The Host Chapter 25: Compelled

A no.her week passed, maybe two-there seemed little point in obligeing track of time here, where it was so irrelevant-and things only got st blowr for me.I worked with the hu universes ever soy day, merely not ceaselessly with Jeb. Some geezerhood Ian was with me, some days commercialism, and some days only Jamie. I weeded battlegrounds, kneaded bread, and scrub counters. I carried water, boiled onion soup, washed clothes in the uttermostthest end of the black pool, and burned my slide bys making that acidic soap. E truly cardinal did their go, and since I had no right to be here, I tested to work doubly as hard as the others. I could not earn a place, I k sensitive that, but I tried to make my presence as light a burden as assertable.I got to hold out a little about(predicate) the tenders around me, mostly sightly by listening to them. I learned their names, at least. The caramel-skinned woman was named Lily, and she was from Philadelphia. She had a alter sense of humor and got along well with either hotshot because she never got ruffled. The young man with the bristly black hair, Wes, st atomic number 18d at her a lot, but she never seemed to make water away that. He was only nineteen, and hed escape from Eureka, Montana. The sleepy-eyed puzzle was named Lucina, and her two boys were Isaiah and Freedom-Freedom had been born(p) right here in the caves, de bered by atomic number 101. I didnt see some(prenominal) of these three it seemed that the dumbfound kept her nipperren as separate from me as was possible in this limited space. The balding, red-cheeked man was Trudys husband his name was Geoffrey. They were often with some other older man, Heath, who had been Geoffreys best friend since early childhood the three had escaped the invasion to bring outher. The pallid man with the white hair was Walter. He was sick, but medical student didnt cope what was wrong with him-there was no way to find out, not without labs and tests, and flat if mendelevium could diagnose the problem, he had no medicine to grapple it. As the symptoms progressed, Doc was starting to suppose it was a form of bathroomcer. This ail me-to watch someone actually dying from something so easily fixed. Walter fatigue easily but was always cheerful. The white-blond woman-her look contrastingly dark-whod brought water to the others that offset day in the field was Heidi. Travis, John, Stanley, Reid, Carol, Violetta, Ruth Ann I knew all the names, at least. There were thirty-five humans in the colony, with six of them gone on the raid, J ard included. Twenty-nine humans in the caves immediately, and one mostly unwelcome alien.I also learned much than about my neighbors.Ian and Kyle shared the cave on my antechamberway with the two real doors propped oer the entrance. Ian had begun bunking with Wes in another corridor in protest of my presence here, but hed locomote back after just two nights. The other nearby caves had also gone vacant for a tour. Jeb told me the occupants were afraid of me, which made me laugh. Were twenty-nine rattlesnakes afraid of a lone field mouse? nary(prenominal) Paige was back, next door, in the cave she shared with her partner, Andy, whose absence seizure she mourned. Lily was with Heidi in the set-back cave, with the flowered sheets Heath was in the second, with the duct-taped cardboard and Trudy and Geoffrey were in the third, with a striped quilt. Reid and Violetta were one cave farther down the hall than mine, their privacy protected by a stained and threadbare oriental person carpet.The fourth cave in this corridor belonged to Doc and Sharon, and the fifth to Maggie, but no(prenominal) of these three had returned.Doc and Sharon were partnered, and Maggie, in her rare moments of sarcastic humor, teased Sharon that it had interpreted the end of humanity for Sharon to find the perfect man every mother motiveed a doctor for her daughter.Sharon was not the girl Id seen in Mela nies memories. Was it the long time of living alone with the dour Maggie that had changed her into a more brightly colorize version of her mother? Though her agreeable with Doc was newer to this world than I was, she showed none of the softening effects of new love.I knew the duration of that family from Jamie-Sharon and Maggie rarely forgot when I was in a room with them, and their conversition was guarded. They were nonetheless the strongest opposition, the only people here whose ignoring me continued to feel aggressively hostile.Id asked Jamie how Sharon and Maggie had gotten here. Had they ready Jeb on their own, beaten Jared and Jamie here? He seemed to understand the real perplexity had Melanies last effort to find them been entirely a waste?Jamie told me no. When Jared had showed him Melanies last note, explained that she was gone-it took him a moment to be able to speak again after that word, and I could see in his face what this moment had through to them both-theyd gone to seek for Sharon themselves. Maggie had held Jared at the point of an antique sword while he tried to explain it had been a close thing.It had not taken long with Maggie and Jared working together for them to decipher Jebs riddle. The four of them had gotten to the caves ahead Id moved from Chicago to San Diego.When Jamie and I communicate of Melanie, it was not as difficult as it should throw away been. She was always a part of these conversations-soothing his pain, smoothing my awkwardness-though she had little to conjecture. She rarely spoke to me anymore, and when she did it was muted now and and then I wasnt sure if I rightfully heard her or just my own fancy of what she might think. moreover she made an effort for Jamie. When I heard her, it was always with him. When she didnt speak, we both felt up her there.Why is Melanie so quiet now? Jamie asked me late one night. For once, he wasnt grilling me about Spiders and Fire-Tasters. We were both tired-it had be en a long day puff carrots. The small of my back was in knots.Its hard for her to talk. It takes so much more effort than it takes you and me. She doesnt have anything she wants to say that badly.What does she do all the time?She listens, I think. I guess I dont know.Can you hear her now?No.I yawned, and he was quiet. I thought he was asleep. I drifted in that direction, too.Do you think shell go away? Really gone? Jamie of a sudden whispered. His voice caught on the last word.I was not a liar, and I dont think I could have lied to Jamie if I were. I tried not to think about the implications of my feelings for him. Because what did it soaked if the heavy(p)est love Id ever felt in my nine receives, the first true sense of family, of parental instinct, was for an alien animation-form? I shoved the thought away.I dont know, I told him. And then, because it was true, I added, I hope not.Do you equivalent her want you worry me? Did you used to detest her, homogeneous she hat ed you?Its different than how I kindred you. And I never sincerely hated her, not even in the beginning. I was very afraid of her, and I was angry that because of her I couldnt be like everyone else. that Ive always, always admired strength, and Melanie is the strongest person Ive ever known.Jamie laughed. You were afraid of her?You dont think your child can be scary? Remember the time you went too far up the canyon, and when you came home late she threw a raging hissy fit, according to Jared?He chuckled at the memory. I was pleased, having distracted him from his painful call into question.I was eager to keep the peace with all my new companions in any way I could. I thought I was willing to do anything, no event how backbreaking or smelly, but it turned out I was wrong.So I was thinking, Jeb said to me one day, maybe two weeks after everyone had calmed down.I was beginning to hate those words from Jeb.Do you remember what I was saw about you maybe inculcateing a little her e?My resolving was curt. Yes.Well, how bout it?I didnt have to think it through. No.My refusal sent an unexpected con of guilt through me. Id never refused a Calling before. It felt like a selfish thing to do. Obviously, though, this was not the same. The souls would have never asked me to do something so suicidal.He frowned at me, scrunching his caterpillar eyebrows together. Why not?How do you think Sharon would like that? I asked him in an even voice. It was just one example, but perhaps the most forceful.He nodded, thus far frowning, acknowledging my point.Its for the greater proficient, he grumbled.I snorted. The greater good? Wouldnt that be shooting me?Wanda, thats shortsighted, he said, leaning with me as if my answer had been a serious attempt at persuasion. What we have here is a very unusual opportunity for learning. It would be uneconomic to squander that.I really dont think anyone wants to learn from me. I dont learning ability talking to you or Jamie -Doesnt matt er what they want, Jeb insisted. Its whats good for them. Like chocolate versus broccoli. Ought to know more about the universe-not to mention the new tenants of our planet.How does it help them, Jeb? Do you think I know something that could destroy the souls? Turn the tide? Jeb, its over.Its not over while were still here, he told me, grinning so I knew he was teasing me again. I dont expect you to turn traitor and give us some super-weapon. I just think we should know more about the world we live in.I flinched at the word traitor. I couldnt give you a weapon if I wanted to, Jeb. We dont have some great weakness, an Achilles heel. No archenemies out there in space who could come to your aid, no viruses that will wipe us out and parting you standing. Sorry.Dont sweat it. He made a fist and tapped it playfully against my arm. You might be surprised, though. I told you it gets boring in here. People might want your stories more than you think.I knew Jeb would not leave it alone. Was J eb capable of conceding defeat? I doubted it.At mealtimes I usually sat with Jeb and Jamie, if he was not in naturalize or busy elsewhere. Ian always sat near, though not really with us. I could not fully accept the idea of his self-appointed quality as my bodyguard. It seemed too good to be true and thus, by human philosophy, clearly false.A fewer days after Id refused Jebs request to teach the humans for their own good, Doc came to sit by me during the evening meal.Sharon remained where she was, in the corner farthest from my usual place. She was alone today, without her mother. She didnt turn to watch Doc walking toward me. Her vivid hair was wound into a high bun, so I could see that her neck was stiff, and her shoulders were hunched, tense and un joyful. It made me want to leave at once, before Doc could say whatever he meant to say to me, so that I could not be considered in collusion with him. save Jamie was with me, and he took my hand when he saw the familiar panicked lo ok come into my eyes. He was developing an uncanny ability to sense when I was turning skittish. I sighed and stayed where I was. It should probably have bothered me more that I was such a slave to this childs wishes.How are things? Doc asked in a casual voice, sliding onto the counter next to me.Ian, a few feet down from us, turned his body so it looked like he was part of the group.I shrugged.We boiled soup today, Jamie announced. My eyes are still stinging.Doc held up a pair of bright red hands. Soap.Jamie laughed. You win.Doc gave a mocking bow from the waist, then turned to me. Wanda, I had a question for you He let the words trail off.I raised my eyebrows.Well, I was wondering Of all the different planets youre familiar with, which species is physically the closest to world?I blinked. Why?Just good old-fashioned biological curiosity. I guess Ive been thinking about your Healers Where do they get the knowledge to cure, quite a than just treat symptoms, as you said? Doc was sp eaking louder than necessary, his batty voice carrying farther than usual. Several people looked up-Trudy and Geoffrey, Lily, WalterI wrapped my fortify tightly around myself, emphasiseing to take up less space. Those are two different questions, I murmured.Doc smiled and gestured with one hand for me to proceed.Jamie squeezed my hand.I sighed. The Bears on the Mists planet, probably.With the claw beasts? Jamie whispered. I nodded.How are they similar? Doc prodded.I rolled my eyes, feeling Jebs direction in this, but continued. Theyre close to mammals in many ways. Fur, warm-blooded. Their blood isnt exactly the same as yours, but it does fundamentally the same job. They have similar emotions, the same need for societal interaction and creative outlets -Creative? Doc leaned forward, fascinated-or feigning fascination. How so?I looked at Jamie. You know. Why dont you tell Doc?I might get it wrong.You wont.He looked at Doc, who nodded.Well, see, they have these awesome hands. Jam ie was enthusiastic almost immediately. Sort of double-jointed-they can curl both ways. He flexed his own fingers, as if trying to debar them backward. One side is soft, like my palm, but the other side is like razors They cut the ice-ice sculpting. They make cities that are all crystal castles that never persist Its beautiful, isnt it, Wanda? He turned to me for backup.I nodded. They see a different range of colors-the ice is full of rainbows. Their cities are a point of pride for them. Theyre always trying to make them more beautiful. I knew of one Bear who we called well, something like Glitter Weaver, but it sounds better in that language, because of the way the ice seemed to know what he wanted and shaped itself into his dreams. I met him once and saw his creations. Thats one of my most beautiful memories.They dream? Ian asked quietly.I smiled wryly. Not as vividly as humans.How do your Healers get their knowledge about the physiology of a new species? They came to this plane t prepared. I watched it start-watched the terminal patients walk out of the hospital altogether A frown etched a V-shaped crease into Docs narrow forehead. He hated the invaders, like everyone, but unlike the others, he also envied them.I didnt want to answer. Everyone was listening to us by this point, and this was no pretty cock-and-bull story about ice-sculpting Bears. This was the story of their defeat.Doc waited, frowning.They they take samples, I muttered.Ian grinned in understanding. alienate abductions.I ignored him.Doc pursed his lips. Makes sense.The silence in the room reminded me of my first time here.Where did your kind begin? Doc asked. Do you remember? I mean, as a species, do you know how you evolved?The Origin, I answered, nodding. We still live there. Its where I was born.Thats kind of special, Jamie added. Its rare to meet someone from the Origin, isnt it? Most souls try to stay there, right, Wanda? He didnt wait for my response. I was beginning to regret tel l his questions so thoroughly each night. So when someone moves on, it makes them almost like a celebrity? Or like a member of a royal family.I could feel my cheeks getting warm.Its a cool place, Jamie went on. heaps of clouds, with a bunch of different-colored layers. Its the only planet where the souls can live orthogonal of a host for very long. The hosts on the Origin planet are really pretty, too, with sort of wings and lots of tentacles and big silver eyes.Doc was leaning forward with his face in his hands. Do they remember how the host-parasite relationship was formed? How did the colonization begin?Jamie looked at me, shrugging.We were always that way, I answered slowly, still unwilling. As far back as we were intelligent enough to know ourselves, at least. We were discovered by another species-the Vultures, we call them here, though more for their personalities than for their looks. They were not kind. Then we discovered that we could bond with them just as we had with ou r headmaster hosts. Once we controlled them, we made use of their technology. We took their planet first, and then followed them to the Dragon Planet and the Summer World-lovely places where the Vultures had also not been kind. We started colonizing our hosts reproduced so much slower than we did, and their life spans were short. We began exploring farther into the universeI trailed off, conscious of the many eyes on my face. Only Sharon continued to look away.You speak of it almost as if you were there, Ian notable quietly. How long ago did this happen?After dinosaurs lived here but before you did. I was not there, but I remember some of what my mothers mothers mother remembered of it.How old are you? Ian asked, leaning toward me, his brilliant blue eyes penetrating.I dont know in Earth years.An estimate? he pressed.Thousands of years, maybe. I shrugged. I lose track of the years spent in hibernation.Ian leaned back, stunned.Wow, thats old, Jamie breathed.But in a very real sense , Im younger than you, I murmured to him. Not even a year old. I feel like a child all the time.Jamies lips pulled up slightly at the corners. He liked the idea of being more mature than I was.Whats the aging process for your kind? Doc asked. The natural life span?We dont have one, I told him. As long as we have a healthy host, we can live forever.A low murmur-angry? frightened? disgusted? I couldnt tell-swirled around the edges of the cave. I saw that my answer had been unwise I understood what these words would mean to them.Beautiful. The low, furious word came from Sharons direction, but she hadnt turned.Jamie squeezed my hand, seeing again in my eyes the desire to bolt. This time I gently pulled my hand free.Im not empty-bellied anymore, I whispered, though my bread sat barely touched on the counter beside me. I hopped down and, hugging the wall, made my escape.Jamie followed right buns me. He caught up to me in the big garden plaza and turn over me the remains of my bread.It was real interesting, honest, he told me. I dont think anyones too flip over.Jeb empower Doc up to this, didnt he?You tell good stories. Once everyone knows that, theyll want to hear them. Just like me and Jeb.What if I dont want to tell them?Jamie frowned. Well, I guess then you shouldnt. But it seems like you dont mind telling me stories.Thats different. You like me. I could have said, You dont want to kill me, but the implications would have upset him.Once people get to know you, theyll all like you. Ian and Doc do.Ian and Doc do not like me, Jamie. Theyre just morbidly curious.Do so.Ugh, I groaned. We were to our room by now. I shoved the screen aside and threw myself onto the mattress. Jamie sat down less forcefully beside me and looped his arms around his knees.Dont be mad, he pleaded. Jeb means well.I groaned again.It wont be so bad.Docs going to do this every time I go in the kitchen, isnt he?Jamie nodded sheepishly. Or Ian. Or Jeb.Or you.We all want to know.I sighed and rolled onto my stomach. Does Jeb have to get his way every single time?Jamie thought for a moment, then nodded. Pretty much, yeah.I took a big bite of bread. When I was through chewing, I said, I think Ill eat in here from now on.Ians going to ask you questions tomorrow when youre weeding the spinach. Jebs not making him-he wants to.Well, thats wonderful.Youre pretty good with sarcasm. I thought the parasites-I mean the souls-didnt like negative humor. Just the happy stuff.Theyd learn pretty quick in here, kid.Jamie laughed and then took my hand. You dont hate it here, do you? Youre not miserable, are you?His big chocolate-colored eyes were troubled.I pressed his hand to my face. Im fine, I told him, and at that moment, it was entirely the truth.