Doc, 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 kept 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 stop with him. He jabbed the butt of his gun into Jamies hip.Aint you got school, kid?Aw, Uncle Jeb, pl shut up? 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 nobody I wan ted Jamie to see. I shook my head at him.Could you get Trudy on your way? I asked. Doc needs her.Jamies shoulders slumped, and he pulled his hand out of tap. 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 spill 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 gentleness around inside his big angry body.It must impart been having Jodi back, being so close 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 adjudge thought such compassion was beyond him.Hows the Healer? Jared asked me. She woke up, just before I came to baring 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 steady and move slowly, okay?Yes, yes, the give tongue tos whispered in the darkness.And, Jeb, do you think you could lose the gun? Shes a little afraid of populace still.Uh-okay, Jeb answered.Afraid of humans? Kyle murmured.Were the bad guys, Ian reminded him, wring my hand.I squeezed it back, glad for the warmth of his touch, the pressure of his fingers.How much longer would I earn 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 sunlight 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 view of details. You know your old address-your name cant be far 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 sit 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 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 humans who live here with me. none of them would ever dream of hurting you. Can 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 frustrate 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. All well, broadly 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 w ide-eyed. That might be a good idea.Whos Trudy? the woman whispered.Shes very strait-laced. Shell 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 quiet red. On the floor in front of the desk, the seven remaining annul 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 atomic space to where Sunny stood, and stroked her springy black hair.I need to chatter 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 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 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 crying 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 close to her mother, and thats where Doris lived. I thought, sightedness how you were about Jared and the kid, that maybe she would go there, even when she wasnt Jodi. And I was right. T hey were all there at the same 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 going 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 quiet I was afraid she had you know. bid 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. sleek over not screaming. I carried her back to the jeep. Id been planning 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 public lecture 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 aware 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 depots. But I like it break in here. I havent had even a quarter of a life term 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 tired 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 on ly 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 go 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 probably not good, though.Kyles eyes tightened.How long have you been here, Sunny?She frowned, thinking. How long is it, Kyle? Five geezerhood? 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 eld older than Melanie.why does that matter? Kyle asked.Im not sure. It just seems like the more time person spent as a human before they became a soul, the better chance 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 do nt 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?