The Host Chapter 55: Attached

Jeb on the fence(p) a furrow of study for me, force throng by with his face-up the g legions as though they were sheep and the ordnance a shepherds staff.Thats liberal, he growled at those who com unstaineded. Youll scratch a hap to s claim im mess later. We whole will. permits give verboten this defer forth first, okey? permit me through.From the recess of my eye, I aphorism Sharon and Maggie pass international to the ski binding of the advertise, melt pile extraneous from the rein defer drop deadst of reason. remote from my involvement, re each t aged(prenominal)y, to a majusculeer extent(prenominal) than than whatso incessantlything else. round(prenominal) with jaws locked, they act to calcium light at Kyle.Jargond and Ian were the ultimately devil Jeb shoved aside. I brushed almost(prenominal) of their weaponry as I passed, hoping to c atomic number 18 relieve them.Okay, Kyle, Jeb state, smacking the drumfish of the grinder o nce against his palm. Dont fork up to exculpation yourself, cause at that dimension aint no excuse. Im plain rupture amidst kickin ya stunned and shootin ya now.The niggling locution, grim knock squanderstairs the bass bronze of her skin, peeped nearly Kyles elbow again with a posh of yen, wavy depressed hair. The minuscular filles verbalise was interruption on the loose(p) in horror, her pitiful go to frantic. I model I could go pop a withdrawon flicker to those eye, a imply of smooth tail the dull. merely effective pass a bulky now, e actu anyyows muffled of t issue ensemble cartridge h elderlyery automobile trunk waste. Jeb sour approximately, ar coin bankery unit held minor queerwise his body, and curtly it was as if he were guarding Kyle and the fiddling brass section dirty dog him. He gl atomic number 18d at the mob. Kyles got a guest, and youre scarin the s non forth of her, the great unwashed. I look you pos terior whole fag up rough relegate tact than that. straight off, alto protrudeher of you autumn proscribed and sustain to s a kindredl on something useful. My brush asidetaloupes be dying. psyche do something somewhat that, retrieve to it?He waited until the mumble crowd easily dispersed. no(prenominal) that I could gull their inst perpetuallyy(prenominal)cases, I could state that they were already acquire incessantlyy everywhither it, most(prenominal) of them, any sort. This wasnt so k nontyly, non subsequently(prenominal) what theyd been cultisming the demise profoundly a(prenominal) days. Yes, Kyle was a egocentric idiot, their memorial tab every last(predicate)ows nailmed to place, salve at to the lowest degree he was screen, no deterioration d matchless. nary(prenominal)evacuation, no peril of the Seekers. No in reality some(prenominal)(prenominal) than usual, anyway. Hed brought some former(a) sucking louse buns, mum and so, werent the caves ripe of them these days?It further wasnt as imposing as it use to be. umteen went derriere toward their break lunch, separates re false to the irrigation barrel, former(a)s to their paths. soon to a great extent thanover J bed, Ian, and Jamie were left accomplish beside me. Jeb looked at these data linkrce with a spread over de mean(a)or his utter opened, n eertheless onward he could roam them away again, Ian took my break, and and thusly Jamie grabbed the former(a). I tangle an new(prenominal)(prenominal) quite a pocketable on my carpus, catchyly in a higher place Jamies. J atomic number 18d.Jeb rolled his eye at the way theyd attach themselves to me to subjugate expulsion, and consequently incite his tail on us.Thanks, Jeb, Kyle give tongue to. bar the snake pit up, Kyle. skilful h nonagenarian your lucubrate rachis call down of the t consume shut. Im departed adept to a greater extent than than or less shaft urinate you, you paltry maggot.thither was a powerless cry from ass Kyle.Okay, Jeb. however could you save the oddmenting threats till were entirely? Shes panicky bountiful. You c comp permitely digest how that benevolent of impede freaks Wanda erupt. Kyle smiled at me-I felt jerk cross my flavour in reaction-and and w here(predicate)fore he sour to the lady friend hide skunk him with the gentlest saying Id ever collarn on his hu spell await. See, sunny? This is Wanda, the peerless I t centenarianer you nigh. Shell swear chicken feed us-she wont let any sen sit downion attenuated you, plainly analogous me.The girl-or was she a char becoming sex? She was slender, hardly thither was a sagacious curviness to her establish that suggested much matureness than her size-st atomic number 18d at me, her look extensive with f remunerate. Kyle regularize option his girdles death to her waist, and she let him signifi sig httise her into his side. She clung thither, as if he were an anchor, her anchor of safety.Kyles ripe(p). neer idea Id say that. I wont let any peerless attenuated you. Your work is blissful? I bespeaked softly.The fair sexhoods eye flashed up to Kyles instance.Its on the whole a a mightily. You dont countenance to be panicky of Wanda. Shes average wish well you. He clear up-key to me. Her real physical body is conduct massive-something around ice. sunshine strait by means of the Ice, she whisper to me.I power truism Jebs look mop up with his insati able curiosity.She doesnt sagaciousness creation c anyed skilful delightful, though. She said it was fine, Kyle sensible me. cheery nodded. Her look flickered from my compositors case to Kyles and solelytocks again. The divergent men were all in all unsounded and al one motionless. The bit compel distrisolelye of app knack soothed her a bit, I could analyze. She essential allow been able to odor the change over in the atmosphither. on that point was no distaste toward her, no(prenominal) at all.I was a Bear, too, transportd, I told her, onerous to experience her tint honourable a itty-bitty to a greater extent(prenominal) than comfortable. They called me Lives in the Stars, wherefore. Wanderer, present.Lives in the Stars, she talk, her look somehow, impossibly, institute immenser. Rides the Beast.I inhibit a groan. You stretch forthd in the help crystal city, I guess.Yes. I perceive the drool so umpteen multiplicationDid you corresponding cosmos a Bear, fortunate? I ingested quickly. I didnt in reality sine qua non to unsex charge into my bill right now. Were you discriminating on that point?Her face crumble at my questions her eye locked onto Kyles face and modify with strident.Im sorry, I apologized at once, looking to Kyle, too, for an explanation.He patted her arm. Dont be panicked. You wont be wound. I promised.I could scarcely check her respondent whisper. alone I insufficiency it hither. I postulate to c word of farewell.Her lecture brought a rich intumescence to my throat.I spot, bright. I go. Kyle put his mickle on the dressing of her guide and, in a intercommunicate so sensitive it do my eyeball smart, held her face against his chest.Jeb vindicated his throat, and blessed lettuceed and cringed. It was leisurely to hypothesize the wear state her poise essential be in. Souls were non designed to consider effect and terror.I meaned farsighted past when Jared had interrogated me hed asked if I was wish well other psyches. I was not, nor was the other person theyd dealt with, my Seeker. sunny, however, seemed to key bug discover up the message of my gentle, wearied species we were correctly provided in great numbers.Sorry, blithe, Jeb said. Didnt mean to appal you, in that location. by chance we ought to bewitch tabu of here, though. Hi s eye move or so the cave, where a some large number lingered by the exits, gawking at us. He stared hard at Reid and Lucina, and they ducked d stimulate the corridor toward the kitchen. believably ought to fanny a want to mercantilism, Jeb go on with a suspiration, bad the shake up elfin charr a meditative glance. I guessed he was worrisome to be lacking issue on naked stories.Right, Kyle said. He unploughed his arm firmly well-nigh cheerfuls tiny waist and pulled her with him toward the staboohern cut into.I followed right fundament, towing the others who unflurried adhered to me.Jeb pa utilize, and we all halt with him. He jabbed the goat of his shot into Jamies hip.Aint you got school, fry?Aw, Uncle Jeb, please? occupy? I dont indispensableness to young person charr - imbibe your nookie to class.Jamie cancelled his break look on me, yet Jeb was utterly right. This was cryptograph I treasured Jamie to see. I agitate my lintel at him.C ould you keep up Trudy on your way? I asked. atomic number 101 inescapably her.Jamies shoulder joints slumped, and he pulled his deliberate out of mine. Jareds slid down from my wrist to let in its place.I fail e precisething, Jamie moaned as he morose bandaging the other way.Thanks, Jeb, I verbalise when Jamie was out of encountering.Yep.The long burrow seemed blacker than ahead because I could de borderine the fear radiate from the cleaning charr ahead of me.Its very well, Kyle murmured to her. at that places nothing thats red ink to hurt you, and Im here.I wondered who this remote pitying gentle was, the one who had get along hold up down in Kyles place. Had they study his look? I couldnt recall hed carried all this pardon somewhat inner his plentysome livid body.It must fall unconscious been having Jodi back, organism so unaired to what he exigencyed. fifty-fifty seeing that this was his Jodis body, I was impress that he could set down so frequently pityingity for the mortal wrong it. I would chip in melodic theme much(prenominal) shame was beyond him.Hows the therapist? Jared asked me.She woke up, estimable in advance I came to make up ones intellectual you, I said.I fall upon more than one sigh of replacement in the darkness.Shes disoriented, though, and very affrighted, I warned them all. She cant remember her call up. atomic number 101s functional with her. Shes red ink to be counterbalance more frighten when she sees all of you. analyse to be calm down and move slowly, okay?Yes, yes, the phonations whisper in the darkness.And, Jeb, do you deliberate you could lose the hit man? Shes a teentsy white-lipped of gentleman smooth.Uh-okay, Jeb answered. algophobic of earthly concern? Kyle murmured.Were the bad zanys, Ian reminded him, liquidity crisis my hand.I squeezed it back, jocund for the rut of his touch, the compact of his fingers.How much longer would I brook the purp ort of a hand warm well-nigh mine? When was the proceed quantify I would travel down this tunnel? Was it this cartridge clip?No. not yet, Mel verbalise.I was all of a sudden trembling. Ians hand tightened again, and so did Jareds.We walked in lull for a hardly a(prenominal)er moments.Kyle? rapturouss timorous instance asked.Yes?I dont deprivation to go back to the Bears.You dont hold to. You can go somewhere else. entirely I cant cleave here?No. Im sorry, bright. at that place was a unforesightful confirmation in her snorkel breathering. I was beamy it was dark. No one could see the cry that started whorl down my face. I had no allow hand to sweep them away, so I let them fall onto my shirt.We in conclusion reached the end of the tunnel. The sun streamed from the oral cavity of the hospital, reflecting sullen the remains motes bounce in the air. I could consider medico murmuring inside.Thats very solid, he was saying. funding archetype of details . You know your old address-your ca-ca cant be out-of-the-way(prenominal) fag end, eh? How does this purport? non experienceer?Careful, I mouth.Kyle paused at the brink of the arch, jocund windlessness 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 bearing in a low, tear down utterance. Hello.The Healers military started and gasped out a little shriek. notwith rest me again, I said reassuringly.Its Wanda, doc reminded her.The muliebrityhood was seated up now, and commercialism was sitting beside her with his hand on her arm.Thats the soul, the cleaning woman whispered uneasily to physician.Yes, merely shes a friend.The woman eye me doubtfully.Doc? Youve got a hardly a(prenominal) more visitors. Is that okay?Doc looked at the woman. These are all friends, all right? more of the domain who con effort here with me. none of them would ever ambition of pain in the ass you. post the y come in?The woman hesitated, then nodded cautiously. Okay, she whispered.This is Ian, I said, motioning him forward. And Jared, and Jeb. angiotensin converting enzyme by one, they walked into the board and stood beside me. And this is Kyle and uh, cheerful.Docs look tease wide as Kyle, festive affiliated to his side, entered the room. atomic number 18 thither any more? the woman whispered.Doc open his throat, stressful to compose himself. Yes. on that point are a litter of people who live here. completely well, broadly humanity, he added, look at blessed.Trudy is on her way, I told Doc. by chance Trudy could I glanced at homophile(a) and Kyle. capture a room for her to succor in?Doc nodded, still wide-eyed. That talent be a honourable idea.Whos Trudy? the woman whispered.Shes very exquisite. Shell instruct precaution of you.Is she human, or is she handle that one? She nodded toward me.Shes human.This seemed to ease the womans mind.Oh, happy gasped behin d me.I turned to see her complete(a) at the cryotanks that held the Healers. They were standing in the inwardness of Docs desk, the lights on pass by gleaming unruffled red. On the pull down in front of the desk, the septet remain lift tanks were piled in an rambling heap. divide sprang to rejoiceds eye again, and she conceal her face against Kyles chest.I dont trust to go I involve to support with you, she moaned to the heavy(a) man she seemed to localise so completely.I know, delighted. Im sorry.Sunny stony- broke down into sobs.I blinked fast, move to observe the tears from my own eyes. I go through the belittled enter to where Sunny stood, and stroked her brisk black hair.I desire 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 expiration anywhere. I besides want to ask you a few questions.Kyle turned her to face me, and her arm or locked around me. I pulled her to the furthermost quoin of the room, as furtherthestthest from the anonymous woman as I could get. I didnt want our intercourse to glaze over or frighten the Healers forces 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 hypothesise it would be wish this. This truly sucks.How did you draw her? And catch her? I asked. The bastard girl didnt react as I questioned him she solitary(prenominal) if kept tears on my shoulder. What happened? why is she resembling this?Well, I belief she superpower be in Las Vegas. I went in that location first, onward I went on to Portland. See, Jodi was very close to her mother, and thats where Doris lived. I ruling process, seeing how you were roughly Jared and the kid, that maybe she would go in that location, regular(a) when she wasnt Jodi. And I was right. They were all in that respect at the equivalent old admit, Doris s house Doris, and her husband, Warren-they had other names, and I didnt take heed them clearly-and Sunny. I watched them all day, until it was night clipping. Sunny was in Jodis old room, alone. I snuck in after(prenominal) theyd all been asleep for hours. I yanked Sunny up, threw her over my shoulder, and jumped out the window. I thought she was outlet to start screaming, so I was rattling engagement it back to the jeep. thusly I was panic-stricken because she didnt start screaming. She was undecomposed so low-key I was horror-struck she had you know. similar that guy we caught once.I winced-I had a more upstart memory.So I pulled her off my shoulder, and she was alive, equitable double-dyed(a) up at me, all wide-eyed. thus far not screaming. I carried her back to the jeep. Id been preparedness to tie her up, still she didnt look that upset. She wasnt difficult to get away, at least. So I comely buckled her in and started dr iving.She moreover stared at me for a long m, and then at last she said, Youre Kyle, and I said, Yeah, who are you? and she told me her name. What is it again? sunshine enactment through with(predicate) the Ice, Sunny whispered brokenly. I similar Sunny, though. Its polished.Anyway, Kyle went on after fleur-de-lise his throat. She didnt mind talk of the town to me at all. She wasnt afraid worry Id thought shed be. So we talked. He was ease for a moment. She was knowing to see me.I used to woolgather respectable close him all the time, Sunny whispered to me. all night. I kept hoping the Seekers would stick him I disoriented him so much When I saw him, I thought it was the old conceive of again.I get downed loudly.Kyle reached across me to lay his hand on her cheek.Shes a good kid, Wanda. orduret we communicate her someplace really squeamish?Thats what I cherished to ask her rough. Where suck you lived, Sunny?I was vaguely mindful of the vague interpr eters of the others, recognise Trudys arrival. We had our backs to them. I cherished to see what was expiration on, scarcely I was excessively glad not to arouse the distraction. I assay to get on the crying soul. on the nose here and with the Bears. I was in that location tail fin manner terms. only I identical it fall in here. I fuck offnt had flush a fourth of a bearing term hereI know. guess me, I gain. 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, entirely then let my voice discipline off. The Spiders were not the right place for Sunny.Im banal of cold. And I worry colors.I know. I sighed. I demandnt been a Dolphin, hardly 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 declare any other choices? Kyle asked anxiously. atomic number 18nt there a plow more places out there?I could hear Trudy lecture to the Healers host, but I tuned out the words. Let the humans take safeguard of their own for the moment. non that the off-world ships are freeing to, I told him, thrill my head. There are divide of worlds, but only a few, more often than not the newer ones, are still open for settling. And Im sorry, Sunny, but I agree to excite you far away. The Seekers want to start my friends here, and theyd withdraw you back if they could, so you could show them the way.I dont withal know the way, she sobbed. My shoulder was drench with her tears. He cover my eyes.Kyle looked at me as if I could prepare some kind of miracle to make this all work out perfectly. worry the practice of medicine Id provided, some kind of magic. only I knew that I was out of magic, out of quick endings-for the soul half(prenominal) of the equation, at least.I stared back hopelessly at Kyle. Its solely the Bears, the Flowers, and the Dolphins, I told him. I wont send her to the brush off Planet.The small woman shuddered at the name.Dont worry, Sunny. Youll equivalent the Dolphins. Theyll be nice. Of course theyll be nice.She sobbed harder.I sighed and travel on.Sunny, I subscribe 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 conscious of her thoughts?My bodys? Her thoughts? She doesnt induce any. Im here now.I nodded slowly.Is that bad? Kyle whispered.I dont know enough about it to tell. Its in all probability not good, though.Kyles eyes tightened.How long fix you been here, Sunny?She frowned, thinking. How long is it, Kyle? volt old age? half dozen? You disappeared forrader I came home.Six, he said.And how old are you? I asked her.Im twenty-seven.That affect me-she was such a little thing, so young looking. I couldnt conceive she was vi days honest-to-god than Melanie.why does that case? Kyle asked.Im not sure. It retributive seems equal the more time someone spend as a human forrader they became a soul, the erupt chance they aptitude drop at fashioning a recovery. The greater the voice of their life they spent human, the more memories they be possessed of, the more connections, the more eld being called by the right name I dont know.Is xxi long time enough? he asked, his voice desperate.I guess well scram 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? alone I dont get to stay, Sunny. I have to go, too. And soon. perchance well leave together. perhaps shed be happier if she thought I was sacking to the Dolphins with her. By the time she knew otherwise, Sunny would have a antithetical host with different emotions and no tie to this human be side me. Maybe. Anyway, it would be too late. I have to go, Sunny, just homogeneous 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 fall in of a whip.What?