The Host Chapter 17: Visited

The heat hit me origin- analogous a wall(a) of steam, the moist, thick gentle wind rolled oer me and dewed on my skin. My m discoverh opened automatically as I attempt to pull a breath from the abruptly denser air. The timber was stronger than before-that said(prenominal) metallic tang that clung in my throat and flavored the piddle here.The talk babble of bass and soprano characters fulfilmed to issue from every side, echoing sour the walls. I squinted anxiously d iodin with(predicate) the swirling cloud of moisture, trying to deliver pop where the voices came from. It was bright here-the ceiling was dazzling, the likes of in the big elbow direction b arely frequently foldr. The argus-eyed danced glum the vapor, creating a shimmering curtain that rough blind me. My formula struggled to ad adept, and I clutched at Jebs bowl over in panic.I was move that the strangely fluid babble did not respond in twain representation to our entrance. Perhaps they could nt see us yet, either.Its a objet dart mean in here, Jeb verbalise apologetically, fanning at the steam in front of his sheath. His voice was relaxed, conversational in t wholeness, and loud liberal to make me jump. He sass as if we were not sur travel. And the babble continued, oblivious to his voice.Not that Im complaining, he continued. Id be dead several seasons over if this place didnt exist. The very first time I got stuck in the caves, of var.. And right off, wed neer be able to kill out here without it. With no hiding place, were all dead, right?He nudged me with his elbow, a conspiratorial gesture.Mighty convenient, how its laid out. Couldnt put on purposened it much better if Id sculpted it myself out of play dough.His laugh cleared a section of mist, and I adage the room for the first time.Two rivers f misfortunateed th furious the dank, high-domed outer space. This was the chatter that filled my ears-the water gushing over and beneath the olympian volcan ic rock. Jeb spoke as if we were al maven because we were.It was rattling only one river and one small stream. The stream was closest a modify plait ribbon of silver in the light from above, coursing amidst low stone banks that it seemed constantly in d fury of over travel rapidly. A feminine, high-pitched mumble purred from its gentle ripples.The male, bass gurgle came from the river, as did the thick clouds of vapor that bloom from the gaping holes in the ground by the far wall. The river was shady, submerged under the floor of the cavern, exposed by wide-cut, round erosions along the length of the room. The holes waited tenacious and dangerous, the river barely visible as it rushed power full(a)y toward an invisible and eternal destination. The water seemed to simmer, such was the heat and steam it produced. The fit of it, too, was like that of boiling water.From the ceiling hung a few long, narrow stalactites, dripping toward the stalagmites beneath from each one one. Three of them had met, forming thin swarthy pillars between the two bodies of flowing water.Got to be careful in here, Jeb said. Quite a current in the acerbic spring. If you fall in, youre gone. Happened once before. He bowed his head at the memory, his show whoresoner.The swift discolor eddies of the subterranean river were curtly horrible to me. I imagined organism caught in their scalding current and shuddered.Jeb put his hired man lightly on my shoulder. Dont worry. fitting watch your step and youll be fine. Now, he said, pointing to the far end of the cavern, where the shallow stream ran into a dark cave, the first cave sticker in that respect is the bathing room. Weve dug the floor out to make a nice, cryptical tubful. Theres a schedule for taking baths, however privacys not usually an issue-its black as pitch. The rooms nice and warm so close to the steam, save the water wont burn you like the hot spring here. Theres another(prenominal) cave just past that one, through a crevice. Weve widened the entrance up to a well-provided size. That room is the farthest we can follow the stream-it drops underground there. So weve got that room mend up as the latrine. Convenient and sanitary. His voice had assumed a complacent tone, as if he matt-up credit was due to him for natures creations. Well, he had discovered and improved the place-I speculate some pride was justified.We dont like to thriftlessness batteries, and most of us do it the floor here by namet, but since its your first time, you can find your way with this.Jeb pulled a flashlight from his theca and held it out. The sight of it reminded me of the moment hed make me dying(p) in the desert, when hed checked my eye and k directlyn what I was. I didnt issue why the memory do me sad.Dont get whatever crazy ideas about maybe the river taking you out of here or something. Once that water goes underground, it doesnt come back up, he cautioned me.Since he seemed to be waiting for some acknowledgment of his warning, I nodded once. I took the flashlight from his hand slowly, being careful not to make any quick movements that might startle him.He smiled in encouragement.I followed his directions quickly-the sound of the rushing water was not making my discomfort any easier to bear. It felt very strange to be out of his sight. What if someone had hidden in these caves, guessing I would adjudge to come here eventually? Would Jeb con the struggle over the cacophony of the rivers?I shone the flashlight all just about the bathing room, looking for any sign of an ambush. The odd flickering shadows it do were not comforting, but I found no substance to my fears. Jebs tub was more(prenominal) than than the size of a small swimming pool and black as ink. Under the surface, a person would be invisible as long as they could convey their breath I hurried through the slender crack at the back of the room to escape my imaginings. aside from Jeb, I was nearly ove rwhelmed with panic-I couldnt breathe normally I could barely hear over the sound of my pulse racing behind my ears. I was more running than walk when I made my way back to the room with the rivers.To find Jeb standing there, still in the same pose, still alone, was like a balm to my splintered nerves. My breathing and my nervebeat slowed. Why this crazy tender-hearted should be such a comfort to me, I couldnt understand. I figured it was like Melanie had said, desperate times.Not too shabby, eh? he asked, a smile of pride on his face.I nodded once again and re saturnine the flashlight.These caves are a great gift, he said as we started back toward the dark passageway. We wouldnt be able to survive in a group like this without them. Magnolia and Sharon were getting along real well-shockingly well-up there in Chicago, but they were pushing their raft hiding two. Its mighty nice to contribute a community again. Makes me see messright human.He took my elbow once more as we cl imbed the rough stair-case out.Im sorry about the, um, accommodations weve got you in. It was the safest place I could hypothecate of. Im surprised those boys found you as quick as they did. Jeb sighed. Well, Kyle gets real motivated. but I suppose its all for the best. Might as well get used to how things are going to be. by chance we can find something more ho cough outable for you. Ill think on it While Im with you, at least, you dont really hire to cram yourself into that precise hole. You can sit in the hall with me if you prefer. Though with Jared He trailed off.I listened to his apologetic words in wonder this was so much more kindness than Id in institutionalised for, more compassion than Id panorama this species was capable of giving their enemies. I patted the hand on my elbow lightly, hesitantly, trying to convey that I soundless and wouldnt cause a problem. I was convinced(predicate) Jared much preferred to have me out of sight.Jeb had no trouble translating my wordless communication. Thats a good girl, he said. Well figure this all out somehow. Doc can just stick out on healin human folks. Youre much more interesting alive, I think.Our bodies were close enough that he was able to retrieve me tremble.Dont worry. Docs not going to dogfight you now.I couldnt demote shivering. Jeb could only promise me now. There was no see to it that Jared would not decide my secret was more important than sheltering Melanies body. I knew that such a fate would make me deal Ian had succeeded last night. I bow outed, feeling the bruising that seemed to go all the way through my do to the inside(a) walls of my throat.You never know how much time youll have, Melanie had said so many days ago, when my world was still under control.Her words echoed in my head as we reentered the big room, the main plaza of Jebs human community. It was full, like the first night, everyone there to glare at us with look that blazed anger and betrayal when they looked a t him and murder when they looked at me. I kept my discern down on the rock under my feet. From the command of my eye, I could see that Jeb held his poor boy ready again.It was only a depicted object of time, indeed. I could feel it in the atmosphere of hate and fear. Jeb could not protect me long.It was a temperance to scrape back through the narrow crevice, to look forward to the twisting black labyrinth and my cramped hiding place I could hope to be alone there.Behind me, a furious hissing, like a nest of goaded snakes, echoed in the big cavern. The sound made me wish Jeb would lead me through the labyrinth at a quicker pace.Jeb chuckled under his breath. He seemed to get stranger the longer I was around him. His wizard of humor mystified me as much as his motivations did.It gets a bit tedious down here sometimes, you know, he murmured to me, or to himself. With Jeb, it was knockout to prescribe. Maybe when they get over being cheesed off at me, theyll realize they rega rd all the excitement Im providing.Our path through the dark twisted in a serpentine fashion. It didnt feel at all familiar. Perhaps he took a different route to financial backing me lost. It seemed to take more time than before, but finally I could see the dim stern light of the lamp shining from around the next curve.I braced myself, wondering if Jared would be there again. If he was, I knew he would be angry. I was sure he wouldnt approve of Jeb taking me for a field trip, no matter how necessary it might have been.As soon as we rounded the corner, I could see that there was a figure slumped against the wall beside the lamp, cast a long shadow toward us, but it was apparently not Jared. My hand clutched at Jebs arm, an automatic spasm of fear.And so I really looked at the waiting figure. It was smaller than me-that was how Id known it was not Jared-and thin. Small, but also too tall and too wiry. Even in the dim light of the blue lamp, I could see that his skin was dyed to a deep brownish by the sun, and that his silky black hair now fell uncombed past his chin.My knees buckled.My hand, grasping Jebs arm in panic, held on for support.Well, for Petes sake Jeb exclaimed, obviously irritated. Cant nobody keep a secret around this place for moren 24 hours? Gol durn, this burns me up Bunch of gossipmongers He trailed off into a grumble.I didnt even try to understand the words Jeb was saying I was locked in the fiercest battle of my life-of every life Id ever lived.I could feel Melanie in each cell of my body. My nerve endings tingled in recognition of her familiar presence. My muscles twitched in anticipation of her direction. My lips trembled, trying to open. I leaned forward toward the boy in the hall, my body reaching because my arms would not.Melanie had learned many things the few times Id ceded or lost my command to her, and I truly had to struggle against her-so hard that raw sweat beaded on my brow. But I was not dying in the desert now. Nor w as I weak and dizzy and taken off guard by the appearance of someone Id given up for lost Id known this moment might come. My body was resilient, quick to heal-I was strong again. The authorization of my body gave strength to my control, to my determination.I drove her from my limbs, chased her from every hold shed found, thrust her back into the recesses of my mind, and chained her there.Her surrender was sudden and total. Aaah, she sighed, and it was almost a moan of pain.I felt strangely guilty as soon as Id won.Id already known that she was more to me than a resistant horde who made life unnecessarily difficult. Wed become companions, even confidantes during our past weeks together-ever since the searcher beetle had united us against a common enemy. In the desert, with Kyles knife over my head, Id been glad that if I had to die I would not be the one to kill Melanie even then, she was more than a body to me. But now it seemed like something beyond that. I regretted causing he r pain.It was necessary, though, and she didnt seem to grasp that. each word we said wrong, any poorly considered action would mean a quick execution. Her reactions were too wild and emotional. She would get us into trouble.You have to trust me now, I told her. Im just trying to keep us alive. I know you dont wish to believe your humans could hurt usBut its Jamie, she whispered. She yearned for the boy with an emotion so strong that it weakened my knees again.I tried to look at him impartially-this sullen-faced teenager slumped against the tunnel wall with his arms folded tightly crosswise his chest. I tried to see him as a stranger and plan my response, or lack of response, accordingly. I tried, but I failed. He was Jamie, he was beautiful, and my arms-mine, not Melanies-longed to hold him. Tears filled my eyes and trickled down my face. I could only hope they were invisible in the dim light.Jeb, Jamie said-a gruff greeting. His eyes passed swiftly over me and away.His voice was so deep Could he really be so old? I realized with a range of a function pang of guilt that Id just missed his quaternaryteenth birthday. Melanie showed me the day, and I saw that it was the same day as the first dream with Jamie. Shed struggled so hard all through the waking hours to keep her pain to herself, to cloud her memories in order to protect the boy, that hed come out in her dream. And Id e-mailed the Seeker.I shuddered now in disbelief that Id ever been so callous.Whatcha doing here, kid? Jeb demanded.Why didnt you sort out me? Jamie demanded back.Jeb went silent.Was that Jareds idea? Jamie pressed.Jeb sighed. Okay, so you know. What good does that do you, eh? We only wanted to -To protect me? he interrupted, surly.When did he get so bitter? Was it my fault? Of course it was.Melanie began sobbing in my head. It was distracting, loud-it made Jeb and Jamies voices sound farther away.Fine, Jamie. So you dont engage protecting. What do you want?This quick capitulation see med to throw Jamie off. His eyes darted between Jebs face and mine while he struggled to come up with a request. I-I want to talk with her with it, he finally said. His voice was higher when he was unsure.She doesnt say much, Jeb told him, but youre welcome to try, kid.Jeb pried my fingers off his arm. When he was free, he turned his back to the nearest wall, leaning into it as he eased himself to the floor. He settled in there, fidgeting until he found a comfortable position. The gun stayed balanced in the cradle of his lap. Jebs head lolled back against the wall, and his eyes closed. In seconds, he looked like he was asleep.I stood where hed left me, trying to keep my eyes off Jamies face and failing.Jamie was surprised again by Jebs cushy acquiescence. He watched the old man recline on the floor with wide eyes that made him look younger. After a few transactions of perfect stillness from Jeb, Jamie looked back up at me, and his eyes tightened.The way he stared at me-angry, tryi ng hard to be brave and grown-up, but also showing the fear and pain so clearly in his dark eyes-had Melanie sobbing louder and my knees shaking. Rather than take a chance with another collapse, I go slowly to the tunnel wall across from Jeb and slid down to the floor. I curled up around my bent legs, trying to be as small as possible.Jamie watched me with cautious eyes and then took four slow steps forward until he stood over me. His glance flitted to Jeb, who hadnt moved or opened his eyes, and then Jamie knelt down at my side. His face was suddenly intense, and it made him look more adult than any expression yet. My heart throbbed for the sad man in the little boys face.Youre not Melanie, he said in a low voice.It was harder not to speak to him because I was the one who wanted to speak. Instead, later on a brief hesitation, I shook my head.Youre inside her body, though.Another pause, and I nodded.What happened to your to her face?I shrugged. I didnt know what my face looked lik e, but I could imagine.Who did this to you? he pressed. With a hesitant finger, he almost adverted the side of my neck. I held still, feeling no urge to bounce away from this hand.Aunt Maggie, Jared, and Ian, Jeb listed off in a bored voice. We both jumped at the sound. Jeb hadnt moved, and his eyes were still closed. He looked so peaceful, as if he had answered Jamies question in his sleep.Jamie waited for a moment, then turned back to me with the same intense expression.Youre not Melanie, but you know all her memories and stuff, right?I nodded again.Do you know who I am?I tried to swallow the words, but they slipped through my lips. Youre Jamie. I couldnt help how my voice wrapped around the name like a caress.He blinked, startled that I had bemused my silence. Then he nodded. Right, he whispered back.We both looked at Jeb, who remained still, and back at each other.Then you remember what happened to her? he asked.I winced, and then nodded slowly.I want to know, he whispered.I shook my head.I want to know, Jamie repeated. His lips trembled. Im not a kid. Tell me.Its not pleasant, I breathed, unable to stop myself. It was very hard to deny this boy what he wanted.His straight black eyebrows pulled together and up in the middle over his wide eyes. Please, he whispered.I glanced at Jeb. I thought that maybe he was peeking from between his lashes now, but I couldnt be sure.My voice was soft as breathing. soulfulness saw her go into a place that was off-limits. They knew something was wrong. They called the Seekers.He flinched at the title.The Seekers tried to get her to surrender. She ran from them. When they had her cornered, she jumped into an open elevator shaft.I recoiled from the memory of pain, and Jamies face went gaberdine under his tan.She didnt die? he whispered.No. We have very consummate Healers. They mended her quickly. Then they put me in her. They hoped I would be able to tell them how she had survived so long. I had not meant to say so much my mouth snapped shut. Jamie didnt seem to notice my slip, but Jebs eyes opened slowly and fixed on my face. No other part of him moved, and Jamie didnt see the change.Why didnt you let her die? he asked. He had to swallow hard a sob was threatening in his voice. This was all the more painful to hear because it was not the sound a child makes, frightened of the unknown, but the fully comprehending pang of an adult. It was so hard not to reach out and put my hand on his cheek. I wanted to hug him to me and beg him not to be sad. I curled my hands into fists and tried to concentrate on his question. Jebs eyes flickered to my hands and back to my face.I wasnt in on the decision, I murmured. I was still in a hibernation tank in deep space when that happened.Jamie blinked again in surprise. My answer was nothing hed expected, and I could see him fight with some new emotion. I glanced at Jeb his eyes were bright with curiosity.The same curiosity, though more wary, won out with Jamie. Wh ere were you coming from? he asked.In spite of myself, I smiled at his unwilling interest. Far away. Another planet.What was - he started to ask, but he was interrupted by another question.What the hell? Jared yelled at us, frozen with fury in the act of rounding the corner at the end of the tunnel. Damn it, Jeb We agreed not to -Jamie wrenched himself upright. Jeb didnt bring me here. But you should have.Jeb sighed and got slowly to his feet. As he did so, the gun rolled from his lap onto the floor. It stop only a few inches from me. I scooted away, awkward.Jared had a different reaction. He lunged toward me, closing the length of the hallway in a few running strides. I cowered into the wall and covered my face with my arms. Peeking around my elbow, I watched him shock the gun up from the floor.Are you trying to get us killed? he almost debaucheryed at Jeb, shoving the gun into the old mans chest.Calm down, Jared, Jeb said in a tired voice. He took the gun in one hand. She would nt touch this thing if I left it down here alone with her all night. Cant you see that? He stabbed the barrel of the gun toward me, and I cringed away. Shes no Seeker, this one. precede out up, Jeb, just shut upLeave him alone, Jamie yelled. He didnt do anything wrong.You Jared shouted back, turning on the slim, angry figure. You get out of here now, or so help meJamie balled his fists and stood his ground.Jareds fists came up, too.I was rooted in place with shock. How could they scream at each other this way? They were family, the bonds between them stronger than any relationship tie. Jared wouldnt hit Jamie-he couldnt I wanted to do something, but I didnt know what to do. Anything that brought me to their attention would only make them angrier.For once, Melanie was calmer than I was. He cant hurt Jamie, she thought confidently. Its not possible.I looked at them, facing off like enemies, and panicked.We should never have come here. See how unhappy weve made them, I moaned.You sho uldnt have tried to keep this a secret from me, Jamie said between his teeth. And you shouldnt have hurt her. One of his hands unclenched and flew out to point at my face.Jared spit on the floor. Thats not Melanie. Shes never coming back, Jamie.Thats her face, Jamie insisted. And her neck. Dont the bruises there bother you?Jared dropped his hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. You will either leave right now, Jamie, and give me some space, or I will make you leave. I am not bluffing. I cant deal with any more right now, okay? Im at my limit. So can we please have this conversation later? He opened his eyes again they were full of pain.Jamie looked at him, and the anger drained slowly from his face. Sorry, he muttered after a moment. Ill go but Im not promising that I wont come back.I cant think about that now. Go. Please.Jamie shrugged. He threw one more searching look at me, and then he left, his quick, long stride making me lose again for the time Id missed.Jared loo ked at Jeb. You, too, he said in a flat voice.Jeb rolled his eyes. I dont think youve had a long enough break, to be honest. Ill keep an eye on -Go.Jeb frowned thoughtfully. Okay. Sure. He started down the hall.Jeb? Jared called after him.Yeah?If I asked you to shoot it right now, would you do it?Jeb kept walking slowly, not looking at us, but his words were clear. Id have to. I follow my own rules. So dont ask me unless you really mean it.He disappeared into the dark.Jared watched him go. Before he could turn his glower on me, I ducked into my uncomfortable sanctuary and curled up in the back corner.