The Host Chapter 4: Dreamed

It is too dark to be so hot, or peradventure too hot to be so dark. One of the 2 is slay of place.I crouch in the darkness behind the light protection of a scrubby creosote bush, sweating place only the water left in my body. Its been fifteen minutes since the car left the garage. No lights eat up put in on. The arcadia door is open cardinal inches, permitting the swamp cooler do its job. I cornerst one and only(a) imagine the feel of the moist, cool argument blowing th overstrung the screen. I wish it could reach me present.My expect gurgles, and I clench my abdominal muscles to stifle the sound. It is relieve enough that the murmur carries.I am so hungry.There is a nonher need that is stronger-a nonher hungry stomach hidden safely far away in the darkness, waiting al one and only(a) in the rough spelunk that is our temporary home. A cramped place, jagged with volcanic rock. What go forth he do if I dont fare buns? All the pres certain(a) of motherhood with none of the turn inledge or experience. I feel so hideously helpless. Jamie is hungry.There argon no other houses close to this one. Ive been watching since the sun was s savings bank washcloth hot in the sky, and I dont think in that location is a dog, either.I comfort up from my crouch, my calves belly laugh in protest, but keep hunched at the waist, castigateing to be smaller than the bush. The way up the wash is smooth sand, a pale pathway in the light of the stars. There are no sounds of cars on the road.I screw what they will realize when they return, the monsters who look analogous a nice pas de deux in their early fifties. They will get by exactly what I am, and the search will begin at once. I need to be far away. I really hope they are going away out for a night on the town. I think its Friday. They keep our habits so perfectly, its seriously to see e truly difference. Which is how they won in the first place.The fence around the yard is only waist high. I turn over easily, noiselessly. The yard is gravel, though, and I beat to walk carefully to keep my clog from shifting it. I make it to the patio slab.The blinds are open. The starlight is enough to see that the rooms are empty of movement. This couple goes for a spartan look, and Im grateful. It makes it harder for someone to hide. Of course, that leaves no place for me to hide, either, but if it comes to hiding for me, its too late anyway.I ease the screen door open first, and wherefore the glass door. Both glide silently. I place my feet carefully on the tile, but this is just out of habit. No one is waiting for me here.The cool air feels like heaven.The kitchen is to my left. I can see the gleam of granite counters.I pull the canvas bag from my shoulder and move with the refrigerator. There is a moment of anxiety as the light comes on when the door opens, but I find the button and hold it stamp outwardly with my toe. My eyes are blind. I dont prevail time to let them adjust. I go by feel.Milk, cheese slices, leftovers in a plastic bowl. I hope its the chicken-and-rice amour I watched him cooking for dinner. Well eat this tonight.Juice, a bag of apples. Baby carrots. These will stay good till morning.I hurry to the pantry. I need things that will keep longer.I can see rectify as I gather as a lot as I can carry. Mmm, chocolate balk cookies. Im dying to open the bag in effect(p) now, but I grit my teeth and ignore the bending of my empty stomach.The bag gets heavy too quickly. This will last us only a week, withal off if were careful with it. And I dont feel like being careful I feel like gorging. I shove granola bars into my pockets.One more thing. I hurry to the sink and refill my canteen. Then I put my head under the flow and gulp straight from the stream. The water makes odd noises when it hits my hollow stomach.I start to feel panicked now that my job is done. I want to be out of here. elegance is deadly.I watch the floor on my way out, worried about tripping with my heavy bag, which is wherefore I dont see the silhouetted black figure on the patio until my incur is on the door.I nail his mumbled oath at the same time that a stupid squeak of veneration escapes my mouth. I straining to sprint for the front door, hoping the locks are not latched, or at least not difficult.I dont even get two steps before rough, hard hands grab my shoulders and wrench me patronagebone against his body. as well as big, too strong to be a woman. The bass voice proves me right.One sound and you die, he threatens gruffly. I am shocked to feel a thin, sharp edge pushing into the skin under my jaw.I dont understand. I shouldnt be given a choice. Who is this monster? Ive never heard of one who would ease up rules. I answer the only way I can.Do it, I spit through my teeth. Just do it. I dont want to be a filthy parasiteI wait for the knife, and my heart is aching. to each one beat has a name. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. What will happen to you n ow?Clever, the man mutters, and it doesnt sound like hes speaking to me. essential be a Seeker. And that means a trap. How did they know? The steel disappears from my throat, only to be replaced by a hand as hard as adjure.I can barely breathe under his udder.Where are the rest of them? he demands, squeezing.Its just me I rasp. I cant lead him to Jamie. What will Jamie do when I dont come back? Jamie is hungryI throw my elbow into his gut-and this really hurts. His stomach muscles are as iron hard as the hand. Which is very strange. Muscles like that are the product of hard living or obsession, and the parasites have neither.He doesnt even suck in a breath at my blow. Desperate, I jab my angle into his instep. This catches him off guard, and he wobbles. I wrench away, but he grabs hold of my bag, yanking me back into his body. His hand clamps down on my throat again.Feisty for a peace-loving body snatcher, arent you?His words are nonsensical. I in governection the aliens were a ll the same. I guess they have their nut jobs, too, after all.I twist and claw, trying to break his hold. My nails catch his arm, but this just makes him tighten his hold on my throat.I will kill you, you shadowy body thief. Im not bluffing.Do it, thenSuddenly he gasps, and I wonder if any of my flailing limbs have made contact. I dont feel any new bruises.He lets go of my arm and grabs my hair. This must be it. Hes going to cut my throat. I brace for the slice of the knife.But the hand on my throat eases up, and then his fingers are fumbling on the back of my neck, rough and warm on my skin.Impossible, he breathes.Something hits the floor with a thud. Hes dropped the knife? I try to think of a way to get it. Maybe if I fall. The hand on my neck isnt tight enough to keep me from yanking free. I think I heard where the trade name landed.He spins me around suddenly. There is a click, and light blinds my left eye. I gasp and automatically try to twist away from it. His hand tightens in my hair. The light flickers to my right eye.I cant believe it, he whispers. Youre electrostatic human.His hands grab my face from both sides, and before I can pull free, his lips come down hard on mine.Im frozen for half a second. No one has ever kissed me in my life. non a real kiss. Just my parents pecks on the cheek or forehead, so umpteen years ago. This is something I thought I would never feel. Im not sure exactly what it feels like, though. Theres too oftentimes panic, too much terror, too much adrenaline.I jerk my knee up in a sharp thrust.He chokes out a wheezing sound, and Im free. Instead of running for the front of the house again like he expects, I duck under his arm and leap through the open door. I think I can outrun him, even with my load. Ive got a head start, and hes still making pained noises. I know where Im going-I wont leave a path he can see in the dark. I never dropped the food, and thats good. I think the granola bars are a loss, though.Wait he yells. Shut up, I think, but I dont yell back.Hes running after me. I can hear his voice getting closer. Im not one of themSure. I keep my eyes on the sand and sprint. My dad used to say I ran like a cheetah. I was the fastest on my track team, state champion, back before the end of the world. perceive to me Hes still yelling at full volume. Look Ill prove it. Just stop and look at meNot likely. I pivot off the wash and flit through the mesquites.I didnt think there was anyone left Please, I need to talk to youHis voice surprises me-it is too close.Im sorry I kissed you That was stupid Ive just been alone so longShut up I dont say it loudly, but I know he hears. Hes getting even closer. Ive never been outrun before. I push my legs harder.Theres a low repine to his breathing as he speeds up, too.Something big flies into my back, and I go down. I taste diddlyshit in my mouth, and Im pinned by something so heavy I can hardly breathe.Wait. A. Minute, he huffs.He shifts his weight and rolls m e over. He straddles my chest, trapping my arms under his legs. He is squishing my food. I growl and try to squirm out from under him.Look, look, look he says. He pulls a small cylinder from his hip pocket and twists the top. A beam of light shoots out the end.He turns the flashlight on his face.The light makes his skin yellow. It shows prominent cheekbones beside a long thin nose and a sharply squared-off jaw. His lips are stretched into a grin, but I can see that they are full, for a man. His eyebrows and lashes are bleached out from sun.But thats not what he is presentation me.His eyes, clear liquid sienna in the illumination, shine with no more than human reflection. He bounces the light in the midst of left and right.See? See? Im just like you.Let me see your neck. Suspicion is thick in my voice. I dont let myself believe that this is more than a trick. I dont understand the point of the charade, but Im sure there is one. There is no hope anymore.His lips twist. Well That won t exactly help anything. Arent the eyes enough? You know Im not one of them.Why wont you show me your neck?Because I have a scar there, he admits.I try to squirm out from under him again, and his hand pins my shoulder.Its self-inflicted, he explains. I think I did a sanely good job, though it hurt like hell. I dont have all that pretty hair to cover my neck. The scar helps me blend in.Get off me.He hesitates, then gets to his feet in one easy move, not needing to use his hands. He holds one out, palm up, to me.Please dont run away. And, um, Id rather you didnt vacate me again, either.I dont move. I know he can catch me if I try to run.Who are you? I whisper.He smiles wide. My name is Jared Howe. I havent spoken to another human being in more than two years, so Im sure I must seem a little crazy to you. Please, forgive that and differentiate me your name, anyway.Melanie, I whisper.Melanie, he repeats. I cant break up you how delighted I am to meet you.I grip my bag tightly, keepi ng my eyes on him. He reaches his hand down toward me slowly.And I take it.It isnt until I see my hand curl voluntarily around his that I realize I believe him.He helps me to my feet and doesnt release my hand when Im up.What now? I ask guardedly.Well, we cant stay here for long. Will you come back with me to the house? I left my bag. You beat me to the fridge.I shake my head.He seems to realize how brittle I am, how close to breaking.Will you wait for me here, then? he asks in a gentle voice. Ill be very quick. Let me get us some more food.Us?Do you really think Im going to let you disappear? Ill follow you even if you tell me not to.I dont want to disappear from him.I How can I not trust another human completely? Were family-both part of the brotherhood of extinction. I dont have time. I have so far to go and Jamie is waiting.Youre not alone, he realizes. His expression shows suspicion for the first time.My brother. Hes just nine, and hes so frightened when Im away. It will take me half the night to get back to him. He wont know if Ive been caught. Hes so hungry. As if to make my point, my stomach growls loudly.Jareds smile is back, brighter than before. Will it help if I give you a ride?A ride? I echo.Ill make you a deal. You wait here while I gather more food, and Ill take you anywhere you want to go in my jeep. Its express than running-even faster than you running.You have a car?Of course. Do you think I walked out here?I think of the six hours it took me to walk here, and my forehead furrows.Well be back to your brother in no time, he promises. Dont move from this spot, okay?I nod.And eat something, please. I dont want your stomach to give us away. He grins, and his eyes crinkle up, fanning lines out of the corners. My heart gives one hard thump, and I know I will wait here if it takes him all night.He is still holding my hand. He lets go slowly, his eyes not leaving mine. He takes a step backward, then pauses.Please dont kick me, he pleads, leaning f ormer and grabbing my chin. He kisses me again, and this time I feel it. His lips are softer than his hands, and hot, even in the warm desert night. A flock of butterflies riots in my stomach and steals my breath. My hands reach for him instinctively. I touch the warm skin of his cheek, the rough hair on his neck. My fingers skim over a line of puckered skin, a raised ridge right beneath the hairline.I scream.I woke up covered in sweat. Even before I was all the way awake, my fingers were on the back of my neck, tracing the short line left from the insertion. I could barely find the faint pink blemish with my fingertips. The medicines the Healer had used had done their job.Jareds poorly healed scar had never been much of a disguise.I flicked on the light beside my bed, waiting for my breathing to slow, veins full of adrenaline from the living dream.A new dream, but in essence so much the same as the many others that had plagued me in the past months.No, not a dream. Surely a memor y.I could still feel the waken of Jareds lips on mine. My hands reached out without my permission, searching across the rumpled sheet, looking for something they did not find. My heart ached when they gave up, go to the bed limp and empty.I blinked away the unwelcome moisture in my eyes. I didnt know how much more of this I could stand. How did anyone survive this world, with these bodies whose memories wouldnt stay in the past where they should? With these emotions that were so strong I couldnt tell what I tangle anymore?I was going to be exhausted tomorrow, but I felt so far from sleep that I knew it would be hours before I could relax. I might as well do my duty and get it over with. Maybe it would help me take my mind off things Id rather not think about.I rolled off the bed and stumbled to the computer on the differently empty desk. It took a few seconds for the screen to glow to life, and another few seconds to open my mail program. It wasnt hard to find the Seekers addres s I only had four contacts the Seeker, the Healer, my new employer, and his wife, my Comforter.There was another human with my host, Melanie Stryder.I typed, not bothering with a greeting.His name is Jamie Stryder he is her brother.For a panicked moment, I wondered at her control. All this time, and Id never even guessed at the boys existence-not because he didnt matter to her, but because she protected him more fiercely than other secrets Id unraveled. Did she have more secrets this big, this important? So sacred that she kept them even from my dreams? Was she that strong? My fingers trembled as I describe the rest of the information.I think hes a young adolescent now. Perhaps thirteen. They were living in a temporary camp, and I believe it was north of the town of Cave Creek, in Arizona. That was several years ago, though. Still, you could match a map to the lines I remembered before. As always, Ill tell you if I get anything more.I sent it off. As soon as it was gone, terror wa shed through me.Not JamieHer voice in my head was as clear as my own spoken aloud. I shuddered in horror.Even as I struggled with the fear of what was happening, I was gripped with the insane desire to e-mail the Seeker again and apologize for sending her my crazy dreams. To tell her I was half asleep and to pay no attention to the silly message Id sent.The desire was not my own.I shut off the computer.I hate you, the voice snarled in my head.Then maybe you should leave, I snapped. The sound of my voice, answering her aloud, made me shudder again.She hadnt spoken to me since the first moments Id been here. There was no doubtfulness that she was getting stronger. Just like the dreams.And there was no question about it I was going to have to visit my Comforter tomorrow. Tears of disappointment and humiliation welled in my eyes at the thought.I went back to bed, put a pillow over my face, and tried to think of nothing at all.