The Host Chapter 48: Detained

The red and blue lights swirled in time with the sirens cry.Before the souls had come to this place, these lights and sounds had had sole(prenominal) atomic number 53 meaning. The law, the keepers of the peace, the punishers of offenders.Now, again, the flashing colors and unfounded noise had only one meaning. A very similar meaning. Still the keepers of the peace. Still the punishers. searcher beetles.It wasnt as common a sight or sound as it had been before die. The police force was only needed to help in cases of accidents or other emergencies, non to enforce laws. Most civil servants didnt be possessed of vehicles with sirens, unless the vehicle was an ambulance or a fire truck.This low, knavish car fuck us was non for any accident. This was a vehicle made for pursuit. Id never absorbn anything quite desire it before, that I knew exactly what it meant.Jared was frozen, his appal still pushing worst on the gas pedal. I could see that he was trying to find a solution , a way to outrun them in this decrepit van or a way to evade them-to address our wide white profile in the low, gaunt brush of the desert-without leading them stern to the rest. Without giving everyone away. We were so close to the others now. They slumbered, unawareWhen he gave up after two seconds of frantic thought, he exhaled.Im so sorry, Wanda, he whispered. I blew it.Jared?He reached for my pass around and eased up on the gas. The car started to slow.Got your pill? he choked.Yes, I whispered.Can Mel hear me?Yes. The thought was a sob.Yes. My voice only barely flee being a sob, too.I love you, Mel. Sorry.She loves you. More than anything.A short, aching silence.Wanda, I I care about you, too. Youre a good person, Wanda. You deserve collapse than what Ive given you. Better than this.He had something small, much too small to be so deadly, between his fingers.Wait, I gasped.He could not die.Wanda, we evictt name the chance. We cant outrun them, not in this. If we try to r un, a thousand of them will swarm after us. Think of Jamie.The van was slowing, drifting to the shoulder.Give me one try, I begged. I fumbled rapidly for the pill in my pocket. I pinched it between my thumb and forefinger and held it up. Let me try to lie us out of this. Ill swallow it right away if anything goes wrong.Youll never lie your way past a SeekerLet me try. Quick I pulled off my seat belt and crouched be- cheek him, unfastening his. Switch with me. Fast, before theyre close enough to see.Wanda -One try. HurryHe was the best at split-second decisions. Smooth and fast, he was out of the drivers seat and over my crouched body. I rolled up into his seat musical composition he took mine.Seat belt, I ordered tersely. Close your eyes. Turn your head away.He did as I say. It was too dark to see it, that his new soft pink scar would be visible from this angle.I strapped my seat belt on and wherefore leaned my head back.Lying with my body, that was the key. It was barely a ma tter of the right movements. Imitation. Like the actors on the TV program, only better. Like a human.Help me, Mel, I murmured.I cant help you be a better soul, Wanda. But you can do this. Save him. I know you can.A better soul. I only had to be myself.It was late. I was tired. I wouldnt contribute to act that part.I let my eyelids droop, let my body sag against the seat.Chagrin. I could do chagrin. I could feel it now.My mouth turned humble into a sheep care grimace.The Seekers car did not park behind us, the way I could feel Mel expected. It stopped across the road, on the shoulder, facing the wrong way for that lanes traffic flow. A dazzling light exploded through the window of the other car. I blinked into it, raising my hand to shade my subject with deliberate slowness. Faintly, past the glare of the place, I saw the gleam of my eyes bounce against the road as I looked down.A car door slammed. One set of footsteps made a ideal of low thuds as someone crossed the pavement. There was no sound of dirt or rocks, so the Seeker had emerged from the passenger side. Two of them, at least, only when only one coming to interrogate me. This was a good sign, a sign of comfort and confidence.My glowing eyes were a talisman. A compass that could not fail- exchangeable the North Star, undoubtable.Lying with my body was not the key. Telling the truth with it was enough. I had something in common with the human baby in the park nothing identical me had ever existed before.The Seekers body blocked the light, and I could see again.It was a man. Probably middle-aged-his features conflicted with one another, making it hard to tell his hair was all white, but his face was smooth and unwrinkled. He wore a T-shirt and shorts, a blocky gun clearly visible on his hip. One hand rested on the fairy of the weapon. In his other hand was a dark flashlight. He didnt turn it on.Having a problem, miss? he express when he was a few feet away. You were exhalation much too fast fo r safety.His eyes were restless. They swiftly appraised my expression-which was, hopefully, sleepy-and whence ran along the length of the van, darted into the darkness behind us, flashed forward to the stretch of highway ahead, lit by our headlights, and came back to my face. They repeated the course another time.He was anxious. This knowledge made my palms sweaty, but I tried to keep the panic from my voice.Im so sorry, I apologized in a loud whisper. I glanced at Jared, as if checking to see whether our words had woken him. I think well, I think I major power have travel asleep. I didnt realize I was so tired.I tried to smile remorsefully. I could tell I sounded stiff, like the too-careful actors on the television.The Seekers eyes traced their road again, this time lingering on Jared. My heart jumped painfully against the inside of my ribs. I pinched the pill tighter.It was irresponsible for me to drive for so long without sleep, I said quickly, trying again to smile a little. I thought we could make it to Phoenix before I would need rest. Im very sorry.Whats your name, miss?His voice was not harsh, but neither was it warm. He kept it low, though, following my cue.Leaves Above, I said, using the name from the last hotel. Would he want to check my story? I might need someplace to refer him to.Upside-down Flower? he guessed. His eyes flickered around their course.Yes, I was.My partner, too. Were you on the island?No, I said quickly. The mainland. Between the great rivers.He nodded, perhaps a little disappointed.Should I go back to Tucson? I asked. I think Im quite awake now. Or maybe I should take a nap right here first -No he interrupted me in a louder voice.I jumped, startled, and the little pill slipped from my fingers. It dropped to the metal floor with a faintly audible clink. I felt the blood drain from my face as though a plug had been pulled.Didnt mean to startle you, he apologized quickly, his eyes repeating their restless circle. But you shouldnt linger here.Why? I managed to whisper. My fingers twitched anxiously at the empty air.There was a disappearance newly.I dont understand. A disappearance?It could have been an accident but in that respect might be He hesitated, unwilling to say the word. humanness may be in this area.Humans? I squeaked, too loud. He heard the fear in my voice and interpreted it the only way he could.Theres no proof of that, Leaves Above. No sightings or anything. Dont be anxious. But you should proceed on to Phoenix without unnecessary delay.Of course. Or maybe Tucson? That would be closer.Theres no danger. You can continue with your plans.If youre sure, SeekerIm quite sure. alone dont go wandering off into the desert, Flower. He smiled. The expression warmed his face, making it kind. Just like all the other souls Id dealt with. He wasnt anxious about me, but for me. He wasnt listening for lies. And he probably wouldnt recognize them if he was. Just another soul.I wasnt intend on it. I smiled b ack at him. Ill be much careful. I know I couldnt fall asleep now. I glanced at the desert out Jareds window with a wary expression, so the Seeker would think that fear was making me alert. My expression tensed into a taut mask as I caught sight of a pair of lights reflected in the side mirror.Jareds spine stiffened at the same time, but he held his pose. It looked too tight.My eyes darted back to the Seekers face.I can help with that, he said, still smiling but looking down now as he fumbled to remove something from his pocket.He hadnt seen the change in my face. I tried to control the muscles in my cheeks, to make them relax, but I couldnt concentrate hard enough to make it happen.In the rearview mirror, the headlights got closer.You should not use this often, the Seeker went on, searching the other pocket now. Its not harmful, of course, or the Healers wouldnt have us give it out. But if you use it frequently, it will alter your sleep cycles Ah, here it is. Awake.The lights slow ed as they approached.Just drive by, I begged in my head. Dont stop, dont stop, dont stop.Let it be Kyle at the wheel, Melanie added, thinking the words like a prayer.Dont stop. Just drive. Dont stop. Just drive.Miss?I blinked, trying to focus. Um, Awake?Just inhale this, Leaves Above.He had a thin white aerosol can in his hand. He sprayed a puff of mist into the air in front of my face. I leaned forward obediently and took a sniff, my eyes darting to the mirror at the same time.Its grapefruit scented, the Seeker said. Nice, dont you think?Very nice. My brain was suddenly sharp, focused.The big moving truck slowed and then idled on the road be-hind us.No Mel and I shouted together. I searched the dark floor for one half second, hoping against hope that the little pill would be visible. I couldnt even make out my feet.The Seeker glanced absently at the truck and then waved it forward. I looked back at the truck, too, a forced smile on my face. I couldnt see who was driving. My eyes reflected the headlights, shot out faint beams of their own.The truck hesitated.The Seeker waved again, more broadly this time. Go ahead, he muttered to himself. get hold of Drive DriveBeside me, Jareds hand was clenched in a fist.Slowly, the big truck shuddered into first gear and then inched forward through the space between the Seekers vehicle and ours. The Seekers spotlight outlined two silhouettes, two black profiles, both facing straight forward. The one in the drivers seat had a crooked nose.Mel and I both exhaled in relief.How do you feel?Alert, I told the Seeker.It will wear off in about four hours.Thank you.The Seeker chuckled. Thank you, Leaves Above. When we saw you racing down the road, we thought we might have humans on our hands. I was sweating, but not from the heatI shuddered.Dont worry. Youll be perfectly fine. If youd like, we can follow you to Phoenix.Im respectable fine. You dont need to trouble yourself.It was nice to meet you. Ill be pleased when my shift is over, so that I can go home and tell my partner I met another green-first Flower. Shell be so excited.Um tell her, Brightest sun, longest day for me, I said, giving him the Earthly translation of the common greeting and farewell on the Flower Planet.Certainly. view as a pleasant journey.And you have a pleasant night.He stepped back, and the spotlight hit my eyes again. I blinked tempestuously.Cut it, Hank, the Seeker said, shading his eyes as he turned to walk toward the car. The night turned black again, and I forced another smile toward the invisible Seeker named Hank.I started the engine with shiver hands.The Seekers were faster. The little black car with the incongruous light bar atop it purred to life. It executed a sharp U-turn, and then the taillights were all I could see. They disappeared quickly into the night.I pulled back onto the road. My heart pumped the blood through my veins in hard little bursts. I could feel the fierce pulse throbbing through to my fingertips.The yre gone, I whispered through my suddenly chattering teeth.I heard Jared swallow.That was close, he said.I thought Kyle was expiration to stop.Me, too.Neither of us could speak above a whisper.The Seeker bought it. His teeth were still clenched in anxiety.Yes.I wouldnt have. Your acting hasnt improved much.I shrugged. My body was so rigid, it all moved together. They cant not believe me. What I am well, its something impossible. Something that shouldnt exist.Something unbelievable, he agreed. Something wonderful.His praise thawed some of the ice in my stomach, in my veins.Seekers arent all that different from the rest of them, I murmured to myself. Nothing to be especially afraid of.He shook his head back and forrard slowly. There really isnt anything you cant do, is there?I wasnt sure how to respond to that.Having you with us is going to change everything, he continued under his breath, talking to himself now.I could feel how his words made Melanie sad, but she was not angry thi s time. She was resigned.You can help them. You can protect them better than I could. She sighed.The slow-moving taillights did not frighten me when they appeared on the road ahead. They were familiar, a relief. I sped up-just a little, still a few miles under the limit-to pass them.Jared pulled a flashlight out of the glove compartment. I understood what he was doing reassurance.He held the light to his own eyes as we passed the cab of the truck. I looked past him, through the other window. Kyle nodded once at Jared and took a deep breath. Ian was leaning anxiously around him, his eyes focused on me. I waved once, and he grimaced.We were getting close to our hidden exit.Should I go all the way to Phoenix?Jared thought about it. No. They might see us on the way back and stop us again. I dont think theyre following. Theyre focused on the road.No, they wont follow. I was sure of this.Lets go home, then.Home, I agreed wholeheartedly.We killed the lights, and so did Kyle behind us.We w ould take both vehicles right to the caves and unload quickly so they could be hidden before morning. The little overhang by the entrance would not hide them from view.I rolled my eyes as I thought of the way into and out of the caves. The big mystery I hadnt been able to solve for myself. Jeb was so tricky.Tricky-just like the directions hed given Mel, the lines hed carved onto the back of her photo album. They didnt lead to his cave hideout at all. No, instead they made the person following them parade back and forth in front of his secret place, giving him ample opportunity to decide whether or not to extend an invitation inside.What do you think happened? Jared asked, interrupting my thoughts.What do you mean?The recent disappearance the Seeker mentioned.I stared ahead blankly. Wouldnt that be me?I dont think you would count as recent, Wanda. Besides, they werent watching the freeway before we left. Thats new. Theyre looking for us. Here.His eyes narrowed, while mine widened.Wha t have they been doing? Jared suddenly exploded, slapping his hand loudly against the dashboard. I jumped.You think Jeb and the others did something?He didnt answer me he just stared out across the star-bright desert with furious eyes.I didnt understand. Why would the Seekers be looking for humans just because someone had disappeared in the desert? Accidents did happen. Why would they jump to that particular conclusion?And why was Jared angry? Our family in the caves wouldnt do anything to draw attention to themselves. They knew better than that. They wouldnt go outside unless there was an emergency of some kind.Or something they felt was urgent. Necessary.Had Doc and Jeb been taking improvement of my absence?Jeb had only agreed to stop slaughtering people and souls while I was under the same roof. Was this their compromise?You okay? Jared asked.My throat was too thick to answer. I shook my head. Tears streamed down my cheeks and fell from my chin to my lap.Maybe Id better drive.I shook my head again. I could see well enough.He didnt entreat with me.I was still crying silently when we got to the little mountain that hid our vast cave system. It was actually just a hill-an insignificant outcropping of volcanic rock, like so many others, sparsely decorated with spindly creosote and flat-bladed prickly pears. The thousands of tiny vents were invisible, lost in the jumble of loose purple rocks. Somewhere, smoke would be rising, black on black.I got out of the van and leaned against the door, wiping my eyes. Jared came to stand beside me. He hesitated, then put a hand on my shoulder.Sorry. I didnt know they were planning this. I had no idea. They shouldnt haveBut he only thought that because theyd somehow gotten caught.The moving truck rumbled to a stop behind us. Two doors slammed shut, and then feet were running toward us.What happened? Kyle demanded, there first.Ian was right behind him. He took one look at my expression, at the disunite still running down my cheeks, at Jareds hand on my shoulder, and then rushed forward and threw his arms around me. He pulled me into his chest. I didnt know why this made me cry harder. I clung to him while my tears leaked onto his shirt.Its okay. You did great. Its over.Seekers not the problem, Ian, Jared said, voice strained, his hand still touching me, though he had to lean forward to preserve that point of contact.Huh?They were watching the road for a reason. Sounds like Docs been working in our absence.I shuddered, and for a moment, it seemed like I could taste silver blood in the back of my throat.Why, those - Ians fury robbed him of speech. He couldnt finish his sentence.Nice, Kyle said in a disgusted tone. Idiots. Were gone for a few weeks, and theyve got the Seekers on patrol. They could have just asked us to -Shut up, Kyle, Jared said harshly. Thats neither here nor there at the moment. Weve got to get this all unloaded fast. Who knows how many are watching for us? Lets grab a load and then ge t some more hands.I shook Ian off so that I could help. The tears did not stop running. Ian stayed close to my side, taking the heavy flat of canned soup I picked up and replacing it with a big but light box of pasta.We started down the steep pathway in, Jared leading. The utter blackness did not bother me. I still didnt know this path well, but it wasnt difficult. Straight down, then straight up.We were halfway there when a familiar voice called out from a distance. It echoed down the tunnel, fracturing.Theyre back ack back Jamie was shouting.I tried to dry my tears on my shoulder, but I couldnt get them all.A blue light approached, bouncing as the carrier ran. Then Jamie bounded into view.His face threw me.I was trying to compose myself to greet him, assuming he would be joyful and not wanting to confuse him. But Jamie was already upset. His face was white and tense, his eyes rimmed in red. His dirty cheeks had rivulets through the dust there, tracks made by tears.Jamie? Jared an d I said together, dropping our boxes to the floor.Jamie ran straight for me and threw his arms around my waist.Oh, Wanda Oh, Jared he sobbed. Wes is dead Hes dead The Seeker killed him